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

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

🤖 Meta tool blocks unauthorized Reels reposts across Instagram and Facebook.
🌡️ Old Nest thermostats still transmit diagnostic data despite discontinued support.
💳 Ramp hits $32B valuation after rapid revenue and customer growth.
🌍 UN approves Gaza stabilization force despite China and Russia's abstentions.
🛫 Google expands Flight Deals globally with new AI travel planning.

TECHNOLOGY

• xAI Launches Grok 4.1, Claiming Top Spot on AI Performance Leaderboards (xAI) 
  _{^{More: Bloomberg, Seeking Alpha}}

  • Grok 4.1 ranks first on LMArena with an Elo rating of 1483, exceeding competing models by 31 points.

  • The model reduces hallucinations to 4.2 percent compared to the previous version's 12 percent rate.

  • Available free to all users on grok.com, the X platform, iOS, and Android, with enhanced emotional intelligence.

• Meta Introduces Content Protection Tool (TechCrunch) 
  _{^{More: Engadget, Social Media Today}}

  • The tool automatically detects when creators' Facebook Reels are reposted without permission across Instagram and Facebook.

  • Creators can block unauthorized reels, track performance with attribution links, or release claims entirely.

  • Available to Facebook Content Monetization program participants and Rights Manager users meeting originality standards.

• Google Continues Collecting Data From Discontinued Nest Thermostats (Android Authority) 
  _{^{More: Android Police, Android Headlines}}

  • First and second-generation Nest thermostats still transmit temperature, motion, and humidity data after support ended.

  • A security researcher discovered extensive logging continues despite Google removing remote control functionality in October 2025.

  • Google states devices send diagnostic logs not tied to user accounts for service tracking purposes.

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  • U.S. companies are sidestepping new H-1B costs by hiring remote LATAM talent—same time zones, fluent English, no red tape.

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BUSINESS

• Jeff Bezos Returns as Co-CEO of Project Prometheus AI Startup With $6.2 Billion in Funding (New York Times) 
  _{^{More: Bloomberg, Reuters, TechCrunch}}

  • Bezos takes first operational role since leaving Amazon in 2021, joining physicist Vik Bajaj as co-CEO.

  • The company focuses on applying AI to engineering and manufacturing in computers, aerospace, and automobile sectors.

  • Startup hired nearly 100 employees from OpenAI, DeepMind, and Meta to develop physical world AI systems.

• Amazon Raises $15 Billion in First US Bond Sale Since 2022 (Bloomberg) 
  _{^{More: Yahoo Finance}}

  • Six-part bond sale exceeded initial $12 billion estimate, attracting $80 billion in peak demand from investors.

  • Proceeds fund AI infrastructure, acquisitions, capital expenditures, and share buybacks amid a tech spending surge.

  • Pricing on the 40-year bond tightened to 0.85 percentage points above Treasuries from an initial 1.15 points.

• Ramp Reaches $32 Billion Valuation in Fourth 2025 Funding Round (Bloomberg) 
  _{^{More: TechCrunch, PR Newswire}}

  • Expense management fintech raised $300 million, led by Lightspeed, surging 42 percent from July's $22.5 billion valuation.

  • The company doubled its revenue to over $1 billion annually while serving 50,000 customers and processing $100 billion in purchases.

  • Valuation jumped from $13 billion in March to $32 billion through four 2025 funding rounds.

MARKETS

WORLD

• UN Security Council Approves Trump's Gaza Peace Plan With International Stabilization Force (Reuters) 
  _{^{More: CNN, NBC News, NPR}}

  • The Security Council voted 13-0, approving a resolution authorizing the Board of Peace and the multinational force for Gaza.

  • Russia and China abstained without vetoing, while the resolution envisions a pathway to Palestinian statehood after reforms.

  • The Trump-chaired Board will oversee transitional governance, demilitarization, and reconstruction following the fragile October ceasefire.

• Bangladesh Court Sentences Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Death (Al Jazeera) 
  _{^{More: CNN, NPR, Reuters}}

  • The International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina for crimes against humanity during the 2024 student uprising crackdown.

  • UN estimates up to 1,400 people killed as security forces suppressed protests that ended her 15-year rule.

  • Bangladesh demands India extradite Hasina from exile, though New Delhi has not committed to a handover.

• Japan-China Tensions Escalate Over Prime Minister Takaichi's Taiwan Military Intervention Comments (CBS News) 
  _{^{More: Bloomberg, NPR}}

  • Takaichi stated military force in the Taiwan conflict could constitute an existential threat, justifying Japanese troop deployment.

  • China issued travel warnings for Japan and threatened economic reprisal, wiping billions from Japanese tourism stocks.

  • Chinese coast guard entered disputed waters near the Senkaku Islands as the diplomatic crisis intensified under the new prime minister.

FUTURISM

• Google rolls out its AI 'Flight Deals' tool globally, adds new travel features in Search (TechCrunch) 
  _{^{More: ABC News, Skift}}

  • Flight Deals expanded to over 200 countries with 60-plus language support for travel bargain hunting.

  • The Canvas tool enables trip planning with real-time flight, hotel data, and Google Maps information combined.

  • Agentic booking for restaurants is now available to all U.S. users through AI Mode integration.

• OpenAI employees say company has thwarted efforts to donate equity as valuation surges (CNBC) 
  _{^{More: Bloomberg, Reuters}}

  • OpenAI blocks employee equity donations to charity despite the company's valuation surging from $1 billion to $300 billion.

  • Management prioritizes for-profit conversion over charitable donation opportunities promised after the 2024 tender offer completion.

  • Employees could receive 40 percent more charitable value through equity donations versus cash contributions.

• AI Relationships Are on the Rise. A Divorce Boom Could Be Next (Wired) _{^{More: Futurism, CNBC}}

  • Divorce attorneys report growing cases where emotional attachments to AI chatbots contribute to marriage dissolution.

  • Judges struggle with AI companion cases as traditional infidelity definitions fail to address chatbot relationships.

  • California attorney predicts divorce boom as AI becomes more realistic, compassionate, and emotionally compelling.

CONTENT

• 9 REQUIRED Finance Lessons for Founders (Greg Isenberg)

  • Greg breaks down a practical cashflow system founders can use to avoid runway mistakes and hidden financial risks.

  • He explains weekly and monthly rhythms that reveal true burn, guide decisions, and prevent emotional spending errors.

  • The episode covers dilution strategy, board reporting, card controls, and building systems that keep companies always exit-ready.

• How Chamath Optimized His Health (All-In Podcast)

  • Chamath shares the health protocols that improved his biomarkers through metabolic tracking, structured routines, and interventions.

  • He discusses diet shifts, longevity practices, sleep changes, and the measurable improvements guiding his health decisions.

  • The conversation highlights sustainable habits, performance benefits, and how consistent data-based adjustments reshape well-being.

• David Kirtley: Nuclear Fusion and the Future of Energy (Lex Fridman Podcast)

  • David Kirtley outlines how fusion works, why it is safe, and why commercial plants may arrive soon.

  • He explores the engineering challenges of plasma control, extreme temperatures, and generating reliable electricity from fusion reactions.

  • The discussion expands to geopolitics, global energy demand, and how fusion could transform civilization’s technological capacity.

EXTRA

• Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman just dropped a four-word dating tip — and the internet is going crazy over it (Fortune) 
  _{^{More: Fox News, Financial Times}}

  • Ackman's "May I meet you?" pickup line generates 26 million views and widespread mockery online.

  • Pershing Square CEO claims proper grammar and politeness made line effective during his youth for meeting strangers.

  • Dating experts say formality resonates with Gen Z's desire for structure, but phrasing feels too business-like.

AND MORE

• Amazon plans to raise US$15 billion in its first U.S. bond sale in three years to fund its AI infrastructure build‑out.

• Bank of America will allocate US$4 billion to new technology capabilities, focusing heavily on AI to boost banker productivity.

• A blast on the Warsaw–Lublin railway line was declared an “unprecedented act of sabotage” by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

• The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, including a transitional governance body.

• Oil prices eased after loadings resumed at Russia’s Novorossiysk export hub, reducing supply risk concerns.

• Alphabet Inc. shares hit a record after Berkshire revealed a $4.9 billion stake, signaling renewed confidence.

• U.S. stock markets ended lower as investors braced for jobs data and Nvidia results.

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