Dreux a la Feuille, as we all know, is a creamy, soft French cheese made from cow's milk in the Eure-et-Loir area. The cheese is wrapped in chestnut leaves to strengthen its taste and distinguish it from similar Brie-style cheeses in the region. During the ripening period, the leaves change their color from forest green to copper brown, imparting the cheese with an earthy flavor — just like that of this newsletter! Meanwhile I should warn you that reading today's cheddlines early in the morning may make you wonder if you're high on dreux but I can assure you: You're stone-cold sober. —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor P.S. Elon Musk's Tesla robot can run up and down hills now. |
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"Everything here you can get by Christmas." — Kate Kozuch |
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1. Musk's Wealth Continues to Rise, Tesla Stock Hits New High |
Elon Musk's net worth has reached an astonishing $400 billion, making him the first person in history to achieve the financial milestone. Main factors behind the surge are the soaring value of Tesla and the successful insider share sale of SpaceX.
Tesla's stock price has skyrocketed in 2024, surging by 71% and reaching an all-time high of $424.77. The performance is partly due to market expectations that the Trump administration will implement policies beneficial to the electric vehicle industry. For example, there is anticipation that the government will streamline the deployment of self-driving cars and potentially eliminate tax credits for Tesla's competitors.
Adding to the momentum, an insider share sale at SpaceX significantly boosted Musk's net worth. The deal valued SpaceX at approximately $350 billion, cementing its status as the world's most valuable private startup. Notably — despite this substantial valuation — very few investors expressed interest in selling their SpaceX shares, highlighting the immense confidence in the company's prospects. SpaceX derives a significant portion of its revenue from contracts with the US government, and this stream is expected to expand under the Trump administration, which has openly championed space exploration.
Musk's appointment as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency also grants him direct access to the Oval Office, amplifying his influence in policy decisions. Moreover, President-elect Trump's enthusiastic support for SpaceX's ambitious Mars mission coupled with the appointment of Jared Isaacman, a SpaceX investor, as the head of NASA, signals strong government backing for the company's endeavors. Isaacman, who made history as the first person to embark on a commercial spacewalk during a chartered SpaceX launch, has publicly lauded the company as the "most innovative, literally impressive organization" he has ever encountered. What a toady remark that is, eh? Read More |
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2. Trump Rings New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell |
President Donald Trump rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange yesterday following his Time Magazine Person of the Year honor, which he was awarded for a second time. Surrounded by his daughters, Ivanka and Tiffany, his spouse, Melania, and his vice president-elect, JD Vance, among others, Mr. Trump initiated trading at the largest stock exchange in the world to the chants of "U.S.A.!"
I love our country so much.
Applause continued for over a minute, during which Mr. Trump was seen smiling, making a fist-pumping gesture, and joining in on the applause for himself. Time says the honor goes to the individual who, for better or worse, did the most to shape the world in the headlines over the past 12 months. This year it was, to quote editor Sam Jacobs, "not hard." Read More |
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| What's next, Elon? 🤔
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shared a new video showing the company's Optimus humanoid robot walking up and down a hill.
"Optimus can now walk on highly variable ground using neural nets to control its electric limbs," Musk wrote on X. |
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3. Meta Donates $1M to Trump's Inauguration Fund |
Now to another person I very much like: Mark Zuckerberg.
In September the New York Times ran a story headlined "Mark Zuckerberg is done with politics," but apparently that's not the case. In an unexpected political move, Mark Zuckerberg's Meta, the powerhouse behind social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has donated a substantial sum to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund.
Meta's relationship with Trump has seen its fair share of tensions in the past, especially considering the platform's choice to suspend the then-president's accounts in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riots. Despite these frictions, which included Trump's outright criticism of Facebook as "anti-Trump," the recent donation suggests an attempt to shift the dynamic.
The decision to support Trump's inauguration comes after an apparently thawing relationship between Meta's CEO and the president-elect. Following a dinner at Mar-a-Lago in November, Zuckerberg seems to have embarked on a path to mend ties with Trump. The donation has taken the public and the media by surprise, particularly because Meta did not make similar contributions to either Trump's 2016 fund or President Joe Biden's in 2020.
Inaugural funds play a crucial role in financing the celebrations and activities associated with a president's ascension to office. However, they are often viewed critically, with some suggesting they may be an effort to gain favorable standing with the incoming administration. Read More |
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4. These Are the Best Holiday Gifts for the Tech Lover in Your Life |
The holiday season is in full swing, and finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be a challenge. Fear not, tech enthusiasts and gift-givers alike! We sat down with Kate Kozuch, managing editor at Tom's Guide, for an exclusive look at the hottest tech gadgets and trends this holiday season. From fitness trackers to smart glasses and headphones, Kozuch has something for everyone, no matter your budget.
Before diving into the gift guide, Kozuch addressed the impact of tariffs on consumer tech prices. "The Consumer Tech Association is currently estimating that per device, the price is going to go up $200 based on the tariffs," she warned. With the majority of consumer electronics being imported, this price increase is expected to affect a wide range of products. Kozuch's advice? "Now's the time to do it." With the holidays approaching, the timing couldn't be better to snag those tech gifts before prices rise.
Some of the hottest tech trends and gift ideas, as recommended by Kozuch:
Fitness Tracking: The Oura Ring Generation 3 Move over, smartwatches and fitness bands! The Oura Ring Generation 3 is the latest trend in fitness tracking. This sleek and stylish ring analyzes heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, and activity, all while looking like a regular piece of jewelry. "Tech has never looked better," Kozuch exclaimed. The Oura Ring even has a new feature that can detect potential respiratory illnesses, making it a thoughtful and practical gift, she said.
Smart Glasses: Ray-Ban Stories Kozuch also highlighted the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses as a groundbreaking innovation. These glasses function as headphones, cameras, and even allow you to go live on Instagram. "They're really cool," Kozuch stated. "They do multiple things in one." With options for prescription lenses and transition lenses, these glasses combine fashion and functionality, she said.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5 For those seeking an exceptional audio experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a top pick. "These are the pair that my company, Tom's Guide, the editors at our team all recommend," Kozuch shared. With best-in-class noise canceling, impressive audio quality, and a comfortable design, these headphones are perfect, she said.
Stocking Stuffers: Tribit StormBox Micro 2 and Anker Portable Chargers Kozuch also offered recommendations for stocking stuffers and budget-friendly gifts. The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 Bluetooth speaker is a compact and versatile option, perfect for outdoor activities. Anker portable chargers are another essential item, ensuring that you never run out of battery on the go. "No one should be going out of the house without these portable chargers," Kozuch said.
AirTags: The Gift of Never Losing Things Finally, Kozuch highlighted the practicality and peace of mind that comes with Apple AirTags. These small trackers can be attached to keys, wallets, luggage, and more, making it easy to locate lost items. "I am such an AirTag fan," Kozuch admitted. "I have them in everything." Too bad one can't attach them to one's sense of dignity, isn't it?
If you're looking for even more tech gift ideas, be sure to visit the Tom's Guide website, where Kozuch has curated a list of over 65 tech gifts to suit every interest and budget. With two weeks left before Christmas, there's still plenty of time to shop and find the perfect present. Kozuch assured us, "Everything here you can get by Christmas."
God bless us, every one! Read More |
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5. Is the Emirates NBA Cup a Mid-Season Slam Dunk? We Flew to Dubai to Find Out |
The NBA has always been a global phenomenon, but in recent years the league has made a concerted effort to expand its international footprint. One key element of this strategy has been the establishment of partnerships with global brands, such as the one with Dubai-based Emirates Airlines. The collaboration has proven to be a mutually beneficial slam dunk, helping both the NBA and Emirates reach new audiences. Basically, an airline sponsored a basketball tournament.
One of the centerpieces of the partnership is the Emirates Cup, an in-season tournament designed to add excitement to the NBA's regular season. On Wednesday night the Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors in the cup after a referee called a foul on a late-game jump-ball situation in what can only be described as a travesty of refereeing, but it only moderately fouled the whole cup for all eternity, and I digress.
The tournament, which borrows its format from European soccer leagues, culminates in a championship game where the winner takes home the coveted Emirates Cup trophy. It's made boring regular season games more interesting, that's for sure. The partnership extends beyond the court, with Emirates becoming the official airline of the NBA. This has resulted in a number of high-profile "activations," including the unveiling of an NBA-themed A380 aircraft. The one-of-a-kind plane features the logos of all 30 NBA teams on its exterior and a host of basketball-related amenities inside, including a video library filled with classic games and documentaries. The plane serves as a flying billboard for the league and a symbol of the partnership's global reach, and we got a trip onboard. Check it out! Read More |
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