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

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

🔍 French authorities search X offices amid probe into illegal platform content.
💻 Apple adds autonomous AI coding agents to Xcode 26.3 tools.
🏦 PayPal names HP chief Enrique Lores as CEO to revive fintech growth.
❄️ Russia launches record missile attacks, leaving thousands in Kyiv without heating.
📉 Bitcoin slides into bear-market territory after a steep 20% drop.

TECHNOLOGY

• France searches X offices in Paris as part of preliminary investigation into platform (AP News) 

  _{^{More: Reuters, NPR, CBS News}}

  • French authorities conducted searches at X's Paris offices as part of an investigation into the platform.

  • The investigation focuses on potential violations, including child sexual abuse materials and Holocaust denial content.

  • Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for questioning at an April hearing.

• Agentic coding comes to Apple's Xcode 26.3 with agents from Anthropic and OpenAI (TechCrunch) 

  _{^{More: MacRumors, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider}}

  • Apple integrates AI coding agents from Anthropic and OpenAI into Xcode 26.3 development environment.

  • Developers can now use autonomous agents to automatically generate code, debug, and refactor projects.

  • Integration marks Apple's significant push into AI-assisted software development tools for its ecosystem.

• Fitbit founders launch AI platform to help families monitor their health (TechCrunch) 

  _{^{More: Axios, Engadget, 9to5Mac}}

  • Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman unveiled an AI-powered platform for family health monitoring.

  • The platform uses artificial intelligence to track multiple family members' health metrics and provide insights.

  • New venture focuses on preventive care and early detection through continuous analysis of health data.

BUSINESS

• PayPal names HP's Enrique Lores to replace CEO Alex Chriss (Bloomberg) 

  _{^{More: Fortune, ABC News}}

  • PayPal appointed HP CEO Enrique Lores as the new chief executive, replacing Alex Chriss after a brief tenure.

  • Lores brings hardware and enterprise experience to a digital payments company seeking to turn around and grow.

  • Leadership change comes amid PayPal's efforts to compete with newer fintech rivals and restore momentum.

• Elon Musk's SpaceX said to combine with xAI ahead of mega IPO (Bloomberg) 

  _{^{More: CNBC, TechCrunch, Axios}}

  • SpaceX reportedly plans to merge with Musk's AI company xAI before pursuing a massive initial public offering.

  • The combined entity would unite space exploration, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence under a single corporate structure.

  • Potential IPO could become one of the largest tech offerings, valuing the combined company at hundreds of billions.

• Nintendo Q3 earnings, Switch 2 forecast (CNBC) 

  • Nintendo reported third-quarter earnings and provided updated guidance for the upcoming Switch 2 console launch.

  • Company forecasts strong demand for next-generation gaming system amid declining sales of current Switch.

  • Earnings reflect the transition period as Nintendo prepares a major hardware refresh for its gaming platform business.

• Stay ahead of AI at work*

  • Cut through the hype. Roko’s Basilisk distills the day’s AI breakthroughs, market moves, and workable workflows into a five-minute brief.

  • Get one sharp deep dive, fast Quick Hits, and a witty pro tip, plus links that actually matter.

  • Join 100k+ readers who start decisions here each morning.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Thousands of Epstein documents taken down after victims identified (BBC) 

  _{^{More: ABC News, NPR, CNN}}

  • The Justice Department removed thousands of Epstein documents after victims' identities were exposed through flawed redactions.

  • Files included nude photos, email addresses, and personal information identifying nearly 100 survivors.

  • Victims called disclosure outrageous and life-threatening, with some receiving death threats after banking details were published.

• 'Record number of missiles' hit Ukraine, leaving thousands with no heating in -20C (BBC) 

  _{^{More: CNN, Kyiv Independent, NBC News}}

  • Russia launched a record 70 missiles and 450 drones targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure in -20C temperatures.

  • Over 1,000 tower blocks in Kyiv were left without heating as attacks damaged power plants beyond repair.

  • Attacks came after the energy truce expired, with Zelensky accusing Russia of using the pause to stockpile weapons.

• Candidate tough on crime wins Costa Rica presidential election (BBC)
  ^{_{More: Al Jazeera, CNN, NPR}}

  • Laura Fernández won the Costa Rica presidency with 48% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election.

  • Fernández pledged to continue a tough-on-crime approach modeled after El Salvador's Nayib Bukele policies.

  • Victory marks second consecutive term for Sovereign People's Party amid rising drug-related violence concerns.

FUTURISM

• Harvard study maps democracy's collapse: AI predicts which nations fall next (Futurism) 

  • Harvard political scientists published research examining global democratic decline and institutional resilience in the modern era.

  • The study analyzes the factors contributing to democratic backsliding and identifies potential interventions to strengthen governance.

  • Research provides a framework for understanding current threats to democratic systems worldwide and mitigation strategies.

• Bitcoin crashes into bear market as crypto winter returns with -20% plunge (Futurism) 

  • Bitcoin entered bear-market territory as cryptocurrency prices declined sharply amid regulatory concerns and reduced demand.

  • Digital assets fell by more than 20% from recent highs, triggering a technical bear-market threshold.

  • Market analysts cite multiple factors, including regulatory uncertainty and macroeconomic conditions, as the cause of sustained weakness.

• Musk's Epstein ties surface as billionaire faces mounting scandals and public meltdown (Futurism) 

  • Elon Musk faced renewed scrutiny over past connections to Jeffrey Epstein amid public backlash.

  • Reports detail previously undisclosed meetings and communications between Musk and convicted sex offender Epstein.

  • The controversy sparked widespread criticism and calls for transparency about business leaders' associations with Epstein.

CONTENT

• Who is Josh D’Amaro, and why is he Disney’s new CEO? (Channels with Peter Kafka)

  • Peter Kafka examines Josh D’Amaro’s rise at Disney and the leadership traits that shaped his appointment as CEO.

  • Discussion covers Disney’s park dominance, streaming pressures, and how operational execution influenced board confidence.

  • The episode explores what D’Amaro’s promotion signals about Disney’s strategy, culture, and the era of succession planning.

• Spenser Skates, Founder & CEO, Amplitude (The Social Radars)

  • Spenser Skates recounts building Amplitude, focusing on product analytics, founder-market fit, and early strategic decisions.

  • Conversation explores scaling through platform shifts, enterprise adoption challenges, and lessons from navigating public markets.

  • Skates shares reflections on leadership growth, long-term product vision, and sustaining relevance amid fast-changing tech cycles.

• Ben Horowitz – Backing America’s future (Invest Like the Best)

  • Ben Horowitz outlines his investment philosophy around national competitiveness, defense technology, and American innovation leadership.

  • He discusses Silicon Valley’s relationship with government, cultural resistance, and capital allocation in strategic industries.

  • The episode frames venture capital as a geopolitical tool shaping economic resilience and long-term technological advantage.

EXTRAS

• Josh D’Amaro is Disney’s next CEO, replacing Bob Iger (Variety) 

  • Disney named Josh D'Amaro as the next CEO, succeeding Bob Iger in a long-anticipated leadership transition.

  • D'Amaro currently leads Disney's Parks, Experiences, and Products division, with a successful track record of expansion.

  • The succession plan finalizes years of speculation about leadership changes at the entertainment and media giant.

• WhatsApp encryption, a lawsuit, and a lot of noise (Cryptography Engineering) 

  • A cryptography expert analyzes a lawsuit challenging WhatsApp's encryption practices and separates technical facts from legal claims.

  • Analysis debunks common misconceptions about end-to-end encryption and metadata collection in messaging platforms.

  • Expert provides a technical context for an ongoing legal dispute over privacy and security in communications.

• Sam Altman explains the future (Forbes) 

  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman outlined a vision for the development of artificial intelligence and societal transformation ahead.

  • Altman discussed the timeline for achieving artificial general intelligence and the potential economic and social implications.

  • The interview covered AI safety concerns, regulatory frameworks, and OpenAI's strategy for responsible technology deployment.

AND MORE

• U.S. House advances funding package to end partial federal government shutdown, clearing key procedural hurdle.

• Democrats prepare to support short-term government funding measure amid shutdown debate.

• Google Home adds support for physical buttons in a major update for smart homes.

• IMF projects global economic growth at 3.3% in 2026 amid mixed risks and resilience.

• Athyna Intelligence gives AI teams access to vetted Latin American PhDs for post-training, evaluation, and 40–60% cost savings.*

• BBC appoints Rhodri Talfan Davies as interim Director General to steer future charter talks.

• AP News global economy forecast highlights divergent regional growth and policy risks in 2026.

• PayPal appoints a new CEO from HP and warns of weaker earnings in 2026.

• NASA delays the Artemis II moon mission due to unresolved hydrogen leaks from the rocket.