Intel Buys Back Ireland Plant Stake for $14.2 Billion

/in /tarafından

Intel will spend $14.2 billion to repurchase the 49% stake in its Ireland manufacturing facility that it previously sold to Apollo Global Management, regaining full ownership of the site.

The stake was originally sold in 2024 for $11.2 billion as part of a joint venture, providing Intel with liquidity during a period of financial pressure and heavy investment in global manufacturing expansion.

The facility, located in Leixlip near Dublin, is a key production site known as Fab 34. It manufactures advanced chips using Intel 4 and Intel 3 process technologies, including Core Ultra processors for personal computers and Xeon processors for data centers.

Intel’s decision to buy back the stake reflects improved financial conditions and renewed demand driven by artificial intelligence workloads. The company has been restructuring under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, focusing on cost discipline, asset optimization and regaining competitiveness in the semiconductor market.

The transaction will be funded through a combination of available cash and approximately $6.5 billion in new debt. Intel expects the move to enhance profitability and strengthen its credit profile starting in 2027.

The development also signals Intel’s strategic shift toward consolidating control over critical manufacturing assets as it ramps up next-generation technologies such as its 18A process node, which may eventually be offered to external clients.

Following the announcement, Intel shares rose more than 10%, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s turnaround strategy.

Hasbro Investigates Cyberattack, Takes Systems Offline

/in /tarafından

Hasbro has launched an investigation into a cybersecurity incident after detecting unauthorized access to its network on March 28.

The company said it engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to assess the breach and respond to the situation. As a precaution, Hasbro has taken certain systems offline and implemented temporary measures to continue processing orders and shipping products.

Despite these efforts, the company warned that disruptions could persist for several weeks, with potential delays in order fulfillment while systems are restored and secured.

Hasbro is still evaluating the full extent of the incident, including which data or files may have been affected. The situation underscores ongoing risks faced by large consumer and manufacturing firms as cyberattacks increasingly target operational infrastructure.

Following the disclosure, Hasbro’s shares declined in premarket trading, reflecting investor concern over possible operational and reputational impacts.

WhatsApp Uncovers Spyware Campaign Targeting Italian Users

/in /tarafından

WhatsApp has revealed that an Italian surveillance firm tricked around 200 users into downloading a fake version of its app embedded with spyware.

The campaign was attributed to ASIGINT, a subsidiary of SIO, which develops cyber intelligence tools for government and law enforcement clients. According to WhatsApp, the attack relied on deception, persuading victims to install malicious software disguised as the legitimate app.

The company described the operation as “highly targeted,” noting that most affected users were based in Italy. The spyware enabled unauthorized surveillance once installed, raising concerns about privacy and digital security.

Meta Platforms, which owns WhatsApp, has taken action to disrupt the campaign. However, details about the specific targets or the full scope of the surveillance have not been disclosed.

This marks the second major spyware-related incident in Italy within 15 months. A previous case involved software from Paragon, which led to a fallout between the company and Italian authorities.

The latest incident highlights the growing use of sophisticated social engineering tactics in cyber espionage, as well as ongoing concerns over the role of commercial surveillance tools in monitoring individuals.