Two top congressional Democrats have pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio for answers regarding a now-canceled plan to purchase $400 million of armored electric vehicles from Tesla, as reported by NPR. The Democrats highlighted concerns about potential violations of federal procurement laws and enrichment of Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk. While a State Department spokesperson mentioned that there are no current plans to proceed with the purchase, questions remain about the origins of the procurement plans and potential document alterations. The Biden administration document showed a significantly lower budget for electric vehicle acquisition, raising suspicions about the exaggerated $400 million estimation. Rubio was asked to clarify if the purchase amount was intentionally changed and to provide evidence of definitively abandoning the contract. Despite the canceled plan, uncertainties persist about the initiation of the $400 million Tesla procurement under the Trump administration. The State Department and Musk have not responded to requests for comment.

Mistral AI, a French tech startup, known for its AI assistant Le Chat and various models, is seen as a strong competitor to OpenAI. Despite a $6 billion valuation, its global market presence is relatively low. Recently, its chat assistant Le Chat gained attention, especially in France. Mistral AI offers models like Mistral Large 2, Pixtral Large, Codestral, and more. The company also launched Mistral OCR, an optical character recognition API. Mistral AI's founders have backgrounds in major U.S. tech companies. While some of Mistral AI's models are open source, it generates revenue through paid tiers for Le Chat and API usage. The company has secured partnerships with Microsoft, AFP, the French army, and others. With over €1 billion in funding and plans for an IPO, Mistral AI aims to solidify its position in the AI market.

President Donald Trump has granted a one-month tariff reprieve to automakers like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, delaying tariffs on automobile imports from Canada and Mexico. The automakers are expected to move their offshore operations to the United States by April 2 to comply with the USMCA agreement. The tariffs could potentially increase car prices by up to $12,000, impacting demand and leaving dealers with unsold inventory. Trump's administration is pushing for automakers to shift production to the U.S. before the tariffs take effect. Ford, for instance, has invested billions in the U.S. and plans further investments to align with USMCA requirements.

Retailers like Trader Joe's and Kroger have started limiting egg purchases due to ongoing bird flu outbreaks decimating the chicken supply. Prices have soared over 15% since January as farmers had to cull millions of hens. Trader Joe's restricts customers to buying one or two dozen eggs per day, while Kroger imposes a two-dozen limit per customer per trip in some divisions. The bird flu outbreak has affected nearly 160 million birds, leading to a scarcity of eggs and rising prices. Experts are uncertain about how long it will take for the situation to improve. Retailers hope to prevent hoarding by implementing these limits. The hoarding behavior may be short-lived due to the perishability of eggs. So, grab your eggs while you can, but don't chicken out on sharing!

Starbucks has announced a new policy requiring customers to make a purchase to use their cafes or restrooms, reversing a 2018 open-door approach. The change is part of CEO Brian Niccol's strategy to improve declining profits, alongside initiatives like faster service and a simplified menu. The policy will be implemented in over 11,000 North American stores, with staff undergoing training.

The move may pose challenges for those who rely on public restrooms, such as individuals with specific medical needs. Starbucks aimed to be a communal "third place" beyond work and home, a concept dwindling in the U.S., especially post-COVID-19. The decision reflects broader societal shifts and concerns around community spaces.

McDonald's is stepping up its game with a new value menu to entice savvy spenders. The "McValue" menu offers a tempting "Buy One, Add One for $1" deal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To sweeten the pot, they're throwing in app-exclusive offers like free fries and chicken sandwiches. With over 13,500 U.S. locations, Mickey D's is revamping to tackle the sluggish fast-food traffic caused by home dining trends. The $5 Meal Deal, featuring favorites like McChicken and nuggets, has been extended to keep customers coming back for more. So, if you're hungry for savings, McDonald's has got you covered with their wallet-friendly menu options.

Lenovo has introduced the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC, featuring a rollable OLED display that extends from 14 to 16.7 inches for more screen space. The laptop supports Windows 11 window snapping and offers a unique rolling animation. Despite its innovative design, it weighs 3.7 pounds and is priced at $3,499, set to ship in 2025.

Additionally, Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S handheld gaming console running either Windows or SteamOS, providing cloud saves and streaming capabilities. The device features AMD processors and a high-refresh-rate LCD display, with prices starting at $500 for the SteamOS version and $730 for the Windows version.

Furthermore, Lenovo introduced the ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 all-in-one computer with "Lenovo Focus Sound" technology, delivering private audio through the display. This feature allows only the user to hear the audio, catering to office environments. The all-in-one starts at $2,539 and will be available this quarter.

Chinese venture capitalists are relentless in pursuing failed startup founders to reclaim their investments, a stark contrast to the U.S. where losses are typically accepted. In China, VCs are invoking redemption clauses to go after founders' personal assets, leaving some indebted and restricted from certain activities. This aggressive approach is causing concern about the impact on China's startup ecosystem, already struggling due to various challenges. The situation reflects broader issues in China's tech industry and economic landscape.

Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, claims that the company's AI chips are progressing at a faster rate than Moore's Law, which historically doubled the performance of computer chips annually. Huang stated that Nvidia's latest data center superchip is over 30 times faster for running AI workloads compared to its predecessor. By innovating across the entire system simultaneously, Nvidia can outpace Moore's Law. The CEO's assertion is crucial for AI advancement, as many leading labs rely on Nvidia's chips. Despite concerns about the cost of advanced AI models, Huang believes that improved chip performance will eventually reduce prices. Nvidia's focus on creating more potent chips has led to significant advancements, with Huang stating that their current AI chips are 1,000 times better than those produced a decade ago. Huang's optimism about Nvidia's AI chip progression signals continued growth in this technology sector.