Happy Friday, N2K reader!

Vote for the winner of this week’s world-famous news haiku competition™ , dear reader! in today’s poll! And now for something completely different. Have a great weekend.

Matt Davis — Need2Know Chedditor

News You Need2Know

What’s the stock market up to, eh?

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Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$SONY ( ▲ 0.13% )   $HMC ( ▲ 1.2% )   $QCOM ( ▼ 1.91% )   $MSFT ( ▼ 0.59% )   $LYFT ( ▼ 0.21% )   $AMZN ( ▲ 0.65% )   $SKS ( 0.0% )  

Tense talks over Greenland end in gridlock

High-stakes discussions over Greenland’s future between top officials from the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland have ended in gridlock. Tensions surrounding the Arctic island remain high ever since U.S. President Donald Trump started insisting that the U.S. should take the territory from Denmark.

Just before the talks, Trump said, “Anything less than Greenland becoming a part of the United States would be unacceptable,” so it’s not surprising, really, that things got tense.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the talks “frank but constructive” but reiterated that Trump’s threats to take control of the self-governed Danish territory were “totally unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Greenland’s Prime Minister Vivian Motzfeldt expressed her commitment to strengthening defense and security in collaboration with NATO allies. As part of the effort, Denmark and several NATO nations, including Germany, France, and Sweden, announced plans to bolster their military presence in the region.

While tensions persist, a working group formed during the talks offers hope for finding a compromise in the weeks ahead.

Best of CES 2026: Cars of the future!

The future of mobility is here, and, at CES 2026, automakers proved that the line between car and companion has officially blurred. Vehicles are no longer just for transport; they are creative entertainment spaces, AI-powered assistants, and personal robot taxis.

Leading the charge is the Afila One from Sony Honda Mobility $SONY ( ▲ 0.13% )   $HMC ( ▲ 1.2% ) . Billed as a “creative entertainment space on four wheels,” this electric sedan is packed with 40 sensors and powered by a Qualcomm $QCOM ( ▼ 1.91% ) chip to be self-driving. Its standout feature is the Ophelia Personal Agent, powered by Microsoft's Azure Open AI $MSFT ( ▼ 0.59% ) , which learns user preferences and interacts conversationally. Inside, it boasts PlayStation Remote Play and a 28-speaker sound system, redefining the cabin experience.

Not to be outdone, Silicon Valley startup Tensor unveiled the world's first personal robot car. This fully autonomous vehicle is also a dual-mode car with a foldable steering wheel, allowing the owner to drive or be driven. It features the world's largest supercomputer in a vehicle, with an AI system called the Tensor Foundation Model that learns from human data. Intriguingly, every Tensor will come Lyft-enabled $LYFT ( ▼ 0.21% ) , allowing the car to earn money as a robo-taxi when the owner is not using it. Sign me up!

Finally, SoundHound AI is bringing the AI revolution to existing vehicles with conversational voice and Vision AI. This technology allows for "voice commerce" —transacting, ordering food, and booking reservations — all through natural conversation. The new Vision AI system uses forward-facing cameras to answer questions about the world around the car, even acting as a real-time owner's manual. The focus is on scaling autonomous, intelligent, and conversational technology, making 2026 the year that "agentic AI breaks through,” say the manufacturers.

Song of the Day: Drama, ‘Platonic Romance’

Drama’s new album “Platonic Romance” is a strong electro-R&B record exploring deep, non-romantic connections, praised for its emotional depth, soulful vocals, and danceable beats, offering a beautiful tribute to friendship and chosen family…just like this newsletter!