China is cutting its tariff on whisky imports from 10% to 5%, a move set to give British distillers a major market boost after ongoing talks between the two governments. The change, effective February 2, could add about $344 million to UK whisky exports over five years, with China already a top destination for Scotch. The tariff cut is part of a broader push to reset trade ties and deepen cooperation on investment and technology. (Reuters)

Elon Musk might be eyeing a corporate remix. SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI are in early talks about combining forces, with at least one folding into SpaceX ahead of a possible IPO. One scenario links SpaceX and xAI (bringing Grok, Starlink, and X under one roof). The moves follow big mutual investments and keep Musk’s long-running theme of sharing tech, talent, and data across his empire while locking in future growth muscle. (TechCrunch)

Apple just dropped a monster quarter. Revenue jumped 16% as iPhone 17 demand went from strong to straight-up ridiculous, pushing iPhone sales up 23% and lighting up China with a 38% surge. With 2.5 billion active devices now in the wild, Apple’s services engine keeps getting bigger, even as Macs and wearables lag. Essentially, the iPhone is still the growth flywheel, and AI-powered upgrades are keeping users locked in. (CNBC)

Trump just turned aircraft certification into a trade weapon. He said he’s decertifying Canada-made planes and floated a 50% tariff, targeting Bombardier jets in a dispute over Gulfstream approvals. While presidents don’t normally certify or ground planes, the FAA does. If this expands beyond business jets, it could disrupt regional air travel across the U.S., grounding hundreds of planes and hitting smaller airports hardest. (CNN)

Amazon is circling OpenAI with a potential check that could hit $50 billion, which would make it the biggest backer in OpenAI’s latest mega-round. The talks are still early, but they underline how desperate Big Tech is to lock in AI firepower as OpenAI eyes a valuation near $1 trillion. With Nvidia, Microsoft and SoftBank also at the table, this is shaping up to be the most expensive game of AI musical chairs ever. (Reuters)

One hundred years ago, a single telegram sent from a Missouri hotel gave America its most iconic road name. In a message to the Bureau of Public Roads in Washington, D.C., officials formally requested the number "66" for the emerging highway from Chicago to Los Angeles, settling on the number because it was catchy and unassigned. Today is the first opportunity to get tickets for the centennial celebration, where it all began.

Springfield, Missouri, is leaning into its title as the "Birthplace of Route 66" with a four-day national kickoff from April 30 to May 3, celebrating exactly one century since the designation "U.S. 66" was first proposed. The schedule begins with a live national broadcast followed by a formal dedication at Birthplace Plaza, timed to the exact hour of the original 1926 telegram. Other events include a kickoff concert featuring artists like Little Big Town and Gretchen Wilson, a "Celebrate America" parade featuring classic cars, and the lighting of the newly restored Jefferson Avenue Footbridge.

The centennial energy spans the entire 2,400-mile route with events scheduled throughout the summer. In June, Amarillo will host a ten-day Texas Route 66 Festival featuring a cattle drive and a rally of vintage trailers known as the Tin Can Tourists. Oklahoma is organizing a "Capital Cruise" through Tulsa and Oklahoma City on May 30, while Illinois is using restoration grants to relight dozens of iconic neon signs that have sat dark for decades. A Rolling Roadshow will also travel the full length of the highway from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, stopping along the way at town squares and historic drive-in theaters for outdoor film screenings.

This centennial milestone highlights the enduring appeal of the open road and small-town Americana. As Route 66 rolls into its second century, this year offers a truly unique window to experience the legacy of the world's most famous highway. You can see a full list of events and purchase tickets at route66kickoff.com.