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WSJ Tech News Briefing

Tech Minute: ICE Targets Meta Construction Site in Louisiana

15 Jan 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

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How are the U.S. businesses of Philip Morris International invested in America? We're invested in advancing science, giving adults who smoke better options. We're invested in American manufacturing, helping local economies thrive. We're invested in community, supporting military veterans and their families, disaster relief, and economic empowerment. Because we're proud to be invested in America.

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See how at USPMI.com. .

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31.638 - 48.823 Julie Chang

Here's your morning TNB Tech Minute for Thursday, January 15th. I'm Julie Chang for The Wall Street Journal. Federal immigration agents targeted construction workers traveling to the site of a meta-platforms data center being built in Louisiana. Thus, according to local law enforcement, U.S.

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48.883 - 68.977 Julie Chang

immigration and customs enforcement agents conducted traffic stops on their way to the site today, and per the sheriff's office, two drivers were arrested due to their immigration status. They were from Guatemala and Honduras. Meta is building a $27 billion data center in a rural area in northeast Louisiana in a joint venture with Blue Owl Capital.

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69.518 - 91.076 Julie Chang

Meta declined to comment when asked about the arrests. The Department of Homeland Security didn't respond to requests for comment. We exclusively report that Amazon Web Services signed a two-year supply pact with Rio Tinto's Arizona mine to get copper for the tech giant's AI data center needs. Last year, the mine became the first new source of U.S. copper in more than a decade.

91.517 - 111.931 Julie Chang

Tech companies are rushing to secure the power and critical materials necessary to build and operate AI data centers. The copper from Rio Tinto will satisfy only a sliver of Amazon's needs. The biggest data centers each require tens of thousands of metric tons of copper for all the wires, circuit boards, and other electrical components housed there.

112.552 - 136.647 Julie Chang

A study published last week by S&P Global estimates copper demand for AI is projected to increase 50% by 2040, potentially leading to a 25% supply shortfall. And Spotify is raising the price of its premium subscription in the U.S. The company said today that the cost of a U.S. premium subscription will go up by $1 to nearly $13 a month.

137.168 - 154.069 Julie Chang

A spokesperson said updates to pricing enables it to, quote, continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists. The new pricing will take effect starting next month. Spotify previously hiked prices for its U.S. premium subscription in 2023 and 2024.

Chapter 2: What recent actions did ICE take at the Meta data center construction site?

154.049 - 157.765 Julie Chang

And that's your TMB Tech Minute. We'll be back this afternoon with more.

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