AI News Flash for February 16, 2026 at 13:00 UTC.

Topics:

1. Pentagon warns Anthropic will "pay a price"

https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/anthropic-defense-department-relationship-hegseth

2. China's tech shock is "just getting started"

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/16/chinas-tech-shock-ai-monopoly-us.html

3. xAI Memphis data center air pollution violations

https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/16/a-different-set-of-rules-thermal-drone-footage-shows-musks-ai-power-plant-flouts-clean-air-rules/

4. India announces $1.1 billion AI venture fund

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/16/india-ai-impact-summit-tech-ceos-new-delhi.html