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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🕵️ Musk’s AI tool monitors U.S. workers’ messages, raising legal concerns.
🔍 Instagram upgrades search to match TikTok’s discovery features.
🌏 Ukraine captures Chinese fighters, straining Beijing ties.
🧠 Deep Cogito unveils logic-first AI models to rival Meta.
📺 Apple TV+ launches $2.99 promo ahead of studio sale.

TECH

• You Can Grab Three Months of Apple TV Plus for $2.99 a Month Now

  • Apple TV+ is offering three months at $2.99, promoting originals like 'Severance' and 'Silo' before the studio sale.

  • The promo ends April 24 and auto-renews at $9.99 monthly unless manually canceled by the user.

  • Apple appears to be ramping up visibility as it prepares to offload content production to an external buyer.

• Instagram Is Beefing Up Its Search to Compete With TikTok

  • Instagram announced search improvements, admitting its current system doesn’t surface engaging or relevant content effectively.

  • Adam Mosseri said better discovery tools are key to competing with TikTok’s dominant Gen Z engagement.

  • Instagram will expand engineering investment in AI-driven recommendations and broader search result capabilities going forward.

• Deep Cogito Emerges From Stealth With Hybrid AI Reasoning Models

  • Deep Cogito launched Cogito-1, a reasoning-first AI family with models from 3B to 70B parameters.

  • The models combine symbolic reasoning with standard transformers, outperforming open competitors like DeepSeek and Meta.

  • Built in 75 days, Cogito-1 aims to push AI toward deeper logic, planning, and inference.

BUSINESS

• Musk's DOGE Using AI to Snoop on U.S. Federal Workers, Sources Say

  • Musk’s government watchdog DOGE allegedly uses AI to track federal workers for anti-Trump posts or communications.

  • Sources say DOGE staff use Signal to avoid oversight, potentially violating federal transparency and records laws.

  • Critics warn the system could suppress dissent and represents an overreach of executive surveillance power.

• A 25-Year-Old Police Drone Founder Just Raised $75M Led by Index

  • Blake Resnick’s drone startup Brinc raised $75M to expand its police and emergency response drone tech.

  • Brinc’s drones assist in hostage rescues, disaster zones, and tactical missions using real-time two-way communication.

  • The round brings total funding to $157M, backed by Index, Sam Altman, and OpenAI’s CTO.

• Humana and Other Health Insurance Stocks Surge on Higher-Than-Expected Medicare Payments

  • Medicare Advantage payments will rise 5% in 2025, exceeding forecasts and boosting health insurance stocks significantly.

  • Humana surged 9%, UnitedHealth jumped 6%, and CVS gained 8% following the CMS announcement.

  • Analysts say the change reduces margin pressure, helping insurers rebound after recent cost-driven selloffs.

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CONTENT

• The Next Breakthrough In AI Agents Is Here

  • Garry Tan introduces Manus, a general-purpose AI agent built to autonomously complete tasks using integrated tools.

  • Unlike basic wrappers, Manus uses reasoning across systems, making it more dynamic and contextually intelligent.

  • The episode explores what Manus means for builders, startups, and the future of competitive agent design.

• Google’s New AI Search Changes Everything

  • Google's AI-powered search may disrupt SEO, offering instant answers and bypassing traditional website link traffic.

  • The hosts debate how content creators and startups must adapt to survive AI-dominated search environments.

  • Google's Gemini updates are shifting consumer habits by rewarding relevance over ranking in discovery experiences.

• Bill Gates: I'm Surprised Politicians Aren't Talking More About AI

  • Bill Gates says policymakers are 'alarmingly quiet' despite AI's growing influence on jobs, health, and education.

  • Alongside Satya Nadella and Steve Ballmer, Gates discusses Microsoft’s AI direction and U.S.-China trade tensions.

  • He urges global leaders to prioritize AI regulation before its impact surpasses current institutional preparedness.

WORLD

• Trump Imposes 104% Tariff on Chinese Imports

  • Trump announced a sweeping 104% tariff on Chinese imports, reigniting trade tensions and alarming global markets.

  • The move aims to punish China for 'economic aggression' and bolster American manufacturing and job growth.

  • China vowed retaliation, raising fears of prolonged economic disruption and higher consumer costs worldwide.

• Why the U.S. and Iran Are Back at the Negotiating Table

  • U.S.-Iran nuclear talks resume after a year-long freeze, focused on reviving compliance with the 2015 agreement.

  • Iran seeks sanctions relief while the U.S. demands limits on uranium enrichment and weapons inspections.

  • Both sides remain skeptical, with deep mistrust and regional tensions complicating chances for progress.

• Ukraine Captures Two Chinese Nationals Fighting for Russia

  • Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese citizens reportedly fighting alongside Russian troops in the Donetsk region.

  • Kyiv is investigating whether they were mercenaries or volunteers, potentially straining China-Ukraine diplomatic relations.

  • China has not officially responded, but the incident raises new questions about foreign involvement in the conflict.

AND MORE…

• Instagram Might Finally Release an iPad App

  • Instagram is reportedly developing a native iPad app after years of user demand and growing feature competition.

  • Currently, iPad users rely on a stretched iPhone version or limited web access lacking full functionality.

  • The move may reflect Meta’s response to TikTok's uncertainty and broader platform expansion strategy.

• Elon Musk and Peter Navarro Clash Over Tariff Policies

  • Elon Musk called Peter Navarro a 'moron' for pushing tariffs, sparking a public spat over trade.

  • Navarro defended his record as Trump's trade adviser, accusing Musk of seeking corporate special treatment.

  • The clash underscores internal policy divisions and business leader frustration over escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.

• Dozens Dead After Roof Collapse at Dominican Republic Nightclub

  • The roof of Santo Domingo's Jet Set nightclub collapsed mid-concert, killing at least 79 people instantly.

  • Victims include former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, and Governor Nelsy Cruz Martínez.

  • Over 150 others were injured as emergency crews continued searching for possible survivors under debris.