Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/google-to-invest-up-to-40b-in-anthropic-eu-unlocks-e90b-for-ukraine-iran-starts-hormuz-tolls/
Artificial Intelligence
Google plans to invest up to $40 billion in Anthropic at a $350 billion valuation, starting with $10 billion and adding $30 billion upon milestones. The deal includes Google Cloud providing 5 gigawatts of computing capacity over five years, expanding a prior agreement with Anthropic and Broadcom. Amazon separately committed another $5 billion to Anthropic, with potential for $20 billion more.
Speaking of Anthropic, privacy researcher Alexander Hanff identified a hidden Native Messaging bridge in Anthropic’s Claude Desktop app for macOS. The app installs a manifest file into the support directories of multiple Chromium-based browsers, including those not installed by the user. The file links to a binary in the app bundle, enabling pre-authorized Chrome extensions to communicate with the app outside the browser sandbox at full user privilege. The bridge authorizes three specific extension IDs, remains dormant until activated, and recreates manifest files on app launch. Hanff described the installation without user consent as resembling pre-installed spyware capability that could expose authenticated web sessions. Some cybersecurity commentators described the feature as dormant infrastructure for potential future browser extensions rather than active spyware. Hanff issued a cease and desist letter to Anthropic demanding explicit opt-in within 72 hours.
The United Arab Emirates launched a plan to run 50 percent of government sectors, services, and operations on agentic AI by 2028, under directives from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stated that AI will analyze, decide, execute, and improve in real-time as an executive partner. Every federal employee will receive training in AI mastery. Implementation involves a phased rollout across ministries, with performance assessments overseen by a task force chaired by Mohammad Al Gergawi. Critics have raised concerns about potential AI errors, misalignment risks, and job losses from the initiative. The initiative builds on two decades of digital transformation, including eGovernment, UAE Pass, and Government Services 2.0.
China restricted US investments in top technology firms, including AI startups, without government approval, following Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of Manus. Regulators instructed companies like Moonshot AI, StepFun, and ByteDance to reject US funding rounds or secondary share sales lacking clearance. The measures address national security concerns after Manus — a general AI agent founded by Chinese nationals and incorporated in Singapore — was restructured for sale. Beijing launched a multi-agency probe into the deal.
In other news, Oklo announced a partnership with NVIDIA and Los Alamos National Laboratory to advance nuclear infrastructure and AI-enabled research using plutonium-bearing fuels. Projects include physics- and chemistry-based AI models for fuel validation, materials science on plutonium fuels, and grid studies for nuclear-powered AI factories supporting the federal Genesis Mission. The collaboration leverages Oklo’s advanced reactor platform, NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure, and LANL’s expertise.
Geopolitics
Related to the Ukraine conflict, the European Union unblocked a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, weighted toward military spending, after Hungary and Slovakia lifted vetoes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the funds will strengthen the army, boost air defense production, and protect energy systems. The move followed Viktor Orban’s election loss and resumption of Druzhba pipeline oil flows. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed continued support against Russian aggression. Some outlets questioned the loan’s funding sources and long-term impact. The EU also imposed its 20th sanctions round, blacklisting Russian banks, energy firms, and entities in the UAE, Thailand, China, and Hong Kong for evasion.
Related to the Iran conflict, Iran announced the first toll revenues from Strait of Hormuz transits transferred to its Central Bank. Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamid Reza Hajibabai confirmed receipt of hard currency payments under the IRGC-managed system, codified March 30-31, charging up to $2 million per vessel or $1 per barrel. This follows President Trump’s rejection of tolls amid rival blockades, with the US approving safe passage for dozens of vessels while intercepting Iran-linked ones.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, successor to his father Ali Khamenei, remains in a medical hideout surrounded by a 24/7 medical team treating injuries from airstrikes, including a leg awaiting prosthetic, hand surgery, and facial burns. Access is limited even for IRGC generals fearing surveillance. Four senior officials described him as mentally sharp but delegating decisions to generals due to safety concerns and communication challenges via handwritten messages relayed by couriers. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf serves as the public face and lead US negotiator.
US Politics
Prediction market Kalshi suspended three congressional candidates — Ezekiel Enriquez in Texas, Matt Klein in Minnesota, and Mark Moran in Virginia — for alleged political insider trading by betting on their own races. Enriquez and Klein wagered on election outcomes. Moran bet on the “Who will run for public office this year?” contract the day before announcing his Senate primary candidacy and later on his race outcome. The candidates issued apologies or described their actions as mistakes or tests of the market. The platform imposed five-year bans and fines.
Relatedly, US Army Special Forces soldier Gannon Van Dyke faced arrest for allegedly using classified information from Operation Absolute Resolve — which captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — to place $33,933 in Polymarket bets yielding over $409,881 profit. Bets included $32,537 on Maduro out of office by January 31, placed hours before Trump’s announcement. Van Dyke signed nondisclosure agreements and participated in planning from December 2025. Representative Anna Paulina Luna called for his pardon, citing inconsistent enforcement against congressional insider trading. The case marks the first DOJ prosecution for prediction market insider trading.
Turning to updates from New York City, Citadel COO Gerald Beeson informed employees that a $6 billion redevelopment of 350 Park Avenue in NYC — projected to create 6,000 construction jobs and 15,000 permanent jobs — might be halted following Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax announcement, filmed outside Ken Griffin’s $238 million penthouse at 220 Central Park South. Beeson criticized the mayor’s rhetoric targeting contributors to the city. Mayor Mamdani defended the tax proposal as necessary to fund city services amid affordability challenges.
Energy
JP Morgan reported the oil market deeply imbalanced after the Strait of Hormuz closure removed 13.7 million barrels per day from April supply. Saudi and UAE spare capacity is unavailable. Global stockpiles drain at 7.1 million barrels per day amid forced demand destruction in petrochemicals and airlines. A 2.3 million barrel per day gap remains despite US shale limitations needing 3-12 months to scale. Some reports noted continued tanker transits through the strait despite restrictions. Brent futures averaged $99.7 per barrel while physical dated Brent reached $121.6.
Relatedly, Sweden’s government indicated readiness for energy rationing if Iran war disruptions persist. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated no immediate plans exist, but preparations are in place. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson called it the worst energy crisis in decades, prioritizing measures to avoid rationing. The economy faces a worse outlook than pre-conflict.
More broadly, Adam Rozencwajg of Goehring & Rozencwajg recently characterized the commodities cycle as 1-2 out of 10 despite gold and energy gains. Materials and energy currently comprise just 3 percent of the S&P 500 versus prior bull-market peaks of 20-30 percent, with virtually no new capital inflows or project sanctions despite rising prices. Central bank gold buying accelerated after the Ukraine invasion, and Western ETF participation has now begun, yet supply constraints from chronic underinvestment in CapEx persist across metals and energy, leaving the sector at the early stages of its cycle.
Sources
Privacy Researcher Exposes Claude Desktop App’s Hidden Browser Bridge
Hanff notes that the silent installation without user disclosure or consent is the central issue.
NYT: Wounded Khamenei Heir in Medical Hideout as Generals Run Iran
The combination of concern for his safety, his injuries and the sheer challenge of reaching him has resulted in Mr. Khamenei’s delegating decision making to the generals, at least for now.
Kalshi Suspends Three Candidates for “Political Insider Trading” on Their Own Races
Kalshi Suspends 3 Congressional Candidates From Prediction Market After They Bet On Their Own Races
EU Unblocks €90 Billion Loan to Ukraine After Orban’s Election Loss
The two-year loan is moving forward after its main opponent, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, lost his campaign for reelection this month,
Ken Griffin Puts $6B NYC Redevelopment on Ice Over Mayor Mamdani’s Pied-à-Terre Tax Stunt
Play foolish socialist games, and watch New York City crumble.
Iran Banks First Hormuz Tolls, Thumbing Nose at Trump’s “Nope”
The first revenue received from tolls in the Strait of Hormuz has been transferred to the Central Bank’s account,
Sweden Prepares for Energy Rationing as Iran War Fuels Crisis
“We are not planning any rationing right now, but we are prepared for it to happen,”
Soldier’s $400K Polymarket Insider Bet on Maduro Raid Sparks Pardon Call from Rep. Luna
Unless the DOJ plans on going after all the crooks in congress currently insider trading, this is simply skewed justice.
Source | Submitted by PhilH
JP Morgan: Oil Market Deeply Imbalanced, Prices Must Rise Further
prices are high, but likely not high enough yet to fully reflect the shortage.
Source | Submitted by PhilH
UAE to Run 50% of Government on Agentic AI by 2028
Within two years, 50% of government sectors, services, and operations will run on Agentic AI
Google’s $40 Billion Anthropic Bet: Deepening AI Ties Amid Compute Scramble
Google Deepens Anthropic Bet With Up To $40 Billion Investment
Oklo, NVIDIA, and Los Alamos Pioneer Plutonium-Powered AI
Oklo, NVIDIA, And Los Alamos Working On Plutonium-Powered AI
TerraPower Breaks Ground on America’s First Utility-Scale Advanced Nuclear Plant
TerraPower has officially broken ground on Kemmerer Unit 1 in Wyoming, set to become America’s first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant.
China Blocks US Tech Investments After Meta’s Manus Acquisition
China plans to restrict top technology firms, including leading AI startups, from accepting US capital without government approval.
Commodities Cycle: Still Just 1-2 Out of 10, Expert Argues
I think we’re at 1, maybe 2.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: @realarmaansidhu, @2xnmore, @Grady_Booch, @DERyan2024, Rybar MENA, RT_com, Fox News, Money Ape, Washington Post, St. Cloud Times, New York Post, Kyledoops, and Deep Value.