Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a $11 billion investment to build new data centres in Georgia, aiming to support the growing demand for cloud computing and AI technologies. The facilities, located in Butts and Douglas counties, are expected to create at least 550 high-skilled jobs and position Georgia as a leader in digital innovation.
The move highlights a broader trend among tech giants investing heavily in AI-driven advancements. Last week, Microsoft revealed an $80 billion plan for fiscal 2025 to expand data centres for AI training and cloud applications. These facilities are critical for supporting resource-intensive AI technologies like machine learning and generative models, which require vast computational power and specialised infrastructure.
The surge in AI infrastructure has also raised concerns about energy consumption. A report from the Electric Power Research Institute suggests data centres could account for up to 9% of US electricity usage by 2030. To address this, Amazon has secured energy supply agreements with utilities like Talen Energy in Pennsylvania and Entergy in Mississippi, ensuring reliable power for its expanding operations.
Amazon’s commitment underscores the growing importance of AI and cloud services, as companies race to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Israeli cybersecurity companies raised $4 billion in 2024, more than doubling the previous year’s total, according to venture capital firm YL Ventures. The sector, a key driver of Israel’s economy, saw strong investment growth despite geopolitical challenges. Cloud security and AI played a significant role in attracting funding, with early-stage startups securing $400 million across 50 seed rounds.
Investment in later-stage cybersecurity firms also surged, with growth-stage funding rounds raising $2.9 billion—an increase of 300% from 2023. The expansion reflects growing global confidence in Israel’s cybersecurity industry, which is increasingly recognised as a leader in the field. YL Ventures highlighted the role of Israeli military intelligence units in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that strengthens the sector.
The ongoing war following Hamas’s October 2023 attack has added pressure on tech founders, many of whom have been called into military service. Industry leaders have had to navigate operational challenges while maintaining business continuity. Looking ahead to 2025, venture capital firms anticipate continued investment growth, particularly in early and mid-stage funding rounds, as cybersecurity remains a global priority.
Cyberattacks on Taiwan’s government departments doubled in 2024, reaching an average of 2.4 million attacks per day, according to the island’s National Security Bureau. Most of the attacks were attributed to Chinese cyber forces, with key targets including telecommunications, transportation, and defence. The report highlighted the increasing severity of China’s hacking activities, noting that many of the attacks were timed to coincide with Chinese military drills around Taiwan.
Taiwan has long accused Beijing of using cyberwarfare as part of broader “grey-zone harassment” efforts, which also include military exercises and surveillance balloons. The latest report detailed how China’s cyber forces employed advanced hacking techniques, such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and social engineering, in an attempt to steal confidential government data. These attacks were aimed at disrupting Taiwan’s infrastructure, including highways and ports, and gaining strategic advantages in politics, military affairs, and technology.
China has not responded to the allegations, though it routinely denies involvement in hacking operations. However, Taiwan’s findings come amid growing international concerns over Chinese cyber activities, with the United States recently accusing Chinese hackers of stealing sensitive documents from the US Treasury Department. Taiwan’s government has warned that Beijing’s cyber threats are intensifying and pose a growing risk to national security.
Recent reports reveal that Chinese hackers have compromised a broader range of US telecommunications companies than previously known. In addition to earlier breaches involving AT&T and Verizon, the cyberattacks have now been found to affect Charter Communications, Consolidated Communications, Windstream, Lumen Technologies, and T-Mobile. The hacking group, identified as Salt Typhoon and linked to Chinese intelligence, exploited vulnerabilities in network devices from security vendors such as Fortinet and Cisco Systems.
The Wall Street Journal reports that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan informed telecommunications and technology executives in a confidential meeting in late 2023 that these hackers had developed the capability to disrupt critical US infrastructure, including ports and power grids. While companies like AT&T and Verizon have stated that their networks are now secure and that they are collaborating with law enforcement, concerns persist about the extent and impact of these breaches.
China has denied involvement in these cyber activities, accusing the United States of disseminating disinformation. Nonetheless, the revelations have intensified discussions about national security and the resilience of US critical infrastructure against sophisticated cyber threats. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in safeguarding sensitive communications and infrastructure from state-sponsored cyber espionage.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has proposed new export restrictions on key technologies for producing lithium and gallium, vital components in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other advanced applications. These measures, announced Thursday, aim to bolster China’s dominant position in processing critical minerals, where it controls 70% of global lithium refining capacity. The proposed rules are open for public comment until 1 February, but no implementation date has been specified.
Industry experts warn the restrictions could disrupt global supply chains. Adam Webb of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that Western lithium producers might struggle to access Chinese technology critical for refining lithium chemicals, potentially delaying production and innovation. Meanwhile, the rules could also complicate the global ambitions of Chinese battery giants like CATL and Gotion by restricting their overseas operations.
The proposed curbs come amid ongoing trade tensions, with Beijing responding to mounting international scrutiny over its control of crucial materials. The measures may deepen competition between China and other nations striving for energy independence and a sustainable transition to EVs if enacted.
Russian gas deliveries to Europe via Ukraine ceased on New Year’s Day, concluding decades of reliance on Moscow’s energy dominance. Gazprom confirmed the halt at 0500 GMT, following Ukraine’s refusal to renew a transit agreement. The stoppage, long anticipated, follows a dramatic shift in European energy dynamics spurred by the war in Ukraine.
Alternative supply arrangements by EU nations such as Slovakia and Austria have ensured that the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine will not affect consumer prices. Hungary remains connected to Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline, while Moldova’s pro-Russian Transdniestria region is already facing heating shortages due to the cutoff.
The European Union has significantly reduced its dependence on Russian energy, replacing supplies with liquefied natural gas from Qatar and the US, as well as piped gas from Norway. Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko hailed the decision as historic, stating that Russia would face substantial financial losses as a result.
Both sides are set to incur economic setbacks. Ukraine is losing $800 million annually in transit fees, while Gazprom faces a $5 billion drop in sales. Once dominant in Europe’s energy markets, Russia’s share has plummeted from 35% to near irrelevance, marking the end of an era shaped by Soviet-era pipeline projects.
Sanctions have been imposed by the US on organisations in Iran and Russia accused of attempting to influence the 2024 presidential election. The Treasury Department stated these entities, linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU), aimed to exploit socio-political tensions among voters.
Russia’s accused group utilised AI tools to create disinformation, including manipulated videos targeting a vice-presidential candidate. A network of over 100 websites mimicking credible news outlets was reportedly used to disseminate false narratives. The GRU is alleged to have funded and supported these operations.
Iran’s affiliated entity allegedly planned influence campaigns since 2023, focused on inciting divisions within the US electorate. While Russia’s embassy denied interference claims as unfounded, Iran’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
A recent US threat assessment has underscored growing concerns about foreign attempts to disrupt American democracy, with AI emerging as a critical tool for misinformation. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the electoral process.
Eskom has reconnected the second unit of the Koeberg nuclear power plant to South Africa’s grid following a significant refurbishment, providing a welcome boost to electricity supply. This achievement follows a decade marked by controlled power outages, which have finally given way to nine months of uninterrupted electricity, improving business confidence in the country.
Located near Cape Town, Koeberg remains Africa’s sole commercial nuclear power plant, generating approximately 1,860 megawatts, or 5% of the nation’s electricity. Eskom’s CEO, Dan Marokane, highlighted Koeberg’s role in aligning economic and environmental goals, promoting a sustainable energy future.
In a move to extend the plant’s longevity, the nuclear regulator approved a 20-year extension of Unit 1’s operating licence in July. A similar decision for Unit 2 is anticipated by 2025, underscoring South Africa’s commitment to maintaining and expanding its nuclear energy resources.
Looking ahead, South Africa plans to add 2,500 megawatts of nuclear capacity. Efforts to revive the development of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, abandoned over a decade ago, are also under consideration as the nation explores innovative energy solutions.
Chinese hackers have been accused of infiltrating the US Treasury Department in a significant cyber attack. The breach, described as a ‘major incident’, allowed attackers to access employee workstations and unclassified documents, raising concerns over national security. The intrusion reportedly involved a third-party service provider’s compromised security key.
Officials confirmed that BeyondTrust, the affected service provider, had been taken offline. Investigations suggest a China-based Advanced Persistent Threat group was responsible. The Treasury has since partnered with the FBI and other agencies to assess the damage, while third-party forensic investigators are analysing the breach’s full impact.
China’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as baseless, reiterating its opposition to hacking. Accusations of Chinese cyber espionage have become more frequent, with recent incidents involving critical infrastructure and telecom companies. Officials claim the Treasury hack sought information rather than financial theft.
The incident comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Chinese cyber activities, with two prominent hacking groups linked to espionage and potential disruption campaigns. A supplemental report on the Treasury breach is expected within 30 days, as investigators continue their inquiries.
AT&T and Verizon have confirmed cyberattacks linked to a Chinese hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon,” but assured the public on Saturday that their US networks are now secure. Both companies acknowledged the breaches for the first time, stating they are cooperating with law enforcement and government agencies to address the threat. AT&T disclosed that the attackers targeted a small group of individuals tied to foreign intelligence, while Verizon emphasised that the activities have been contained following extensive remediation efforts.
The attacks, described by US officials as the most extensive telecommunications hack in the nation’s history, reportedly allowed Salt Typhoon operatives to access sensitive network systems, including the ability to geolocate individuals and record phone calls. Authorities have linked the breaches to several telecom firms, with a total of nine entities now confirmed as compromised. In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has urged government officials to transition to encrypted communication methods.
US Senators, including Democrat Ben Ray Luján and Republican Ted Cruz, have expressed alarm over the breach’s scale, calling for stronger safeguards against future intrusions. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have denied the accusations, dismissing them as disinformation and reaffirming their opposition to cyberattacks. Despite assurances from the companies and independent cybersecurity experts, questions remain about how long it will take to fully restore public confidence in the nation’s telecommunications security.
