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AT&T increases reward in cable vandalism to $250,000
Late last eek vandals cut fiber optic cables in three California counties, disrupting communication and commerce; AT&T increases reward for information which will lead to capturing the vandals
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What to do about high-seas piracy?
The debate intensifies over what to do about the growing problem of piracy on the high seas; here is a sample of the points being discussed
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Russia's parliament approves purchase of Israel-made UAVs
The $50 million deal is seen in Israel to be of major significance strategically and commercially; Israel hopes growing defense cooperation with Russia will persuade the latter not to sell sophisticated S-300 defensive systems to Iran and Syria
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Combating a silent attacker: Using information assurance to protect federal agencies // by Stan Tyliszczak
To defeat the next generation of cyber threats, government agencies will need to not only deploy the latest cyber security tools, but also cultivate and maintain an information security-savvy workforce through concerted, longstanding training initiatives
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Three U.S. companies sued over Saddam's 1980s chemical attacks
In the 1980s, during the Iran-Iraq war, the United States provided intelligence, weapons, and economic aid to Iraq; materials provided by American companies were used in the making of chemicals which Saddam used in 1988 in his chemical attacks on the Kurds; five Kurdish families, now living in the United States, sue three U.S. companies over these chemical attacks
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U.S. saw record number of visitors in 2008
Dire predictions about how enhanced security at U.S. port of entry notwithstanding, 2008 saw a record 50.5 million foreign visitors come to the United States
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High-seas piracy triggers higher insurance rates for shippers
Here is a problem ideally suited for contemporary courses at business schools: Shippers face a a choice: if they send their ships to sail through the piracy-infested Gulf of Aden, they now have to pay much higher insurance; they can instead choose to take long trips around the Africa’s southern tip; both choices add millions to the cost of each journey; which one is preferable?
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Cisco acquires Tidal Software for $105 million
Cisco buys Palo Alto-based Tidal Software to enhance the next-generation data centers it is building; Cisco is also planning on challenging IBM and Hewlett-Packard by building servers
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Technology companies to enjoy stimulus package funds
The emphasis of the Obama administration on directing a large portion of the stimulus package toward improving the U.S. infrastructure means the technology companies with the right solutons stand to benefit
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£8.5 million in grants for innovative businesses in east England
U.K. regional development agency has £8.5 million in grants for research and development of hi-tech products and proof of concept; businesses may also benefit from funds available from the European Regional Development Fund
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Cobham acquires Argotek for $36.25 million
U.K. global defense group Cobham, eager to exploit the growing business opportunities in IT security, acquires U.S. IT security specialist Argotek; acquisition requires approval by CFIUS
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Russia places orders for more than 50 Israeli UAVs
As was the case with the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, Russia has been slow to warm up to UAVs; the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war changed minds in Russia
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Texas electrical grid's operator says he is on watch for hackers
Bob Kahn, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas: “We are constantly modifying and upgrading our protections as technology advances, business requirements change and new threats emerge”
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SBAC to U.K. government: don't starve successful sectors
The Society of British Aerospace Companies tells government investment in defense and aerospace should be increased; more investment should go to science, technology, engineering, and maths education
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Aussie government in $43 billion fast Internet scheme
The economic slowdown found private Australian telecommunication companies unwilling to fund a high-speed national broadband network, a network which Kevin Rudd’s government believes is essential for the country’s economic competitiveness; the government is stepping in, saying it would invest at least $21.9 billion of taxpayers’ money to get the project going
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The long view
Europe’s Banks Quietly Mobilize for Economic Warfare
For years, banks treated defense as a reputational issue, as well as an environmental, social and governance risk, often lumping it with tobacco or fossil fuels as something to be managed at arm’s length. That era is ending. Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s coercive trade tactics and the United States’ pressure on Europe to shoulder more of its defense burden have exposed the limits of moralistic restraint. Financial mobilization is the new norm.
A New Generation of Industries Emerges in Texas as Feds Push to Mine More Rare Minerals
The U.S. doesn’t produce the minerals and metals needed for renewable energy, microchips or military technology. Major oil companies are drilling in East Texas again, but not for oil. This time, they’re after lithium for batteries and other rare elements.
U.S. and Australia Deepen Critical-Minerals Engagement to Counter China
Engagement between Australia and the United States on critical minerals has matured from technical cooperation into a strategic partnership, aligning resource security with clean energy and defense priorities.
Bookshelf: Critical Mineral Dilemmas
Whoever controls the production and processing of lithium, copper and other critical minerals could dominate the 21st century economy, much as producers of fossil fuels defined the 20th century, writes Ernest Scheyder in a new book.