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The Securities and Exchange Commission has dismissed its high-profile lawsuit against SolarWinds and its Chief Information Security Officer, Timothy Brown, over the 2020 Russia-linked Sunburst cyberattack. The case, filed in 2023, accused the firm of hiding security flaws but faced judicial pushback and industry criticism. A joint motion to dismiss with prejudice was filed Thursday. SolarWinds welcomed the move, saying: “We hope this resolution eases the concerns many CISOs have voiced.” The cybersecurity sector had feared the case could discourage transparency among security leaders.

 

Reuters

Ransomware Shifts You Must Act On

Ransomware is evolving faster than most security teams can respond, and the latest data from 1,300 organizations shows how quickly risk is escalating. With 900 victims hit by encryption or exfiltration in the past year alone, leaders can no longer rely on outdated assumptions about attacker behavior. Law enforcement crackdowns are reshaping threat dynamics. Data theft is rising even as ransom payments fall. Legal exposure is growing. These shifts demand sharper preparedness, stronger resilience and a clearer understanding of the operational and compliance risks that follow an attack. This report distills six critical trends and the real-world strategies organizations are using to harden defenses, improve recovery outcomes and limit business disruption. It is a concise, high-value briefing for anyone responsible for protecting data, ensuring continuity and reducing the financial and regulatory fallout of a breach.

 

A draft of an executive order seen by Reuters indicates President Trump may be seeking to preempt state laws on artificial intelligence through lawsuits and by withholding federal funding. AI companies say a patchwork of state laws stifles innovation. According to the order, Attorney General Pam Bondi would be tasked with setting up an "AI Litigation Task Force whose sole responsibility shall be to challenge state AI laws, including on grounds that such laws unconstitutionally regulate interstate commerce, are preempted by existing federal regulations, or are otherwise unlawful."

 

Reuters

The European Union's General Court has dismissed a legal challenge filed by Amazon against its decision to designate the firm as a "very large online platform" and therefore subject to stricter regulations around advertising and content moderation. The online retailer had argued in court that marketplaces like the Amazon Store do not pose systemic risks.

 

Euractiv

Reuters

Wall Street Journal

The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported significant losses in its National Emergency Strategic Stockpile due to equipment damage and a temperature deviation affecting pharmaceuticals. The total loss amounts to over C$21m, including C$1.2m in lab equipment and more than C$20m in vaccines. Health Minister Marjorie Michel's office acknowledged the "technical malfunction" and said that measures are being taken to prevent future incidents. Conservative health critic Dan Mazier called for a parliamentary investigation, labelling the situation "shocking and unacceptable." The agency maintains that the stockpile remains capable of responding to public health emergencies.

 

The Globe and Mail

Amazon and Microsoft are supporting the Gain AI Act, legislation that would restrict Nvidia's ability to export AI chips to China unless U.S. demand is met first. The bill, which benefits cloud giants by ensuring chip access and easing export rules to friendly regions, has exposed a rare rift with Nvidia, their major supplier. Nvidia argues the act could lead to excessive regulation and disrupt the chip market. Backers say it preemptively secures supply amid rising AI demand. The act has bipartisan backing but still needs broader Republican support to pass as part of the defense bill by year-end.

 

Wall Street Journal

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a California law requiring companies with annual revenues exceeding $500m to disclose how climate change may impact their finances. The law, set to take effect in January, aims to enhance transparency and encourage companies to evaluate their emissions reduction strategies. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce argued that the law infringes on First Amendment rights. Chamber of Commerce lawyer Daryl Joseffer said: “One state should not have the ability to impose this kind of burden on the entire country.” Meanwhile, another law mandating annual carbon emissions reporting for companies earning over $1bn can stay in place for now, the court ruled.

 

Los Angeles Times

U.S. News

The House Judiciary Committee has advanced the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025 (HR 2675), which aims to restrict non-U.S. investors from financing American lawsuits. The bill, passed with a 15-11 vote, prohibits sovereign wealth funds and foreign governments from funding U.S. litigation, either directly or indirectly. Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) said: “My bill safeguards the integrity of our judicial system.” The proposal would also require other non-American investors to disclose their participation.

 

Bloomberg Law

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee has called on Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to testify regarding her role in enforcing internet laws that it said may infringe on free speech. In a letter dated November 18, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, a Republican, described Grant as a "noted zealot for global takedowns" and accused her of collaborating with pro-censorship groups. He expressed concern over what he said was her "expansive interpretation" of Australia's Online Safety Act (OSA), which he claimed threatens American speech.

 

U.S. News

A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a $7m independent investigation into potential fraud at First Brands, the bankrupt auto parts maker accused of misusing invoice factoring to raise short-term cash. Allegations include double-selling invoices and withholding payments meant for financial institutions. The company has over $10bn in liabilities and is suing its founder Patrick James for allegedly misappropriating hundreds of millions of dollars - claims he denies. Judge Christopher Lopez tasked the U.S. DOJ’s bankruptcy watchdog with appointing the examiner, stressing the need for a fast, focused investigation.

 

Reuters

Kroger has announced that it will close three robotic delivery warehouses that use Ocado technology in Florida, Maryland, and Wisconsin, as part of a strategy to revamp its $12bn e-commerce business. The closures, set for January, will result in a $2.6bn write-off. The company aims to enhance its digital operations, expecting an annual improvement of $400m. Kroger plans to shift some delivery operations to existing grocery stores and has strengthened partnerships with third-party delivery services including Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. Ocado said that it will lose out on $50m in revenue this financial year as a result of the closures. 

 

Cincinnati Enquirer

Financial Times

Reuters

Blue Owl has called off a merger between two of its private credit funds after the Financial Times detailed how the move risked inflicting steep losses on some investors.

 

Financial Times

Lawrence Summers, the former U.S. Treasury secretary, has resigned from the board of OpenAI following the release of Epstein emails which showed he had asked the late paedophile for advice on an extramarital affair. Summers has already stepped down from a number of other roles and there are also call for him to resign his position at Harvard.

 

Financial Times

The Daily Telegraph

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support for skilled immigrants who can train U.S. workers in high-tech industries. Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, he emphasized that allowing this is not at odds with his “Make America Great Again” agenda. Trump told an audience of business executives: “I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA. But this is MAGA . . . Those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips, and in a short period of time, our people are going to be doing great. And those people can go home.” The MAGA movement has opposed expanding H-1B visas, and other programs designed to let skilled immigrants into the U.S.

 

U.S. News

Several major shipping companies have formed the Maritime Association of Clean Seas (MACS) to combat plastic pollution in oceans. Founded by Seven Clean Seas, MACS aims to enhance operational practices and reduce plastic waste in the maritime sector. Although shipping contributes a small portion of the 14m tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually, improper waste handling can lead to significant environmental damage. MACS chairman Tom Peacock-Nazil said: “With MACS, we're providing the maritime industry with the tools it needs to make measurable progress against plastic pollution.” The alliance will focus on sustainable procurement, waste measurement, and portside waste management.

 

Environmental Data Interactive Exchange