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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

💻 Microsoft introduces AI-powered text editing in Notepad.
🔒 Max targets password-sharing warning to tighten controls in 2025.
🤝 Anthropic partners with Palantir and AWS to bring AI solutions to U.S. defense.
🚫 Canada orders TikTok offices to close, citing national security concerns.
🪙 Musk’s $100M support for Trump’s campaign may shape future regulatory perks.

TECH

• Anthropic teams up with Palantir and AWS to sell AI to defense customers

  • Anthropic will offer its Claude AI models to U.S. defense agencies via Palantir’s IL6 platform, hosted on AWS.

  • The Claude models, available on GovCloud, aim to boost data analysis and decision-making in high-security government settings.

  • The partnership emphasizes Anthropic’s focus on safety in AI applications, restricting use cases to authorized defense operations.

• Even Microsoft Notepad is getting AI text editing now

  • Microsoft introduces Rewrite in Notepad, an AI tool for rephrasing, tone adjustment, and text length modification.

  • The feature, available to Windows Insiders in select countries, offers three revised versions for user-selected text.

  • Alongside this, Paint gains Generative Fill and Erase tools, adding creative AI-driven image editing capabilities for early testers.

• Max is getting ready for its own password-sharing crackdown

  • Max will introduce ‘soft messaging’ on paid sharing this quarter, with firmer steps by 2025.

  • CFO likens this to a price increase, charging multi-household users extra.

  • Max added 7.2 million subscribers, reaching 110.5 million, according to Warner Bros. Discovery’s Q3 earnings release.

BUSINESS

• Canada orders shutdown of TikTok offices over security risks, but won’t block app

  • Canada closes TikTok's local offices, citing national security, though the app remains available to users and businesses.

  • TikTok's Canadian workforce, in roles like engineering and marketing, will be impacted, with the company planning to appeal.

  • This move follows a government device ban in 2023 and reflects increasing global scrutiny over TikTok's data practices.

• Elon Musk Helped Elect Trump. What Does He Expect in Return?

  • Musk is pushing for favorable regulatory changes, like hiring SpaceX employees in top government roles.

  • Trump’s support could reduce scrutiny on Musk’s companies, easing Musk’s $11B in federal contracts.

  • With Trump’s win, Musk may influence space priorities, like shifting NASA's focus from the moon to Mars, aligning with his long-term goals.

• US central bank boss says Trump can't fire him

  • Jerome Powell confirmed Trump cannot legally fire him, defending his position amid White House interest.

  • Powell warned Trump’s fiscal policies may complicate rate cuts and impact inflation control.

  • The Fed cut rates to 4.5%-4.75%, with future reductions to be cautiously paced.

CONTENT

• The M4 Mac Mini is Incredible!

  • The new M4 Mac Mini is Apple’s smallest desktop yet, measuring just 5x5x2 inches, with powerful M4 silicon and ample ports.

  • Starting at $599, the base model offers a high-performance deal for coding, photo editing, and multitasking.

  • Ideal for portable setups, the M4 Pro version can handle pro-level tasks and boasts Thunderbolt 5 ports, supporting up to three 6K displays.

• No Priors Ep. 89 | With NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang

  • Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, reflects on the company’s extraordinary growth over the past year.

  • Also covers AI’s takeover of datacenters and NVIDIA’s rapid development of x.AI’s supercluster.

  • Plus long infrastructure bets, software longevity, and innovations like NVLink.

• Notion is a Lifestyle

  • Notion’s identity revolution: More than software, Notion becomes a statement of style and a personal expression tool.

  • User transformation: From organizing notes to shaping identity, users evolve into '‘Notion super-fans” through personal creations.

  • A movement, not just a tool: Notion fosters a devoted community with tutorials, events, and unique branding, building a lifestyle brand.

WORLD

• Australia Moves to Ban Young Teens From Social Media

  • Australia proposes banning teens under 16 from social media, aiming to protect online safety and mental health.

  • Platforms like TikTok and Meta would be accountable for enforcing restrictions, though users won’t be penalized.

  • Experts caution that a full ban might limit beneficial digital connections for teens.

• Netanyahu Faces Backlash for Firing Israel’s Defense Minister

  • Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Gallant amidst ongoing wars, sparking protests over national security risks.

  • Gallant, a key figure in cease-fire negotiations, was replaced by Katz, seen as supportive of Netanyahu’s hard-line stance.

  • The firing intensifies tension within Israel and raises questions about Netanyahu’s priorities amid military and political turmoil.

• Zelenskyy Rejects Western Demands for Concessions to Russia

  • Zelenskyy dismissed concessions, rejecting territory demands as Europe debates security strategy under Trump’s impending presidency.

  • NATO’s Rutte cited North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war as a direct US threat, urging Trump to continue Ukraine support.

  • Russia intensified strikes on Ukraine post-election; Biden administration confirmed a final aid surge for Kyiv before January.

AND MORE…

• Pompeii Victims Aren't Who We Thought They Were

  • New DNA analysis challenges assumptions about family relationships of Pompeii victims, revealing non-genetic ties in presumed groups.

  • Study highlights Roman Empire’s ethnic diversity, showing many victims were eastern Mediterranean immigrants.

  • Researchers call for integrating genetic data to prevent modern biases from distorting interpretations of ancient societies.

• Roblox Is Banning Kids From ‘Social Hangout’ Spaces

  • Roblox will block users under 13 from ‘social hangouts’ and interactive features, aiming to reduce risks and limit text/voice chat access.

  • From December 3, kids under 13 won’t be able to access unrated experiences; creators must meet strict age-rating guidelines.

  • The platform has faced scrutiny over child safety, prompting new safety improvements and features for parental control.

• Volcanic Eruption Burns Houses in Indonesia, Killing at Least 10

  • Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki's eruption destroyed houses, including a convent, and forced evacuations in East Flores, affecting 10,000 people.

  • Thick volcanic ash and debris spread up to 6 km from the crater, doubling the exclusion zone to 7 km as eruptions intensified.

  • This is Indonesia's second eruption in two weeks, highlighting the region's vulnerability along the seismically active ‘Ring of Fire.’