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Politics
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Domestic challenges mount for Trump
From social media posting to immigration to the midterms, the president is on the back foot.
Ken Cedeno/ReutersTensions flare inside Trump antitrust world
The US attorney general and DOJ’s antitrust chief clashed over a personnel move this week, escalating a power struggle between corporate skeptics and hands-off regulators.
Mattie Neretin/CNP/Sipa USA.Anger in White House over now-deleted Obamas post
It’s not clear whether the person behind what one GOP senator called “the most racist thing” shared by the administration will face further discipline.
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However, Tehran rejected a core US demand to end nuclear enrichment.
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Republicans say warrant restrictions will ‘handcuff’ ICE. Democrats argue that’s needed.
Cruz optimistic that air safety bill will pass the House
The Texas senator last week spoke directly to the speaker about the ROTOR Act.
Senator’s Fed blockade splits Republicans
A pledge by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., to block Federal Reserve nominees until the Justice Department drops its probe into Chair Jerome Powell is drawing friendly fire.
Immigration talks test Congress’ dismal bipartisanship skills
As the Capitol lurches from one shutdown to another, the costs of a centrist exodus and a Republicans-only 2025 are looking clear.
Trump admits immigration crackdown has been excessively forceful
Trump admitted a “softer touch” may be required on immigration enforcement, as polling showed Americans increasingly view efforts as having gone too far.
Bessent dodges on whether Trump can fire Fed officials
The Treasury secretary told House members Wednesday that the central bank has “lost the trust of the American people.”
Republicans ready another homeland security stopgap bill
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The Epstein files show that we all work for private equity now
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Technology
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Wall Street still doesn’t understand AI
The way the market views AI is completely irrational, driven more by viral “it’s so over” X posts than logic or fundamentals.
Damien Eagers/File Photo/ReutersStartups builds underwater robots to better track ocean movements
The robots will record movement, temperature, and salinity daily, aiming to reduce the cost of gathering ocean data by a factor of 1,000.
Diane Keough/Getty ImagesThe team behind Fitbit is back with an AI health app
The Luffu app tracks a person’s diet, fitness, daily activity, and lab results, and shares information with family members.
Crusoe launches cloud product to take on hyperscalers
The move is part of a trend among neocloud companies to offer higher-margin services on top of the data centers they’re building.
OpenAI in talks with Abu Dhabi’s G42 to create specialized ChatGPT version for UAE
Chatbot would be fine-tuned for government use to accommodate local language and speech restrictions.
US automakers race to replace Chinese tech in vehicles
New rules banning the software on national-security grounds are due to take effect.
Energy
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Carmaker Stellantis takes hit over global EV sales slowdown
The car giant wanted all of its European sales and 50% of its US sales to be electric by 2030, but consumers have switched more slowly than anticipated.
Daniele Mascolo/File Photo/ReutersChina’s solar capacity set to overtake coal this year
Overall, wind, solar, nuclear, and hydropower will account for about two-thirds of the country’s power mix.
Tingshu Wang/File Photo/ReutersUS unveils plans for critical minerals trading bloc
The plan announced Wednesday proposed using tariffs to stabilize mineral prices to prevent “foreign supply” from flooding global markets.
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OpenAI in talks with Abu Dhabi’s G42 to create specialized ChatGPT version for UAE
Chatbot would be fine-tuned for government use to accommodate local language and speech restrictions.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters‘No problems’ in UAE, one third of residents say
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Kuwait oil sector inches open
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Africa
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.
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Rethinking US-Africa supply chains
Washington held its inaugural critical minerals summit this week, bringing together officials from 54 countries, including several from Africa.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.Kenyan court lifts ban on lesbian love story
Rafiki, the first Kenyan film to debut at the Cannes Film Festival, was banned in Kenya in 2018.
A still from Rafiki. Rotten Tomatoes Indie/YouTubeAid cuts could lead to ‘catastrophic consequences’ in Africa, study warns
The Lancet study estimated that the drop in funding could lead to 22.6 million additional deaths by 2030.
Telecoms giant MTN plans to buy IHS Towers
IHS owns and operates thousands of telecom towers in five African countries, including Nigeria and South Africa.
DRC president courts US investment in critical minerals
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UAE targets critical minerals deals with US and DRC
Both deals are designed to bolster the UAE’s position in the global critical minerals supply chain.
Security
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with scientists and technicians to discuss weapons. Korean Central News Agency via Reuters.
Macron signals possible resumption of dialogue with Russia
Macron broke off dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin seven months after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Stephanie Lecocq/ReutersIranian FM says nuclear talks with US were ‘good start’
However, Tehran rejected a core US demand to end nuclear enrichment.
Majid Asgaripour/WANA via ReutersFears mount of global nuclear arms race
The New START treaty between the US and Russia expired, while China said it would not join talks to curb proliferation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with scientists and technicians to discuss weapons. Korean Central News Agency via Reuters.Media
How McDonald’s embraced its Donald Trump drive-thru moment
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Post cuts ripple through US journalism industry
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Washington Post to make ‘significant’ cuts
The paper is beginning “a broad strategic reset with a significant staff reduction,” Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray said.
Podcast brand Kaleidoscope staffs up
The company is filling out its executive ranks as it hopes to break further into video.
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CEO Signal
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Courtesy of Takeda/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor
The CEO behind GE Vernova’s $200B power surge
Scott Strazik says demand is surging, but his energy company won’t spend money on “hobbies.”
Courtesy of GE Vernova/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforHow the Gates Foundation’s CEO plans to shape its last 20 years
Mark Suzman wants to reframe the case for aid in the face of government cuts and intense public scrutiny
Courtesy of the Gates Foundation/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforTakeda’s Christophe Weber on avoiding a ‘lame duck’ succession
The pharmaceutical CEO says timing and openness are crucial to a smooth handover.
Courtesy of Takeda/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforAD