Good morning. We’re 1% Better. Unbiased, quick daily news and life advice that makes you a little smarter, healthier, and happier everyday.

Today we're covering disputes over how effective the Iran strikes were, Apple’s huge gamble on Brad Pitt, and why “ego is the enemy” whether you succeed or fail.

Forwarded this email? Click here to join.

President Trump claims Saturday's strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities completely obliterated Tehran's capabilities, setting back the program for years. Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed this assessment. However, Defense Department analysts concluded the attacks failed to destroy uranium stockpiles or nuclear infrastructure, estimating only months of setbacks.

The conflicting assessments have sparked congressional concerns about potential additional strikes if Trump deems the mission unsuccessful. Scheduled congressional briefings were canceled Tuesday, rescheduling for later this week. Rep. Bennie Thompson warned against broader conflict escalation. Read about the leaked report.

The strikes divided Trump's MAGA base between supporters viewing them as necessary one-time action and critics calling it betrayal of America First principles. Lawmakers are pushing war powers resolutions requiring congressional approval for future Iran military action. Trump dismissed negative intelligence reports as "scum" during Wednesday's NATO summit. Trump calls for firing of CNN reporter.

Despite a trending article on WSJ reporting acquisition talks, Shell issued a definitive statement Thursday saying it has not bid for BP and is not actively considering such a move. The company clarified that no approach was made and no discussions occurred with BP regarding a possible offer, contradicting Wednesday's Wall Street Journal report citing sources.

Under UK takeover regulations Rule 2.8, Shell's formal denial creates a six-month restriction preventing it from making an offer for over 30% of BP's shares. The ban can only be shortened if another bidder emerges or BP invites an offer. Shell confirmed it has "no intention of making an offer for BP."

The statement effectively kills speculation about what would have been the largest oil deal in a generation. BP shares initially surged Wednesday on the WSJ report before paring gains after Shell's denial. The regulatory framework ensures Shell cannot pursue BP without significant changes in circumstances or board invitation. See the top oil mergers of all time here.

Apple spent nearly $250 million on Brad Pitt's F1 movie, outbidding every major studio in Hollywood. The tech giant paid Pitt over $20 million plus revenue sharing for the Formula One drama directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski. Apple executives hope it becomes their land-based equivalent to the $1.5 billion airborne blockbuster.

Six years after entering entertainment, Apple TV+ lags competitors with 27.2 million US subscribers versus Disney+ and HBO Max. The service earned critical acclaim for "CODA," "Severance," and "Ted Lasso" but struggles with mainstream appeal. Apple's curated approach excludes catalog content, resulting in higher 6% monthly churn versus Netflix's 2%. Apple’s TV and movies ranked, here.

Prerelease surveys show F1 struggling to generate interest beyond older men, making it a crucial test of Apple's entertainment strategy. The company spends billions annually on premium content featuring A-list talent while maintaining its aspirational brand standards. Warner Bros. distributes the film, taking increasing revenue percentages based on box office performance. Watch a rare long-form interview with Brad Pitt here.

Ryan Holiday, drawing from Stoic philosophy and modern case studies, discovered that ego isn't just arrogance, it's the hidden force that derails careers, relationships, and personal growth. According to the author, ego sabotages us when we're aspiring, succeeding, and failing. Humility beats talent when talent refuses to learn.

The breakthrough: separating identity from achievement unlocks continuous improvement. Holiday found that ego makes us defensive about feedback, obsessed with credit, and blind to our weaknesses. Students who embrace "being nobody" outperform gifted peers who protect their image. The most successful people stay hungry regardless of their wins.

Why this matters: Most high achievers plateau because they start believing their own hype instead of focusing on the work. "The ego we see most commonly goes by a more casual definition: an unhealthy belief in our own importance." When we stop learning, we start declining. Get the book. 5-minute summary from the author.

Research shows that taking more responsibility improves self-esteem. Nathaniel Branden's studies found that most breakthroughs happen after micro-improvements, yet people give up expecting instant transformation. This includes asking the girl out you like, having the difficult conversation with your partner, applying for the job you actually want, or setting boundaries with your toxic friend. The 5% rule explains why patient self-developers thrive while all-or-nothing competitors burn out. Buy the book. Read the PDF online.

> Tesla's robotaxi launch highlights Waymo's $45B undervaluation versus Tesla's $1.1T market cap (More). | Tesla suffers in Europe (More).

> Diddy prosecutors drop some kidnapping, arson charges as sex trafficking trial nears jury deliberation after seven weeks (More).

> Liver King (Brian Johnson) arrested for terroristic threats against Joe Rogan after posting bizarre fight challenge videos (More). | Joe Rogan training (Video).

> Nike bets on Kipyegon's sub-4-minute mile attempt to win back women runners amid sliding market share (More).

> Bumble cuts 30% of workforce as dating apps struggle to attract younger users amid industry inflection point (More).

Monsters before dinosaurs.

The long, long history of beer.

The best burgers in every state.

Which foods actually boost metabolism.

Why your toes and fingers wrinkle in water.