Russia Restricts Putin Surveillance Over AI Fears

Russian security services have reportedly shut down parts of a surveillance system protecting President Vladimir Putin following concerns that advanced artificial intelligence-powered intelligence tools could expose vulnerabilities in state security infrastructure.

According to a Financial Times report, the decision came after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered heightened global scrutiny over the use of AI-enabled surveillance systems in intelligence operations.

The report said Russian authorities became alarmed that similar technologies allegedly used in Iran—where Israeli intelligence is believed to have exploited traffic-camera networks and AI systems to track movements and identify high-level meetings—could also be used to compromise Russia’s own surveillance architecture.

As a result, engineers are said to have temporarily disabled and later isolated sections of Putin’s personal security camera network from the internet in order to prevent possible external exploitation.

Officials reportedly feared that systems originally designed for domestic monitoring could be repurposed by foreign intelligence agencies as data-rich entry points into state security operations.

The concerns were linked to intelligence activities surrounding the Iran operation, in which Israeli operatives were said to have analysed large volumes of traffic-camera footage and other visual data to monitor movements in the lead-up to the February 28 assassination in Tehran.

The episode, first reported in March, has intensified debate within global intelligence communities over the growing weaponisation of surveillance infrastructure, particularly systems powered by artificial intelligence.

At the centre of this shift are emerging AI-driven security firms such as Israeli startups Airis and Conntour, which are developing tools capable of processing vast streams of fragmented video data from multiple sources.

Airis, which has raised about $60m from investors including PSG Equity and TLV Partners, reportedly builds systems that integrate footage from traffic cameras, drones, and body-worn devices into unified intelligence platforms capable of real-time analysis and querying.

Trade Disruptions, Inflation Threaten Caribbean Growth — Barnett

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has raised fresh concerns over worsening global economic headwinds, warning that disruptions in international trade, energy markets and supply chains are deepening inflationary pressures and threatening food security across the region.

Speaking at the opening of the 62nd Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) held at CARICOM Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett, said member states must brace for continued volatility in the global economy while strengthening internal resilience mechanisms.

Dr. Barnett noted that overlapping global crises were reshaping geopolitical and economic relations, with developing regions such as the Caribbean bearing a disproportionate burden of rising costs.

She said disruptions in global energy and supply chains had already triggered instability in financial markets, pushing inflation higher and weakening the medium-term global economic outlook.

Citing projections from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the CARICOM chief warned of a possible decline in global merchandise trade volumes this year, adding that small island and developing economies face sharper exposure to rising fuel, food and fertilizer prices.

According to her, these pressures were not only worsening inflation but also undermining food security and increasing external vulnerabilities across CARICOM member states.

“Our resilience is being tested, and safeguarding our trade and economic development agenda requires strategic, coordinated and focused efforts,” Dr. Barnett said, stressing that decisions taken at the COTED meeting would have far-reaching consequences for citizens, businesses, young people and the self-employed across the Community.

The high-level meeting, which brings together trade and economic ministers from across the Caribbean, is expected to deliberate on key issues affecting the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), external trade negotiations, and the region’s broader development agenda.

Dr. Barnett said a preliminary assessment of the CSME—CARICOM’s central integration framework—shows the need for stronger implementation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to ensure greater resilience in the face of global disruptions.

She emphasised that Article 164 of the Treaty, which provides special provisions for temporary tariff protections and market access to support local industries in Less Developed Countries, remains critical to the survival and competitiveness of regional manufacturing sectors.

Commending the CARICOM Development Fund, she noted ongoing support programmes aimed at strengthening industries benefiting from Article 164 protections, describing them as essential to sustaining production and improving regional competitiveness.

The Secretary-General also highlighted progress on the development of a CARICOM Digital Trade Policy, describing it as a strategic shift to position the region within an increasingly digital and interconnected global economy.

On external relations, Dr. Barnett disclosed that CARICOM is nearing completion of negotiations to expand its Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement with Colombia, urging ministers at the COTED meeting to provide strategic guidance to finalise the deal.

She also referenced the implications of the United States’ “America First” trade policy, noting that CARICOM technical teams and an Expert Working Group had been engaging with the Office of the United States Trade Representative to prepare for future discussions on the bloc’s trading relationship with Washington.

According to her, the multilateral trading system had been under strain even before current global tensions, citing a fractured dispute settlement mechanism, stalled rule-making processes, and weak compliance monitoring systems within the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Kidnapped Nigeria’s Ex-Military Spokesman Dies in Captivity as Insecurity Persists in North-West

A retired major general of the Nigerian Army, Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted by gunmen in Katsina State last month, has died in captivity, the military confirmed on Sunday.

Abubakar, a former Director of Army Public Relations and one-time military spokesman, was kidnapped alongside his wife and driver while travelling to a wedding ceremony in Katsina on May 30.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, while the whereabouts and condition of his wife are yet to be disclosed.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of Nigeria described the death of the retired senior officer as tragic, noting that security agencies had deployed extensive resources in an effort to secure his release.

“In deference to ongoing rescue efforts by security agencies, the Armed Forces withheld public comment while every operational resource was deployed in the hope of securing his safe return,” the military said.

The military added that operations had been intensified to track down those responsible for the abduction and dismantle criminal and terrorist networks operating in the region.

The death of the retired officer has once again drawn attention to the persistent security challenges confronting north-west Nigeria, where armed gangs commonly referred to as bandits continue to carry out kidnappings, cattle rustling and deadly attacks on rural communities.

Katsina State remains one of the areas worst affected by the violence despite repeated military operations aimed at restoring security.

Local reports indicated that Abubakar and members of his entourage were intercepted by armed men who attacked their vehicle while they were travelling to attend a wedding ceremony.

Days before news of his death emerged, a video circulated on social media appeared to show the retired general in captivity.

In the footage, Abubakar was seen alongside his wife and other hostages, with what appeared to be an injury on his left leg.

The military had remained silent on the incident while rescue efforts were ongoing, a move it said was intended to avoid jeopardising operations aimed at securing the victims’ freedom.