WS #5928
No material new developments in the last 10 minutes. The dominant narratives remain unchanged: US-Iran tensions persist with no de-escalation signals, the DOJ investigation into Powell is dropped, Meta's layoffs are ongoing, and the UK CMA's block on the Paramount/WBD merger is still in play. No counter-signals or new data points to report.
Key developments
- Trump cancels envoys' Pakistan trip for Iran talks after Iran fails to engage
- IRGC declares Strait of Hormuz control an 'inevitable strategic priority'
- DOJ drops investigation into Fed Chair Powell, clearing path for Kevin Warsh confirmation
- Meta laying off 8,000 employees (10% of workforce) to focus on AI
- Finland proposes lifting ban on hosting nuclear weapons
- Google to invest at least $10B in Anthropic, potentially up to $40B
- Tesla Model Y becomes best-selling private car in Germany in Q1 2026
- NBC: Damage to US bases in Middle East from Iranian strikes greater than acknowledged