Melbourne-based fleet management firm Netstar Australia has been hit by the Blackshrantac ransomware group in a data extortion attack, underscoring rising cyber risks in the telematics sector that handles sensitive GPS data for government and critical infrastructure operators.
The Rhysida ransomware group has targeted Harbour Town Doctors, a Queensland medical centre, threatening to leak sensitive patient data. The attack highlights the persistent threat of ransomware to the Australian healthcare sector.
One of the largest lead generation datasets ever compiled has been found exposed online, containing 4.3 billion professional records in a 16 terabyte unsecured database.
From TikTok’s dance-off to Instagram’s copycat moves, this week saw Trump forge powerful alliances with Silicon Valley’s elite. The launch of the $500B Stargate AI initiative and the fierce rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman highlight a new era where politics and tech collide.
In a whirlwind week where billion-dollar tech deals take center stage, the United States witnessed an extraordinary convergence of politics and technology. The ironic twist? Donald Trump reclaimed the Oval Office just as TikTok’s fate hung by a thread—and yet again, he was the one holding the scissors. Amidst this backdrop, a fierce rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman emerged, adding another layer of drama to an electrifying tech-political landscape. With Silicon Valley’s elite flocking to Washington, the lines between government policy and corporate ambition have never been more intertwined.
At the heart of this week’s drama was TikTok, caught in a tug-of-war between President Trump’s policy agenda and Elon Musk’s advocacy for free expression. Facing a legislative ultimatum, Trump postponed TikTok’s ban to address broader political implications. Musk, defending the app’s role in fostering open dialogue, argued that TikTok’s survival aligned with democratic values. Analysts estimated a deal’s potential worth at $40-$50 billion. The attendance of TikTok’s CEO at Trump’s inauguration added to the suspense, signaling a narrative destined for business-school case studies.
With TikTok teetering on the brink of a potential blackout, Instagram seized the moment to launch an aggressive bid to dominate the short-form video space. Introducing new Reels features, longer video formats, and editing tools mirroring TikTok’s CapCut, Instagram aimed to attract displaced creators and capture billions in ad revenue. “We’ve historically only allowed Reels up to 90 seconds,” explained Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, highlighting the platform’s responsiveness to user feedback.
Amid frigid conditions, Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President unfolded in the Capitol Rotunda. Declaring a “golden age of America,” Trump unveiled plans to combat trade abuses and align his administration with Silicon Valley’s powerhouses. Tech luminaries including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos took center stage, symbolizing a fusion of political authority and technological influence. Investors responded with enthusiasm, as markets surged in anticipation of tech-driven policies.
Trump’s second term underscored a deepening collaboration between the federal government and Silicon Valley. On his first day, he signed an executive order delaying TikTok’s ban and proposed a 50% U.S. government stake in the app. Trump also floated tariffs on China if a deal met resistance. Supporters celebrated the administration’s focus on innovation, while critics warned of power consolidation. The balance between economic growth and ethical governance will be a defining challenge in this new alliance.
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Following the inauguration, Trump announced “Stargate,” a $500 billion AI project aimed at solidifying U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. Partnering with Sam Altman, Larry Ellison, and Masayoshi Son, the initiative launched with $100 billion allocated to Texas. Sam Altman hailed it as “the most important project of this era,” while Larry Ellison emphasized its national security significance. However, Elon Musk, now heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), publicly clashed with Altman, calling the project “fake” and labeling him “untrustworthy.” Musk accused Altman of being a “swindler” and “liar,” prompting Altman to invite Musk to Stargate’s first construction site, asserting the project is “great for the country.” Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs’ Brian Singer warned of monumental energy demands, predicting data centers could consume up to 8% of U.S. power by 2030.
The AI race is accelerating, with global powers competing to dominate Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in a winner-takes-all battle. Trump’s unveiling of the $500 billion “Stargate” initiative aims to cement U.S. leadership in AI, partnering with Silicon Valley giants. While heralded as a pivotal step for innovation and national security, the project also highlights growing concerns over unchecked AI development and its broader implications for the economy and social systems.
TikTok and Instagram continue to redefine digital engagement, shaping culture and policy worldwide. The intersection of tech deals, foreign policy shifts, and U.S.-China rivalry underscores AI’s strategic importance. Moving forward, the partnership between government and tech giants will raise critical questions about accountability, ethics, and global collaboration.
By 2027 the race to become the first cosmic CEO is moving from science fiction to strategy. Starcloud has already trained an AI model in orbit on an Nvidia H100, while Google prepares Project Suncatcher. What remains missing is not ambition, but clear pricing and proof orbital compute can pay.
Australia’s National AI Plan is a welcome start on skills and safety, but it plays too safe. While the US, Europe and the Gulf pour sovereign capital into chips, compute and energy, Canberra is still talking about catalysing investment rather than committing.
Oracle has become a test of how much debt markets will tolerate in the AI buildout. Rising credit costs and growing use of swaps show investors backing the AI story while seeking protection in case promised workloads and cash flows fail to arrive on time.
NVIDIA’s staggering 57 billion quarter didn’t just calm the market, it rewrote the AI story. What looked like a bubble unwind now looks like a misread. With sovereign AI deals, a Saudi megacentre and a global capex surge, NVIDIA has reset the race and reminded investors this era is only beginning.
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