W
elcome back to our Sunday roundup. A fresh batch of the Epstein files hit the news on Friday, and our team has been combing through the new material—here’s the scoop.
**Today’s Highlights**
- Compass CEO Robert Reffkin is redefining how Americans buy homes.
- Gen Z’s lower alcohol consumption is prompting bars to rethink their menus.
- Elon Musk says xAI will lead the AI race if it survives the next 2‑3 years.
- BI released the first nationwide map of C‑section rates across 1,744 U.S. hospitals.
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### Real‑Estate Powerhouse
Robert Reffkin has turned Compass into a major player in just over a decade, challenging giants like Zillow. Critics warn that his rule‑changing tactics could destabilize the market, while supporters—many Compass agents—believe the changes will benefit homebuyers nationwide.
### Bars Adapting to Gen Z
Gen Z drinks less than older cohorts and feels uneasy admitting it. Bars are responding by expanding mocktail options and shifting focus to non‑drinking experiences such as trivia nights and themed events.
### xAI’s Ambition
During a recent all‑hands meeting, Elon Musk expressed confidence that xAI can outpace competitors if it scales quickly and leverages synergies with his other companies. He projects that xAI could achieve artificial generative intelligence by 2026.
### Hospital C‑Section Map
BI compiled data from 29 states and D.C., covering 1,744 hospitals that deliver about 70% of U.S. births. The resulting publicly searchable map reveals stark variations in C‑section rates, even after adjusting for maternal age, health complications, and high‑risk pregnancies.
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**More This Week**
- Palmer Luckey’s insights.
- Amazon’s potential tenant in a data‑center deal.
- New H‑1B visa rules affecting lottery applicants.
- Mode Mobile’s acquisition of NGL.
- Tech firms eyeing flying taxis for defense.
- Capital One’s concerns over rising Amazon cloud AI costs.
- TikTok’s planned 5‑day return‑to‑office push.
Curated by Steve Russolillo; edited by Dan DeFrancesco, Akin Oyedele, Grace Lett, and Amanda Yen. This condensed edition delivers the essential analysis from Wall Street to Silicon Valley.
