The Ministry of Defence announced that the UK is developing its first quantum clock, a cutting-edge device designed to enhance military intelligence and reconnaissance. Created by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the clock boasts unparalleled precision, losing less than one second over billions of years.
By leveraging quantum mechanics to measure atomic energy fluctuations, the technology reduces reliance on vulnerable GPS systems, offering greater resilience against disruption by adversaries. That marks the UK’s debut in building such a device, with deployment anticipated within five years.
While not the world’s first quantum clock (similar technology was pioneered in the US 15 years ago), the UK effort highlights a growing global race in quantum advancements. Quantum clocks hold potential beyond military applications, impacting satellite navigation, telecommunications, and scientific research.
Countries like the United States and China are heavily investing in quantum technology, seeing its transformative potential. Future UK research aims to miniaturise the quantum clock for broader applications, including integration into military vehicles and aircraft, underscoring its strategic importance in defence and industry.
Samsung Electronics has become the largest shareholder of South Korea’s Rainbow Robotics, solidifying its position in the robotics sector. The company acquired an additional stake worth 267 billion won (£159 million), according to a regulatory filing by Rainbow Robotics.
The move raises Samsung’s holding in Rainbow Robotics from 14.71% to a controlling position. Prior to this, the firm’s founder, Oh Jun-ho, and related entities held the largest stake in the robotics company.
Samsung plans to establish a Future Robotics Office, which will report directly to the CEO. Moreover, this step underscores its commitment to advancing robotics as a strategic priority for future growth.
The acquisition is expected to enhance Samsung’s influence in robotics innovation and strengthen its role in shaping the industry’s future.
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.
India solidified its global leadership in 2024, making remarkable strides in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, defence, nuclear energy, and space exploration. Initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and breakthroughs such as the indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin propelled the pharmaceutical sector’s exports to USD 28 billion. Biotechnology expanded 13-fold over the past decade, achieving a valuation of USD 130 billion, with ambitions to hit USD 300 billion by 2030.
The nation’s defence sector reached unprecedented levels of self-reliance, recording indigenous production worth 15.24 billion USD and a 30-fold rise in exports. Achievements like the Agni-5 missile test and the deployment of advanced ballistic missile defence systems highlighted India’s strategic capabilities. In nuclear energy, capacity nearly doubled to 8,180 MW, with a roadmap to triple this by 2032 through projects like Bharat Small Reactors.
India’s space programme achieved significant milestones, including the approval of the Venus Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-4, as well as advancements in private sector contributions. The foundation of a second spaceport and the celebration of National Space Day underscored the sector’s growing prominence. Additionally, the solar mission Aditya-L1 made groundbreaking contributions to space weather predictions.
Infrastructure and emerging technologies further reinforced India’s position on the global stage. Developments such as the completion of a Hyperloop test track and the GNSS-enabled tolling system showcased futuristic planning. Quantum communication, AI, and blockchain innovations, including the Vishvasya platform, demonstrated India’s commitment to leading the next technological revolution.
LG aims to captivate attendees at CES 2025 with the introduction of the 45GX990A, a gaming monitor described as the ‘world’s first bendable 5K2K display’. The 45-inch OLED screen boasts a resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 pixels, a 21:9 aspect ratio, and an impressive ability to transition between a flat and 900R curvature for immersive gameplay.
Advanced WOLED technology powers the monitor, delivering vivid colours, true blacks, and reduced eye strain. LG has also incorporated its Anti-Glare & Low Reflection (AGLR) coating, designed to reduce distracting screen glare. The device includes a rapid 0.03ms response time and compatibility with Nvidia G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.
Gamers can expect customisable presets tailored to various genres, such as FPS, RPG, and racing simulators. Connectivity is robust, featuring DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and USB-C with 90W power delivery, making the 45GX990A a versatile choice for PC and console users.
The Ultragear GX9 series will also introduce two additional models. These include the 45GX950A, featuring a fixed 800R curvature, and the 39GX90SA, a smaller yet equally striking 39-inch variant. All models will be showcased at the highly anticipated CES 2025 event.
Taiwan’s government faces significant funding challenges for its semiconductor, AI, and aerospace sectors. The science ministry has warned that economic and technology spending could be cut by T$20 billion (£486 million) next year, a move linked to recent legislation passed by opposition parties. The legislation redirects central government funds to local municipalities, drawing criticism from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and protestors.
Economic partnerships with tech giants such as Micron, AMD, and Nvidia are also at risk. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs highlighted concerns about future budgets potentially undermining international collaborations in AI and other advanced technologies. Micron, the island’s largest foreign investor, along with AMD and Nvidia, relies on partial government funding for joint projects.
Projected cuts include a reduction of T$29.7 billion in overall economic ministry spending, with T$11.6 billion specifically targeting technology initiatives. Observers note that the financial constraints could weaken Taiwan’s position in global technology innovation.
Government officials and industry leaders are urging a re-evaluation of spending priorities to safeguard Taiwan’s leadership in key technology sectors.
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.
Goodman Group has emerged as a standout performer in Australia’s real estate sector this year, with its stock soaring 45.8%, marking its strongest run since 2006. The surge is driven by a boom in AI, which has sparked frenzied demand for data centres. Global tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have poured billions into expanding their data centre capacity, fueling growth for developers like Goodman.
At the end of September, 42% of Goodman’s A$12.8 billion ($7.96 billion) development portfolio was dedicated to data centres, a jump from 37% last year. Analysts like John Lockton of Sandstone Insights see this focus as a key strength, noting the company’s access to land with power supply, a critical factor for future data-centre projects.
Despite the optimism, some caution remains. Analysts warn that soaring valuations in the data-centre sector could cool investor enthusiasm. Goodman’s high stock prices and concerns over risks like obsolescence and increased competition raise questions about long-term returns. Nonetheless, with robust demand for AI infrastructure, Goodman’s pipeline and strategic positioning keep it well-poised for continued growth.
Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, has partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to introduce direct-to-cell satellite connectivity, marking a major technological advancement for the war-torn nation. Kyivstar’s parent company, VEON, announced that messaging services will be available by late 2025, with voice and data services to follow in later stages.
Direct-to-cell technology connects satellites to smartphones, functioning like space-based cell towers. Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, launched its first satellites equipped with this capability earlier this year and has struck similar deals in the US, Japan, and New Zealand. Ukraine will be one of the first countries to adopt this innovation and the first active conflict zone to benefit from it.
The deal highlights Starlink’s continued support for Ukraine, despite ongoing Russian attempts to jam signals between the satellites and ground terminals. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the move solidifies Starlink’s role in providing essential connectivity to Ukraine amid geopolitical tensions.
Hackers temporarily disrupted around ten official websites in Italy on Saturday, including those of the Foreign Ministry and Milan’s two airports, according to the country’s cybersecurity agency. The pro-Russian group Noname057(16) claimed responsibility on Telegram, describing the attack as a retaliation against what it called Italy’s ‘Russophobia.’
The attack, a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) operation, flooded networks with excessive data traffic, paralysing their functionality. Italy’s cybersecurity agency acted swiftly, mitigating the impact within two hours. A spokesperson confirmed that assistance was provided to affected institutions and companies.
Despite the disruptions, flights at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports were unaffected, and the airports’ mobile apps continued to operate normally, according to SEA, the company managing the airports. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, highlighting ongoing threats from cyber groups linked to geopolitical tensions.
