Twitter (X) reported zero profit.

Today’s topics

• X: Broke, But Still Breathing

• Opera's New Browser Aims to Help You Relax

• The Future of Space Travel: Robots vs. Astronauts

• America’s Trust in Science is Divided

• Spirit’s Updated Dress Code

  and more…

X: Broke, But Still Breathing

Elon’s Twitter—sorry, X—is still generating revenue, just not enough to outpace its massive debt. Despite a holiday sales boost and a minor election-year uptick, X’s earnings barely cover the $1.2 billion in annual interest payments Musk tacked on. Banks that financed his Twitter takeover are now trying to unload that debt, with reports indicating X made zero profit in 2024. Even after cutting 80% of its staff and aggressively slashing costs, revenue remains “unimpressive,” as Musk himself admitted.

Vanguard’s Biggest Fee Cut Ever

Vanguard just made investing even cheaper, slashing fees on 87 funds and saving investors $350 million in 2025. This marks the biggest fee reduction in the company’s history, with an average cost drop of 20% per share class. CEO Salim Ramji is taking credit, emphasizing the goal of keeping more money in investors’ pockets. The cuts apply across stocks, bonds, and commodities funds, including ETFs managing billions.

Trump Pushes for a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund

Trump just signed an order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, sparking online chaos. These funds are usually tied to resource-rich nations like Norway, China, and the Gulf states—but now, the U.S. wants in. The funding source? Still unclear. Trump previously floated using tariff revenue, but no details were given. One idea on the table: taking a stake in TikTok, either through a direct investment or by pressuring Beijing to hand it over to dodge a newly announced 10% tariff hike.

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Opera's New Browser Aims to Help You Relax

Opera just launched Opera Air, a browser built to keep you from doomscrolling into oblivion. It features break reminders, breathing exercises, and soothing soundscapes—because apparently, we need software to remind us to go outside. With a sleek, semi-transparent design and a floating mindfulness sidebar, Air offers binaural beats, ambient sounds, and focus music to keep your brain from melting.

DeepSeek: AI with a Built-In Censorship Filter

DeepSeek’s AI is skyrocketing in popularity, shaking up the tech world and making Silicon Valley uneasy. But users quickly noticed a catch—this chatbot comes with censorship straight out of Beijing’s playbook. Ask about Tiananmen Square, and it starts to reply before erasing its response and suggesting math instead. In Chinese, it won’t even try—just a quick apology and a dodge. While it handles everyday topics like its Western counterparts, anything sensitive gets the Great Firewall treatment. DeepSeek is yet another reminder that “free” AI isn’t always free—especially when it comes to information.

The Future of Space Travel: Robots vs. Astronauts

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe just flew closer to the Sun than anything before—without a single human on board. With AI-driven robots taking over deep-space missions, some scientists are questioning whether astronauts are even necessary. Robots can travel farther, cost less, and don’t complain about 1,000°C heat. Astronomer Royal Martin Rees even argues that taxpayer money shouldn’t fund human space travel at all. But for others, human exploration is about prestige, discovery, and proving that people—not just machines—belong among the stars.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Sets New Record for Closest Approach to the Sun

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved a significant milestone by flying closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft. This unprecedented proximity allows scientists to study the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, providing valuable insights into solar wind and space weather phenomena. The mission aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun's behavior and its impact on the solar system.

America’s Trust in Science is Divided

Public trust in science has become increasingly polarized in the U.S., with Democrats maintaining confidence while Republican trust declined during the pandemic. Though there's a slight rebound, skepticism remains high, impacting policies on climate change and public health. Experts urge better science communication to bridge the gap: Read more

EPA Nominee Lee Zeldin Commits to Balanced Environmental Protection

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Lee Zeldin, the nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasized the importance of safeguarding public health and the environment without hindering economic growth. He criticized existing regulations for their economic impact and advocated for innovative solutions through bipartisan collaboration and private sector engagement. Read more

Removal of Climate Change Information from Federal Websites

The current administration has systematically removed or downgraded references to the climate crisis across various federal websites, including those of the Department of Defense, State Department, and Department of Transportation. This action has alarmed climate scientists, who warn that it could impede public understanding of environmental issues amid ongoing climate challenges. Read more

Netflix Eyes Formula 1 Broadcast Rights in the U.S.

Netflix is considering bidding for the U.S. broadcast rights to Formula 1, aiming to expand its live sports offerings following the success of its "Drive to Survive" series. Currently, ESPN holds these rights through a $90 million deal, but with the exclusivity period expired, Netflix and other potential bidders, including Apple, are expected to vie for the rights starting from the 2026 season. This move would mark Netflix's first significant venture into mainstream sports broadcasting. Read more

Spirit’s Updated Dress Code

Spirit Airlines, famous for its budget fares and memorable passenger experiences, has rolled out a dress code. Starting January 22, 2025, passengers can no longer wear see-through outfits, expose body parts, or display offensive tattoos. Oh, and yes—shoes are now mandatory, because that apparently needed clarification. Break the rules, and you might find yourself booted off your $19 flight.

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