- Trump called it "small potatoes," but clashes between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz are intensifying.
- Iran recently launched missiles at U.S. bases and tried to strike a carrier and destroyer; the U.S. responded by striking three Iranian oil tankers tied to IRGC funding.
- A U.S. naval blockade and tougher sanctions are hurting Iran’s economy and may push Tehran to escalate further—especially amid reports Russia may be helping Iran develop supersonic missiles.
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- DraftKings is offering new users a promo: bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets for this big college football weekend.
- The weekend’s biggest spotlight is Clemson at No. 11 LSU — Dabo Swinney vs. Lane Kiffin in Baton Rouge, with LSU’s transfer-portal overhaul adding extra intrigue.
- Plenty more to watch: defending champion Indiana opens vs. North Texas and No. 1 Ohio State hosts Ball State in a loaded Week 1 slate.
- A surprisingly strong August jobs report (162,000) didn’t please Trump — he angrily blamed the Fed, markets and trade partners for inflation rather than celebrating the gain.
- The economy has grown only about 2% annually versus his promised boom, and his economic approval has slipped (around 32%), hurting voter confidence.
- Tariffs, threats to cut foreign trade and a rising national debt (now over $40 trillion) are contributing to higher interest rates and political risk.
- The U.S. struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iranian missiles targeted a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer; U.S. officials said no American personnel were hurt.
- Two tankers were reported "permanently disabled" and a third destroyed near Kharg Island, Jask and in the Gulf of Oman; the U.S. says they funded Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
- The strikes heighten risks to shipping and global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — even as President Trump had called the conflict "small potatoes."
- Alejandro Betancourt — once the subject of U.S., Swiss and Spanish probes over alleged PDVSA money‑laundering — is now a pivotal broker in a U.S.-Venezuela oil deal that gives Washington long-term access to roughly one-fifth of Venezuela’s crude.
- He reportedly helped enforce a U.S. naval blockade and broker oil exports (about 135 million barrels since January), increasing his influence with both U.S. and Venezuelan officials.
- The rapid shift from suspect to key intermediary has raised concerns among former prosecutors and intelligence officials, since investigations remain unresolved though no charges have been brought.
- Sam Altman calls himself a "mega Apple fanboy" and said he was "very sad" about Apple suing OpenAI.
- Apple sued OpenAI in July alleging trade-secret theft by two former Apple employees, a move that has frayed a relationship that recently included a ChatGPT integration announcement and collaboration with Jony Ive.
- Altman's longtime Apple nostalgia — demoing at WWDC, still owning a Macintosh LC II, and keeping "Grandma's birthday" Apple shares — makes the dispute feel surprisingly personal.
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