Jesse Jackson dies, Hyatt's Epstein fallout, Apple's podcast push and more in Morning Squawk

The Morning Squawk newsletter from CNBC brings you the latest headlines that matter to investors today. As the stock market opens lower this Tuesday, we reflect on a series of significant events that have unfolded recently. In a poignant announcement, the family of Rev. Jesse Jackson confirmed his passing at the age of 84. A prominent figure in the civil rights movement, Jackson was a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time Democratic presidential candidate. His family described him as a 'servant leader' dedicated to advocating for the oppressed and the voiceless. They encouraged the world to honor his legacy by continuing the fight for justice and equality. In related news, Hyatt Hotels Chairman Thomas Pritzker has resigned amid scrutiny over his connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Pritzker expressed regret over his past relationship with Epstein, acknowledging poor judgment in maintaining contact. His resignation adds to a growing list of corporate leaders distancing themselves from Epstein’s controversial legacy, including Goldman Sachs' Kathryn Ruemmler and Paul Weiss' Brad Karp. On the tech front, industry leaders are converging in India for a major artificial intelligence summit. Notable figures such as OpenAI's Sam Altman and Alphabet's Sundar Pichai are set to attend, while Nvidia's Jensen Huang will not be participating due to unforeseen circumstances. Altman also announced a new addition to OpenAI, with Peter Steinberger, the creator of the popular AI agent OpenClaw, joining the team. This comes as competition in the generative AI space intensifies, highlighted by Anthropic's recent growth in daily active users following a bold advertising campaign. In another development, Apple is making waves in the podcasting arena with plans to launch a video podcasting feature this spring. This move aims to compete with platforms like Spotify and YouTube, allowing users to switch between video and audio formats while also offering offline download options. Lastly, Snap has introduced creator subscriptions, enabling content creators to earn direct income from their most dedicated followers, mirroring models used by platforms like Patreon and Substack. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor these evolving stories throughout this holiday-shortened trading week.