Semafor Recommends

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  • Karissa Chen’s novel Homeseeking follows two star-crossed residents of Shanghai from their 1930s childhood through to the early 2000s.
  • Season two of Keri Russell’s political drama The Diplomat delivers increasingly outlandish scenarios and a rewarding twist at the end.
  • Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, about the Pan Am plane that exploded over Scotland in 1988, is “gripping, well crafted, and sensitively told.”
  • Podcast The Town explores the transfer of influence from New York and Hollywood power players to tech platforms and media creators.
  • Michael Hiltzik’s Big Science explores the expanding scale of science since the 1930s, when a young physicist invented the cyclotron.

Biden blocks sale of US Steel to Japan’s Nippon

His move comes after months of hardening rhetoric against the takeover.
Joe Biden, wearing a dark suit and striped tie, speaks at an event in DecemberEvelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Mike Johnson reelected as US House Speaker after last-minute vote changes

The Trump-backed Republican narrowly held on as speaker after overcoming a party revolt.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to members of the press.Nathan Howard/Reuters

Meta will appoint Republican Joel Kaplan to lead global policy team, as Nick Clegg steps down

Big tech shifts right to meet Donald Trump’s Washington.
Manuel Orbegozo/Reuters

Deadly New Orleans truck attack ‘inspired by ISIS’

The FBI said an Islamic State group flag was recovered from the attacker’s vehicle.
FBI officers stand on a restricted area of Bourbon Street in New Orleans.Geoff Burke-Imagn Images via Reuters
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politics

Johnson won the speakership — but Trump won the day

House Republicans shockingly re-elected their leader on the first ballot after skeptics made clear their loyalty lies with the president-elect.
President-elect Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.Brian Snyder/Reuters

Why Senate Republicans are down a seat

Republicans officially take over the Senate, with the exception of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who will take a few days to avoid a messy succession with Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey.
The US Capitol.Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo/Reuters

Trump to host victory rally in DC, details remain unclear

It’s unlikely that Cabinet nominees will speak: They have largely avoided media appearances and have been directed to stop posting on social media.
US President-elect Donald Trump.Brian Snyder/File Photo/Reuters

The media competes for Washington

Politico’s once-dominant Playbook franchise, facing competition from the field of morning newsletters, is considering bringing UK editor Jack Blanchard over from London.

Where Democrats go from here

The race for DNC chair is split between those who expect the new GOP trifecta to fumble its power away to them, and those who think they can’t win the next election without serious changes.

Republicans’ real immigration dilemma: How big to go in Congress

Donald Trump is wading into a fight over highly-skilled worker visas, but there’s a bigger debate already underway.

Elon Musk’s influence on spending, immigration spans political spectrum

Some of the tech billionaire’s proposals drawing positive attention from key Democrat and leftist lawmakers.

Trump offers strategic endorsement of Mike Johnson

The House’s successful election of a speaker on Friday is critical to certifying the president-elect’s victory.

Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Tributes poured in for Carter, who was the longest living president in US history.

Trump weighs in on H-1B visas amid legal immigration fight

The president-elect for years has failed to give a clear answer on his stance on legal migration visas.

Trump’s second-term foreign policy approach is coming into focus

World leaders are preparing for greater US protectionism and unpredictability.
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