Elon Musk has officially acquired his own city

Today’s topics

• Starbase: currently a one-man town named Elon.

• Trump Declares War on Foreign Films

• Uber Has a New Robotaxi Obsession — And It’s Not Made in the USA

• Four Cups a Day Keeps the Frailty Away

• Met Gala Sets New Records

  and more…

Starbase: currently a one-man town named Elon

Elon Musk just leveled up—he now owns a city. His SpaceX launch site in South Texas has officially been renamed “Starbase,” thanks to a vote where 212 likely SpaceX-affiliated residents said yes (and only 6 dared to dissent). Musk first teased the idea in 2021, and—no shock here—it passed once the ballots came in from what seems to be his own payroll. Starbase is Musk’s latest sandbox for sending rockets to the moon, Mars, or whichever planet billionaires escape to when Earth feels too basic. The timing couldn’t be better for him: Tesla’s profits are tumbling, and his increasingly Trump-esque antics aren’t exactly winning hearts. This city? It’s a much-needed PR win.

Buffett Drops the Mic After 60 Years

Warren Buffett, 94, stunned shareholders by announcing his retirement at the end of the year—marking the end of an iconic six-decade run at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway. He slipped the news in casually after a Q&A session, then made a quiet exit. On Monday, Berkshire stock dipped 5% after the board officially confirmed Greg Abel—Buffett’s long-time heir apparent—as the incoming CEO starting in 2026. Investors had a brief panic (because, well, change is hard), with Class A shares falling to just above $779K and Class B dropping to around $519. But the jitters didn’t last long—this is still Berkshire Hathaway, after all.

Trump Declares War on Foreign Films

Donald Trump is now targeting the silver screen, proposing a 100% tariff on all non-American movies. He’s labeling foreign films as “messaging and propaganda” and calling them a threat to national security. According to Trump, the goal is to bring Hollywood back to its former glory and prevent U.S. studios from being tempted abroad by foreign tax incentives—because apparently the global box office is part of a conspiracy. Naturally, he couldn’t resist throwing shade at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, because what’s a Trump speech without a jab at California?

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Uber Has a New Robotaxi Obsession — And It’s Not Made in the USA

Uber is partnering with Chinese startup Momenta to roll out robotaxis in Europe next year—its second autonomous vehicle fling with a Chinese firm, following a deal with WeRide in the UAE. Instead of betting on Silicon Valley, Uber seems to be outsourcing its self-driving future to China, while Momenta races to go public in the U.S. before its regulatory window closes. So yes, robotaxis are coming—but not from the tech giants you might expect.

Touch This, Tony Stark

A new 3D display lets you reach into thin air and actually touch virtual objects—no headset, no gloves, and no blockbuster budget needed. Created by researchers in Spain, this gadget ditches the usual fast-spinning screens for stretchy elastic strips (think waistband material). Slide your fingers through, and voilà—you can grab, rotate, and even tickle holograms. It's about the size of a lunchbox and surprisingly pleasant to the touch. Imagine using it to design robots, sculpt digital art, or impulsively shop for 3D shoes—using just your hands. We may not be at full Iron Man yet, but the future’s looking pretty squishy.

Trump Administration Halts Federal Research on Space Pollution

The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate federal research into space pollution caused by satellite emissions, including those from companies like SpaceX and Starlink. This decision has sparked criticism from environmentalists and scientists, who warn that it could lead to increased contamination in the stratosphere, potentially harming the ozone layer and exacerbating climate change. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had been conducting studies on metal contamination from vaporized spacecraft, but these projects are now canceled. Critics argue that this move may favor commercial space ventures over environmental and scientific concerns. Read more

NASA Faces $1 Billion Budget Shortfall for International Space Station Operations

NASA is confronting a $1 billion budget shortfall for the International Space Station (ISS) through fiscal 2029, which will significantly impact operations and crew capacity. To address the shortfall, NASA plans to reduce its astronaut presence on the ISS from four to three starting with the SpaceX Crew-12 mission in early 2026, lowering the station's crew from seven to six. Astronauts will also have longer stays aboard, and staffing reductions are expected to cut research output by 50%. In response to financial constraints, NASA has already canceled cargo missions and delayed flights. Despite these challenges, international partnerships with Canada, Japan, and Europe will continue, and astronauts will continue to travel aboard SpaceX Dragon and Russian Soyuz capsules. Read more

Four Cups a Day Keeps the Frailty Away

A new study suggests that drinking four or more cups of coffee daily could help you stay strong and steady as you age. Researchers followed 1,161 adults aged 55+ over seven years and found that higher coffee intake was linked to a lower risk of frailty—think less weakness, faster walking, and fewer "I'm too tired for this" vibes. Yes, the research was funded by the coffee industry, but let’s not dwell on that. Your caffeine habit just got rebranded as self-care.

NOAA Budget Cuts Could Impact Climate Research in Colorado

U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) has warned that proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) could have a "devastating" effect on Boulder, Colorado, both economically and in terms of national environmental preparedness. The proposed federal budget would reduce NOAA’s funding by nearly $1.7 billion, impacting climate research and potentially national security. Neguse and other Colorado lawmakers are actively lobbying to prevent these cuts from being included in the final federal budget. Read more

Congress Moves to Overturn EPA Rule on Tire Emissions

Congress has passed a resolution to overturn a Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation targeting emissions from the rubber tire manufacturing industry. The rule, implemented in November under the Clean Air Act, sought to regulate hazardous air pollutants such as greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds. Proponents argue the rule was based on questionable data and unnecessarily burdened manufacturers, while environmental advocates warn it would undermine air quality protections and public health. Read more

Pacers Stun Cavaliers with Haliburton’s Game-Winner

Tyrese Haliburton delivered a clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 120–119 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The win gives Indiana a 2–0 series lead, putting them in a strong position to advance further in the NBA playoffs. Read more

Met Gala Sets New Records

This year’s Met Gala shattered its own record, raising an astounding $31 million — the highest amount in its 77-year history. This sum surpasses the combined totals of the Philharmonic and Whitney Museum galas. The cost of hosting it is equally staggering. But who’s complaining when you’ve got ASAP Rocky, Pharrell, and LeBron (just after the NBA playoffs) walking into what’s essentially a fashion Super Bowl?

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