Super Bowl ads: $8M each.

Today’s topics

• Super Bowl ads reach $8 million.

• New York’s Largest Solar Farm

• SpaceX to Launch 21 Starlink Satellites

• Spotify CEO Launches £299 Health Scans

• Saudi Arabia still aims for the world’s tallest building.

  and more…

Super Bowl ads reach $8 million.

Super Bowl ads now go for $8 million each, with at least 10 brands buying in. Fox sold out months ago at record prices, and last-minute demand pushed costs even higher. Typically, ad prices rise by $100K annually, but this year saw a $500K jump as brands scrambled to secure spots.

Fed Holds Rates as Inflation Stays Stubborn

The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates steady, with inflation still biting. Gas and food prices—especially eggs, up 37% in a year—continue to strain wallets. Meanwhile, the job market remains strong, adding 256,000 jobs last month, mostly in restaurants and retail. That’s enough reason for the Fed to hold off on cuts. “We’re not in a hurry,” said Fed Chair Jerome Powell, as borrowing costs for cars and credit cards stay high. The Fed’s benchmark rate remains between 4.25% and 4.5%, keeping expenses elevated a little longer.

SoftBank Eyes $25B Investment in OpenAI

SoftBank is looking to pour up to $25 billion into OpenAI, making it the startup’s biggest backer—surpassing even Microsoft. Total AI spending could reach $40 billion because, apparently, there’s no such thing as too much money for chatbots. This follows a $100 billion data center project SoftBank and OpenAI already pledged to power AI’s massive energy needs. Meanwhile, China’s DeepSeek rattled investors by launching a cheaper AI model, briefly wiping $589 billion off Nvidia’s value. If the deal happens, it’ll be SoftBank’s biggest bet since the WeWork fiasco. Let’s hope for a better ending.

New York’s Largest Solar Farm

New York’s biggest solar farm is officially underway with $950 million in funding. Greenbacker Renewable Energy is leading the 500-megawatt project, which broke ground last October and is set to go live in 2026. Spanning 2,500 acres in Genesee County, the Cider solar farm will power 120,000 homes. It’s one of 23 large-scale clean energy projects backed by the state as New York aims to source 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Already ranked 8th in the nation for solar power, the state is on track to break into the top five within five years.

Europe Builds First 3D-Printed Homes in Ireland

Ireland has unveiled Europe’s first 3D-printed concrete social housing, marking the continent’s entry into a technology already being explored in the U.S. The three homes in Dundalk were created by Harcourt Technologies, Roadstone, and Louth County Council using a giant Danish 3D printer. Each home features three bedrooms and spans 1,184 square feet, proving that even with cutting-edge technology, traditional floor plans still apply.

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SpaceX to Launch 21 Starlink Satellites

SpaceX is scheduled to launch 21 Starlink satellites from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on February 3. This mission aims to expand the Starlink constellation, enhancing global internet coverage. Read more

NASA's Year-Long Moon Mission Simulation Concludes

A team of six analog astronauts has completed a 366-day mission in a sealed environment in Russia, simulating conditions for future lunar missions. This study provides valuable insights into the challenges of long-duration space travel.Read more.

Spotify CEO Launches £299 Health Scans

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is now turning body scanning into a £1.4 billion venture. His startup, Neko Health, has raised £211 million in new funding, marking his second billion-dollar company. For £299, customers can undergo a one-hour full-body scan that checks everything from heart health to mole mapping. With 100,000 people already on the waiting list, it’s clear that concerns about future health are proving to be a lucrative business model.

Pine Replaces Petroleum in New Foam Innovation

Scientists have developed a more eco-friendly way to create polyurethane foam, commonly used in sponges, cushions, and packaging. A team from Washington State University replaced 20% of the petroleum-based chemicals with lignin from pine, resulting in foam that’s just as strong and flexible. With the global polyurethane market worth over $75 billion, this new pine-based method offers a potential solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which persist for centuries. While recycling plastic is costly and largely ineffective, this approach could make a significant impact—if the industry chooses to adopt it.

Climate Activists Prepare for New Administration

In response to President Donald Trump's second term and his declaration of an "energy emergency" to expand fossil fuel production, climate activists are preparing to adapt their strategies. Recognizing that peaceful protests have not yielded the desired results, activists are willing to embrace more disruptive methods. Various climate organizations, including Fridays for Future, the Sunrise Movement, and the Green New Deal Network, are planning rallies, sit-ins, and other actions to protest against the new administration's policies. These groups aim to build large coalitions and adopt diverse tactics, including nonviolent direct action, to amplify their message and create meaningful political change.. Read more

Cornhole Transforms into $7.7 Million Competitive Sport

Cornhole, once a casual backyard game, has evolved into a professional sport with a $7.7 million prize pool in 2024. The American Cornhole League (ACL) has secured broadcast deals with ESPN and CBS Sports, featuring over 300 hours of cornhole programming last year. Top players now earn substantial prize money and sponsorships, with some dedicating themselves full-time to the sport. Celebrity involvement, such as Rob Gronkowski and Shemar Moore participating in tournaments, has further elevated cornhole's profile. This growth highlights the sport's transition from a recreational pastime to a significant competitive arena. Read more

Saudi Arabia still aims for the world’s tallest building.

Jeddah Tower is back on track after years of delays, with construction officially restarting on what will become the world’s tallest building, set to be completed in 2028. First announced in 2011, the tower faced numerous setbacks, but now the plan is to reach a height of at least 1,001 meters, surpassing Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by 173 meters. Apparently, the tallest building is never tall enough.

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