Critical infrastructure

Beijing tightens grip on rare earth exports

China has announced new restrictions on rare earth and permanent magnet exports, significantly escalating its control over critical materials essential for advanced technologies and defence production. The move, revealed ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected meeting with President Xi Jinping, introduces the most rigid export controls yet.

For the first time, Beijing will require foreign companies to obtain approval to export magnets that contain even minimal Chinese-sourced materials or were made with Chinese technology, effectively extending its influence across the global supply chain.

The restrictions could have profound implications for the US defence and semiconductor industries. Rare earth elements are indispensable for producing fighter jets, submarines, missiles, and other advanced systems.

Beginning 1 December 2025, any company tied to foreign militaries, particularly the US, will likely be denied export licenses, while applications for high-tech uses, such as next-generation semiconductors, will face case-by-case reviews. These measures grant Chinese authorities broad discretion to delay or deny exports, tightening their strategic control at a time when Washington already struggles to boost domestic production.

Beijing’s announcement also limits Chinese nationals from participating in overseas rare earth projects without government authorisation, aiming to block the transfer of technical know-how abroad. Analysts suggest the move serves both as a negotiation tactic ahead of renewed trade talks and as a continuation of China’s long-term strategy to weaponise its dominance in the rare earth sector, which supplies over 90% of the world’s magnet manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the US is racing to build resilience. Noveon Magnetics and Lynas Rare Earths are partnering to establish a domestic magnet supply chain, while the Department of War has invested heavily in MP Materials to expand rare earth mining and processing capacity.

Yet experts warn that developing these capabilities will take years, leaving China with significant leverage over global supply chains critical to US national security.

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Intel unveils next-gen 18A processors with high performance and efficiency

Intel has revealed its next-gen client and server processors using Intel 18A, the most advanced US-made semiconductor node. The new Intel Core Ultra 3 (Panther Lake) and Xeon 6+ (Clearwater Forest) promise major performance and efficiency gains, with production already underway at Fab 52 in Arizona.

Panther Lake introduces a scalable multi-chiplet architecture for consumer and commercial AI PCs, gaming devices, and edge applications. It offers over 50% faster CPU and GPU performance, up to 180 TOPS for AI, and new robotics AI capabilities.

High-volume production begins later this year, with broad availability expected in January 2026.

Clearwater Forest is designed for hyperscale data centres, cloud providers, and telcos. Built entirely on Intel 18A, the Xeon 6+ processor offers up to 288 E-cores, a 17% IPC uplift, and improved density, throughput, and power efficiency.

It is set to launch in the first half of 2026.

Intel 18A underpins at least three upcoming generations of client and server products, with key innovations including RibbonFET transistors, PowerVia backside power delivery, and Foveros advanced packaging.

Fab 52 further strengthens the company’s US manufacturing leadership, supporting domestic production and strategic supply chain resilience.

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Quantum innovations promise faster, cleaner, more efficient technologies

The Nobel Prize in Physics has spotlighted quantum mechanics’ growing role in shaping a smarter, more sustainable future. Such advances are reshaping technology across communications and energy.

Researchers are finding new ways to use quantum effects to boost efficiency. Quantum computing could ease AI’s power demands, while novel production methods may transform energy systems.

A Institute of Science Tokyo team has built a quantum energy harvester that captures waste heat and converts it into power, bypassing traditional thermodynamic limits.

MIT has observed frictionless electron movement, and new quantum batteries promise faster charging by storing energy in photons. The breakthroughs could enable cleaner and more efficient technologies.

Quantum advances offer huge opportunities but also risks, including threats to encryption. Responsible governance will be crucial to ensure these technologies serve the public good.

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ID data from 70,000 Discord users exposed in third-party breach

Discord has confirmed that official ID images belonging to around 70,000 users may have been exposed in a cyberattack targeting a third-party service provider. The platform itself was not breached, but hackers targeted a company involved in age verification processes.

The leaked data may include personal information, partial credit card details, and conversations with Discord’s customer service agents. No full credit card numbers, passwords, or activity beyond support interactions were affected. Impacted users have been contacted, and law enforcement is investigating.

The platform has revoked the support provider’s access to its systems and has not named the third party involved. Zendesk, a customer service software supplier to Discord, said its own systems were not compromised and denied being the source of the breach.

Discord has rejected claims circulating online that the breach was larger than reported, calling them part of an attempted extortion. The company stated it would not comply with demands from the attackers. Cybercriminals often sell personal information on illicit markets for use in scams.

ID numbers and official documents are especially valuable because, unlike credit card details, they rarely change. Discord previously tightened its age-verification measures following concerns over the misuse of some servers to distribute illegal material.

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European Commission launches Apply AI and AI in Science strategies

Countries are racing to harness AI, and the European Commission has unveiled two strategies to maintain Europe’s competitiveness. Apply AI targets faster adoption across industries and the public sector, while AI in Science focuses on boosting Europe’s research leadership.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe must shape AI’s future by balancing innovation and safety. The European Commission is mobilising €1 billion to boost adoption in healthcare, manufacturing, energy, defence, and culture, while supporting SMEs.

Measures include creating AI-powered screening centres for healthcare, backing frontier models, and upgrading testing infrastructure. An Apply AI Alliance will unite industry, academia, civil society, and public bodies to coordinate action, while an AI Observatory will monitor sector trends and impacts.

The AI in Science Strategy centres on RAISE, a new virtual institute to pool and coordinate resources for applying AI in research. Investments include €600 million in compute power through Horizon Europe and €58 million for talent networks, alongside plans to double annual AI research funding to over €3 billion.

The EU aims to position itself as a global hub for trustworthy and innovative AI by linking infrastructure, data, skills, and investment. Upcoming events, such as the AI in Science Summit in Copenhagen, will showcase new initiatives as Europe pushes to translate its AI ambitions into tangible outcomes.

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Google invests €5 billion to boost Belgium’s AI infrastructure

The US tech giant, Google, has announced a €5 billion investment in Belgium to strengthen its AI and cloud infrastructure over the next two years.

A plan that includes major expansions of its Saint-Ghislain data centre campuses and the creation of 300 full-time jobs.

The company has also signed agreements with Eneco, Luminus and Renner to develop new onshore wind farms and supply the Belgian grid with clean energy.

Alongside the infrastructure push, Google will fund non-profits to deliver free AI training for low-skilled workers, ensuring broader access to digital skills.

By deepening its presence in Belgium, Google aims to bolster the country’s technological and economic future. The initiative marks one of Europe’s largest AI infrastructure investments, reflecting growing competition to secure leadership in the continent’s digital transformation.

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ABB sells Robotics division to SoftBank in $5.4 billion deal

The Swedish-Swiss electrical engineering corporation ABB has agreed to sell its Robotics division to Japan’s SoftBank Group for an enterprise value of $5.375 billion, abandoning plans for a spin-off.

However, the move marks one of the most significant robotics transactions in recent years, and reflects both firms’ ambition to drive the next era of AI-based automation.

A divestment that will allow ABB to focus on its core businesses in electrification and automation, while SoftBank expands its ‘Physical AI’ strategy.

ABB said the sale would create immediate shareholder value and that proceeds would be used according to its capital allocation principles.

The Robotics division, which employs around 7,000 people and generated $2.3 billion in 2024 revenues, will become part of SoftBank’s portfolio upon completion of the deal, expected by mid-to-late 2026. The transaction is projected to yield ABB a pre-tax book gain of about $2.4 billion.

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son said the acquisition aligns with his vision to combine artificial superintelligence and robotics to ‘propel humanity forward’.

ABB’s CEO Morten Wierod said the partnership would unite ABB’s industrial expertise with SoftBank’s AI capabilities, strengthening its global leadership in advanced robotics.

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Discord incident highlights growing vendor security risks

A September breach at one of Discord’s customer service vendors has exposed user data, highlighting the growing cybersecurity risks associated with third-party providers. Attackers exploited vulnerabilities in the external platform, but Discord’s core systems were not compromised.

Exposed information includes usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, and partial payment details, such as the last four digits of credit card numbers. No full card numbers, passwords, or messages were accessed, which limited the scope of the incident compared to more severe breaches.

Discord revoked the vendor’s system access, launched an investigation, and engaged law enforcement and forensic experts. Only users who contacted support were affected. Individuals impacted are being notified by email and advised to remain vigilant for potential scams.

The incident underscores the growing risk of supply chain attacks, where external service providers become weak points in otherwise well-secured organisations. As companies rely more on vendors, attackers are increasingly targeting these indirect pathways.

Cybersecurity analysts warn that third-party breaches are on the rise amid increasingly sophisticated phishing and AI-enabled scams. Strengthening vendor oversight, improving internal training, and maintaining clear communication with users are seen as essential next steps.

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Kazakhstan turns to AI to fight the shadow economy

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has directed the full implementation of AI across government agencies to meet President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s goal of reducing the shadow economy’s share in GDP to 15 percent in 2025.

At a government session, Bektenov said progress must go beyond reports and correspondence, calling for structural reforms in taxation, digitalisation, and business regulation. He urged ministries to pursue a ‘transparent economy’ through comprehensive AI and data integration initiatives.

The State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan will lead the digital transformation, supported by a new Data Processing Centre established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

Bektenov stressed that digitalisation projects such as cashless payments and the digital tenge have already proven effective in curbing unrecorded transactions and improving financial oversight.

AI will also be deployed in customs risk profiling and cargo inspection analysis to detect fraud and reduce corruption.

The Ministries of Finance, Justice, Trade, and National Economy were instructed to integrate databases under the Smart Data Finance system and to finalise an automated risk management system for company registration by 25 November.

Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin will oversee coordination.

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