Saudi Arabia publicly announced it joined the US’ military offensive against Iran on Wednesday, participating in a joint strike agaisnt against Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq soon after.

Saudi Arabia’s new involvement comes as the US-Iran war continues to spread across the Middle East. The nation said the strikes were in response to repeated Iranian attacks on its oil industry:

It’s a shift from its previous stance: For years, Saudi Arabia largely avoided direct military confrontation with Iran, preferring diplomacy or indirect responses. However, while Saudi Arabia had not publicly taken part in offensive military operations until this week, US officials claim the kingdom has secretly taken part in previous US-led strikes.

It could spark a bigger war: Analysts say the decision could strengthen military cooperation between the US and Gulf allies, but it also raises the risk that more countries become directly involved in the conflict.

🌎 Why is this important? Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest oil exporters, and any continued attacks on its energy infrastructure or shipping routes could push oil prices higher. That would likely translate into higher gasoline prices and increased transportation costs worldwide.

See what's changed, recent data, what we're watching next, and every other major story that affects you on our Watchlist… completely free.

Interest rates stayed on hold Wednesday, and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh offered few clues about where rates could be going next, continuing to keep future expectations closely guarded.

It’s hard to say, but we can use context clues. The Fed held its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%, showing that it’s still not confident that inflation is under control (rightfully so).

However, while Warsh didn’t spill much, there was some info that could prove that a rate hike is coming in the near future:

Why aren’t we getting any breadcrumbs? Previous Fed chairs usually gave a signal to where rates were heading, but Warsh has taken a different approach. He believes keeping investors guessing encourages bond markets to more accurately reflect economic conditions, helping guide the Fed's decisions.

🌎 Why does this matter? The Fed's decision means borrowing money is likely to remain expensive for a while longer, keeping pressure on mortgage rates, car loans, and credit cards. The upside is that holding rates higher is intended to bring inflation under control, helping stabilize prices over the long run.

We’re tracking a wide range of topics on our Watchlist. Click below for new developments on interest rates, financial stress, inflation, and more.

The Nasdaq 100 briefly entered correction territory earlier this week after hyperscalers, chipmakers, and data storage companies saw sharp selloffs that pulled the tech-heavy index lower.

The market decline started in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan on Tuesday. Memory chip giants like Samsung and SK Hynix each fell by more than 15%, storage provider Kioxia dropped 18%, and the Kospi index (the Korean equivalent of the S&P 500) slid over 10%.

That slide transferred over to US markets soon after:

The selloff isn’t because of bad sales… most of them are actually doing very well. Even companies posting record-breaking earnings were punished for missing eye-boggling forecasts, while growing concerns about future chip supply, Chinese competition, and AI spending added to the pressure.

Where does it go from here? Analysts say the long-term outlook for AI hardware will continue to be strong as tech giants are expected to spend trillions in the coming years. Still, markets are becoming hesitant to reward companies simply for participating in the AI boom.

🌎 How does this affect you? The chip selloff suggests Wall Street is becoming more skeptical that the AI boom can keep growing at its current pace. If companies rein in spending, consumers could see slower AI rollouts in the short term, but potentially cheaper AI-powered products and services over time.

Track the latest updates on cybersecurity, AI adoption, digital privacy, and more with our Technology index.

Everyone’s hunting for the next Unicorn.

The type of “category disruptor” that grows fast and turns early believers into big winners.

59,000+ investors think that Mode Mobile could be one of those rare finds.

Americans spend 4 ½ hours on their phones daily, and Mode Mobile is monetizing that screentime. With $1B+ earned by over 490M customers and 32,481% revenue growth, Mode’s EarnPhone is turning smartphones into income generating assets.

Their previous raises sold out, and the company is now offering pre-IPO shares at $0.52/share with up to 20% bonus, exclusive to early investors.

Being early is everything, and this window is still open.

>> Review the offer before it closes

^{*Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com.}

^{Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.}

^{The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.}

Companies spend billions upon billions on office perks like free food, gyms, and collaborative spaces, hoping they'll boost teamwork. Despite their efforts, new research says the key to collaboration is much simpler.

According to a study by Harvard Business Review, which surveyed 6,000 workers across different industries, the most valuable workplace amenity is merely uninterrupted time to focus.

When employees were asked about workplace perks, from free coffee and gyms to collaborative spaces, those on high-performing "superteams":

Why is alone time so important for productivity? While some may think that more meetings and constant communication automatically lead to better collaboration, the research shows that teams who limit unnecessary check-ins allow employees to have time to think through problems independently, then return to discussions with more developed ideas. As a result, collaboration becomes more productive rather than more frequent.

Does it matter where the time is taken? Not really. The study suggests productivity may depend less on where people work (whether at home or in the office) and more on whether they have access to a distraction-free place to focus.

🌎 Why is this important? If more companies embrace these findings, the modern office could look very different. Instead of prioritizing open floor plans, collaborative lounges, and flashy perks, employers may invest in quiet work areas, soundproof rooms, and workplace policies that protect uninterrupted focus.

New data shows a growing number of Gen Z adults are spending weekends at home instead of going out, saying restaurants, bars, and entertainment simply aren't worth the cost anymore.

Rising prices are changing how young adults socialize, with many opting for lower-cost activities or staying in altogether. According to a new Harris Poll:

Is “soft socializing” the solution? Instead of expensive dinners, concerts or bar hopping, many Gen Zers are embracing what researchers call "soft socializing.” It’s essentially participating in activities like going to the gym or a movie, spending time with family, or hanging out with friends, to have experiences that are meaningful without straining their budgets.

They’re doing it even if it makes them lonely: Half of Gen Z respondents said they feel lonely on weekends, more than any other generation.

🌎 Why should you care? Over time, consumers may see businesses respond with more budget-friendly promotions, happy hours, discounted events, and lower-cost entertainment options as restaurants, bars, and venues try to win back younger customers.

> Researchers believe inbreeding caused spinal defects and uncommon tumors in declining saber-toothed cat (not tiger) populations, which could be the main reason behind their extinction.

> DoorDash is taking delivery to new heights after receiving FAA approval to launch its own fleet of drones, joining Amazon and Walmart in the race to deliver orders by air.

> Biologists have found the first direct evidence that inherited genetics can shape how the body responds to DNA damage, helping explain why the same exposure to smoking or sunlight causes cancer in some people but not others.

> Personal belongings and property from KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders went up for auction Wednesday in Kentucky, marking the first public sale of his private collection. It also potentially includes the chain’s famous recipe.

> Scientists have created a soft, paintable wound dressing that speeds healing by mimicking the way human skin stretches and moves, helping damaged tissue repair itself faster. See the full study here (warning: sensitive content).

> A 53-year-old message in a bottle written by a 9-year-old girl was discovered in New Jersey, leading to a heartwarming (and bittersweet) reunion with her family decades later.