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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🚗 Tesla prepares for Texas robotaxi trials, training ahead of public testing.
🛠️ Amazon workers strike in seven states, demanding better wages and conditions.
💰 UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione faces federal charges.
🎥 Instagram teases AI video editing tool launching in 2025.
🚢 China grants EU investigators access to suspected sabotage vessel.

TECH

• Instagram's AI Video Editing Tool Teased for 2025

  • Meta’s Movie Gen tool will allow users to modify videos using text-based instructions.

  • The AI tool can adjust lighting, textures, and scenes for enhanced creative freedom.

  • Launch expected in 2025, positioning Instagram as a leader in AI-driven video editing.

• Google's New ‘Reasoning’ AI Model Launches in Experimental Phase

  • Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental aims to excel in multimodal understanding, math, and programming.

  • The model emphasizes ‘reasoning’ by explaining its thought process but struggles with basic tasks.

  • It joins a growing trend of reasoning AI models, though concerns remain over cost and scalability.

• Tesla Eyes Texas Cities for Robotaxi Tests

  • Tesla is in talks with Austin and other cities to pilot its autonomous robotaxi service.

  • Training sessions for first responders are underway, though testing on public streets hasn’t started.

  • The initiative aligns with Tesla’s strategy of courting competition among cities for business incentives.

BUSINESS

• Apple and Meta Clash Over Interoperability and Privacy

  • Apple criticizes Meta’s 15 requests for platform access, claiming they endanger user privacy.

  • Meta accuses Apple of using privacy as a pretext to limit competition under the EU's Digital Markets Act.

  • The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between privacy-focused and open-platform approaches in tech.

• Amazon Workers Strike Across Seven Facilities During Holiday Rush

  • Strikes in New York, Georgia, California, and Illinois push for better wages and safer conditions.

  • Organized by Teamsters, the strike is the largest against Amazon in U.S. history during peak season.

  • Amazon disputes union claims, accusing protesters of intimidation while ensuring holiday deliveries.

• Trump Hosts Bezos, Musk, and Other Tech Titans at Mar-a-Lago

  • Jeff Bezos joins Trump and Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago, signaling attempts to repair relationships.

  • Tech leaders, including Altman and Zuckerberg, align with Trump’s regulatory agenda and inauguration fund.

  • Musk’s significant donations and role in Trump’s administration mark a key shift in tech-politics dynamics.

CONTENT

• How to Focus to Change Your Brain

  • Hubermann explores neuroplasticity and how focused attention supports lifelong brain adaptability.

  • He introduces practical tools like goal accountability, visual focus techniques, and ultradian cycles for sustained attention.

  • Highlights the role of sleep, NSDR, and naps in consolidating learning and optimizing cognitive performance.

• Trevor Noah Makes My Brain Hurt | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

  • Trevor Noah discusses the paradox of choice, hardship versus constraint, and human morality with Simon Sinek.

  • Explores societal reactions to major events like the United Healthcare CEO’s killing and the nuances of navigating a complex world.

  • Delves into the human experience and how humor can provoke deep reflection on societal issues.

• How Shopify Builds a High-Intensity Culture

  • Shopify’s Farhan Thawar shares insights on fostering intensity without burnout.

  • Discusses his hiring philosophy, including eliminating interviews and building a world-leading internship program.

  • Reflects on reducing distractions, simplifying codebases, and maintaining stability during uncertain times.

WORLD

• China grants EU investigators access to suspected sabotage ship

  • The Yi Peng 3 inspected for evidence of cutting Baltic Sea undersea cables amid sabotage allegations.

  • Investigation centered on ship’s equipment, including anchor use; no arrests reported among crew.

  • Access granted after weeks of secretive diplomacy between China and European governments.

• Elon Musk's influence disrupts U.S. spending negotiations

  • Musk leveraged his social platform, X, to attack a bipartisan spending bill with over 150 posts, spreading misinformation about its contents.

  • His influence, backed by his role in the Trump administration prompted some Republicans to align with his opposition.

  • Concerns rise over a billionaire's outsized impact on policy, with some lawmakers suggesting Musk as Speaker of the House.

• UnitedHealthcare CEO killing suspect is charged with murder

  • Suspect Luigi Mangione arrested after a five-day manhunt and charged with murder of CEO Brian Thompson.

  • Pleaded not guilty in a high-security New York court appearance; faces federal death penalty.

  • Defense led by ex-prosecutor Karen Friedman-Agnifilo, signaling a high-profile legal battle.

AND MORE…

• Apple’s new AI tool criticized for generating misleading news headlines

  • Apple’s AI-generated headlines spark controversy, with one headline falsely claiming a BBC reporter resigned due to bias.

  • Critics call out the tool for lacking robust oversight and spreading misinformation to Apple News users.

  • Apple promises improvements, stating the AI is still in its testing phase and welcomes user feedback.

• Two arrested after Google Maps image provides crime scene clue

  • A Google Maps image captured a person loading a suspicious object into a car trunk in Tajueco, Spain, sparking an investigation.

  • Police arrested the missing man’s ex-girlfriend and her former partner, alleging involvement in his death and disappearance.

  • A torso found in a nearby cemetery is being analyzed for identification; the investigation remains ongoing.

• AI coding assistant Cursor raises $100M at $2.5B valuation

  • Thrive Capital leads the funding round, marking significant investor confidence in the tool’s rapid adoption.

  • Cursor aims to revolutionize coding workflows by integrating generative AI with team collaboration features.

  • With $145M total funding, Cursor plans to enhance its features and scale globally.