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

In today’s edition, we are tackling the following:

📱 Apple debuts iPhone 17 lineup with ultra-thin Air model.
⌚ New Apple Watches add health, sleep, and satellite features.
🏦 U.S. jobs revised down by 1.2 million positions.
🇳🇵 Deadly Gen Z protests in Nepal topple the prime minister.
📡 Nebius surges on $17.4B AI cloud deal with Microsoft.

TECHNOLOGY

• Apple unveils iPhone 17’s most significant redesign in years

  • Apple launched the all-new iPhone 17 series, including iPhone Air, featuring an ultra-thin titanium design and N1 wireless chip.

  • Pro models add Camera Plateau, 48MP sensors, 8× zoom, ProRes RAW support, and an enhanced vapor-chamber cooling system.

  • The standard iPhone 17 introduces 120 Hz ProMotion display, updated cameras, improved wireless charging, starting at $799.

• The new Apple Watches deliver health, 5G, and satellite features

  • Watch SE 3 upgrades include S10 chip, gesture controls, sleep tracking, ovulation estimates, and satellite messaging for $249.

  • Series 11 adds hypertension alerts, 24-hour battery life, live translation, fitness tracking enhancements, launching at $399.

  • Ultra 3 builds for adventure with 42-hour battery (72 in low-power), wide-angle OLED, satellite messaging, and crash detection.

• Apple extends free satellite connectivity for iPhone 14 and 15 users

  • iPhone 14 and 15 users get another year of free satellite Emergency SOS and messaging support, extended through November 2026.

  • The offer applies only to devices activated in countries supporting Apple’s satellite service before September 9, 2025.

  • The Ultra 3 Watch also includes satellite messaging, further expanding Apple’s offline connectivity ecosystem across devices.

BUSINESS

• Cracker Barrel suspends restaurant renovations after backlash

  • Cracker Barrel has halted its planned remodels following customer outrage over a modern redesign and logo change.

  • Only four of its 660 locations underwent testing; the chain committed to preserving its traditional ‘Old Country Store’ elements.

  • The decision reassures loyal customers that fireplaces, rocking chairs, and nostalgic decor will remain intact moving forward.

• U.S. job data revised sharply lower: 1.2 million fewer positions estimated

  • The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics revisions show U.S. employment growth was 911,000 jobs lower than prior estimates.

  • Analysts warn the revised data calls into question post-pandemic labor strength and may pressure the Federal Reserve toward easing.

  • JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon signaled growing concern, citing weakening consumer demand and suggesting monetary policy may soon shift.

• Nebius shares surge on massive AI infrastructure deal with Microsoft

  • Nebius’ stock jumped nearly 44% after announcing a $17.4 billion AI cloud services agreement with Microsoft over five years.

  • The contract includes an optional extension that could push its value to $19.4 billion depending on demand.

  • The deal positions Nebius to scale rapidly, expanding AI infrastructure amid soaring global demand for compute capacity.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Macron appoints Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister

  • President Macron tapped loyalist Sébastien Lecornu as France’s fourth prime minister this year to restore cohesion.

  • Lecornu, France’s youngest defense minister, must now unify fractured political factions and pass a national budget.

  • The move reflects Macron’s crisis management style amid persistent instability and frequent government turnovers over the past year.

• Princeton graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov freed after 903 days captive in Iraq

  • Israeli-Russian PhD student Elizabeth Tsurkov was released following nearly three years in captivity by Kata’ib Hezbollah.

  • Her freedom followed negotiations; she was handed over to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for repatriation.

  • Her sister and officials welcomed the release as a diplomatic breakthrough amid ongoing regional instability.

• Violent Gen Z protests in Nepal result in the former PM’s wife’s death and resignation

  • Nepal plunged into chaos after Gen Z protesters torched parliament and buildings, killing 19 and fatally burning Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar.

  • The wife of former PM Jhala Nath Khanal died in the fire; her home was set ablaze amid escalating unrest.

  • Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned as violence and arson escalated, with protesters targeting political elites nationwide.

CONTENT

• Why the West is destroying itself, data empire, skeptics, how to win

  • Alex Karp defends Palantir’s surveillance work, stressing built-in safeguards, while critics question its role in border enforcement.

  • He warns the West risks ‘suicide’ through cultural decay, rising antisemitism, and weak responses to authoritarian threats.

  • Karp argues that strength requires confronting China, cartels, and flawed progressive ideologies while leveraging governance effectively.

• Scott Galloway on work visas, creative bets, and workplace diversity

  • Scott advises navigating career paths under immigration and family pressures by aligning long-term ambitions with realistic opportunities.

  • He encourages bold, creative risks early—like betting on a book—even when uncertainty overshadows conventional career security.

  • On diversity, he emphasizes balancing cultural fit with varied perspectives to maximize team performance and innovation.

• The FDE playbook for AI Startups with Bob McGrew

  • Bob McGrew outlines the Forward Deployed Engineer model, combining deep technical expertise with frontline customer engagement.

  • He explains how Palantir pioneered FDEs and why AI startups increasingly adopt this field-driven approach today.

  • McGrew highlights opportunities for founders, stressing demo-driven development and why ‘doing things that don’t scale’ accelerates growth.

FUTURISM

• Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro aims to make vlogging cameras obsolete

  • Final Cut Camera 2.0 on iPhone 17 Pro enables ProRes RAW recording and open-gate framing—ideal for creator-driven video.

  • This lets creators capture wider, higher-resolution footage and reframe in post-production without needing separate vlogging gear.

  • With these capabilities built directly into the phone, dedicated vlogging cameras may soon become unnecessary for content creators.

• Microsoft mandates employees back in the office three days a week

  • Starting February 2026, Microsoft mandates office presence three days per week, phased beginning with Redmond area staff.

  • The rollout expands across U.S. and global locations in phases, with exceptions granted under certain circumstances.

  • The policy underscores a shift from flexible remote work toward encouraging in-person collaboration across teams globally.

• Google’s Veo 3 tool now generates vertical AI-animated videos at 1080p

  • Veo 3 in Google Photos now creates high-quality vertical AI animations at up to 1080p resolution seamlessly.

  • Users can transform still photos into dynamic clips ideal for social platforms without manual editing.

  • This tool enhances creative storytelling by empowering anyone to animate memories with ease and cinematic polish.

• Your next AI breakthrough starts with better hiring

  • Athyna connects you with top-tier AI/ML talent from emerging markets, vetted for excellence.

  • Get core engineers, prompt experts, and researchers delivered in under 5 days.

  • Build your team with scalable, enterprise-grade hiring and zero upfront fees.

EXTRAS

• Starbucks CEO launches ‘Back to Starbucks’ makeover under Niccol’s leadership

  • Brian Niccol is overhauling Starbucks with menu revamps, cozy store redesigns, and new digital tools to reignite its coffeehouse vibe.

  • Staff-driven innovations like Green Apron Service and smart queuing have already improved order speed and customer rapport in test locations.

  • While sales turnover remains sluggish, stronger in-store engagement signals early progress, validating Niccol’s ‘Back to Starbucks’ strategy.

• Microsoft to lessen reliance on OpenAI by buying AI from rival Anthropic

  • Microsoft will integrate Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 into Office 365 apps, reducing exclusive dependence on OpenAI’s models.

  • The deal comes amid broader shifts, including OpenAI’s infrastructure projects, chip production, and the potential LinkedIn rival launch.

  • Microsoft still plans to keep OpenAI as a partner for frontier models, diversifying its AI strategy across key services.

• Anglo American and Teck Resources agree to $53B copper mega-merger

  • Anglo American and Teck Resources will merge to form Anglo Teck, a $53 billion copper powerhouse with global reach.

  • Anglo shareholders will own 62.4% and Teck shareholders 37.6% of the combined business, led by Anglo's CEO.

  • Expected synergies include $800 million annual savings and consolidation of adjacent copper operations in Chile.

AND MORE

• Israel launches airstrike targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar, drawing regional condemnation.

• Australia’s ANZ plans to cut 3,500 jobs under new CEO to safeguard growth.

• Commuters in London turn to bikes and boats as Tube strike enters second day.

• Roko’s Basilisk skips the buzz words and cuts straight to what moves markets, products, and careers. Read it over coffee, sounds brilliant on your next call.*

• U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear case on legality of Trump’s global tariffs.

• President Trump’s approval rating sits at 42%, with the economy ranked weakest in a new poll.

• Poland to close its border with Belarus due to Russia-led military exercises.