Recession Signal As Consumers Struggle To Pay Bills

Meta Plans 20% Layoffs To Divert Capital To Data Centers On Friday we noted that Meta has delayed the rollout of its latest AI model because it sucks - and may temporarily license superior models like Gemini to power the company's AI products.  Now, Meta is reportedly mulling a massive new round of layoffs that could affect more than 20% of its workforce as it accelerates spending on AI data center buildouts. The move comes as other hyperscalers consider similar workforce restructurings to redirect capital flows toward AI infrastructure. Reuters cited people familiar...

First Two Ships Pass Through Strait Of Hormuz Since Ceasefire As Iran Demands Payment In Crypto Last night we reported that no less than 800 ships were still trapped in the immediate aftermath of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, unsure what the fine print of the deal meant for transits. This morning we are down to ~798, after the first two cargo vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire, according to ship tracking data. The Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach, destined for the United Arab Emirates, crossed just before 8am UK time, while...

The US Embassy in Baghdad on Saturday told all US citizens to leave Iraq due to drone and missile attacks launched by Iran and its Iraqi allies, which continue to target US assets across the country, as the US-Israeli war against Iran expands across the region. “Iran-aligned terrorist militias have encouraged and conducted indiscriminate attacks […]