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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🧑‍⚖️ Trump sues WSJ and Murdoch for $10B over Epstein-linked drawing.
🎧 Slack adds AI-powered huddle transcripts, summaries, and smarter search.
📱 Apple sues leaker Jon Prosser for allegedly stealing iOS 26 trade secrets.
⚡ EU approves stricter sanctions to plug Russian oil price cap loopholes.
🚗 China limits EV battery exports after Trump slashes U.S. tax credits.

TECHNOLOGY

• Samsung Makes $963 Offer To Galaxy Z Fold 7 Buyers

  • Samsung offers £200 off tablets trade‑in plus free Galaxy Buds using code ‘BUDS’ with Galaxy Z Fold 7 purchases.

  • Combined trade‑in savings and promo provide substantial discount on preorder pricing for high‑end foldable buyers.

  • Offer aligns with similar deals in July including up to $1,150 off preorder models and storage upgrade bonuses.

• Slack bolsters search with AI, adds transcriptions and summaries for huddles

  • New AI search spans across channels and connected apps surfacing relevant files and conversations instantly.

  • Huddles now get AI‑powered transcription, summaries, and highlighted action items from voice or video chats.

  • Additional features include message recaps, profile summaries and canvas writing assistant for selective Business and Enterprise users.

• Apple sues leaker Jon Prosser for stealing iOS 26 secrets

  • Apple filed trade‑secret lawsuit against Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti over alleged unauthorized access to iOS 26.

  • Allegations say Ramacciotti accessed an engineer’s dev phone using passcode and tracked location before video‑calling Prosser.

  • Prosser denies plotting or password acquisition; Apple is seeking damages and an injunction to halt further leaks.

BUSINESS

• Microsoft’s constant layoffs risk creating a culture of fear

  • Roughly 15 000 Microsoft employees laid off across technical, gaming, and cloud sales divisions this year amid AI investments.

  • Morale issues reported including layoffs during vacations and broad staff reductions in Xbox studios canceling major game projects.

  • Internal reassignment of some staff and policy shifts evaluating employees on AI adoption suggest deeper cultural transformation.

• Facebook‑parent Meta refuses to sign EU’s AI Code of Practice, here's why

  • Meta declined the EU’s voluntary AI code citing concerns it introduces legal uncertainties and exceeds the AI Act’s intended scope.

  • Chief global affairs officer warned the code could hamper innovation and implicates broader industry worries shared by fifty other firms.

  • While Microsoft and other US tech companies plan to sign, Meta remains isolated in rejecting the voluntary framework.

• Microsoft likely to sign EU AI code of practice, Meta rebuffs guidelines

  • Microsoft expected to adopt the EU’s voluntary AI code, committing to transparency and compliance with copyright standards.

  • Meta, along with 45 European businesses, opposes the code on grounds it could hinder AI development through overregulation.

  • OpenAI and Mistral have committed to sign once formally approved, highlighting split stances across AI industry leaders.

MARKETS

WORLD

• EU’s new Russia sanctions aim for more effective oil price cap

  • EU leaders introduced fresh sanctions targeting Russian oil to enhance enforcement of existing price cap measures and reduce leakage.

  • The measures include tighter shipping restrictions and real‑time monitoring to deter circumvention by intermediary countries.

  • Sanctions are expected to face political debate but aim to close loopholes benefitting Russia’s energy earnings.

• EU agrees new Russia sanctions after Slovakia drops opposition

  • EU negotiators reportedly agreed on a package of sanctions expanding oil price cap enforcement and targeting evasion networks.

  • The live tracker notes additional financial measures aimed at undermining Russia’s energy export revenue.

  • Coverage also includes Ukraine geopolitical developments and diplomatic tensions with Russia.

• Prisoner swap in Venezuela unites leaders with US amid El Salvador release

  • Venezuela and the US finalized a prisoner exchange involving former officials, easing bilateral political tensions.

  • The deal also sees El Salvador releasing a detainee, reinforcing diplomatic collaboration across three nations.

  • Swap marks a diplomatic breakthrough following months of negotiations under regional and international mediation.

CONTENT

• How to Spot Fake AI Photos

  • Expert explains detecting AI images by analyzing inconsistent residual noise patterns with forensic techniques trained on structural data.

  • Highlights four practical verification tips including checking shadows vanishing points noise patterns to catch manipulated visuals.

  • Warns that AI fakes threaten journalistic integrity and legal evidence by making convincing deceptive content accessible to bad actors.

• The creepy AI era is here

  • Hosts debate emotional reactions to increasingly anthropomorphic AI assistants like Grok’s unsettling anime girlfriend interfaces.

  • Discussion covers Alexa Plus evolution into more conversational AI and the evolving expectations around smart assistant personalities.

  • Episode also reviews Sony’s compact full‑frame RX1R III camera and returns of lightning‑fast “Thunder Round” segment.

• How Replit Went From $10M to $100M ARR In Just 9 Months

  • Founder Amjad Masad recounts pivoting Replit from teaching to empowering anyone to build software using AI agents.

  • Rapid growth driven by vibe‑coding adoption and agent autonomy with usage‑based pricing and expanding monthly user base.

  • Now surpassing $100 million ARR in six months with strong enterprise uptake and heavy consumption of Anthropic AI tokens.

FUTURISM

• China Is Using Trump’s Tactics Against Him to Corner the EV Market

  • Trump’s EV tax credit cut may cede US market dominance to Chinese automakers ahead of original deadline.

  • China imposes export approvals on critical EV‑battery tech to reinforce global supply‑chain control.

  • Analysts warn US EV industry could lose billions and strategic influence as subsidies expire early.

• Why a Y Combinator Startup Tackling AI Agents for Windows Gave Up and Pivoted

  • Startup abandoned its original AI‑agent ambition, shifting focus after discovering Windows integration limitations.

  • Founders reassessed market demand and determined pivot necessary to align with user‑centric product priorities.

  • Reflects broader trend where early agent startups transition to niche enterprise workflows for viability.

• Netflix uses AI effects for first time to cut costs

  • Netflix leveraged generative AI for a Buenos Aires collapse VFX scene in El Eternauta, speeding production.

  • Sequence completed ten times faster and cheaper than traditional CGI, making complex visual storytelling more viable.

  • Co‑CEO emphasizes AI empowers creators and aids small‑budget projects without replacing human artistry.

EXTRAS

• Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch in $10 billion libel case

  • Trump alleges WSJ, Dow Jones, Murdoch and others defamed him by linking him to a nude drawing in a 2003 letter to Epstein.

  • The lawsuit seeks $10 billion in damages and claims widespread publication wrongfully harmed his reputation.

  • Trump’s legal team also supports DOJ efforts to release Epstein grand jury materials for public transparency.

• Crypto market cap soars past $4 trillion as stablecoin bill becomes law

  • U.S. Congress passed new stablecoin regulation setting federal reserve and audit requirements for issuers.

  • The broader crypto market surged dramatically, sending total valuation above $4 trillion at signing time.

  • Supporters say the GENIUS Act creates investor confidence while critics warn of excessive oversight.

• Israel’s Netanyahu reaches out to the Vatican after deadly Gaza strike

  • Israeli PM contacted Pope Leo XIV following a strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Church that killed three civilians.

  • Officials described the incident as wrongful stray ammunition and launched an immediate investigation.

  • Vatican called for urgent civilian protection and renewed ceasefire negotiations in response to the tragedy.

AND MORE

• S&P and Nasdaq flat after Trump tariff reports, despite recent record highs.

• Bond yields dip as the Fed’s Waller repeats July rate-cut call.

• Learn how global hiring can help you fight back against rising tariffs, shrinking margins, and local talent shortages.*

• Oil prices steady amid mixed U.S. economic and Russia sanctions news.

• Treasury yields drop as investors weigh tariffs, earnings, and data.

• Asian shares rise on Wall Street gains and tariff optimism.

• Stocks remain high despite Japan election risk and trade tension.

• Whether you’re shipping lemonade or scaling globally, Shopify grows with you. Start your website.*