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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🛡️ OpenAI is looking for a new Head of Preparedness.
🏢 SoftBank is nearing a deal to acquire data center firm DigitalBridge.
💰 U.S. pledges $2B for UN aid despite Trump cutting foreign funding.
⚖️ Trump moves to deport hate speech researcher previously sued by X.
🚀 China conducts drills around Taiwan amid rising tensions with foreign powers.

TECHNOLOGY

• OpenAI is looking for a new Head of Preparedness (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: Business Insider, Engadget, OpenAI}}

  • OpenAI is hiring a Head of Preparedness to study emerging AI risks, including cybersecurity and mental health.

  • Sam Altman warned advanced models pose challenges, from finding security vulnerabilities to potential mental health impacts.

  • The role pays $555,000 plus equity, as OpenAI reshuffles safety leadership after recent departures.

• SoftBank is nearing a deal to acquire data center firm DigitalBridge (Bloomberg)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, CNA, Tech in Asia}}

  • SoftBank is in advanced talks to acquire DigitalBridge, a private equity firm focused on data centers.

  • The acquisition could be announced soon, potentially as early as Monday, sources familiar with the matter say.

  • The deal aligns with SoftBank’s strategy to capitalize on the AI-driven digital infrastructure boom.

• Here's why WeTransfer’s co-founder is building another file transfer service (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, FindArtiles}}

  • WeTransfer co-founder Nalden criticizes post-acquisition changes, saying Bending Spoons prioritized restructuring over users and product quality.

  • After acquisition, WeTransfer altered links, laid off 75% staff, and reversed controversial AI training terms.

  • Frustrated creatives inspired Nalden to launch Boomerang, a simpler file-sharing service requiring no login.

BUSINESS

• U.S. pledges $2B for UN aid despite Trump cutting foreign funding (AP)
  ^{_{More: Washington Post, Economic Times, WTOP}}

  • The U.S. announced a $2 billion UN humanitarian aid pledge amid slashed foreign assistance.

  • Funds will go into an umbrella program distributing money to agencies, reflecting major administrative reforms.

  • Critics warn cuts endanger millions, worsen global crises, and undermine U.S. influence abroad.

• Trump administration moves to deport hate speech researcher previously sued by X (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: NY Times, The Guardian, PBS}}

  • Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from arresting or deporting CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed.

  • State Department bars researchers over online abuse work, as Rubio labels them radical activists.

  • Ahmed, a U.S. green card holder, denies wrongdoing; X lawsuit dismissed, appeal pending.

• Bitcoin climbs above $90,000 as traders anticipate a New Year rebound (Bloomberg)
  ^{_{More: MSN, Business Times}}

  • Bitcoin surged past $90,000 in Asia, signaling a potential rebound after missing the Santa rally.

  • Ether and other cryptocurrencies also rose, with Ether exceeding $3,000 amid increased short-term trading activity.

  • Crypto sentiment improves as Bitcoin futures funding rate hits highest level since mid-October.

MARKETS

WORLD

• China conducts military drills around Taiwan amid rising tensions with foreign powers (AP)
  ^{_{More: Reuters, Al Jazeera, Straits Times}}

  • China launched joint air, naval, and rocket drills around Taiwan, calling them a stern warning.

  • Beijing’s move followed anger over U.S. arms sales and Japan’s comments on possible involvement.

  • Taiwan placed its military on high alert, condemning China as a major threat to peace.

• India startup funding hits $11B in 2025 as investors grow more selective (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, FindArticles}}

  • India startups raised about $11 billion in 2025, but investors became far more selective.

  • Funding rounds fell 39% to 1,518 deals, while total capital declined modestly 17%.

  • Seed and late-stage funding dropped sharply, while early-stage funding grew seven percent.

• Coupang will pay $1.1B to users affected by data breach (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: Cryptopolitan, Korea Herald}}

  • Coupang pledges $1.17 billion in vouchers to compensate 34 million users impacted by the data breach.

  • Former customers who closed accounts after the breach are also eligible for compensation vouchers.

  • Users can verify eligibility starting January 15 as the company faces growing scrutiny over the incident.

FUTURISM

• China’s LandSpace aims to challenge Elon Musk’s SpaceX with reusable rockets (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, Business Times}}

  • LandSpace conducted China’s first reusable rocket test, signaling ambitions to compete with SpaceX globally.

  • Despite Zhuque-3’s failed inaugural flight, the company plans a public offering to fund future projects.

  • LandSpace’s approach introduces a startup culture, promoting rapid innovation in China’s traditionally cautious space industry.

• Tesla may be preparing support for Apple Car Keys integration (MacRumors)
  ^{_{More: Not a Tesla App, Telsahubs}}

  • Tesla app code suggests a shift toward native, system-level digital car key support.

  • New references point to HarmonyOS wallet keys, hinting China-first testing before wider rollout.

  • While Apple Wallet isn’t named, functionality closely matches Apple’s secure Car Key implementation.

• Waymo’s San Francisco outage raises questions about robotaxi crisis readiness (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: Tech in Asia, CNA}}

  • A San Francisco power outage caused Waymo robotaxis to stall, blocking traffic and highlighting emergency response weaknesses.

  • Videos showed Waymo vehicles stranded with hazard lights on as traffic signals failed during the blackout.

  • Experts call for stricter regulations to ensure autonomous vehicles can handle emergencies like earthquakes or floods.

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CONTENT

• Matt MacInnis shares leadership lessons from Rippling’s $16B journey (Lenny's Podcast)

  • MacInnis emphasizes extraordinary effort is required to achieve extraordinary results in high-growth companies like Rippling.

  • He explains the benefits and risks of deliberately understaffing projects to boost efficiency and innovation.

  • MacInnis discusses transitioning from COO to CPO and frameworks for evaluating people, processes, and products effectively.

• Elif Shafak reveals the key to writing with true beauty and soul (David Perell)

  • Shafak emphasizes making ordinary things feel enchanted, imbuing everyday life with wonder and imagination in writing.

  • She encourages writers to infuse personality, take risks, and maintain consistent routines for authentic, soulful storytelling.

  • Shafak highlights influences like poetry, cities, and other writers to shape characters, senses, and narrative depth.

• 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 U.S. and Ukraine are closer to peace, but challenges remain (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: AP, Sky News}}

  • Trump hosted Zelenskyy in Florida, claiming Ukraine and Russia are closer than ever to peace.

  • Talks followed a long phone call with Putin, though Russia continued attacks during negotiations.

  • Leaders acknowledged remaining challenges, including territorial disputes and security guarantees for Ukraine’s future protection.

• Driver charged for allegedly killing a pedestrian while live on TikTok (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: ABC7, NY Times}}

  • Illinois police charged a TikTok livestreaming driver with reckless homicide and aggravated device use.

  • Investigators say the driver ran a red light, struck a pedestrian, and did not slow down.

  • Defense argues the fatal crash was accidental negligence, not an intentional or reckless act.

• Louis Gerstner, former IBM CEO who revived 'Big Blue,' dies aged 83 (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: Business Times, IBM Newsroom}}

  • Louis Gerstner, first outsider to lead IBM, transformed the struggling company into a business services powerhouse.

  • He cut costs, sold unproductive assets, and replaced division loyalty with company-wide teamwork and accountability.

  • Gerstner reshaped IBM’s strategy, ending bundled-product culture and focusing on client needs over legacy systems.

AND MORE

• A practical guide to choosing the right Apple Watch for you.

• Nintendo’s flawed controller played a surprising role in making VR possible.

• MayimFlow wants to stop data center leaks before they happen.

• Gmail may soon allow users to change their existing email addresses.

• The best PS5 games of 2025 still offered plenty worth playing.

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

• FaZe Clan faces uncertain future as several top influencers depart the organization.

• The Google Pixel Watch 4 made me like smartwatches again.