Good morning readers. If you’ve never tipped the person delivering your food, you might want to do so moving forward. DoorDash, the app synonymous with food at your doorstep, has a polite reminder: tip generously or stomach the wait. The app's new alert nudges users to grease the palms of their 'Dashers' to avoid cold dinners. This nifty little warning, a test subject for now, reflects the stark reality of the gig economy—no tip, no speed. While DoorDash has been fine-tuning this feature, it’s clear—a little gratuity could grease the wheels of your next meal deal. And though you may opt for a cash tip, a digital dime might just secure a timelier dine.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Tesla’s big win

• Headline Hustle: Canada’s GDP remains unchanged, Israeli air strikes hit refugee camp in Gaza strip, WeWork plans to file for bankruptcy next week

• The future of sports viewing

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

BUSINESS

Tesla clears one hurdle, but the autonomous race continues

In a pivotal moment for the electric car giant, Tesla has emerged victorious in a U.S. trial concerning its Autopilot system's role in a 2019 fatal crash near Los Angeles. The jury concluded that the tragic incident, which resulted in the driver's untimely death, wasn't due to a manufacturing defect in Tesla's advanced driver-assistance system. While this verdict offers Tesla a much-needed reputational boost amidst growing scrutiny over its Autopilot technology, it's essential to note the decision's specificity: it addressed a potential defect in that particular vehicle, not the overarching design of the Autopilot system.

The journey is far from over

The stakes are sky-high for Tesla, with its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features being cornerstones of the company's ambitious vision and massive valuation. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, envisions a future where Tesla’s operate autonomously, significantly bolstering the company's profitability. However, this recent legal win, though significant, doesn't give Tesla a free pass. The trial's narrow focus implies that future lawsuits might present distinct challenges, especially concerning the overall design and functionality of the Autopilot system.

Big picture: In the grand scheme of things, Tesla's recent courtroom win highlights the intricate dance of innovation, safety, and public perception in the autonomous driving arena. As we accelerate into this new era, companies like Tesla must tread carefully, ensuring that groundbreaking tech advancements don't compromise safety or trust.

Headline Hustle

🇨🇦 Canada’s GDP remains unchanged. Canada's economy is treading water, with recent data suggesting a potential technical recession on the horizon. Despite the Bank of Canada's projections, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained stagnant for two consecutive months, hinting at a possible 0.1% annual contraction for Q3. This follows a 0.2% dip in Q2. Experts believe the central bank might halt its interest rate hikes, given the lingering effects of past increases. While some sectors, like mining and energy, showed promise, manufacturing and retail trade faced declines. With the economy's pulse weakening, discussions on rate cuts are anticipated to intensify in the coming months.

✈️ Israeli air strike hits densely populated refugee camp. Tensions escalate in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes target a refugee camp, resulting in the tragic death of at least 50 Palestinians, including a key Hamas commander, Ibrahim Biari. Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) attribute the high civilian casualty count to the collapse of an underground tunnel housing numerous Hamas combatants. While Israel warns of more strikes, Gaza's medical facilities are on the brink, with power generators at two major hospitals nearing shutdown. Amidst the chaos, anti-war protests erupt in Washington, and international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. The U.S. is actively negotiating safe passages for its citizens, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken set to visit Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains resolute in his stance against Hamas.

📉 WeWork to file for bankruptcy early next week. WeWork, once a venture-capital unicorn with a valuation of $47 billion, is reportedly contemplating bankruptcy. Insiders suggest a potential Chapter 11 filing in New Jersey is imminent. The company's recent missed bondholder payments have initiated a critical countdown to a possible default. Despite board reshuffles and attempts at lease renegotiations, WeWork's financial stability remains uncertain, underscored by an impending $25 billion in lease obligations through 2028. This development follows the notable departure of co-founder Adam Neumann in 2019.

SPORTS

The sports experience you never knew you needed

Warner Bros. Discovery and Cosm are joining forces, and no, it's not for a new superhero movie. They're on a mission to redefine the sports viewing experience by introducing "shared reality" to fans who thought their couch was the best seat in the house. Cosm, already a star in powering over 700 planetariums globally, is prepping to roll out the red carpet at two futuristic venues in Los Angeles and Dallas. But these aren't your grandma's theaters—each boasts 360-degree, 87-foot diameter 8K LED screens, immersing fans in select TNT live sports. The best part? No clunky glasses or headsets. Just pure, unadulterated sports adrenaline, making you feel courtside at an NBA game or chilling rink-side at a hockey match. With LA taking the lead in spring 2024 and Dallas not far behind, fans are already setting their DVRs to "stunned."

This dynamic duo's collaboration is more than just a techy gimmick—it's a game-changer. Merging the electric atmosphere of live games with the convenience of traditional broadcasting, they're serving up a sports buffet for a post-pandemic audience with an appetite for next-level entertainment. And while the focus is currently on making slam dunks and hat tricks more thrilling, whispers from insiders suggest we might soon be rocking out at concerts or gasping at scripted shows in similar style.

Zoom out: Warner Bros. Discovery and Cosm are not just raising the bar—they're pole-vaulting over it. As they redefine immersive broadcasts, the rest of the entertainment world might just need to grab some popcorn and take notes.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Britain will host the inaugural AI Safety Summit on Wednesday, gathering governments, academia, and AI companies to discuss potential risk containment of the technology.

• Google and Match Group have settled their antitrust dispute, allowing Match Group's dating apps to implement "user choice billing", enabling users to pay using systems other than Google's.

• TGL, an indoor "high-tech league" launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will start January 9, 2024.

• Microsoft began rolling out a major update to Windows 11, introducing a chatbot called Copilot, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

• Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, as announced by soccer's global governing body on Tuesday.

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