☕ Burrito brawl

Why your two favorite lunch spots are fighting... April 06, 2023 [View Online]( | [Sign Up]( | [Shop]( [Morning Brew]( TOGETHER WITH [Zillow]( Good morning. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its title as the world’s busiest airport, welcoming 93.7 million passengers through its metal detectors last year. There are two times in your life when you will be pushed to the max of your cardio ability: 1) the elementary school PACER Test and 2) running from one end of the Atlanta airport to the other to make a 15-minute connection. —Matty Merritt, Jamie Wilde, Abby Rubenstein, Neal Freyman MARKETS Nasdaq 11,996.86 -1.07% S&P 4,090.38 -0.25% Dow 33,482.72 +0.24% 10-Year 3.313% -3.0 bps Bitcoin $28,151.12 -0.32% Zscaler $101.30 -8.33% *Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 3:00am ET. [Here's what these numbers mean.]( - Markets: The Nasdaq extended its [losing streak]( for a third day yesterday amidst a mixed showing for stocks overall. Among the tech stocks having a rough day was cybersecurity giant Zscaler, as investors got new data suggesting the labor market may be cooling (setting off recession jitters again).  MEDIA [Twitter labels NPR ‘state-affiliated media’]( [NPR building]( Saul Loeb/Getty Images NPR, which usually plays the role of soft-spoken sidekick, was the main character of yesterday’s Twitter drama. The social media platform put a “[US state-affiliated media](” tag on NPR’s account, a loaded label that suggests it’s an accessory to the US government. Some background: Twitter started using the label in the pre-Elon Musk days of 2020 for transparency, defining state-affiliated media as “outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content.” Up until Tuesday night, its policy explicitly said that state-funded media operating with editorial independence, like the BBC and…NPR did not fall into the category. But, like a newly dumped ex cleansing their grid, Twitter seems to have deleted all mentions of NPR from the policy. Why now? Twitter, which has no PR department, hasn’t said why it started lumping NPR in with news sites notorious for spreading government propaganda, like China Daily and Russia Today. But Musk tweeted, “Seems accurate” in response to a tweet about the new label. Whatever Twitter’s reasons, NPR’s chief communications officer [told]( the NYT that less than 1% of the org’s yearly operating budget comes from government-funded grants. Most of the organization’s funding comes from individual and business donations. Other media orgs that receive substantial government funding, like Voice of America and the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes, don’t have the label, the Washington Post noted. The label’s addition not only suggests to the NPR account’s 8.8 million Twitter followers (and anyone who views it) that its reporting is less than credible, but it also means NPR will not be amplified via Twitter’s recommendation algorithm. This is part of a pattern for Musk’s Twitter: The site recently took away the main New York Times account’s verification badge while leaving them on for other news outlets after the Times said it wouldn’t pay for the blue check. And several reporters who criticized Musk had their accounts suspended last year.—MM �  �  �  TOGETHER WITH ZILLOW [To rent or to buy?]( [Zillow]( That is the question: Is it better to fork over the cash for a down payment or sign a yearlong lease? Look, the rent-or-buy dilemma makes all of us wanna hit the panic button. It’s a big decision. But we’re set on making things a little easier. [We’re sitting down with Zillow]( to discuss current trends in the housing market, the ins and outs of renting and buying, and the future of home ownership. [Curious about what exactly will be discussed](? We’re talkin’: - navigating the complex housing market - how to decide whether buying or renting is right for you - setting a budget and getting a mortgage - what’s next for the housing market Simplify your housing decisions. [Register here](. WORLD Tour de headlines [House Speaker Kevin McCarthy with Taiwan's president]Frederic J. Brown/Getty Images McCarthy met with Taiwan’s leader despite China’s strong objections. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy [sat down with]( Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, making him the most senior US official to meet with a Taiwanese leader on US soil. Tensions have run high between the US and China over Taiwan, which China claims as its own, since McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, took a trip there in August. Earlier this week, China warned that if McCarthy took the meeting, it could provoke a “severe confrontation.” Rupert Murdoch may take the stand. It’s been a busy week for News Corp.’s 92-year-old executive chair: First, Murdoch reportedly called off his engagement just weeks after announcing it, and now a judge has stated that he can be [forced to testify]( at trial in Dominion’s $1.6 billion defamation suit over Fox News personalities’ on-air statements on the 2020 election. The judge overseeing the case said that if Dominion were to subpoena Murdoch and fellow exec Lachlan Murdoch (Rupert’s son) to appear in the courtroom, he “would not quash it,” despite Fox’s arguments that the testimony isn’t necessary. “Operation Cookie Monster” is less fun than it sounds. It’s the code name for a coordinated, international law enforcement effort in which the FBI and other authorities [seized]( Genesis Market, a notorious online marketplace for stolen login credentials. According to the DOJ, over 80 million credentials that could be used to access accounts had been sold through the site since it opened in 2018. In a sweep targeting both site administrators and customers, police arrested 119 people, Europol said. FOOD & BEV [The burrito bowl battle is on]( [Sweetgreen's Chipotle Burrito Bowl]( Business Wire When it comes to burrito bowls named after a smoke-dried jalapeno pepper, fast-casual chain Chipotle believes Highlander-style there can only be one. Just in time for today’s National Burrito Day promotion, the Mexican grill slapped its rival for lunchtime supremacy, Sweetgreen, with a [trademark lawsuit]( over the salad spot’s new “Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl.” The suit, filed in California federal court Tuesday, claims Sweetgreen is trying to take advantage of customer goodwill toward the Chipotle brand. It further maintains that Sweetgreen has advertised the new bowl using the word “Chipotle” in the font and style used for Chipotle’s logo and deployed an ad background color similar to the brand’s trademarked Adobo Red hue. In a press release introducing the new menu item last week, Sweetgreen said it was named for the “thoughtfully-sourced chipotle powder that provides the perfect slightly spicy, smokey bite.” But Chipotle’s legal complaint asserts that industry publications—and even Sweetgreen’s own social media comments—have noted the similarity to Chipotle’s offerings. Big picture: News of the lawsuit sent Sweetgreen’s stock plunging yesterday. It ended the day down 6.26%—another setback for the salad-maker, whose shares are down ~20% in 2023 so far as it struggles to turn a profit. Chipotle, meanwhile, has seen its stock surge 24% this year thanks to strong sales.—AR �  �  �  TOGETHER WITH AURA HEALTH [Aura Health]( Brothers solve a $100b problem…for their mother. Forbes “30 Under 30” winners founded [Aura]( to help solve issues in mental well-being, a $100b problem affecting their mom and countless others. Aura quickly grew to 7m users and 100k+ paying subscribers, along with attracting investments from legendary investors and executives from Spotify, Facebook, and Apple. The best part? [You can invest in Aura now before the opportunity ends April 28](. TECH [Harry Potter, but use AI to make it Balenciaga]( [Harry Potter Balenciaga characters]( Illustration: Francis Scialabba, Source: demonflyingfox/Youtube Artificial intelligence is being used to create Balenciaga-fied versions of movies and TV shows—a lucky hit of positive publicity for the high-fashion brand that was wrapped up in scandals last year. A timeline for those of you out touching grass: - YouTube channel demonflyingfox posted “[Harry Potter by Balenciaga](” three weeks ago (it now has over four million views). Since then, demonflyingfox and a similar channel called Abandoned Films that started posting content at the same time have continued posting Balenciaga crossovers. Popular videos include takes on Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. - Separately, about two weeks ago, an [AI-generated photo of Pope Francis]( in a Balenciaga coat made by a man in Chicago went mega-viral on Twitter after first being posted on Reddit and Facebook. How do they do it? By using AI image generators such as Midjourney and AI voice generators like Eleven Labs—which Abandoned Films tagged in the LOTR video where a snatched Boromir says, “One does not simply walk into a Balenciaga fashion show.” Balenciaga could use the hype: The brand was boycotted by customers after its 2022 holiday campaign featured child models holding bags shaped like teddy bears wearing bondage gear. These AI crossover videos [could distract]( from the scandals, judging by praiseful comments on the videos like “This is better than any actual commercial for Balenciaga.”—JW �  �  �  GRAB BAG Key performance indicators Parks and Recreation/NBC via Giphy Stat: Despite advice to the contrary from every personal finance guru on the internet, most people don’t ask for more money when they’re offered a job: 58% of men and 61% of women said they didn’t when they were last hired, according to a recent Pew Research Center [survey](. But even when they do ask for more cash, women are less likely to get it than men are. Of those that did negotiate, 38% of women said they were only given the original offer compared to 31% of men. Quote: “Queen Camilla” We expected the biggest news about the invitations to the coronation for the UK’s King Charles III to be whether one made its way to Harry and Meghan’s mailbox in Montecito, but the wording of the invite itself is also getting [headlines](. Why? Because it refers to monarch’s wife as “Queen Camilla” rather than as “Queen Consort,” the title she has been using since Queen Elizabeth’s death. Given Camilla’s sometimes fraught relationship with the British press and public (and the late Princess Diana), only 7% of Britons thought she should become queen when the pair married in 2005—so her first official use of the title is drawing some attention. Read: How cellphones have changed our brains. ([BBC]() NEWS What else is brewing - [Cash App creator Bob Lee](, a former CTO at Square and most recently an exec at MobileCoin, was stabbed to death in San Francisco. - [A tornado]( led to five deaths in Missouri yesterday as fatal storm systems continue to roar through the US. - [FedEx]( will combine its ground and express delivery networks in an effort to cut $4 billion in costs. - [An Australian mayor]( has threatened to file the world’s first defamation suit over claims made by ChatGPT after the chatbot falsely said he went to jail for bribery. RECS [To do list Thursday] Get ready to sing along: A compilation of the [most popular song]( of every month since January 1980. Color correct: This quiz asks you to [guess the color]( of tech brand logos. I can has AI? [CatGPT]( has arrived. Free play: Here’s how to find free (or at least cheap) [games to play]( on your computer, console, or phone. Gain confidence: Our New Manager Bootcamp will give you the tools and knowledge you need to become an incredible leader. It starts next week. [Reserve your spot now](. Impactful, reachable real estate: Invest in a real estate portfolio that creates wealth for both you and its residents [with Roots](. They’re up 16% in the last year, and investments start at $100. [Build your wealth](.* *This is sponsored advertising content. GAMES The puzzle section Brew Mini: Today’s Mini crossword is more boxy than usual (you’ll see why). [Play it here](. Three headlines and a lie Three of these headlines are real and one is faker than any photo of an unlikely subject in an overly puffy coat. Can you spot the odd one out? - Hawaiian airline offers to [fund]( ‘any hobby imaginable’ for pilots who join its team - North Carolina seeks to [ban]( participation trophies for children - Giant stolen Dairy Queen spoon [found]( in Phoenix middle school yard - How to [find]( STEVE, the elusive cousin of the northern lights aurora AROUND THE BREW [OOO forever]( [OOO forever]( If you enjoy traveling, exploring, or relaxing more than your day job, check out Money With Katie’s free guide on early retirement. It’s got all of the essential tips to clear your calendar for good. [Check it out](. Join us at [The Brief: A Summit Presented by Marketing Brew](, where we’ll dig into the trends and challenges defining the industry. You launched a startup: Now what? [Watch a free virtual event where we chat with experts about raising money](. SHARE THE BREW [Share Morning Brew]( with your friends, acquire free Brew swag, and then acquire more friends as a result of your fresh Brew swag. We’re saying we’ll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. One link. Your referral count: 0 [Click to Share]( Or copy & paste your referral link to others: [morningbrew.com/daily/r/?kid=4904f90a]( ANSWER We made up the one about the Hawaiian airline. ✳︎ A Note From Aura Health This is a paid advertisement for Aura Health’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at [invest.aurahealth.io](. � � � � � Written by [Neal Freyman](, [Abigail Rubenstein](, [Jamie Wilde](, and [Matty Merritt]( Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up [here](. 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