LinkedIn co-founders Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus back AI automation lab Prentis, seeking $100 million in funding.

International market service provider Kepler announced on social media on the 24th that shipping traffic at two key Middle Eastern maritime chokepoints diverged on the 23rd: traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply, while that through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (connecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden) rebounded. Kepler’s data shows that 6 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on the 23rd, a 60% decrease from the prior day. All but one of these vessels used the route designated by Iran. Meanwhile, 49 vessels transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that day, higher than earlier levels. Among them were 4 vessels that conducted "dark voyages" by disabling their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). Kepler added that some vessels that had turned back earlier due to security risks in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea have resumed sailing and completed transits, though some remain anchored after turning back, holding off to wait and see. Currently, international shipping firms are continuously assessing the regional security situation, with overall shipping activities marked by "cautious but selective recovery".

Tensions in the Middle East remain high. U.S. Central Command said it has completed the 13th consecutive night of strikes targeting Iran; Iran claimed it attacked U.S.-linked bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and stated it destroyed a Patriot air defense system. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) noted its naval base was struck by U.S. forces, and also announced attacks on the U.S. Al-Adairi Base in Kuwait. Jordan reported intercepting 7 missiles and 6 drones launched by Iran. Iran further accused U.S. forces of mistakenly hitting a merchant vessel, killing two crew members. On the U.S.-Iran negotiations front, The New York Times said Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal put forward by Trump, though U.S. officials denied this claim. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated he has discussed mediation initiatives and proposals with Pakistan, adding the core issue between the two sides lies with the U.S. itself, not a lack of mediators. Trump, meanwhile, said he has not yet decided whether to launch major strikes on Iran, and believes Iran is approaching negotiations more seriously. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, IRNA reported an Omani diplomatic delegation has traveled to Tehran to discuss relevant mechanisms; the U.S. and U.K. are reportedly planning a meeting on the strait’s security to push for forming a Hormuz Strait escort coalition. Additionally, Trump is reportedly frustrated that the Iran conflict has dragged on too long. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions on Iran; U.S. media said U.S. intelligence agencies assess Iran’s new leadership may harbor stronger nuclear ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington next week to meet with Trump.

According to live launch footage, SpaceX successfully conducted the 13th test flight of its Super Heavy Starship rocket from Starbase in Texas, following multiple delays due to weather conditions and pre-launch automatic aborts. The 13th mission had been delayed three times prior: the first attempt was called off at the last minute over technical parameter issues, with the automatic system halting the countdown seconds before liftoff; subsequent delays were linked to unfavorable weather around the Starbase launch site. This morning, SpaceX’s stock hit its lowest closing price since its IPO, dipping to around the $111 mark at one point, closing at $115.07; as of after-hours trading, it stood at $113.37, down 1.48%.

Morgan Stanley analysts said the sell-off of SpaceX shares has pushed its stock price to a level that implies investors are valuing its AI business at zero. In a Friday note to clients, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote: "We believe there is a disconnect between the growing pessimism among investors and the company’s largely unchanged fundamentals, creating an attractive opportunity for investors to buy SpaceX shares." Jonas noted that many investors expect SpaceX’s stock could fall further to $100 per share, as the lock-up period for its first batch of shares expires next month, allowing some insiders to sell their stakes. At that level, he argued, investors are effectively assigning a zero or even negative valuation to SpaceX’s AI business. The analyst set a $300 price target for SpaceX shares, with over 50% of the valuation coming from the company’s AI business.

According to a New York Times report, four sources familiar with the matter disclosed that U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting with senior advisors and top cabinet officials on Friday to discuss further escalating military strikes against Iran. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for U.S. policy toward Iran, the report noted. Earlier, the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the memorandum of understanding aimed at pushing both sides back to the negotiating table to reach a long-term denuclearization deal, have collapsed. Sources added that the Trump administration is currently evaluating its next steps, including whether to escalate military operations against Iran.

Elon Musk announced in a post that Grok 4.6 will be launched in two weeks, and Grok 4.7 will be launched in four weeks.