David Gaffen

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered a pause ‌on approvals of new data center projects through the state's grid interconnection process, citing concerns that a surge in electricity demand could threaten reliability at a time when opposition to the projects is growing.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) on Thursday approved the Electric Reliability Council ​of Texas' (ERCOT) first "Batch Zero" process for ‌large electricity users, creating a new framework to manage surging grid connection requests from data centers and ​other high-demand customers.

The largest U.S. civil rights group on Tuesday sued xAI and a subsidiary, claiming they illegally operated more than two dozen gas turbines ​in Mississippi to power its Colossus 2 data center, posing a ‌health risk to local residents.

The United Nations on Wednesday condemned a massive wave of Israeli strikes across Lebanon, saying reports that hundreds of people, including ​civilians had been killed and injured were "appalling" just hours after ‌the Iran ceasefire.

Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister discussed events in Iran and throughout the Middle East ​on Monday with counterparts from Central ‌Asia and Azerbaijan, the Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to make more investments in healthy U.S. companies on Monday. Whether Corporate America is on board is another story.

Oil futures fell for a third day in a row on Wednesday, fueled by ongoing concerns about demand, the dollar’s strength and expectations for more interest rate hikes by major central banks.

U.S. crude and fuel stocks rose in the most recent week, as refiners increased processing to rebuild low product inventories, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

Oil edged up 1% on Wednesday as an international energy watchdog expects an increase in gas-to-oil switching due to high prices this winter, even though the outlook for demand remains gloomy.

U.S. crude stocks and distillate inventories rose more than expected in the most recent week, while fuel demand remained below last year’s levels, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.