Today’s ESG Updates
- Local Communities Oppose Green Belt Developments: Environmental groups are launching two days of coordinated protests across the UK, urging a pause on hyperscale AI data centre developments.
- Epic Games Injunction Compliance Disputed: Apple argues shareholders lack proof of intentional misstatements about Siri’s AI capabilities.
- Russia Denies Using African Nationals as “Cannon Fodder”: African officials are discussing measures to prevent further recruitment of African nationals into Russia’s military as allegations of deceptive enlistment practices intensify.
- Trump Signals Force Remains an Option: U.S. officials reiterated that military action remains on the table, while Tehran dismissed Washington’s missile allegations and signalled openness to diplomacy.
Tech firms invest in power infrastructure amid constraints
Activists across the UK are set to stage coordinated protests against the rapid expansion of AI data centres, arguing the facilities threaten climate goals and local communities. The demonstrations, organised by Global Action Plan, include a “March Against The Machines” starting outside OpenAI’s office in London.
“Big Tech’s unchecked construction of hyperscale AI data centres is putting the UK’s climate targets at risk,” said Oliver Hayes of Global Action Plan. Britain’s energy regulator has reported that 140 new data centres want to connect to the grid and could require 50 gigawatts of power, exceeding recent peak electricity demand. Local campaigners also voiced concerns. In Buckinghamshire, Leigh Tugwood called for “a moratorium on all future hyperscale data centre development” until there is “informed debate” and meaningful community engagement
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Further reading: UK activists plan protests over climate, social impacts of AI data centres
Apple seeks dismissal of shareholder fraud lawsuit
Photo Credit: Omid armin
Apple has urged a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit accusing it of defrauding shareholders by overstating the artificial intelligence capabilities of Siri and misrepresenting compliance with a 2021 injunction stemming from its legal battle with Epic Games. In a court filing, Apple said there was no evidence it knowingly misled investors when discussing AI features in 2024, noting that development of a “more personal” Siri was “taking a bit longer than we thought.”
The company also rejected claims it guaranteed full compliance with the Epic injunction, which required allowing external payment links in apps. “It is no secret that Apple faced challenges and weathered ups and downs in its stock price in 2025,” Apple said, arguing that plaintiffs made “a massive and unsupported leap” in blaming alleged securities fraud for temporary price declines.
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Further reading: Apple seeks dismissal of fraud lawsuit over Siri AI, Epic injunction
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Ghana and Kenya raise alarm over citizen deployment
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ US Army Africa
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said more than 1,780 Africans are currently fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, alleging Moscow has deliberately recruited them under false pretences. “We clearly see that Russia is trying to drag African citizens into a deadly war,” Sybiha stated, adding that many were misled with promises of jobs. Speaking alongside him, Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said recruits “have no security background. They have no military background. They have not been trained. They were just lured and deceived, and then put on the frontlines.”
An intelligence report to Kenya’s parliament reportedly found over 1,000 Kenyans deployed, prompting criticism that Russia was using them as “cannon fodders,” an accusation Moscow denies. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine exchanged the remains of fallen troops in a rare sign of limited cooperation.
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Further reading: Ukraine Says Over 1,700 Africans Fighting for Russia
Tehran rejects missile claims as “big lies”
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Daniel Torok
U.S. Vice President James David Vance warned Iran to take Washington’s threats of possible military action “seriously,” saying President Donald Trump retains the “right” to use force if diplomacy fails. Vance declared, “You can’t let the craziest and worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons,” adding that the president has “a number of other tools at his disposal.”
Trump, during his State of the Union address, accused Tehran of pursuing missiles capable of striking the United States and harbouring “sinister nuclear ambitions,” while announcing new sanctions under a continued “maximum pressure” campaign. Iran rejected the allegations as “big lies.” President Masoud Pezeshkian described upcoming Geneva negotiations as having a “favorable outlook,” even as U.S. forces continue mobilizing in the region ahead of the high-stakes talks.
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Further readings: Vance Warns Iran to Take US Threats Seriously
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: BalticServers data center. Cover Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
