TECH TODAY

Bluesky: Launches a custom feed for vertical video.

OpenAI: Agent tools to take control of your PC and perform action are nearing release.

Bumble: A match made in heaven. Founder to return and assume CEO role.

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TODAY’S HEADLINE NEWS 👀

Inauguration Day And Trumps Inaugural Address

Donald J. Trump was sworn in for a second term as president on Monday. President Trump delivered a speech that echoed familiar themes of division, darkness, and his self styled role as America’s savior.

Speaking indoors due to inclement weather, Trump painted a grim picture of a country in turmoil. He described a government rife with corruption, a society in disrepair, and a citizenry besieged by crime and disasters. Casting himself as the solution to these challenges, Trump declared, “I was saved by God to make America great again,” likening his trials to those faced by Washington and Lincoln and claiming a unique place in American history.

Though less combative than some of his past rhetoric, Trump’s speech included pointed criticisms of Democrats and the Biden administration. He lamented the slow recovery in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene and accused leaders of ignoring ongoing wildfires in California, framing these failures as evidence of broader governmental incompetence.

One of the most striking elements of the address was Trump’s invocation of “Manifest Destiny,” a phrase historically tied to American expansionism. Trump used it to outline a bold and controversial vision that included planting the American flag on Mars, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and reclaiming the Panama Canal. “We gave it to Panama, not China, and we’re taking it back,” he said, drawing some of his strongest applause.

The speech wasn’t without its share of exaggerations and falsehoods. Trump overstated the death toll from the construction of the Panama Canal, made dubious claims about unfair fees for U.S. ships, and repeated unverified accusations about undocumented immigrants. He also promised unattainable outcomes, such as halting all illegal border crossings instantly.

Notably absent from the address were detailed discussions of major issues like tariffs, healthcare, and government spending. While Trump briefly mentioned plans to tax foreign nations through a new “External Revenue Service,” much of his economic vision remained vague.

In a rare moment of restraint, Trump avoided explicit promises of retribution against his political enemies, focusing instead on ending what he described as the “weaponization” of government power. “The scales of justice will be rebalanced,” he said. “Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents, something I know something about.”

Trump’s second inaugural address, though more subdued than his usual fare, doubled down on his characteristic mix of grandiosity, grievance, and bold ambition. It left the nation wondering what his next four years as a term limited president will bring.

Costco Union Workers Authorize Strike

Union workers at Costco have voted overwhelmingly, 85% in favor, to authorize a strike as contract talks stall. The current agreement, covering over 18,000 workers, expires January 31.

Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien warned that Costco faces a hard deadline. “Our members won’t work a day past Jan. 31 without a historic, industry leading agreement,” he said.

The union accuses the retailer of refusing to present a fair offer. Costco has yet to comment. With the deadline looming, the standoff puts pressure on both sides to reach a deal, or face disruption.

Trump Holds Off on Tariffs Orders Broad Trade Review

President Trump will not impose new tariffs immediately but will sign an executive order Monday to investigate trade issues with countries like China, Canada, and Mexico. This measured step delays immediate trade wars but sets the stage for future tariffs, potentially reshaping international supply chains.

The order directs federal agencies to examine trade deficits, unfair practices, and loopholes that have allowed Chinese goods to avoid tariffs. It also explores creating an "External Revenue Service" to manage duties and reviewing tariffs tied to national security.

While Trump has paused new tariffs for now. Though he remains convinced they will protect U.S. workers, boost revenue, and pressure foreign governments. His inauguration speech promised an overhaul of the trade system to restore the American Dream.

Foreign governments, wary of retaliation, are already preparing countermeasures. Canada, Mexico, and the European Union have threatened tariffs on U.S. goods like orange juice and whiskey if targeted.

Economists warn tariffs could hurt households and businesses through higher prices and retaliatory actions. Trump’s actions leave allies and rivals on edge, with global trade relationships hanging in the balance.

Biden Warns Of Rising Oligarchy As Billionaires Flood Washington

In his farewell address, President Biden sounded the alarm, America risks becoming an oligarchy. The warning comes as billionaires descend on Washington, drawn by power and opportunity under President Trump’s administration.

At least a dozen billionaires, including Elon Musk and Trump himself, hold top roles in the incoming government. Musk, the world’s richest man at $429 billion, joins an elite team of the ultra wealthy reshaping the nation's power structures. Critics compare it to the Gilded Age, but with billionaires now taking the reins directly.

Washington’s luxury real estate market is booming. Cabinet picks like Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessent are snapping up multi million dollar homes. Musk, rumored to eye the Line Hotel for a private club, will have an office near the White House.

The influence of wealth is clear. Donors turned officials are poised to oversee industries that built their fortunes, blurring lines between public service and private gain. Critics warn of the consequences, while some call it meritocracy in action.

Trump’s billionaire-packed administration promises change, but the cost to American democracy remains uncertain.

THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS NEWS

Costco Stands Firm on Diversity

Costco won’t budge, and given the consumer friction they solve they don’t need to. As other companies scale back diversity efforts, the warehouse giant defends its commitment to inclusion, tying it directly to business success.

Ahead of its annual meeting, Costco urged shareholders to reject a proposal claiming diversity initiatives could harm stock value. The board went further, arguing diversity boosts innovation and attracts talent, fueling the "treasure hunt" experience customers love.

CEO Ron Vachris doubled down after a customer complaint about hiring practices. “We’ve never used quotas,” he replied. “If these policies offend you, I won’t change them.”

While pressure mounts on companies like Walmart and Meta to abandon DEI policies, Costco’s loyalty-driven model gives it room to resist. Activists pushing boycotts admit Costco’s devoted customer base makes it a tough target. “You don’t mess with a beloved company,” one said.

Costco’s high wages and worker-focused policies back its stance, though diversity at the top remains limited. Over 70% of managers are men, and 81% are white. Critics argue the company isn’t immune to DEI risks, but Costco insists inclusion strengthens its business.

As corporate America retreats, Costco is betting that sticking to its principles pays off.

LOS ANGELES FIRES

Fresh Stiff Santa Ana Winds Threaten Fire Containment Efforts

Southern California is on edge again as powerful Santa Ana winds and bone dry conditions fuel a heightened wildfire threat. Less than two weeks after deadly blazes killed 27 people and scorched thousands of homes, the National Weather Service has warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Gusts are expected to hit 70 mph along the coast and up to 100 mph in the mountains, while single digit humidity lingers through Thursday.

Firefighters are still battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which together have destroyed more than 14,000 structures since fierce winds ignited them on January 7. The Palisades fire, blackening over 37 square miles near the coast, is 52% contained, while the Eaton fire, further inland, is 81% contained. Crews remain wary as strong winds threaten to whip embers across containment lines.

Residents from Los Angeles to San Diego are being urged to prepare for evacuation as critical fire weather persists. Ash and dust advisories are in effect, with high winds dispersing debris from burned zones. Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed fire crews and aircraft across the region to respond rapidly to any new outbreaks.

Inspectors are combing through the fire zones, assessing damage as the toll mounts. In the Palisades fire area, residents of some evacuated neighborhoods have begun returning, but concerns remain high. Meanwhile, two individuals impersonating firefighters were arrested attempting to enter restricted zones, highlighting the tension gripping the region.

For Southern Californians, it’s another week of vigilance, with wind, flames, and uncertainty looming large.

SPORTS

NCAA National Championship Game Tonight

NFL 2025 Playoffs Bracket (Updated)

Here is the playoff bracket update for Conference Championship weekend. The winner of each game next weekend advances to Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025 🏈

💰️ Smart Money Matters 💰️ 

Culture Corner

Artificial Dye Red No. 3 Banned By FDA 

The FDA is banning Red No. 3, a synthetic dye linked to cancer in lab rats, from food and ingested drugs. Food manufacturers have until 2027 to remove it from products like Pop Tarts and candy corn.

Red 3, approved in 1969, is made from petroleum and gives foods a bright cherry red hue. It was banned from cosmetics in 1990 but remained legal in food, thanks partly to industry lobbying. Consumer advocates argued the dye violates a 1958 law prohibiting additives that cause cancer in animals or humans, even at tiny doses.

The ban comes amid growing scrutiny of food additives. California recently passed a similar law, and Europe has banned Red 3 in most products for years. Companies like Kellogg and Ferrara are already phasing it out.

Critics call the dye’s risks unacceptable for its purely cosmetic use. “It’s absurd Red 3 was banned in lipstick but still allowed in candy for kids,” said CSPI President Peter Lurie.

The move highlights a shift toward stricter food safety rules, with consumer groups pushing for bans on other chemicals like BPA and titanium dioxide.

ECONOMY

Tariffs Trump Threatened Are On Hold And Under Review

President Trump, on Monday, held off on immediately imposing tariffs on imported goods but signed an executive order setting the stage for a sweeping review of America’s trade practices. The move signals a calculated, measured approach to his campaign promise of reshaping trade relations, delaying potential clashes with foreign governments prepared to retaliate with their own tariffs.

The executive order tasks federal agencies with scrutinizing trade deficits, deals with China, Canada, and Mexico, and loopholes like de minimis exemptions that allow low value goods to bypass tariffs. It also explores creating an “External Revenue Service” to collect duties, aiming to bolster revenue and enforce trade rules.

Though tariffs remain on hold, Trump’s team is eyeing aggressive measures, including universal tariffs, higher levies on China, and targeted taxes on Mexico and Canada. The president remains steadfast in his belief that tariffs can protect U.S. industries, fill the Treasury, and strengthen America’s leverage in global trade negotiations.

During his inauguration, Trump promised an overhaul of the trade system, claiming tariffs would generate “massive amounts of money” and restore the American dream. His administration continues to debate the legal mechanisms to implement these measures, confident in the broad powers granted to the presidency under trade laws.

While some U.S. manufacturers credit Trump era tariffs for aiding their survival, economists warn of rising costs for businesses and households, along with the risk of retaliation from key trading partners. Canada, Mexico, and the European Union have already prepared countermeasures, targeting American exports like orange juice, whiskey, and peanut butter.

The global stakes are high. Trump’s first term nearly doubled the average tariff rate, disrupting international trade and intensifying economic tensions. As Washington braces for the potential fallout, Trump’s executive order keeps foreign governments guessing, setting the stage for what could be a new chapter in trade wars.

FINANCE

CFO Optimism For 2025 Runs High

With elections behind them and 2025 ahead, CFOs are eyeing brighter days. Deloitte’s Q4 CFO Signals Survey shows optimism climbing sharply. Seventy two percent of finance leaders now expect the North American economy to improve within a year, up from 19% last quarter. Confidence in Europe is also rising, with 37% forecasting better conditions, a notable rebound.

Revenue and earnings projections reflect this shift. CFOs predict a 10.8% revenue boost in 2025, compared to just 2.4% last quarter. Earnings estimates jumped to 7.6%, up from 2.1%. Risk appetite is back to with as 67% say it’s a good time to take risks, a dramatic leap from 12% in Q3.

Capital spending is set to surge, with organizations planning an 8.7% increase, fueled by record cash reserves and lower interest rates. While 46% of CFOs plan to hold cash, 44% aim to invest in new ventures, and 43% are eyeing acquisitions, buoyed by expectations of relaxed antitrust policies under the new administration.

Tech and talent dominate internal priorities. Generative AI deployment and agility concerns top worries at 51%. Wage growth, projected at 7.3%, signals tightening labor markets. CFOs plan to link pay to performance, promote from within, and rework benefits to manage costs. Upskilling and automation rank high for 2025 workforce strategies.

Despite rising optimism, challenges loom. CFOs remain wary of economic risks, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility. Yet, as Steve Gallucci of Deloitte notes, finance leaders are balancing growth opportunities with caution, positioning their firms for long term success. The survey, conducted in November, included 200 CFOs from companies with over $1 billion in revenue.

POLITICS

Inauguration 2025

After his swearing in as the nation’s 47th president Monday, Donald Trump pledged in a speech to “put America first” and said that “the golden age of America begins right now.” Trump said the United States would “once again consider itself a growing nation” and one that “expands our territory.”

He critiqued the Biden administration and started laying out his priorities, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border. The president is promising a flurry of actions on Day 1 on immigration, energy production, crime and other issues.

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

Starbucks began in 1971, as small shop in Seattle's Pike Place Market. Three friends, Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker sold high quality coffee beans, tea, and spices. It became a local favorite, known for its focus on quality.

In 1982, Howard Schultz joined the company. A trip to Italy inspired him when he saw coffeehouses as gathering places and imagined Starbucks becoming more than just a seller of beans. By 1987, with investors’ help, Schultz bought the company and set his vision in motion.

Starbucks grew quickly, transforming into a coffeehouse chain. Espresso drinks, lattes, and cappuccinos became staples. Stores opened across the U.S., then the world. Starbucks became a global phenomenon with thousands of locations.

Innovation followed soon thereafter. New drinks, food, and mobile ordering kept customers coming back. Starbucks also embraced social responsibility, ethical sourcing, sustainability, and community engagement became part of its brand.

Today, Starbucks is more than coffee. It’s a cultural icon, a meeting place, and a symbol of modern life. Built on quality, customer experience, and constant evolution, Starbucks became a brand the world recognizes and loves.

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Ready Pac Produce achieved true success in the mid 1990s by revolutionizing the fresh food industry with its single serve salad kit. Known as the Bistro Bowl®, this innovative product transformed the way consumers accessed fresh, healthy meals on the go. Combining convenience, freshness, and portability, it met the rising demand for healthier, ready to eat options and set Ready Pac apart as a pioneer in the pre packaged produce market.

The single serve salad kits quickly became a hit, appearing in grocery stores, convenience stores, and even airline meals. This success drove rapid expansion, with Ready Pac extending its product lines to include fruit and snack packs, becoming a household name for fresh, convenient food. Strategic partnerships with major retailers like Walmart and fast food chains further cemented its market dominance.

In 2017, Ready Pac’s success culminated in its acquisition by Bonduelle, a French agricultural powerhouse, for $409 million. This marked the company’s transition from a U.S. leader to a global player in fresh produce.

Ready Pac’s breakthrough wasn’t just a product it redefined a category, proving that fresh, healthy food could also be convenient and accessible. The single serve salad kit remains a cornerstone of its legacy, reshaping consumer habits and the fresh food industry. 🍏 

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY •ᴗ• This Week For A Long Life

Longevity Essentials Are Simply Making Good Choices

Longevity comes down to choices. Eat well. Stick to whole foods fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid processed junk. The Mediterranean diet, heavy on fish and olive oil, is linked to longer life.

Move often. Exercise regularly, 150 minutes of moderate activity a week will do. Add strength training twice a week. Enjoy what you do, and you’ll stick with it.

Sleep matters. Get 7-9 hours a night. Go to bed at the same time. Build a calming bedtime routine.

Stress kills. Manage it with meditation, deep breathing, or time in nature. Keep strong social connections they’re vital.

Don’t smoke. If you drink, do it sparingly.

Visit your doctor. Regular checkups, screenings, and vaccines can catch problems early.

Keep your mind sharp. Learn new things. Stay curious. Stay connected. Life is long if you live it right.

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