Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) The US and Iran have reached a preliminary deal to extend a ceasefire by 60 days and discuss the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Vice President JD Vance said the US and Iran are “going back and forth on a couple of language points,” including over issues relating to Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, and that Iran appears to be negotiating in good faith. The US Treasury Secretary reiterated President Trump’s three “red lines” — reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran surrendering highly enriched uranium and ending its nuclear program — remain in place.
2) Dell shares soared in extended trading after the company gave an outlook for annual sales that far surpassed analysts’ estimates. Revenue in the fiscal year ending in January 2027 will be about $167 billion, including $60 billion from the sale of AI servers, according to the company. Dell’s server business has been viewed as an AI winner this year, sparking the stock more than 150% higher through Thursday’s close.
3) Anthropic PBC raised $65 billion in a funding round that valued the artificial intelligence company at $965 billion including the new investment. The funding was led by Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks and Sequoia Capital, with each of the lead investors putting in more than $2 billion. Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Amazon.com Inc. also invested in the round, with Google contributing several billion dollars and Amazon investing $5 billion.