WS #8875

The dominant signal in this window is the continued escalation of the US-Iran conflict, with fresh military exchanges reported by multiple sources. Al Jazeera and NBC confirm US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island and Iranian drone/missile attacks on US forces in Kuwait and Bahrain, though the US says the ceasefire remains in effect. This corroborates the prior narrative of escalation, with no de-escalation signals. Separately, a significant capital markets development: Berkshire Hathaway invested $10 billion in Alphabet's $80 billion AI data center raise, a high-conviction signal from the world's most patient investor that validates the AI infrastructure buildout thesis. This directly contradicts any 'AI bubble' narrative and provides a strong positive catalyst for GOOGL and the broader AI trade. Australia's Q1 GDP missed estimates (0.3% q/q vs 0.5% expected, 2.5% y/y vs 2.6%), a minor negative for AUD but not US-market moving. The Supreme Court's Alabama redistricting ruling is political noise with no direct market impact. Routine insider sales at AMD and other noise are suppressed. The Iran conflict is ESCALATING, while the Berkshire/GOOGL AI investment is a new high-significance positive for tech.