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Last Christmas and other high-energy holiday tunes may be causing anxiety for pets, according to a new report. Music experts analyzed ninety popular Christmas songs and found that slow-tempo tracks with few percussive elements are generally best for pets. The study, compiled by Fanatix, identified Last Christmas as the most nerve-racking song for pets, with a tempo of 200 beats per minute. Pet-friendly alternatives include songs with a tempo between 50 and 60 beats per minute, such as John Williams Carol of the Bells and Brenda Lees Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.

Pentagon Inspector General report reveals former Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, used a private Signal group chat to discuss classified military intelligence, potentially compromising sensitive data. The report, which relied on information from a journalist, found Hegseth violated Department of Defense policies but only recommended a review of classification procedures. Senator Mark Kelly suggests Hegseth may have broken the law.

Spotlight on Spotifys Wrapped 2025: A Record-Breaking Year-End Music Summary Spotifys annual Wrapped recap for 2025 has shattered records, with over 200 million users engaging within the first 24 hours, a 19% increase from last year. The new features, including a multiplayer game and listening age tool, have boosted sharing activity by 41%, with over 500 million shares recorded in the first day. Spotifys Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Partnerships, Marc Hazan, attributes this success to users desire to express themselves through music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, expressed optimism about AIs potential but warned of risks in the industry. He criticized a competitor for making timing errors and taking unwise risks, using the term YOLO to describe those pushing the risk dial too far. Amodei also discussed the rapid depreciation of AI chips and the importance of conservative planning due to uncertain future growth. Anthropic has seen remarkable growth, but Amodei stressed the need for careful planning to meet future computing needs.

Join us as we explore the world of startup acceleration with Isabelle Johannessen, head of TechCrunchs Startup Battlefield program. Isabelle, with her unique background in entrepreneurship and singing, helps founders from over ninety-nine countries craft compelling stories and secure crucial funding. Her work underscores the importance of a strong network and effective presentation for early-stage startups.

In this episode, Corey, the creator of DNN, reflects on his early music days and the struggle to find his authentic voice amidst external expectations. He emphasizes the importance of owning ones voice, truth, and uniqueness, as it unlocks a strength that no one can take away. He encourages listeners to stay true to themselves, be bold, and never compromise their identity for others.

Teslas Full Self-Driving software, despite being a driver assistance system, has been the subject of controversy. Elon Musk recently suggested that drivers can text while driving, depending on traffic conditions, which contradicts the illegality of texting while driving in most states. This statement comes amidst ongoing investigations by the NHTSA into FSDs safety, including reports of the system running red lights and crashes in low-visibility conditions. Tesla is also facing a legal dispute with the California DMV over alleged misleading claims about FSDs capabilities.

Amazon Business is charging schools significantly more for essential supplies, with prices fluctuating wildly due to dynamic pricing algorithms. On average, schools pay seventeen percent more for items purchased through Amazon Business. Unlike traditional contracts with local suppliers, Amazon Business does not guarantee fixed prices, leading to unexpected price changes. For instance, a twelve-pack of Sharpie markers cost eight dollars and ninety-nine cents in Boulder, Colorado, but twenty-eight dollars and sixty-three cents in Denver Public Schools on the same day. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance published a report expressing concern about Amazons lack of transparency regarding algorithmic price changes, which resulted in prices being, on average, one hundred and thirty-six percent higher than the lowest prices for the one hundred most frequently ordered products. This situation also impacts competition, as independent suppliers could beat Amazons prices on sixty-eight percent of products, suggesting better deals and more stable pricing for schools.