Financial Times
Learning from protests that took place in Iran in late 2019 when a shutdown of its National Information Network (NIN) failed to prevent citizens from organizing protests online, Iran’s government has almost completely shut down the Internet during the ongoing protests. The blackout blocked even insiders with special access, halting banking, phones, and websites, while parts of the NIN were selectively restored to maintain economic functions. Iranian activists and exiles have circumvented the shutdown using Starlink satellite connections and customized software.
From "Iran Switches Off the Internet, Protesters Fight Back"
Financial Times (01/14/26) Mehul Srivastava; Chris Campbell
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CBS News
The U.S. Department of Justice announced in a memo to employees the creation of an AI taskforce to challenge state-level AI regulations. The AI Litigation Taskforce will consult with White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks and other officials to identify state laws that could be challenged as illegal, unconstitutionally regulating interstate commerce, or overridden by existing federal regulations.
From "DOJ Creates Task Force to Challenge State AI Regulations"
CBS News (01/09/26) Sarah N. Lynch; Lauren Fichten
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The Jerusalem Post (Israel)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt signed a cyber defense coordination agreement on Jan. 11. This followed a Letter of Intent signed by Israeli and German officials detailing the nations' intent to cooperate to broaden their cyber defense capabilities. The letter called for cooperation to develop the next generation of the "Cyber Dome," establish a Cyber Center of Excellence, perform joint exercises and simulations in cybersecurity and AI, and advance regulation in cyber risk management.
From "Israel Signs Cyber Defense Cooperation Agreement with Germany"
The Jerusalem Post (Israel) (01/12/26) Tzvi Jasper
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The Washington Post
U.S. President Donald Trump is urging tech companies to ensure their datacenters do not drive up local electricity rates or otherwise burden communities near those facilities. In a post on his Truth Social site Monday, Trump wrote, "“We are the “HOTTEST” Country in the World, and Number One in AI. Data Centers are key to that boom, and keeping Americans FREE and SECURE but, the big Technology Companies who build them must ‘pay their own way.’”
From "Trump Seeks to Quell Datacenter Rebellion"
The Washington Post (01/13/26) Ian Duncan; Evan Halper
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BBC News
The U.S. has approved Nvidia’s sale of its advanced H200 AI chips to China under revised export rules, easing earlier restrictions driven by national security concerns. Under the Commerce Department’s revised export policy, shipments of H200 and less-advanced processors will be allowed provided U.S. supply is sufficient, buyers meet security requirements, and the chips are not used for military purposes. Exports of the more-advanced Blackwell chips to China remain blocked.
From "U.S. Approves Sale of Nvidia Advanced AI Chips to China"
BBC News (01/13/26) Osmond Chia
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Financial Times
Glasgow has become Europe’s leading hub for manufacturing tiny CubeSat satellites, anchored by companies such as AAC Clyde Space, which has expanded from building hardware to providing satellite data and services. The city forms part of a growing Scottish space ecosystem that spans satellite manufacturing, data analytics, rocket launches and spaceports, with applications in forestry monitoring, maritime security, and defense.
From "Tiny Satellites Take Glasgow to the Stars"
Financial Times (01/12/26) Simeon Kerr
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