THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 2/28/25

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy.”

— John Quincy Adams

‘Gambling with World War III’: Zelenskyy Leaves White House After Trump Calls Him ‘Disrespectful’
President Donald Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House ended in a heated exchange, derailing a planned economic deal granting the U.S. a share of Ukraine’s mineral profits in exchange for aid. When Zelenskyy pushed for a U.S. security commitment, Vice President JD Vance rebuffed him, prompting Trump to accuse him of “gambling with World War III.” The disagreement led to the cancellation of a press conference, and Zelenskyy left without signing the agreement. This setback raises uncertainty about U.S.-Ukraine relations and future peace negotiations. Click here to read more.

Google’s co-founder tells AI staff to stop ‘building nanny products’
Google co-founder Sergey Brin has issued a high-pressure call to action for Google DeepMind (GDM) employees, emphasizing the urgency of winning the race to artificial general intelligence (AGI). In a memo, Brin urged AI teams to work longer hours (suggesting 60-hour weeks), return to the office daily, and prioritize speed and simplicity in development. He also criticized excessive filtering in AI products, advocating for more user trust. Brin’s message signals a major push within Google to accelerate AGI efforts as competition in the field intensifies. Click here to read more.

The House chaplain matters
Speaker Mike Johnson may soon appoint a new House chaplain, with reports suggesting author and pastor Becky Tirabassi is a top contender to replace acting chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben. This potential shift reflects broader trends in Congress, where more members identify as non-denominational Protestants rather than traditional denominations. As a Southern Baptist and outspoken conservative, Johnson’s decision could bring an evangelical influence to the chaplaincy, emphasizing biblical principles and moral clarity. The selection carries significant weight, shaping spiritual guidance for lawmakers and reinforcing faith’s role in governance. Click here to read more.

Hackers can turn any Bluetooth device into an AirTag and track its location
A newly discovered loophole in Apple’s Find My network allows attackers to turn any Bluetooth-enabled device into an AirTag-like tracker, potentially compromising user privacy worldwide. Researchers from George Mason University demonstrated that attackers can exploit this flaw without advanced hacking skills or root access, achieving a 90% success rate in minutes. The vulnerability, which affects Linux, Windows, and Android devices, relies on Bluetooth permissions and precomputed encryption key tables to track locations through Apple’s vast network of iPhones. Apple has released patches, but the risk persists as long as unpatched devices remain in use. Click here to read more.

Amid truce concerns, US plans emergency $3 billion Israel arms deals
The Trump administration has approved nearly $3 billion in emergency weapons sales to Israel, marking the second such approval this month. The packages include thousands of general-purpose and bunker-busting bombs, with some deliveries potentially sourced from U.S. stock for immediate deployment. A separate $675 million sale will provide guided bomb kits, while $295 million is allocated for Caterpillar D9 bulldozers. This comes days after the administration removed a Biden-era requirement to report potential violations of international law by U.S. allies. The move follows ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Click here to read more.