Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate as Iran Downs U.S. Drone, Oil Talks Stall

‼️ Iran said it destroyed an advanced U.S. drone over the Strait of Hormuz, while President Trump suggested Washington could take control of Iranian oil under an arrangement similar to its earlier Venezuela deal. Talks in Oman between Iran and Gulf states on potential agreements governing the critical oil-and-gas shipping route have meanwhile been postponed.

Trump Rejects AI Slowdown Calls, Declares Race With China Too Important to Lose

‼️ BREAKING: President Trump has rejected calls for an AI slowdown after CEOs of AI tech titans expressed safety concerns that the technology poses an existential threat, per FT. “We’re leading China in AI … and, frankly, I want to keep it that way, because whoever wins AI, wins,” Trump said. The AI arms race appears to be accelerating.