Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) President Trump said the US would “not be attacking Iran” before November’s midterm elections, citing “productive discussions” with the Islamic Republic. Trump's comments came despite Iran escalating attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran-backed militants in Yemen attacking energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. The president said a US naval blockade of Iranian exports would remain in place, and he has suggested Iran was waiting to see how his Republican Party would do during the midterms.
2) Hurricane Isaias is bearing down on the US Gulf coast. Offshore US oil production is plummeting as Hurricane Isaias pushes toward a coastline dotted with refineries and chemical plants. More than 3 million people reside in the projected path of Isaias, which reached Category 2 strength on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale Thursday. Roughly 63% of US Gulf of Mexico crude output has been shut in, while 500,000 barrels a day of refining capacity is threatened.
3) OpenAI is expecting to reach or exceed $70 billion in annualized revenue by the end of the year, driven largely by growth in its enterprise business. The company's annualized revenue was roughly $50 billion at the end of September, which represents a projection of OpenAI's yearly sales based on a shorter period. OpenAI is in talks to raise $30 billion or more at a $1.4 trillion valuation before the new money as part of its latest fundraising effort.