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Musk’s DOGE team visiting FAA for safety reforms

Musk’s DOGE team to visit US FAA command centre for aviation system reform amid staffing concerns and safety issues.

Published

12 months ago

February 17, 2025

ticker NEWS

Elon Musk’s DOGE team to visit US FAA command centre for aviation system reform amid staffing concerns and safety issues.

In Short

Elon Musk’s team, DOGE, will visit the FAA’s Air Traffic Control centre to assess the current system and suggest improvements. Concerns over staffing shortages and Musk’s influence on FAA reforms have been raised by politicians amidst recent workforce cuts.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this plan via social media.

The DOGE team aims to observe the current air traffic control system, gather feedback from controllers, and propose improvements for a modern, safer system.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration reversed a decision, denying participation in a government incentive program for air traffic controllers and security personnel to exit their roles.

The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union reported that hundreds of FAA probationary employees were terminated in these cuts, expressing concerns that this would overload the remaining workforce.

Musk responded to the DOGE visit by stating that air travel safety is a non-partisan issue and that SpaceX engineers will assist in enhancing safety measures.

This visit follows a recent incident involving a temporary failure of the FAA’s NOTAM pilot alerting system.

Senator Maria Cantwell has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding Musk’s involvement with FAA reforms, referencing a fine imposed on SpaceX by the agency.

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and John Hoeven have called for increased FAA staffing, highlighting a shortage of over 3,500 air traffic controllers.

Duffy has promised to enhance the air traffic control system and plans to announce further steps to boost training and recruitment in the near future.

News

Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

Published

16 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.

Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.

Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.

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News

U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

Published

16 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.

The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.

As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.

#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews

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Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Published

16 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.

Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.

Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups