Welcome back to your daily memorandum talking tech, business, AI, markets, and more. 🗞️

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

💻 OpenAI unveils new ChatGPT agent for deep research, enabling fast data analysis.
💡 POTUS signs executive order for sovereign wealth fund to buy TikTok.
😡 Ontario cancels Starlink contract, focusing on local solutions after tariffs.
🚀 SoftBank and OpenAI launch AI joint venture to boost adoption in Japan.
📉 Trump’s tariffs dip Bitcoin prices, affecting crypto markets.

TECH

• OpenAI Unveils a New ChatGPT Agent for 'Deep Research'

  • OpenAI introduced a ChatGPT agent capable of deep web browsing, data analysis, and multi-step research.

  • The agent uses OpenAI’s o3 model to autonomously generate detailed reports in 5 to 30 minutes.

  • Available to Pro users in the U.S., the tool allows up to 100 queries per month for a $200 monthly fee.

• Big Tech Remains Silent on Trump's Tariffs

  • Trump announced tariffs of up to 25% on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico, impacting the tech industry.

  • Major firms like Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have yet to comment on the policy changes.

  • Industry groups urge negotiations to avoid disruptions that could affect businesses and consumers alike.

• OpenAI’s New Trademark Hints at Humanoid Robots and More

  • OpenAI’s latest trademark filing suggests plans for AI-driven hardware, including humanoid robots and wearables.

  • The application indicates an expansion beyond software into consumer-focused smart devices.

  • This move could position OpenAI as a competitor in the AI-powered consumer tech market.

BUSINESS

• Trump Says New U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund Could Purchase TikTok

  • President Trump signed an executive order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, suggesting it could buy TikTok.

  • The fund would use tariff revenues and other assets to invest in infrastructure and national economic initiatives.

  • Treasury and Commerce officials are tasked with structuring the fund within the next 12 months.

• SoftBank and OpenAI Announce AI Joint Venture in Japan

  • SoftBank and OpenAI are launching a joint venture in Japan to accelerate AI adoption across industries.

  • The partnership aims to leverage OpenAI’s technology and SoftBank’s influence to expand AI accessibility.

  • This move signals Japan’s push to become a leader in AI innovation amid growing global competition.

• Corporate America Cosies Up to Elon Musk

  • Major U.S. corporations are strengthening ties with Musk’s businesses as his influence in Trump’s administration grows.

  • Companies like Visa, United Airlines, and Oracle are deepening partnerships with Starlink and X, while Amazon increases ad spending.

  • Musk’s expanding role in government, including leading cost-cutting efforts, raises concerns about corporate favoritism.

CONTENT

• 4 microSaaS Ideas You Can Build to Make $100K/Month

  • Greg Isenberg and Sari Azout discuss startup strategies for microSaaS businesses with high revenue potential.

  • Ideas include a parental screen-time consulting service, a modernized trade school model, and an AI-powered meme generator.

  • The episode emphasizes building niche-focused, scalable products with a clear revenue model and strong distribution.

• Using Your Mind to Control Your Physical Health

  • Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer explores the mind-body connection and how perception impacts aging and health.

  • She explains how mindfulness isn’t just meditation but a way to reshape habits, immune response, and longevity.

  • The discussion highlights scientific research on mental framing, self-healing, and practical strategies for healthier living.

• DeepSeek, China, OpenAI and NVIDIA on Lex Fridman

  • Lex Fridman hosts Dylan Patel and Nathan Lambert to analyze DeepSeek’s AI breakthroughs and their geopolitical impact.

  • Topics include China's AI race, GPU export restrictions, OpenAI vs. DeepSeek, and the future of AI megaclusters.

  • The discussion covers AGI timelines, espionage risks, and how emerging AI infrastructure is shaping global tech power.

WORLD

• Ontario Cancels Starlink Contract in Response to U.S. Tariffs

  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford canceled a C$100 million contract with Starlink, meant to bring high-speed internet to 15,000 families.

  • The move is a direct response to Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian imports, triggering retaliation from Canada.

  • Ontario, which spends $30 billion annually on procurement, plans to shift future infrastructure contracts away from U.S. firms.

• German Opposition Leader Rejects Collaboration with Far-Right AfD

  • Friedrich Merz, Germany’s conservative leader, declared his party will “never” work with the far-right AfD ahead of elections.

  • His statement follows backlash over a parliamentary motion on border controls that passed with AfD’s support.

  • Merz criticized the ruling government’s migration policies and positioned AfD as his party’s main opponent.

• Ukrainian Drone Strikes Major Oil and Gas Facilities in Russia

  • Ukrainian drones struck key Russian energy sites, igniting fires at the Volgograd oil refinery and Astrakhan gas processing plant.

  • Russia claims to have intercepted 70 drones, but falling debris caused operational disruptions at multiple facilities.

  • These energy hubs are crucial for fueling Russia’s military, marking a strategic escalation in Ukraine’s drone warfare.

AND MORE…

• Hot Tub: The First Native iPhone Porn App Arrives in EU

  • AltStore PAL has launched ‘Hot Tub,' the first native iPhone porn app in Europe, bypassing Apple's App Store restrictions.

  • The app is available due to the EU's Digital Markets Act, allowing third-party marketplaces on iOS.

  • Apple warns of safety risks, but EU regulations force the company to permit alternative app distribution.

• Trump's Tariff Threats Impact Cryptocurrency Markets

  • Trump's new tariff announcements on Canada, Mexico, and China caused Bitcoin to drop from $105,000 to $92,000 before rebounding.

  • Crypto markets reacted sharply, with Trump's meme coin also falling, trading at $19, far below its peak.

  • The tariffs on Canada and Mexico were later paused, stabilizing crypto prices but fueling market uncertainty.

• Car Bomb Explosion in Northern Syria Kills at Least 15

  • A car bomb detonated on the outskirts of Manbij, Syria, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.

  • The attack targeted agricultural workers and marks the seventh car bombing in the area in just over a month.

  • No group has claimed responsibility, as tensions persist between Turkish-backed militias and U.S.-allied Kurdish forces.