Harris finds a new way to outflank Trump on fossil fuels
Chinese roots deepen in Africa’s last Taiwan holdout
The World at a Glance
Updated 10:23am EDT
1
US inflation hit a three-year low, new data showed, bolstering analysts’ expectation that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.
US Sec. of State Antony Blinken and his UK counterpart arrived in Ukraine, as the West tries to quell Russia’s allies.
3During the US presidential debate, Trump did not say if he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia, instead insisting he wanted the war to stop.
4Mexican lawmakers passed sweeping judicial changes that have sparked global criticism and led protesters to storm the Senate.
5Nippon Steel is sending an executive to Washington in a final attempt to salvage its $15 billion US Steel acquisition deal.
6Chinese lawmakers are considering delaying the country’s retirement age as they grapple with a contracting workforce and pensions shortfalls.
Mexico’s Senate approves controversial judicial overhaul
The move will see nearly all judges elected by popular vote.
Luis Cortes/ReutersHow global media is reacting to the Harris-Trump debate
Headlines focused on the US vice president outperforming Trump as the candidates clashed on Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and abortion.
Adam Gray/ReutersThe 2024 Senate battle is still coming down to Montana
Jon Tester faces the toughest reelection race of any incumbent this year. But he insists he’s no underdog, and neither party is giving up on the state yet.
Tom Brenner/ReutersCan the US win over Google in court?
Semafor caught up with two former US government antitrust cops who disagree about the strength of the government’s case.
Annegret Hilse/File Photo/ReutersAD
US sanction Iran over Russia missile shipments
Iran’s provision of ballistic missiles to Russia is seen as a major escalation of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Mark Schiefelbein/ReutersUkraine mounts massive Russia attack
Russia claimed to have intercepted 144 drones over the country, including 20 over the Moscow region.
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Germany tightens border controls as tensions over migration rise
The move comes after the far-right AfD party outperformed the country’s governing coalition in two key state elections.
Heiko Becker/Reuters
politicsAdam Gray/Reuters 
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Rick Wilking/File Photo/Reuters
How global media is reacting to the Harris-Trump debate
Headlines focused on the US vice president outperforming Trump as the candidates clashed on Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and abortion.
Adam Gray/ReutersWill this be the last debate? The ball’s in Donald Trump’s court.
The former president was noncommittal even as his supporters were gung ho.
Evelyn Hockstein/ReutersWhat we can learn from Trump’s and Harris’ old debates
The former president’s relentless attacks versus the vice president’s careful rebuttals.
Rick Wilking/File Photo/ReutersKamala Harris baited Donald Trump into a debate on her terms
With pokes at his ego and crowd sizes, the vice president executed a clear strategy.
Trump refuses to say if he wants Ukraine to win the war
During the first presidential debate, the former president said he wanted the “war to stop” when asked if he wanted Ukraine to win against Russia.
The 2024 Senate battle is still coming down to Montana
Jon Tester faces the toughest reelection race of any incumbent this year. But he insists he’s no underdog, and neither party is giving up on the state yet.
New election model sees Trump leading Harris, Dems winning House
British firm Focaldata is taking a new approach to polling the US elections.
Donald Trump’s unconventional ground game is making Republicans nervous
A Republican strategist complained they’d seen “no ground activity at all” in their state.
Rand Paul stops short of endorsing Trump
The Kentucky Republican is one of only a few GOP members of Congress who’s holding out. But he has his reasons.
No breathing room between Harris and Trump ahead of presidential debate
Most voters know who Donald Trump is and what he could do as president, but few are so clear on Harris’ plans.
Mark Cuban is Kamala Harris’ on-call billionaire. What’s he after?
The Shark Tank star and former Dallas Mavericks owner once talked with No Labels about a third-party run. These days, he’s in the KHive.
businessAnnegret Hilse/File Photo/Reuters
Can the US win over Google in court?
Semafor caught up with two former US government antitrust cops who disagree about the strength of the government’s case.
Annegret Hilse/File Photo/ReutersChina’s deflation risk rises as Beijing struggles to spark consumer confidence
The potential for deflation in China could affect prices across the globe, but the likely impact remains unclear.
August jobs report is weaker than expected
Hiring missed expectations in August, but unemployment edged down from the previous month.
Ex-Obama economic adviser Jason Furman on the one number the world is waiting for
Friday’s jobs report will determine whether, and by how much, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates later this month.
Biden to block Nippon Steel acquisition of US Steel
The potential sale of US Steel has become a political flashpoint ahead of America’s November election.
technology
Lars Plougmann/Creative Commons
Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo/Reuters
Australia moves to ban young people from social media
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would introduce the legislation by the end of 2024.
Lars Plougmann/Creative CommonsEU court rules Apple, Google owe billions in landmark antitrust cases
The bloc has been cracking down on Big Tech companies that it deems anti-competitive.
Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo/ReutersUS announces plans to invest in Indian semiconductor industry
Critics highlighted the lack of skilled workers and infrastructure in India’s chip sector.
Apple touts first AI capable iPhone
While the iPhone 16 is designed specifically for AI, many of those features won’t be immediately available.
Huawei’s tri-fold phone seeks to rival new Apple iPhone in China
The Chinese telecom giant is set to release its new phone alongside an EV line Tuesday.
Elon Musk is winning the AI race
On X, Musk plays the Trump-supporting uncle. In real life, he’s building a formidable empire.
net zero
Brian Snyder/Reuters
ZwitterCo
David Swanson/Reuters
Harris finds a new way to outflank Trump on fossil fuels
With climate voters in the bag, Harris is drumming up the Biden administration’s track record on drilling.
Brian Snyder/ReutersInvestors hope tech for hog poop ponds can solve AI’s water problems
AI is a massive water hog. Climate tech investors are looking for a payday in quenching its thirst.
ZwitterCoTrump is looming over US climate talks in China
John Podesta, the top US climate envoy, will meet his Chinese peers this week to try to lock in an ambitious deal for COP29 and discuss contingency plans for a Trump victory.
David Swanson/Reutersafrica
Taiwan's President Tsai meets King Mswati III in Eswatini last year; Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President 
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Chinese roots deepen in Africa’s last Taiwan holdout
China is building up its business and economic interests in Eswatini in a sign that Taiwan’s last African ally is gradually pivoting towards Beijing.
Taiwan's President Tsai meets King Mswati III in Eswatini last year; Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President Domestic violence allegations shake Kenyan athletics
Kenya’s athletics community is grappling with multiple cases of domestic violence against female athletes.
Dylan Martinez/ReutersUN experts call for ‘impartial’ peacekeeping force to protect civilians in Sudan
They warned that any countries supplying arms to the warring parties risked being complicit in human rights violations.
Nigeria’s fuel scarcity deepens cost of living crisis
Higher fuel prices in sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil producer have pushed up the cost of food, threatening to undercut recent gains in tackling galloping inflation.
China targets ‘green infrastructure’ deals in $50B pledge to Africa
Beijing will partner with countries in areas including supply chains for key minerals needed for green technologies.
Ugandan Olympic runner dies after being set on fire by ex-boyfriend
The athlete, who competed in Paris last month, suffered severe burns after she was attacked on Sunday.
media
Q&A: David Rubenstein on the presidents, and George W. Bush’s theory of populism
The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency is out on Sep. 10.
Mysterious influencer network pushed sexual smears of Harris
“Please God make it stop,” objected former New York Rep. George Santos.
Semaforum: Kate Conger and Ryan Mac
The two New York Times tech reporters discuss their book on Twitter under Elon Musk.
OffBall launches as new sports culture brand
The site wants to use a human touch to curate the flood of conversations about sports in popular culture.
Mixed Signals: The sports boom — football, pickleball, tennis and, um, cricket
Are we in a supply-side sports crisis?
security
Leon Neal/Reuters
Ammar Awad/Reuters
Finland Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. Wikimedia Commons
US Sec. of State Blinken visits Ukraine as West piles pressure on Russia’s allies
The US Secretary of State and UK Foreign Secretary Lammy arrived in Kyiv, where they are due to meet Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Leon Neal/ReutersIsrael shuts down border with Jordan after West Bank shooting
At least three people were killed by a gunman on a bridge between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan.
Ammar Awad/ReutersFinland to ban Russians from buying property over security concerns
Finland, which shares the longest land border with Russia of any NATO country, said it must protect itself from neighboring aggression.
Finland Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. Wikimedia CommonsAD