The NAACP and other civil rights groups have filed an appeal against a permit that would allow Elon Musk’s xAI to use gas turbines to power its massive data center. The complaint was filed by The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on behalf of the NAACP and the youth-led group Young, Gifted & Green. The NAACP appealing a permit against xAI After xAI began operating in Memphis in 2024, the startup stated that the turbines at the data center were temporary and small enough not to require permits. But, residents living near
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved two T-Mobile deals after the company rolled back its DEI efforts following pressure from the Trump administration. T-Mobile was permitted to purchase nearly all of regional carrier United States Cellular’s wireless operations, including customers, stores, and 30% of its spectrum assets, in a deal valued at $4.4 billion, according to Reuters. T-Mobile was also granted permission to acquire internet service provider Metronet, which serves over 2 million homes and businesses in 17 states. The FCC approves two T-Mobile deals In a letter
Don Lemon’s lawsuit against Elon Musk and his social network X over the cancellation of their partnership can proceed to trial, a San Francisco judge ruled this week. CNBC reported that Musk’s team had attempted to transfer the case to a Texas court and sought to persuade the judge to dismiss the complaint altogether. Judge Harold Kahn said in an order on Tuesday that Lemon and his attorneys plausibly alleged, along with other claims, that X and Musk had committed “fraud by false promise” and that there was “an implied contract” between the two. Don
The Defense Department has announced that it will be deploying Grok in its operations, a week after it sent out antisemitic tweets. The xAI announcement was accompanied by the launch of Grok for Government, a suite that enables agencies and federal offices to utilize its chatbots for their specific purposes. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has pushed for faster adoption of artificial intelligence tools. The Defense Department using Grok On Monday, xAI shared that its products will be “available to purchase via the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule,” meaning
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing the NAACP, has sent a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, over its unpermitted use of gas turbines at a data center in South Memphis. The letter, dated June 17, alleges that xAI violated federal law by installing dozens of methane gas turbines without the required permits or pollution controls. This notice is a necessary step before filing a lawsuit under the Clean Air Act. “Over the last year, these turbines have pumped out pollution that threatens
Elon Musk’s Starlink has gradually expanded its presence in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being the latest African country to grant the company permission to operate. The Gambia, a country with an underdeveloped broadband infrastructure, would be an ideal region for Starlink to run in. So, when the US government arrived in The Gambia, it framed Starlink’s entry as part of the broader Digital Transformation for Africa (DTA) initiative, a White House-led effort to improve internet access across Africa. However, critics, including Lamin Jabbi of Gambia’s
Starlink has received the green light to begin operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a previous ban. Reuters reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo said that it had become the latest African country to grant a license to Starlink. In March 2024, the Congolese government announced that Starlink was banned from operating in the country, following concerns from military officials that it could be used by rebel groups, such as the Rwandan-backed M23, which had taken over more territory than ever in the east of the country
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has begun seizing Starlink equipment from local resellers as part of a crackdown aimed at reducing the illegal use of Starlink in the country. “Icasa has taken note, with serious concern, of recent reports alleging that Starlink may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorization,” the sector regulator said. Cracking down on the illegal use of Starlink The internet satellite company does not have a license to operate in South Africa as it refuses to
The NAACP is demanding an immediate shutdown of Colossus, a Memphis-based supercomputer built by Elon Musk’s AI company xAI, citing violations of environmental regulations. NBC News reported that a letter was sent to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water from the civil rights group on Thursday, May 29. In a letter addressed to Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of the Shelby County Health Department, leaders from the NAACP criticized the organization’s “lackadaisical approach to the operation of this dirty data center.” They urged them to “issue
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is investigating the alleged illegal use of Starlink in the country. On Wednesday, Icasa stated that it has formally engaged with SpaceX and is currently awaiting a response, according to Bloomberg. “Icasa has taken note, with serious concern, of recent reports alleging that Starlink may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorization,” the sector regulator said. It adds: “To this end, Icasa has published a general notice reiterating that all entities offering electronic communications services
