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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🌐 SoftBank commits $100B to U.S. AI projects, aligning with Trump’s economic vision.
🛰️ Europe finalizes its €10.6B Iris² satellite deal, aiming to reduce reliance on Starlink.
📉 Amazon faces Senate backlash as injury rates in warehouses soar.
🍎 Apple plans to replace Broadcom chips with its in-house designs by 2025.
🎥 Google DeepMind challenges OpenAI’s Sora with a new video AI model.

TECH

• OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT search features to all users

  • OpenAI has made real-time search capabilities available to all ChatGPT users, including free-tier subscribers.

  • The feature allows ChatGPT to access and retrieve up-to-date information from the web.

  • Previously limited to paid tiers, the update democratizes access to the latest advancements in AI tools.

• UK to tweak social media rules in response to summer riots

  • The UK government plans to tighten social media regulations after summer riots highlighted platform misuse.

  • Proposed changes include stricter accountability for content that incites violence and stricter moderation.

  • The move is part of a broader effort to enhance public safety and curb harmful content online.

• Google DeepMind unveils a new video model to rival Sora

  • Google DeepMind has launched a cutting-edge video AI model to compete with OpenAI's Sora.

  • The model aims to streamline video generation, enabling high-quality content creation with minimal input.

  • Veo 2 can create two-minute-plus clips in resolutions up to 4k.

BUSINESS

• Europe Signs €10.6bn Iris² Satellite Deal to Rival Starlink

  • The European Union finalizes a €10.6 billion contract for Iris², a project designed to reduce reliance on non-European providers like Starlink.

  • Iris² aims to improve secure communications and connectivity for EU governments and businesses.

  • This project is part of a broader push to enhance European technological independence and infrastructure.

• Trump and SoftBank’s $100 Billion U.S. AI Plan Highlights Job Creation

  • SoftBank commits to creating 100,000 jobs through large-scale AI infrastructure projects in partnership with the U.S. government.

  • Trump praised the investment, framing it as a key part of his economic agenda to revitalize American industry.

  • The deal reflects ongoing alignment between global tech companies and the Trump administration.

• Senate Report Accuses Amazon of Safety Failures Amid Injury Concerns

  • A Senate report reveals Amazon's injury rate is nearly double that of similar warehouses due to productivity pressures.

  • It criticizes Amazon for rejecting internal safety recommendations, prioritizing output over worker welfare.

  • Amazon denies the allegations, asserting the report misrepresents data and omits recent improvements.

CONTENT

• Elon Musk & The Changing World Order | Marc Andreessen

  • Marc Andreessen discusses America’s uncertain future post-election and Silicon Valley’s political revolution.

  • Topics include Elon Musk's productivity, Democratic party divisions, and the rise of self-driving cars.

  • Insights on AI's future, government efficiency, and Europe’s entrepreneurial challenges.

• Mars Inc. by Acquired

  • Deep dive into the secretive Mars family and their billion-dollar empire, spanning candy and pet care.

  • Highlights Mars Inc.'s history, unique business practices, and the family’s role as one of the wealthiest in the U.S.

  • Covers iconic brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree, revealing their entrepreneurial journey.

• How to Plan an Epic 2025 in 56 Minutes

  • Jesse Itzler shares actionable strategies for personal growth and goal-setting in 2025.

  • Advice includes identifying weaknesses, setting bold challenges, and adopting new habits.

  • Emphasizes reflection, handwritten communication, and not wasting the year ahead.

WORLD

• Death Toll Could Reach Thousands After Cyclone Chido Hits Mayotte

  • Cyclone Chido devastates the French territory of Mayotte, leaving widespread destruction and displacing thousands of residents.

  • Officials fear the death toll could reach thousands, with reports of significant infrastructure damage and entire villages submerged.

  • International aid is being mobilized as French authorities work to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate relief efforts.

• Middle East Latest: Assad Evacuated by Russia After Fall of Damascus

  • Ousted Syrian President Assad says Russia evacuated him after their base was attacked, denying earlier reports of a planned departure.

  • Syrian rebels, now in control, aim to establish security and initiate a political transition following Assad's overthrow.

  • Israel intensifies strikes on Syrian military sites and seizes a buffer zone, drawing criticism for alleged ceasefire violations.

• Prince Andrew Spy Scandal Exposes Rising Chinese Intelligence Threat

  • A spy scandal involving Prince Andrew sheds light on China's growing intelligence operations targeting the UK.

  • British intelligence raises concerns about Beijing's efforts to exploit weaknesses within high-profile individuals and institutions.

  • The incident prompts calls for tighter security measures and heightened awareness of foreign influence operations in the UK.

AND MORE…

• Temu Becomes the Most Downloaded App on the U.S. App Store in 2024

  • Temu, an e-commerce platform, surpasses TikTok and Instagram to become the most downloaded app in the U.S. this year.

  • Its success is attributed to aggressive marketing, low prices, and a wide product range targeting price-conscious consumers.

  • The app’s popularity highlights growing competition in the e-commerce space, especially against established players like Amazon.

• Ray-Ban and Meta Smart Glasses Add AI Translation and Shazam

  • Meta enhances its Ray-Ban smart glasses with live AI translation and music recognition, aiming to make AR devices more practical.

  • The glasses offer real-time transcription and translation for conversations and a Shazam-like feature for identifying songs.

  • Meta is betting on these upgrades to boost adoption of wearables as competition in the AR space intensifies.

• Starbucks Expands Parental Leave Benefits to Attract and Retain Talent

  • Starbucks announces expanded parental leave benefits, offering more paid time off to parents in all employment tiers.

  • The move aims to attract and retain employees as the company faces challenges in a competitive labor market.

  • Analysts see the changes as part of Starbucks’ broader strategy to improve workplace satisfaction and brand reputation.