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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🥤 PepsiCo buys prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95B in a wellness push.
🎮 Discord's new SDK embeds voice chat, messaging, and friends lists into games.
🤖 Musk’s xAI acquires Hotshot to expand AI-generated video content.
🌏 India and New Zealand restart stalled free trade negotiations.
🔥 Deadly nightclub fire in North Macedonia kills at least 59 people.

TECH

• Discord Integrates Social Features Directly into Games with New SDK

  • Discord's new Social SDK lets developers embed friends lists, messaging, and voice chat directly into their games.

  • Players can access these social features without a Discord account, improving in-game connectivity and engagement.

  • The SDK supports C++, Unreal Engine, and Unity, with plans to expand to console and mobile platforms.

• OpenAI Begins Testing ChatGPT Connectors for Google Drive and Slack

  • OpenAI is testing ChatGPT Connectors, allowing users to link AI with Google Drive, Slack, and other workplace tools.

  • The feature enables ChatGPT to access and analyze files, presentations, and messages for more informed responses.

  • Future expansions could include Microsoft SharePoint and Box, improving automation and workflow integration.

• Elon Musk's xAI Acquires Generative AI Video Startup Hotshot

  • xAI has acquired Hotshot, a startup specializing in AI-generated video tools for realistic content creation.

  • Hotshot developed models like Hotshot-XL and Act One, focused on high-quality, AI-driven video generation.

  • The acquisition aligns with xAI’s strategy to expand AI-generated content and compete in the evolving media landscape.

BUSINESS

• European Tech Industry Coalition Calls for 'Radical Action'

  • Over 80 European tech companies, including Airbus and OVHCloud, urge the EU to reduce reliance on foreign infrastructure.

  • They propose creating a sovereign infrastructure fund to invest in AI, chips, and cloud technologies.

  • The coalition advocates for a 'buy European' policy in government procurement to boost local tech industries.

• Forever 21 Files for Bankruptcy Again, Plans to Close U.S. Operations

  • Forever 21 has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time and will shut down its U.S. operations.

  • The retailer blames declining mall traffic and competition from online retailers like Amazon and Shein.

  • Liquidation sales will take place in U.S. stores, but international locations will continue operating.

• PepsiCo to Acquire Prebiotic Soda Brand Poppi for Nearly $2 Billion

  • PepsiCo is acquiring Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion to expand its health-focused beverage portfolio.

  • Poppi’s drinks contain prebiotics, fruit juice, and apple cider vinegar, appealing to wellness-conscious consumers.

  • The deal reflects a broader shift in the industry towards functional and wellness-focused beverages.

• Smart hiring for fast-growing businesses that need top talent now*

  • Get top-tier engineers, product managers, and data scientists without waiting weeks or months to fill key roles.

  • AI-powered vetting and matching ensure quality candidates who fit your culture and hit the ground running.

  • Reduce hiring costs and time by streamlining your process with fast, seamless access to global professionals.

CONTENT

• Narendra Modi: Power, Democracy, War & Peace

  • Modi shares how childhood poverty and lessons from his father’s tea shop shaped his leadership philosophy.

  • He discusses his journey in the Himalayas, his time as a monk, and his ideological roots in the RSS movement.

  • The conversation covers India’s foreign relations, including diplomatic efforts with China and Pakistan.

• NVIDIA In Crisis. Elon's Grok 3 to the Rescue

  • NVIDIA faces scrutiny after a viral report questions its long-term market position and financial outlook.

  • Elon Musk’s xAI unveils Grok 3, an advanced AI model running on 200,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs in Colossus.

  • The move highlights the growing role of massive AI infrastructure in shaping the future of technology.

• Build Once, Profit Forever - The ACP Framework

  • The ACP framework—Audience, Community, Product—guides creators in building sustainable online businesses.

  • Finding the right audience, developing a consistent content format, and setting clear goals are key steps.

  • Effective systems and automation help maintain growth while keeping engagement and monetization scalable.

WORLD

• Trump Threatens Iran Over Houthi Attacks

  • Trump warns that further Houthi attacks will be treated as Iranian aggression, promising severe military consequences.

  • This follows U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, escalating tensions in the region amid ongoing conflicts.

  • Iran denies direct involvement, warning that U.S. military actions could further destabilize the Middle East.

• Canada's New Prime Minister Mark Carney Visits Paris and London

  • Mark Carney makes his first foreign visit as prime minister, meeting Macron and Starmer to strengthen alliances.

  • The trip comes amid Trump's trade war, with Carney reaffirming Canada’s independence from U.S. economic policies.

  • He highlights Canada’s commitment to European partners and rejects speculation about closer U.S. integration.

• India and New Zealand Relaunch Free Trade Talks After a Decade

  • India and New Zealand revive stalled trade talks, aiming for an agreement benefiting both economies by 2025.

  • Modi and Luxon discuss defense and economic cooperation, focusing on food processing and renewable energy.

  • The renewed negotiations seek to remove trade barriers and expand market access for key industries.

AND MORE…

• Microsoft's Latest Windows 11 Update Uninstalls Copilot

  • The recent Windows 11 update accidentally removes the Copilot app from some devices, unpinning it from the taskbar.

  • Microsoft acknowledges the issue and advises users to reinstall Copilot from the Microsoft Store and manually re-pin it.

  • The company is transitioning Copilot from a basic web app to a native version with an improved UI and hotkey support.

• At Least 59 Dead, Over 100 Injured in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

  • A fire broke out at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, during a concert, triggering a deadly stampede.

  • The blaze was caused by pyrotechnics, leading to 59 fatalities, including three minors, and over 100 injuries.

  • Authorities are investigating safety violations, and the government has declared three days of national mourning.

• U.S. Retail Sales Rebound Moderately in February

  • Retail sales increased by 0.2% in February after a sharp decline in January, signaling modest consumer spending recovery.

  • Year-over-year sales rose 3.1%, with gains in online and health stores, while auto and electronics sectors struggled.

  • Concerns over tariffs and economic uncertainty remain, potentially affecting future consumer confidence and spending.