International
Biden to propose term limits, new code of ethics for the Supreme Court: report

From LifeSiteNews
Joe Biden is not likely to succeed in getting enough support to amend the Constitution for his plan, but talking about it caters to left-wing ire about the Supreme Court over decisions such as overturning Roe v. Wade, affirming presidential immunity, and gutting bureaucratic power.
Embattled Democrat President Joe Biden is planning to propose a set of dramatic changes to the U.S. Supreme Court meant to appease left-wing rage over its recent ruling in favor of presidential immunity and other outcomes favored by their political foes, according to a new report in The Washington Post.
The Post reported Tuesday that over the weekend Biden shared with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus the details of his plan, which include term limits for Supreme Court justices and a new and “enforceable” code of ethics.
“I’m going to need your help on the Supreme Court, because I’m about to come out — I don’t want to prematurely announce it — but I’m about to come out with a major initiative on limiting the court,” he reportedly told the left-wing lawmakers. “I’ve been working with constitutional scholars for the last three months, and I need some help.”
The plan also includes proposing a constitutional amendment that would “eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders,” according to the Post.
The proposals, most of which would require the difficult process of amending the U.S. Constitution, are not likely to become reality even if Biden wins reelection in November, as it would require either a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers of Congress or a convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures, then ratification by popular vote in 38 states.
But they continue Democrats’ catering to liberal activists’ hatred of the Court over a string of high-profile rulings that have gone against their interests, including overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022 and this summer affirming some presidential immunity for Donald Trump and overturning the Chevron doctrine that gave significant regulatory discretion to unelected bureaucrats; as well as ongoing attacks on conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
In any event, Democrats continue to question whether they will get an opportunity to try to put such plans into action next year in light of ongoing discontent over Biden’s age, mental ability, and political viability.
Polling aggregations by RealClearPolitics and RaceToTheWH indicate a slim popular-vote lead for Trump in the November election, and, more important, leads in swing states translating to an Electoral College advantage over Biden.
Business
Chinese firm unveils palm-based biometric ID payments, sparking fresh privacy concerns

By Ken Macon
Alipay’s biometric PL1 scanner uses vein and palm-print data for processing payments, raising security concerns over the storage and use of permanent biometric data.
Alipay, the financial arm of Alibaba, has introduced a new palm-based biometric terminal, dubbed the PL1, which enables individuals to make purchases simply by presenting their hand – no phone, card, or PIN required. Positioned as a faster, touch-free alternative for payment, this system reflects a growing industry shift toward frictionless biometric transactions.
At the core of the PL1 is a dual-mode recognition system that combines surface palm print detection with internal vein mapping. This multi-layered authentication relies on deeply unique biological signatures that are significantly harder to replicate than more common methods like fingerprints or facial scans. Alipay reports that the device maintains a false acceptance rate of less than one in a million, suggesting a substantial improvement in resisting identity spoofing.
Enrollment is designed to be quick: users hover their palm over the sensor and link their account through a QR code. Once registered, purchases are completed in around two seconds without physical interaction. During early trials in Hangzhou, this system reportedly accelerated checkout lines and contributed to more hygienic point-of-sale environments.
The PL1 arrives at a time of rapid expansion in the biometric payments sector. Forecasts estimate that more than 3 billion people will use biometrics for transactions by 2026, with total payments surpassing $5 trillion. Major players are already onboard: Amazon has integrated palm authentication across U.S. retail and healthcare facilities, while JP Morgan is gearing up for a national deployment in the same year.
Alipay envisions the PL1’s use extending well beyond checkout counters. It is exploring applications in public transit, controlled access facilities, and healthcare check-ins, reflecting a broader trend toward embedding biometric systems in daily infrastructure. However, while domestic deployment benefits from favorable policy conditions, international expansion may be constrained by differing legal standards, particularly in jurisdictions that enforce stringent rules on biometric data usage and consent.
Despite the technological advancements and convenience the PL1 offers, privacy remains a major point of contention. Unlike passwords or cards that can be reset or replaced, biometric data is immutable. If compromised, individuals cannot simply “change” their palm patterns or vein structures. This permanence heightens the stakes of any potential data breach and raises long-term concerns about identity theft and surveillance.
Alipay’s approach, storing encrypted biometric templates locally on devices and restricting data flow within national border, does address certain regulatory demands, especially within China, but the broader implications of biometrics are likely to be a growing privacy and surveillance concern in the coming years.
conflict
Marco Rubio says US could soon ‘move on’ from Ukraine conflict: ‘This is not our war’

From LifeSiteNews
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling the EU/UK bluff here because he knows without the U.S. the EU/UK will not commit to fight Russia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to reporters in Paris on April 18 about the prolonged peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. However, a frustrated Rubio warned that the U.S. could “move on” from its involvement in negotiations to end the war if no progress is made “within a matter of days and weeks.” That’s the mainstream media narrative.
The non-pretending summary is that Ukraine, France, Great Britain, the EU, NATO, et al are all trying to retain their interests in the conflict. Russia has simple terms, but the war machinery controlled by the intel apparatus (CIA and EU) and the financial stakeholders in the EU region are unhappy. A frustrated Secretary Rubio says, make up your mind, if no deal – we’re done.
Having followed this very closely, here’s what “we’re done” likely means.
President Trump ends the U.S. side of the proxy war. President Trump pulls back all support for Ukraine, stops sending money, weapons, and, to the extent he can, intelligence to Ukraine. This opens the door for Russia to go full combat as the ground thaws, without concern for U.S. to engage.
The EU will have to step up with funding, intelligence, and war material to continue supporting Ukraine. Rubio is calling the EU/UK bluff here because he knows without the U.S. the EU/UK will not commit to fight Russia.
Remember that if no one does anything, Russia has already gained the ground they want and will just continue grinding western Ukraine to ever-expanding rubble. Factually, doing nothing is a big win for Russia, especially if Trump withdraws.
Reprinted with permission from Conservative Treehouse.
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