News 27 January 2026

Coles at one-year high ahead of ACCC review, low volume keeps bid hidden
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Coles at one-year high ahead of ACCC review, low volume keeps bid hidden

Coles shares closed at A$24.41 Friday, a 52-week high, up 1.5% on light volume of 2.10 million, below the 3.08 million average. The ACCC will begin monitoring supermarket prices at Coles and Woolworths from July 1 under new excessive-pricing rules. Coles’ price-earnings ratio stands at 32.28, with a 2.99% dividend yield. The company’s FY26 investor day is set for August 25.
June 27, 2026
WhatsApp’s new “Strict Account Settings” is a lockdown switch for high-risk users
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WhatsApp’s new “Strict Account Settings” is a lockdown switch for high-risk users

WhatsApp on Tuesday launched “Strict Account Settings,” blocking unknown attachments, media, and calls, and disabling link previews for users at risk of targeted hacking. The feature, rolling out over the next weeks, mirrors security modes from Apple and Google. WhatsApp says it is intended for users facing sophisticated cyber threats, not the general public.
January 27, 2026
AI tool AnomalyMatch combs Hubble archive, flags 1,300 cosmic anomalies — NASA, ESA
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AI tool AnomalyMatch combs Hubble archive, flags 1,300 cosmic anomalies — NASA, ESA

NASA said Tuesday that an AI tool scanned nearly 100 million Hubble image cutouts in 2.5 days, flagging over 1,300 unusual objects, with more than 800 never previously documented. Most anomalies were merging galaxies or gravitational lenses, but several dozen objects remain unclassified. NASA and ESA said similar AI tools could help process data from upcoming telescopes. The findings appeared in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
January 27, 2026
UK FCA launches “Mills Review” on AI — what it could mean for everyday banking by 2030
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UK FCA launches “Mills Review” on AI — what it could mean for everyday banking by 2030

Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority has begun a major review of advanced AI in retail finance, led by executive director Sheldon Mills. The FCA is seeking feedback from industry and consumers by Feb. 24, with recommendations expected by summer 2026. UK firms remain cautious about customer-facing AI despite rising interest. Lawmakers are pressing for clearer rules as AI tools proliferate in financial services.
January 27, 2026
Texas bans Temu and Shein on state devices as Abbott expands China tech blacklist to 26 firms
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Texas bans Temu and Shein on state devices as Abbott expands China tech blacklist to 26 firms

Texas has added 26 China-linked companies, including Alibaba, Shein, and Temu’s parent PDD, to its banned technologies list for state devices and networks. The update, led by Texas Cyber Command, covers hardware, software, and AI tools. Governor Greg Abbott cited threats from hostile foreign actors. Companies named did not respond to requests for comment.
January 27, 2026
Nvidia’s AI chip rush puts ASML’s laser ‘printers’ in the spotlight ahead of earnings
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Nvidia’s AI chip rush puts ASML’s laser ‘printers’ in the spotlight ahead of earnings

ASML reports earnings Wednesday as investors watch for a possible upgrade to its 2026 sales forecast. The Dutch firm, sole supplier of EUV lithography tools used in advanced AI chips, has seen its shares double since April. Major customers TSMC and Intel are increasing capital spending, driving demand for ASML systems. Analysts’ estimates for 2026 sales are outpacing the company’s current guidance.
January 27, 2026
Micron’s $24 billion Singapore chip bet: 1,600 jobs and NAND output pencilled in for 2028
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Micron’s $24 billion Singapore chip bet: 1,600 jobs and NAND output pencilled in for 2028

Micron will invest $24 billion to build a new NAND flash memory wafer fab in Singapore, with production set to begin in the second half of 2028 and about 1,600 jobs to be created. The facility will add 700,000 square feet of cleanroom space to Micron’s existing complex. Analysts warn tight memory supply may persist through 2027, despite increased output from Samsung and SK Hynix.
January 27, 2026
Japan-U.S. $550B plan eyes synthetic diamond plant in U.S. as China export curbs bite
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Japan-U.S. $550B plan eyes synthetic diamond plant in U.S. as China export curbs bite

Japan and the U.S. are in talks to build a synthetic diamond plant in the U.S., sources say, as part of Japan’s $550 billion investment plan. The move comes as China tightens export controls on artificial diamonds, which are critical for chipmaking and precision tools. No formal agreements have been signed, and discussions involve Element Six, a De Beers division. A Hitachi-linked power project is also in early stages.
January 27, 2026
EU tightens screws on Google: Brussels moves to open Gemini features and Search data to rivals
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EU tightens screws on Google: Brussels moves to open Gemini features and Search data to rivals

The European Commission opened two proceedings against Google on Tuesday to enforce the Digital Markets Act, focusing on Android interoperability for third-party AI and access to Google Search data on FRAND terms. Preliminary findings are expected in three months, with the process set to conclude in six. Google says it already complies, while EU officials stress equal access for rivals.
January 27, 2026
Intel Panther Lake vs Apple M5: Early benchmarks show Intel ahead in multi-core — but not in everything
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Intel Panther Lake vs Apple M5: Early benchmarks show Intel ahead in multi-core — but not in everything

Intel’s new Panther Lake laptop chips outperformed Apple’s M5 in initial multi-core and graphics benchmarks, according to early reviews. Apple retained a lead in single-core performance. Reviewers noted results varied by workload, and pricing and thermal data remain unknown. Benchmarks surfaced ahead of the chips’ broad market release.
January 27, 2026
Nothing Phone 4a spotted in UAE TDRA certification — here’s what it could mean for launch plans
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Nothing Phone 4a spotted in UAE TDRA certification — here’s what it could mean for launch plans

A device labeled as model A069, linked by tech outlets to the upcoming Nothing Phone 4a, has received regulatory approval from the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. The filing, dated Jan. 22, lists no features or commercial name. Nothing has not officially announced the phone. The same model number has appeared in India’s regulatory database, and leaks suggest a price under $600.
January 27, 2026
iPhone Air price cut in China sparks buyer anger as Apple leans on Lunar New Year discounts
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iPhone Air price cut in China sparks buyer anger as Apple leans on Lunar New Year discounts

Apple’s iPhone Air saw discounts up to 2,500 yuan in China, dropping its starting price to 5,499 yuan on Tmall after subsidies, 36Kr reported. The cuts follow weak demand since its October 2025 launch. Apple’s official store maintained original pricing, while some authorized retailers sold out quickly. The iPhone 17 is not included in Apple’s separate Lunar New Year sale running Jan. 24–27.
January 27, 2026
Clawdbot goes viral — but security warnings trail the AI assistant behind the Mac mini rush
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Clawdbot goes viral — but security warnings trail the AI assistant behind the Mac mini rush

SOCRadar reported 1,009 Clawdbot gateways exposed online after scanning with Shodan. The open-source AI assistant has seen a surge in use, with some users buying Mac minis to run it nonstop. Creator Peter Steinberger advised against new hardware purchases and urged basic security. Exposed instances risk leaking credentials and allowing unauthorized command execution.
January 27, 2026
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