Good Morning. While competitors fight over electric cars, Tesla's making a massive bet on autonomous taxis and humanoid robots that work for you.
Plus, nuclear tensions in Iran, how motherhood has changed, and where to read James Gunn’s Superman screenplay (forwarded this email? Join 523k readers).
👉 Next week, we’re starting our first-ever 1% Better Challenge. You voted to learn how to better Organize all of your digital files. It’s completely free. Click here to join.*
TOP STORY TODAY
Tesla Invests xAI
Tesla reported a 61% profit drop in the fourth quarter and announced a $2 billion investment in Elon Musk's AI startup xAI (WSJ). The company will cancel production of Model S and Model X vehicles, converting that Fremont factory space to manufacture Optimus robots. Tesla shares rose 1.3% in after-hours trading despite the results.
Revenue fell 3% to $24.9 billion for the quarter as Tesla lost its EV sales lead to China's BYD (1.64 million versus 2.26 million vehicles sold in 2025). The investment in xAI follows a shareholder vote where the proposal received more opposition than support. SpaceX also invested $2 billion in xAI previously.
Musk emphasized Tesla's shift toward AI and robotics over traditional vehicle sales, planning April production for the autonomous Cybercab. Full Self-Driving subscriptions increased 38% to 1.1 million users. Tesla continues testing autonomous ride-hailing in Austin and San Francisco while facing global competition and an aging vehicle lineup.
Iran Nuclear Tensions
President Trump warned Iran that "time is running out" for nuclear negotiations as a US naval fleet moves toward the Gulf. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that armed forces stand ready to "immediately and powerfully respond" to any aggression. Both sides reference potential military action while expressing openness to diplomatic talks.
The warning follows Trump's June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during Iran's 12-day war with Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the Iranian regime appears weakened amid economic collapse and recent protests. Iran insists its nuclear program remains entirely peaceful, denying accusations of weapons development.
Iran's parliament speaker told CNN Tehran is ready for "genuine" negotiations but believes Trump seeks to "impose his will." Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed no active negotiations are underway, only "exchanges of messages." Trump stated the naval force is "ready, willing, and able" to fulfill its mission.
Property Tax Elimination
Republican-led states are pursuing plans to eliminate all property taxes for homeowners, with Georgia, Florida, Texas, and North Dakota leading the charge. Georgia Republicans unveiled legislation Wednesday to phase out homeowner property taxes by 2032, while Florida considers eliminating nonschool property taxes over 10 years.
The initiatives face significant financial hurdles, as homeowner property taxes generate billions annually for schools and local governments. Georgia's plan would eliminate $5.2 billion in annual revenue, requiring localities to rely on sales taxes instead. Officials in North Dakota report success using their $13.4 billion oil savings fund, expanding tax credits from $500 to $1,600 yearly.
Experts question whether complete elimination is feasible without harming essential services. Georgia's proposal requires two-thirds legislative approval, voter consent, and would allow local governments to bill separately for specified services like garbage pickup and fire protection.
TOGETHER WITH PERCENT
Why Wait Years? Private Credit Pays Monthly.
Accelerate your investment outcomes — on your terms.
Most investments take years to bear fruit. Private credit on Percent can start paying you in weeks.
With average deal terms under 10 months and recurring income potential, our platform turns time into a strategic advantage.
*Alternative investments are speculative and possess a high level of risk. No assurance can be given that investors will receive a return of their capital. Those investors who cannot afford to lose their entire investment should not invest. Investments in private placements are highly illiquid and those investors who cannot hold an investment for an indefinite term should not invest. Private credit investments may be complex investments and they are subject to default risk.
TODAY’S LIFE ADVICE
3 Generations: 3 Views on Motherhood
American women today are having fewer children than previous generations. The U.S. birthrate is now half of what it was in the 1960s.
Barbara Briscoe, 93: "I think it was just accepted that girls were going to grow up and be mothers. Careers were not even discussed."
Cynthia Briscoe Brown, 65 (Barbara's daughter): Grew up being told women "could have it all." Attended law school when only 25% of students were female. Balanced demanding legal career with motherhood, often secretly pumping breastmilk during court breaks.
Caroline Brown, 33 (Cynthia's daughter): "I don't really feel like I got strong messages about what my life should look like beyond college graduation. The world was kind of my oyster." She and her husband remain uncertain about having children.
Key concerns for younger women:
Cost of housing and childcare
Climate change impact on future generations
Difficulty achieving work-life balance
Barbara's perspective on change: "Today women have so many opportunities to decide what they want to do."
Night Owls May Have Worse Heart Health
Night owls face 79% higher prevalence of poor heart health compared to people with intermediate sleep schedules, according to a study of 323,000 UK adults. The findings were particularly strong among women. Researchers found night owls had 16% higher risk of heart attacks or strokes over 14 years, while early risers showed 5% lower prevalence of poor heart health.
TRENDING
5 Stories
▲ Spotify royalties hit $11 billion in 2025, bringing all-time music industry payments to $70 billion total
▲ TikTok users delete accounts after platform announces American-controlled ownership under Trump Executive Order compliance, citing safety concerns
▲ Amazon layoffs reach 30,000 corporate employees after second round cuts 16,000 workers, totaling 10% of workforce
▲ Tim Cook sends Apple memo calling for de-escalation after attending White House event during Minneapolis ICE shooting | Read memo
▲ Microsoft earnings beat expectations with $38.5 billion net income, but shares drop 6% on slowing Azure growth
Fun Links
Best Spy Movies of the 21st Century [List]
Spot the International Space Station [Blog]
Can civilization go on without alcohol? [Blog]
Please, stop texting on the stairs [Blog]
Read James Gunn’s Superman script [PDF]