MIDDLE EAST: Iran's 5-point counteroffer wants Hormuz control; Israel using Iran war as cover for Gaza escalation; European Jewish sites attacked, Belgium deploys troops TECH: Arm crashes the AI chip party with 12% stock jump; Nvidia projecting $1T in sales; OpenAI killing Sora while raising $10B; SpaceX IPO incoming US: Congress frustrated with Trump's secret Iran war plan; Rand Paul stands alone on war powers; DOJ accidentally hands Congress evidence against Trump EUROPE: EU Customs Authority landing in Lille, France; Mette Frederiksen somehow still Danish PM; European markets up on de-escalation hopes
THE BIG STORY
Day 27 of the US-Israel war on Iran — Trump's 15-point peace plan has been rejected by Tehran, who called the terms "excessive" and the whole thing a "ploy." Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly sending 82nd Airborne troops to the Middle East and claims the war is "almost over." Pick a lane, bro.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
MIDDLE EAST
Iran's Counteroffer: Tehran responded with a five-point counteroffer that would give them control over the Strait of Hormuz. Bold strategy, cotton.
Israel's Gaza Offensive Continues: The IRGC says Israel is "taking advantage of the regional war environment" to ramp up attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
European antisemitic attacks: A string of attacks on Jewish sites in Europe have investigators looking at Iran or its proxies. Belgium deployed 100 soldiers to protect Jewish schools and synagogues.
TECH
Arm Enters the AI Chip Arena: Arm announced a new data center chip for AI workloads, sending stock up 12%+. They're co-developing with Meta and working with OpenAI, Cerebras, and others.
Nvidia's $1 Trillion Projection: Nvidia expects to sell $1 trillion worth of Blackwell and Vera Rubin chips in 2026-2027. When you're worth more than most countries...
OpenAI Shutting Down Sora: In a surprising move, OpenAI is shutting down its Sora video generation platform. Meanwhile, OpenAI is close to raising $10 billion in new funding.
SpaceX IPO Looming: Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly nearing an IPO. Finally.
EUROPE
EU Customs Authority Goes to Lille: The EU selected Lille, France as the location for the new EU Customs Authority.
Denmark's Mette Frederiksen Survives: The PM's party lost ground but still clings to power in a dead-heat election.
European Markets Rally on De-escalation: European stocks opened higher as the US showed signs of trying to end the Iran conflict.
US POLITICS
Congress Frustrated with Iran Briefing: Lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration about lack of clarity on Trump's Iran strategy — especially the prospect of sending ground troops.
Rand Paul, Lone Republican: Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote for a measure limiting Trump's war powers on Iran. One man, one principle.
DOJ Oopsie: The DOJ accidentally gave Congress "damning evidence" against Trump in the classified documents case. Nothing to see here, folks.
TODAY'S SMOOTHBRAINS
This one's for Mike Waltz, the US Ambassador to the UN, who defended Trump's threat to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. Sir, we are on Day 27 of a war that wasn't supposed to happen, your boss's peace plan just got rejected, and you're out here defending threats to bomb power plants like it's a flex. The UN called — it wants its diplomacy back.
THE SKIM
• MIDDLE EAST: Iran's 5-point counteroffer wants Hormuz control; Israel using Iran war as cover for Gaza escalation; European Jewish sites attacked, Belgium deploys troops
• TECH: Arm crashes the AI chip party with 12% stock jump; Nvidia projecting $1T in sales; OpenAI killing Sora while raising $10B; SpaceX IPO incoming
• US: Congress frustrated with Trump's secret Iran war plan; Rand Paul stands alone on war powers; DOJ accidentally hands Congress evidence against Trump
• EUROPE: EU Customs Authority landing in Lille, France; Mette Frederiksen somehow still Danish PM; European markets up on de-escalation hopes
