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- Grok Misreported Bondi Beach Shooting
Grok Misreported Bondi Beach Shooting
iRobot seeks buyer in bankruptcy, AI centers delay infrastructure, Trump elevates Democratic governors for 2028, and Australia tightens gun laws after shooting.
Welcome back to your daily memorandum talking tech, business, AI, markets, and more. 🗞️
In today’s edition we are tackling the following:
❌ Grok repeatedly got crucial facts wrong about the Bondi Beach shooting.
đź’¸ Roomba maker iRobot files bankruptcy and seeks acquisition by manufacturer.
🏗️ AI data center boom may slow progress on other critical infrastructure projects.
⚖️ Trump’s actions are shaping Democratic governors’ profiles for the 2028 election.
🕊️ Australian PM Albanese proposes stricter national gun laws after Sydney shooting.

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TECHNOLOGY
Grok repeatedly got crucial facts wrong about the Bondi Beach shooting (TechCrunch)
More: The Verge, Yahoo!, EngadgetGrok spread repeated misinformation about the Bondi Beach shooting across Elon Musk’s X platform.
It misidentified hero Ahmed al Ahmed, questioned footage, and falsely named an Israeli hostage.
After backlash, Grok corrected posts and acknowledged errors stemmed from viral misinformation and dubious sources.
Roomba maker iRobot files bankruptcy and seeks acquisition by manufacturer (The Verge)
More: Nikkei Asia, TechCrunch, ReutersiRobot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after decades of competition eroded its household robotics market share.
The company will be acquired by Chinese manufacturer Picea Robotics, continuing operations without major disruptions.
Failed Amazon acquisition and US tariffs contributed to declining revenue despite product reinvention and price adjustments.
WhatsApp’s biggest market is becoming its toughest regulatory test yet (TechCrunch)
More: Yahoo!, FindArticlesIndia ordered stricter SIM-linked messaging rules, threatening WhatsApp’s everyday use for individuals and small businesses.
Rules require continuous SIM binding, frequent logouts on web and desktop, aimed at curbing cyber fraud.
Critics warn overreach could disrupt India’s WhatsApp-dependent economy, despite government citing massive fraud losses.
BUSINESS
AI data center boom may slow progress on other critical infrastructure projects (Bloomberg)
More: TechCrunch, PoliticoRapid data center construction could divert funds and labor from roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
Private spending on data centers rivals government transportation budgets, intensifying competition for limited construction resources.
Labor shortages and regulatory challenges exacerbate delays, slowing infrastructure projects despite record government debt issuance.
ServiceNow may acquire cybersecurity startup Armis in potential $7B deal (CNBC)
More: Bloomberg, Economic Times, ReutersServiceNow is in advanced talks to acquire Armis, a cybersecurity firm last valued at $6.1 billion.
The deal, potentially reaching $7 billion, would be ServiceNow’s largest acquisition if completed.
Armis recently raised $435 million and had planned an eventual IPO before acquisition talks emerged.
Trump’s actions are shaping Democratic governors’ profiles for the 2028 election (Reuters)
More: Economic Times, Breaking NewsTrump’s policies give Democratic governors national visibility, helping them build potential 2028 presidential campaigns.
Governors like Newsom, Pritzker, and Moore use opposition to Trump to rally bases and expand influence.
Actions include resisting redistricting, protecting immigrants, and restoring social benefits to highlight contrasts with Trump.
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MARKETS
S&P | 6,845.75 | +0.22% |
|---|---|---|
NASDAQ | 25,253.50 | +0.16% |
Dow | 48,601.00 | +0.26% |
10-Year | 4.1940% | +1.2799% |
Bitcoin | $89,792.48 | -0.50% |
Gold | $4,372.50 | +1.02% |

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WORLD
Australian Prime Minister Albanese proposes stricter national gun laws after Sydney shooting (AP)
More: The Tribune, CNA, The Washington TimesPrime Minister Albanese announced tougher gun restrictions after Bondi Beach mass shooting killed at least 15 people.
Proposed measures include limiting gun ownership and preventing licenses from being held indefinitely or without review.
The shooting is called antisemitic terrorism, prompting urgent national and state-level legislative action on firearms.
Spinny raises $160M funding to acquire car services startup GoMechanic (TechCrunch)
More: Yahoo!, FindArticleSpinny is raising $160 million in Series G funding to acquire Indian car services startup GoMechanic.
The funding values Spinny at approximately $1.8 billion post-money, consistent with its previous valuation.
Investors include Accel, WestBridge Capital, Fundamentum, and Blume Ventures, covering both primary and secondary transactions.
South African lawmakers push to stop easing rules for Starlink operations (Bloomberg)
More: Reuters, Washington PostSouth African telecom committee urges withdrawal of policy allowing Starlink and similar companies to operate freely.
Proposed directive would count equity-equivalent investment toward empowerment, relaxing the 30% local Black-ownership requirement.
Minister Malatsi published the notice after public consultations, with 90% of respondents reportedly supporting the change.
FUTURISM
Humanoid robots headline Silicon Valley summit, though significant skepticism still persists (AP)
More: The Star, MSNHumanoid robots showcased at Silicon Valley summit highlight AI advancements, drawing engineers from Disney, Google, and startups.
Attendees debated timelines and challenges for robots achieving humanlike movement and practical workplace or household roles.
Despite excitement, experts remain skeptical about when general-purpose humanoid robots will become widely functional or common.
AI image generators are improving realism by deliberately lowering image quality (The Verge)
More: Tech BuzzAI image generators now create more convincing fakes by intentionally reducing sharpness and visual perfection.
Early models produced obvious errors, but newer systems hide flaws by mimicking real-world imperfections.
Lower image quality removes telltale signs, making fake images harder for humans to detect.
China increases scrutiny as car prices continue falling amid intense competition (Bloomberg)
More: Asia Financial, Automotive NewsChina’s government proposes stricter rules to curb excessive car discounts and prevent below-cost pricing.
New guidelines aim to stop manufacturers and dealers from offering rebates that undercut production costs.
Authorities are intensifying oversight after previous measures failed to stabilize falling vehicle prices in the local market.
Alexander Embiricos explains why humans limit AGI and future 2026 developments (Lenny's Podcast)
Codex usage grew 20x due to strategic product decisions enhancing AI-led software development and adoption.
Human typing speed, not AI capability, remains the primary bottleneck for AGI-level productivity.
AI is envisioned as proactive teammates, with coding becoming essential for agent interaction with computers.
Tom Lee explains his bullish outlook for 2026 markets and sectors (The Prof G Pod)
Tom Lee shares reasons for his 2026 market optimism and views on Bitcoin and undervalued sectors.
He discusses how Fundstrat leverages AI and the impact on human capital and analyst skills.
Lee addresses labor shortages, tech valuations, and market risks amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
Jason Lemkin and Rory O’Driscoll discuss SpaceX, Harvey, and Netflix acquisitions (20VC)
SpaceX reaches an $800 billion valuation, with Lemkin and O’Driscoll analyzing its market implications.
Harvey raises $160 million at an $8 billion valuation, while other startups like Airwallex also gain funding.
Netflix acquires Warner Brothers, with discussions covering IPO predictions, AI funding, and Chinese open-source models.

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EXTRAS
OpenAI and Microsoft face lawsuit over ChatGPT’s alleged role in murder-suicide (AP)
More: Al Jazeera, BusinessMirror, Australian BroadcastingHeirs sue OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging ChatGPT intensified delusions leading to a deadly attack.
Police say a former tech worker killed his mother, then himself, in Connecticut.
Lawsuit claims ChatGPT reinforced paranoia, fostered dependence, and framed others as enemies.
Investors sell tech stocks despite Broadcom reporting strong earnings and guidance (CNBC)
More: MSNMajor U.S. indexes fell as tech stocks, including Broadcom, Nvidia, and AMD, faced continued sell-offs.
Broadcom’s earnings and guidance exceeded expectations, but investors worried about margins and uncertain deals.
Analysts remain positive on AI growth, profitability, and sector themes despite short-term market jitters.
Hong Kong court convicts media tycoon Jimmy Lai under national security law (Reuters)
More: BBC, The GuardianJimmy Lai found guilty of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong’s controversial national security law.
Lai faces life imprisonment for using Apple Daily to lobby foreign governments against Hong Kong and China.
Rights groups criticize the verdict as suppressing dissent, while officials claim it protected national interests.
AND MORE
The end of OpenAI, and other 2026 predictions including Sexy Siri.
Japan prepares to lose its last pandas, reflecting chilly China relations.
Inside the drama of the iPhone 4, a phone that reshaped tech.
2025 car industry review highlights winners, losers, and brands to watch 2026.
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Apple’s iOS 26.2 allows Liquid Glass rollback on the Lock Screen again.
I’m finally beginning to trust Microsoft’s handheld Xbox devices again.
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