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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🏭 Samsung wins annual U.S. approval for chipmaking tool shipments to China.
🤖 Meta plans to acquire Manus to strengthen advanced AI capabilities.
💰 Nvidia acquires $5B Intel stake under agreement reached in September.
⚓ U.S. military conducts 30th strike on suspected drug-smuggling boat in Pacific.
📊 AI memory demand lifts Kioxia to world’s top-performing stock globally.

TECHNOLOGY

• Samsung wins annual U.S. approval for chipmaking tool shipments to China (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: Investing.com, Yahoo!}}

  • The U.S. granted Samsung a 2026 annual license to ship chipmaking equipment to China.

  • Washington replaced broad waivers with annual approvals as validated end user exemptions expire December 31.

  • Trump administration tightens export controls, reexamining policies to limit China’s access to advanced U.S. technology.

• Apple appeals UK antitrust ruling over $1.8B App Store fees (MacRummors)
  ^{_{More: Engadget, MacHash}}

  • Apple asked the UK Court of Appeal to overturn a £1.5 billion antitrust ruling.

  • Tribunal found Apple abused App Store dominance, charging excessive commissions between 2015 and 2024.

  • Case covers 36 million consumers, with Apple disputing commission estimates and competitive market assumptions.

• Meta plans to acquire Manus to strengthen advanced AI capabilities (WSJ)
  ^{_{More: Reuters, Nikkei, CNA}}

  • Meta will acquire Chinese AI startup Manus to accelerate advanced AI integration across consumer and business platforms.

  • Singapore-based Manus develops autonomous AI agents acting as digital employees for research, automation, and complex tasks.

  • Deal highlights Meta’s aggressive AI expansion amid competition, following investments like Scale AI and talent acquisitions.

BUSINESS

• Nvidia acquires $5B Intel stake under agreement reached in September (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: Reuters, Yahoo!}}

  • Nvidia bought $5B Intel shares via September-announced deal, confirmed in Monday regulatory filing.

  • Deal priced Intel shares at $23.28, providing critical financial support after years of costly missteps.

  • Transaction involved 214.7 million shares, cleared by U.S. antitrust agencies; market reaction muted.

• U.S. military conducts 30th strike on suspected drug-smuggling boat in Pacific (AP)
  ^{_{More: CBS, Economic Times, PBS}}

  • U.S. military struck alleged narco-trafficking boat in eastern Pacific, killing two people.

  • Strike marked 30th boat attack since September, with at least 107 deaths reported.

  • Trump administration says strikes curb drug flows and pressure Venezuela’s Maduro amid regional buildup.

• Trump threatens to ‘knock the hell’ out of Iran if they build weapons (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: Al Jazeera, USA Today, ABC}}

  • Trump met Netanyahu in Florida, signaling support for Israeli strikes if Iran rebuilds missiles.

  • He threatened force but urged Iran to negotiate instead of reviving nuclear ambitions.

  • Comments came amid Gaza peace efforts and rising Israel-Iran tensions over missiles and nuclear sites.

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MARKETS

WORLD

• AI memory demand lifts Kioxia to world’s top-performing stock globally (Bloomberg)
  ^{_{More: MSN, Nikkei}}

  • Kioxia shares surged about 540% this year, leading MSCI World and Japan’s Topix.

  • AI infrastructure buildouts are driving soaring NAND memory demand, benefiting hyperscalers and suppliers.

  • Investors expect tight supply and rising prices to boost Kioxia revenue into 2026.

• Peace hopes falter as Russia and Ukraine exchange fresh accusations (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: AOL, Straits Times, Global B&F}}

  • Russia accused Ukraine of 91-drone attack on Putin residence; Ukraine denied claims.

  • Putin ordered seizure of Zaporizhzhia, demanded Donbas withdrawal; Zelensky warned of Kyiv strikes.

  • Zelensky and Trump discussed security guarantees, but territorial disputes and troop deployments hinder peace.

• China demonstrates blockade capabilities near Taiwan during second day of drills (AP)
  ^{_{More: BBC, The Independent, The Guardian}}

  • China conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan, showcasing “Justice Mission 2025” and deterrence capabilities.

  • PLA used destroyers, fighters, bombers, and live-fire exercises to test sea-air coordination and blockades.

  • Drills raised Taiwan Strait tensions, creating seven temporary “dangerous zones” affecting domestic and international flights.

FUTURISM

• China moves to curb AI chatbots influencing suicide and gambling behaviors (Tech in Asia)
  ^{_{More: Cryptopolitan, BBC, CNBC}}

  • China proposed rules limiting emotional influence by AI chatbots, following recent Hong Kong listing filings.

  • Draft regulations target human-like AI services that could encourage suicide, self-harm, gambling, or emotional manipulation.

  • Rules would require human intervention for suicide risks and parental consent, marking a shift toward emotional safety.

• Payment giants prepare for AI agents that book flights and shop (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: Cryptopolitan, Brussels Morning}}

  • Agentic commerce lets AI agents discover products, compare prices, and complete payments within chatbots.

  • Visa and Mastercard plan to launch AI-driven purchases inside chatbots as early as 2026.

  • Security, liability, and dispute rules remain unclear as payment pilots expand across platforms.

• Samsung plans to add Google Photos to its TVs in 2026 (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: Engadget, The Verge}}

  • Samsung will bring a native Google Photos app to TVs, requiring Google account sign-in.

  • Initial release highlights curated Memories photos and videos, exclusive to Samsung TVs for six months.

  • Future updates add AI tools like templates, image generation, editing, and Remix style conversions.

CONTENT

• Where does consumer AI stand as 2025 comes to a close (a16z)

  • Consumer AI in 2025 is dominated by few products, with multimodal models enabling new creative workflows.

  • Subtle design choices, templates, multimodality, and distribution shape the next wave of consumer AI products.

  • Startups still have opportunities, while big labs influence consumer adoption and scaling in 2026.

• Terry Real discusses defining healthy masculinity and practical ways to build it (Andrew Huberman)

  • Terry Real explains how mixed societal messages about masculinity harm men’s mental and physical health.

  • Learning relational skills improves men’s relationships, confidence, and overall well-being across life areas.

  • Close male communities provide support, helping men build self-esteem and healthier connections with others.

• Arthur Brooks discusses how to find deeper meaning and purpose in life (Tim Ferriss)

  • Arthur Brooks explores happiness, purpose, and meaning, blending neuroscience, philosophy, spirituality, and personal daily practices.

  • He outlines practical routines—exercise, deep work, nutrition, and presence—as foundations for sustained fulfillment.

  • Brooks reframes meaning through coherence, significance, transcendence, and love.

EXTRAS

• Trump says he may still fire Powell as Fed chair decision nears (Bloomberg)
  ^{_{More: Fortune, Straits Times}}

  • Trump said he has a preferred Fed chair candidate but plans to announce the choice later.

  • He again suggested he might fire current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, offering no specifics.

  • Potential successors include Kevin Hassett, Kevin Warsh, and several current Fed governors.

• Novo Nordisk’s long-term weight loss drug strategy lifts scientific hopes, tests investors’ patience (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, The Street}}

  • Novo Nordisk faced investor skepticism over turning GLP-1 drug leadership into near-term financial returns.

  • Scientists remain optimistic, citing strong long-term potential of Novo’s weight loss medicines.

  • Research focus is expanding beyond weight management to possible heart and brain health benefits.

• LG launches artwork-style TV inspired by Samsung, entering popular display category (Bloomberg)
  ^{_{More: The Verge, Tom’s Guide}}

  • LG unveiled the Gallery TV, a framed-artwork-style television inspired by Samsung’s popular design.

  • The Gallery TV will launch in 2026, offered in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes.

  • Like Samsung’s Frame, LG’s TV features interchangeable bezels for customizable home aesthetics.

AND MORE

• American parents cite social media and screen time as top health concerns.

• How to tweak your online platform algorithms and make feeds ‘for you’.

• Plaud Note Pro is a powerful AI recorder I take everywhere.

• Windows on Arm performed well; 2026 brings new chips and software updates.

• Investors share tips on making your startup stand out in crowded markets.

• Explore all the tools and more here to outperform the competition.*

• Elon Musk envisions humanoid robots everywhere. China may be the first.

• Social media follower counts have never mattered less, creator economy execs say.