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

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

💼 a16z ramps Washington lobbying across crypto, AI, and defense
☁️ OpenAI discusses $10B Amazon deal adopting Trainium chips
🏦 Monzo wins Irish banking licence for European expansion
🌎 Latin America unleashes record overseas bond issuance
🚕 Tesla removes safety drivers from Austin robotaxi tests

TECHNOLOGY

• Google launches Gemini 3 Flash, makes it the default model in the Gemini app (TechCrunch) 

  _{^{More: 9to5Google, Google Blog, SiliconANGLE}}

  • Gemini 3 Flash delivers Pro-level reasoning at three times the speed and fraction of the cost.

  • The model scores state-of-the-art on benchmarks, outperforming Gemini 2.5 Pro while maintaining Flash efficiency.

  • Now available globally as the default in the Gemini app, AI Mode in Search, and for developers.

• Google’s vibe-coding tool Opal comes to Gemini (TechCrunch) 

  _{^{More: Digital Trends, Google Blog, Developers Blog}}

  • Opal integrates into Gemini’s web app, enabling users to create custom AI mini-apps through natural language.

  • The visual editor allows step rearrangement and linking without coding, with advanced options available at opal.google.com.

  • Users describe desired apps in plain language, and Opal orchestrates Gemini models into functional applications.

• a16z spends $1.49M in Washington lobbying (Punchbowl News) 

  _{^{More: TechCrunch, Punchbowl, Punchbowl}}

  • Andreessen Horowitz spent $1.49 million on federal lobbying this year, outpacing rivals like Sequoia and General Catalyst.

  • Lobbying efforts cover crypto, AI, and U.S. defense policy, with a focus on the National Defense Authorization Act.

  • The firm hired a bipartisan government affairs team and backs a pro-AI PAC network called Leading the Future.

BUSINESS

• OpenAI in Talks to Raise At Least $10 Billion From Amazon (The Information) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg, CNBC, TechCrunch}}

  • OpenAI is discussing a deal with Amazon that could exceed $10 billion and value the company above $500 billion.

  • The agreement includes adopting Amazon’s Trainium chips, diversifying away from Nvidia’s dominant hardware amid supply concerns.

  • The deal follows OpenAI’s restructuring, which freed it from Microsoft exclusivity and from its $38 billion AWS capacity purchase.

• Oracle Says Michigan Data Center Equity Deal on Schedule (Bloomberg) _{^{More: CNBC, Reuters, ZeroHedge}}

  • Oracle responds after Blue Owl Capital walked from a $10 billion Michigan data center financing deal.

  • Development partner Related Digital selected a different equity partner, and final negotiations are proceeding on schedule.

  • Concerns over Oracle’s rising debt and unfavorable lease terms led Blue Owl to exit negotiations.

• Monzo gets Irish banking licence to expand into European markets (Bloomberg)

  _{^{More: Neobanque, Fintech Ireland, SiliconRepublic}}

  • Monzo has secured an Irish banking licence, enabling it to offer regulated services across the EU from Dublin as its hub. siliconrepublic.com

  • The licence positions the UK digital bank to expand its product offerings, such as savings and current accounts, across European markets. investing.com

  • Monzo’s move builds on its broader European strategy, supported by investments and regulatory engagement in Ireland.

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MARKETS

WORLD

• A Record $184 Billion Bond Binge Stuns Latin America Bankers (Bloomberg) 

  ^{_{More: Biztoc}}

  • Latin American companies and governments sold over $184 billion of debt abroad this year, up 50%.

  • Record issuance defied investment bankers’ modest growth forecasts amid Trump’s return and market volatility.

  • Longtime market watchers are stunned by the surge, suggesting this could be the best year ever for the region.

• November Jobs Report Shows Labor Market Stuck in Waiting Place (Bloomberg) 

  _{^{More: NBC News, CNBC, CNN}}

  • The U.S. added just 64,000 jobs in November while unemployment rose to 4.6%, the highest since 2021.

  • October revised to show net loss of 105,000 jobs, driven by federal government workforce reductions.

  • Delayed reports from the government shutdown indicate the economy is on pace for the weakest job growth since 2020.

• Trump Administration to Dismantle National Center for Atmospheric Research (New York Times) 

  _{^{More: NBC News, Washington Post, Denver Post}}

  • OMB Director Russ Vought announced plans to break up NCAR, calling it a source of climate alarmism.

  • The Boulder facility employs 830 people who conduct climate research, provide early warnings for natural disasters, and forecast the weather.

  • Colorado Democrats vow to fight the closure of the world-renowned scientific facility with all available legal tools.

FUTURISM

• The Things Young Kids Are Using AI for Are Absolutely Horrifying (Futurism) 

  ^{_{More: Yahoo News, DNYUZ}}

  • Aura research found 42% of minors use AI for companionship, with 44% of 11-year-olds engaging violently.

  • Sexual and romantic roleplay peaks at age 13, with 63% of conversations showing explicit content patterns.

  • Character.AI faces wrongful death lawsuits alleging chatbots sexually and emotionally abused minor users, causing suicides.

• Washington Post Says It Will Continue AI-Generating Error-Filled Podcasts (Futurism) 

  _{^{More: NPR, Semafor, TheWrap}}

  • Washington Post doubles down on AI podcasts despite internal tests showing 68%-84% failure rates nationwide.

  • Staffers report that AI is inventing quotes, misattributing sources, and editorializing content, which they say is the Post’s journalistic stance.

  • Leadership defends the beta product as a standard digital development process, ignoring newsroom standards and accuracy concerns.

• Tesla Removes Safety Drivers From Robotaxis in Austin (Futurism) 

  ^{_{More: TechCrunch, InsideEVs, Gizmodo}} 

  • Elon Musk confirms Tesla is testing unoccupied robotaxis in Austin, removing human safety monitors by the end of 2025.

  • Tesla’s fleet crashes once every 40,000 miles, compared with Waymo’s 98,600 miles, raising serious safety questions.

  • Only 30 robotaxis operate in Austin currently, far below Musk’s promised 1,000 vehicles within months.

CONTENT

• Neither Side Is Used to Losing Lucas Shaw on What’s Next for Netflix and Paramount in the Battle for Warner Bros. (Channels with Peter Kafka)

  • Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw explains the high-stakes fight for Warner Bros. and why neither Netflix nor Paramount expects defeat.

  • The conversation unpacks strategic motivations, deal structures, and regulatory pressures shaping the future of significant media consolidation.

  • Shaw outlines the potential implications for streaming economics, content power, and Hollywood’s shifting competitive balance.

• How Does AI Affect Josh Johnson’s Career? (The Daily Show)

  • Josh Johnson discusses how generative AI is changing creative work and reshaping expectations across comedy and entertainment careers.

  • He argues that human perspective, timing, and lived experience remain difficult for AI systems to replicate convincingly.

  • Johnson connects industry disruption to his own career path as a stand-up comic and Daily Show correspondent.

• Our boldest 2026 tech predictions (The Verge)

  • Verge staff outline consumer technology trends expected to define 2026, building on product shifts and breakthroughs from 2025.

  • Predictions span foldable mainstream devices, wearable AI hardware, and early home robots as they gain broader consumer adoption.

  • The discussion examines strategic bets from major AI players and speculative milestones, including potential OpenAI IPO scenarios.

EXTRAS

• Warner Rejects Paramount’s Hostile Bid (Wall Street Journal) 

  • Warner Bros. Discovery rejected Paramount’s hostile takeover bid, stating the Netflix deal remains a superior option.

  • The decision comes amid ongoing consolidation pressures across the streaming and entertainment industry.

  • Warner has consistently prioritized a strategic partnership with Netflix over Paramount’s acquisition proposal.

• Coursera, Udemy Merge in Deal Valuing Combined Firm at $2.5 Billion (Reuters) 

  • Online learning giants Coursera and Udemy announce a merger, creating a $2.5 billion combined education platform.

  • Deal consolidates two major players in the digital learning market amid increased demand for skills training.

  • The combined company will offer a broader course catalog and expanded reach to learners and enterprise clients.

• Google sues Chinese cybercriminal group behind E-ZPass and USPS phishing scams (NBC)

  • Google filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York targeting a China-based cybercriminal group behind large-scale SMS phishing scams.

  • Defendants used a phishing-as-a-service toolkit called “Lighthouse” to impersonate services such as E-ZPass and USPS, thereby stealing personal data.

  • The complaint seeks to dismantle the infrastructure and alleges violations of RICO, CFAA, and trademark laws to disrupt global smishing operations.

AND MORE

• U.S. prepares new Russia energy sanctions if Putin rejects proposed Ukraine peace deal.

• IMF executive board to discuss $20 billion Argentina financial program on Wednesday.

• UK government launches funding review of BBC amid Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit.

• WTO delegates confirm no reform deal will be concluded at the next ministerial meeting in March 2026.

• U.S. Trade Representative implements tariff elements of trade deal framework with Switzerland.

• Energy demand from AI data centres drives renewed interest in nuclear and alternative power solutions.

• Roko’s Basilisk skips the buzz words and cuts straight to what moves markets, products, and careers.*

• RayNeo launches its award-winning X3 Pro AR glasses globally after TIME recognition.

• NASA confirms a weak La Niña pattern for late 2025, with potential global weather impacts.