White House signals no deadline for Musk’s DOGE departure
Trump’s daughter’s father-in-law named Africa envoy
The World at a Glance
Updated 4:28pm EDT
1
The Trump administration has cut dozens of federal research grants to Princeton, escalating the government’s pressure campaign on US schools over supposedly ‘woke’ practices.
2Russia said a US-backed Ukraine ceasefire proposal is unacceptable in its ‘current form,’ as Donald Trump seemed increasingly frustrated by Moscow’s approach to negotiations.
3US Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in the case against UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione.
4The European Commission chief vowed to counter incoming US tariffs, saying Brussels has a “strong plan.”
5China launched surprise military drills around Taiwan in a “stern warning” to the self-ruling island’s leaders.
6Cantor Fitzgerald analysts called for US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be dismissed as the DOH began mass layoffs.
What’s behind Democrats’ bid to torpedo permanent Republican tax cuts
The party can’t stop the Trump cuts from indefinite extension. It can only hope to contain them.
Preston Keves/Creative CommonsTrump’s week of tests
Republicans are charting a course for Trump’s agenda, while elections in Florida and Wisconsin test the president’s support.
Leah Millis/ReutersTaiwan sees China’s military drills as a ‘signal’ to the US
Beijing said the exercises would “serve as a stern warning” to the self-ruled island’s leaders.
Eastern Theatre Command via ReutersThe power struggle behind South Africa’s budget delay
Port and rail infrastructure have been major sticking points between the two biggest parties in the coalition government.
South Africa Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images via Getty Images.AD
Argentina poverty rate falls in boost to Milei
The falling poverty figures are the latest sign that his policies are reaping rewards.
Matias Baglietto/File Photo/ReutersRepublicans double down on voter ID — even though it may not help them
The two major parties’ coalitions are shifting, and the old assumption is no longer clear.
Vincent Alban/ReutersMarine Le Pen’s guilty verdict is a ‘political earthquake’ but could boost far right
The guilty verdict has shaken up France’s far-right National Rally, which will now have to scramble to find a new presidential candidate for 2027.
Abdul Saboor/Reuters
politics
Vincent Alban/ReutersPreston Keves/Creative Commons 
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Democrats’ anti-Musk campaign pays off in Wisconsin
Republicans had hoped that by nationalizing the race, they could excite enough 2024 Donald Trump voters. But they came up short.
Vincent Alban/ReutersWhat’s behind Democrats’ bid to torpedo permanent Republican tax cuts
The party can’t stop the Trump cuts from indefinite extension. It can only hope to contain them.
Preston Keves/Creative CommonsWhite House signals no deadline for Musk’s DOGE departure
His “special government employee” status is set to expire at the end of May, but that may not mean much to the Trump administration.
Kevin Lamarque/ReutersBipartisan pair of senators warn Trump over Houthi strikes
Jeff Merkley and Rand Paul say the attacks in Yemen risked emboldening the Iranian-backed group.
Republicans double down on voter ID — even though it may not help them
The two major parties’ coalitions are shifting, and the old assumption is no longer clear.
Senate Democrats push back on GOP’s housing ‘turmoil’
In a new letter, Senate Democrats raise concerns about changes at the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Trump’s week of tests
Republicans are charting a course for Trump’s agenda, while elections in Florida and Wisconsin test the president’s support.
Booker bids for a marathon anti-Trump speech
The New Jersey Democrat and former presidential candidate, now in party leadership, is preparing to speak overnight if he can maintain his endurance.
Trump administration deports more alleged gang members, avoiding Alien Enemies Act
The names of the 17 people deported were provided to Semafor, a shift from the previous flights using the 1798 law.
Trump and Musk are on the ballot in a Wisconsin judicial race
Wisconsin will go to the polls Tuesday to elect a new state Supreme Court justice in an election with nationwide implications.
Uncommon Bonds: Remaking FEMA
A bipartisan pair wants to move the disaster relief agency out from under DHS.
business
Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Rahm Emanuel is coming to Wall Street
The former Chicago mayor and 2028 presidential contender will rejoin Centerview Partners, historically an outpost of Democratic influence.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/ReutersTop Nippon Steel executive to meet with Commerce’s Lutnick at pivotal moment
The key meeting is one of the final hurdles for Nippon Steel before it makes it case directly to the White House.
‘It’s not who we are anymore:’ BlackRock emerges from vanilla roots for good
CEO Larry Fink has a plan to index opaque corners of private investing.
Nippon, US Steel offer increased investment to Trump officials to close deal
Under a deal being discussed with administration officials, Nippon would invest billions into US steelmaking facilities and be allowed to complete its $14 billion takeover of US Steel.
Trump auto tariffs threaten high prices, more economic turmoil to come
The new levy will significantly affect US automakers, which are heavily reliant on imports from Mexico and Canada.
technology
xAI
Dado Ruvic/Reuters
Elon Musk is building an AI giant — and Tesla will be central
Musk plays catch-up in the high-stakes AI race.
xAISignal downloads skyrocket in Yemen, US after leak
The news resurfaced privacy concerns, but may also suggest growing adoption from bad actors.
Dado Ruvic/ReutersTech mogul Jon McNeill on placing long-term AI bets
The GM board member and former Tesla president says “AI infrastructure is like the internet” in terms of its prolonged cycle.
New York’s longest-running play offers AI-powered live translations to attract new audiences
Attendees can select from 60 languages to hear the play in their preferred language.
Nvidia looks to grow its AI empire
The tech industry is crazy about Nvidia and its leather-clad CEO Jensen Huang. Wall Street, less so.
New Intel CEO takes the helm at a make-or-break moment
Lip-Bu Tan is reportedly considering major changes to the company’s AI and manufacturing approach.
net zero
Liz Hampton/Reuters
Carlos Barria/File Photo/Reuters
Annie Rice/Reuters
The SEC wants to ignore climate risks. They’re not going away
The Securities and Exchange Commission wants to let one of its signature accomplishments of recent years wither.
Liz Hampton/ReutersGlobal renewable energy capacity hits record expansion
The growth, however significant, is still short of the pace needed to achieve the COP28 goal of tripling capacity by 2030.
Carlos Barria/File Photo/ReutersClimate investors see opportunity in Trump’s anti-climate push
Bad vibes for renewables means bargains for patient investors.
Annie Rice/Reutersgulf
Jon Nazca/Reuters
Abu Dhabi’s XRG invests in Mozambique gas
ADNOC’s international investment arm has acquired a stake in a LNG project in Mozambique.
Jon Nazca/ReutersTrump to visit Saudi Arabia for first international trip: report
The decision mirrors a move the US president made at the beginning of his first term, and cements Riyadh’s growing heft in global diplomacy.
‘Global South’ digital advocate wants a say on AI policy
Riyadh-based Digital Cooperation Organization represents 16 countries working to shape policies on artificial intelligence, misinformation, and e-commerce.
Kuwaiti government official accused of fixing raffles
The Ya Hala Kuwait Shopping Festival, which organized the raffle, has paused draws while authorities investigate a three-year scam allegedly involving up to 20 people.
Dubai real estate billionaire Alabbar eyes Montenegro
The developer behind the Burj Khalifa has submitted the highest bids for leases on a stretch of the Balkan country’s southern coastline, but locals are pushing back.
africa
Brian Snyder/ReutersSouth Africa Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images via Getty Images.
Trump’s daughter’s father-in-law named Africa envoy
Massad Boulos is set to travel to Africa to advance peace talks in the eastern DR Congo this week.
Brian Snyder/ReutersThe power struggle behind South Africa’s budget delay
Port and rail infrastructure have been major sticking points between the two biggest parties in the coalition government.
South Africa Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images via Getty Images.Somaliland dismisses ‘misguided’ offer to hand over ports to US
Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland is hoping to be recognized as an independent state by the Trump administration.
Analysis: There are no shortcuts in Africa’s battle for productivity
To win the war against poverty in Africa we have to win the battle to raise productivity.
Mounting calls to free Niger’s deposed president
Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife Hadiza have spent more than 20 months in detention since the junta seized power in a 2023 coup.
White House fails to appoint top Africa job for third time
The Trump administration’s move to fill the senior Africa director position has reached a new roadblock.
media
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Journalists consider briefing room sit-in as Trump clashes with White House press corps
The White House Correspondents’ Association is mulling its response to a briefing room seating change.
Kevin Lamarque/ReutersGet out of their bubbles, or harden them? Newsom, Democrats debate their media future
The relentlessly anti-Trump style of the MeidasTouch Network is a stark contrast with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s friendly interviews with conservative pundits.
A blogger in Moscow
Former CIA agent Larry C. Johnson, once a cable news regular and now a fringe figure, sat down with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last month — and thinks no one’s listening to the Russians.
Audacy rolls out new podcast advertising tools
The company is also tapping a new head of podcasts.
Netflix CEO says movie theaters are dead: ‘What is the consumer trying to tell you?’
“The theatrical box office is down 40 to 50% from pre-COVID, and this year is down 8% already, so the trend is not reversing.”
security
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSA
Stringer/File Photo/Reuters
US scales back Greenland visit after criticism
US President Donald Trump’s expansionist overtures are creating a ‘permissive space’ for other world leaders bent on territorial acquisition, analysts argued.
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/via ReutersDOGE reviews nuclear contractors
A review of National Nuclear Security Administration contractors has sparked concern within the agency that it could lose manpower at a critical time.
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSAUK clamps down on Russian espionage, as Moscow ramps up pressure on Europe
Russia is increasingly reliant on private intelligence operatives and criminals to carry out espionage missions, UK security experts said.
Stringer/File Photo/ReutersAD