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View / Semafor Gulf and a golden age under fire
View / Why the Horn of Africa could become the next front in the Iran war
The World at a Glance
Updated 6:41am EDT
1
Iranian drones hit an Emirati port and targeted Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as the conflict entered its third week.
2A quick end to the war in Iran is unlikely, and Tehran’s hand is strong despite heavy losses, analysts said.
3Donald Trump said an upcoming summit with China’s leader in Beijing this month could be delayed over the Iran war.
4Major central banks are likely to exercise caution this week when they set borrowing costs.
5EV sales in Europe surged 21% year-on-year, due to continuing subsidies and cheap Chinese models, while US sales fell.
6Donald Trump said Havana and Washington may reach a “deal” after months of tensions following a tightened US oil embargo.
Israel is running critically low on interceptors, US officials say
As Iran tests missile defense capabilities with a constant barrage, interceptor stockpiles are a pivotal variable in the war. An Israeli official denies the shortage.
Mussa Qawasma/ReutersWhy Vlad Tenev thinks you’ll want Robinhood’s ‘James Bond’ credit card
A platinum-plated physical product advances the broker’s bid to become a financial “super app.”
Courtesy of Robinhood/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforExclusive / AT&T CEO pitches Trump amid $23 billion antitrust review
The private meeting was to discuss AT&T’s mammoth investment in the US, as the company looks to minimize scrutiny of its EchoStar spectrum deal.
AT&T CEO John Stankey. Brian Snyder/ReutersWhite House turns to a familiar promise of pain for gain as oil spikes
It’s an Iran war reassurance that’s familiar from the tariff and tax cut debates.
Evan Vucci/ReutersUpwork’s CEO on the AI agents that try to hire human workers
Hayden Brown sees the pairing of technology and human “orchestrators” redefining workforces.
Courtesy of Upwork/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforIran leader vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed
Nearly two weeks of war has created the largest oil supply disruption in history, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.
Mojtaba Khamenei in 2016. Rouhollah Vahdati/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via ReutersTrump’s voting bill fixation strains Republicans to the breaking point
The president is causing painful divisions over legislation that currently has no path to passage, despite the Senate majority leader’s efforts.
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
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Politics
Norlys Perez/Reuters
Mike Blake/Reuters 
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Trump hints at possible ‘deal’ with Cuba after regime change threats
US President Donald Trump has vowed to take over Cuba, in a friendly manner or otherwise.
Norlys Perez/ReutersDemocratic infighting intensifies in California House race
Ammar Campa-Najjar and Vista City Councilmember Corinna Contreras are going after a San Diego City Councilmember for a polling memo they say included racist lines of attack.
Mike Blake/Reuters Senate Democrats plot defeat of Trump’s voter ID bill
Democrats are prepared for “every single thing [Republicans] might do,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Sunday afternoon.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters Senate still waiting on Fed nominee’s paperwork
One likely paperwork holdup: Nominee Kevin Warsh’s complicated financial disclosures.
Put out more flags?
As the Iran war dominates global economic calculations, media and social media alike, it’s been strangely absent from Washington, DC.
Israel is running critically low on interceptors, US officials say
As Iran tests missile defense capabilities with a constant barrage, interceptor stockpiles are a pivotal variable in the war. An Israeli official denies the shortage.
Debatable: Iran war funding
Congress is weighing whether to pass more funding for the Pentagon amid the military campaign in the Middle East.
White House turns to a familiar promise of pain for gain as oil spikes
It’s an Iran war reassurance that’s familiar from the tariff and tax cut debates.
Senate passes bipartisan housing bill
The White House has signaled it supports the bill, which includes the president’s proposed ban on institutional investors in housing.
Trump’s voting bill fixation strains Republicans to the breaking point
The president is causing painful divisions over legislation that currently has no path to passage, despite the Senate majority leader’s efforts.
Democrat urges Trump to renegotiate US-Canada-Mexico trade pact
Sen. Ruben Gallego argued that the current version of the pact doesn’t do enough to stem underlying causes of illegal migration or prevent China from skirting US trade laws.
Business
Daniel Cole/Reuters
Oscars mask a Hollywood in crisis
As Hollywood celebrates the Oscars on Sunday, the glitz masks a deeper crisis for the entertainment industry: rising production costs.
Daniel Cole/ReutersFears of global economic crisis grow after US strikes Iran oil terminal
After the US struck Iran’s main oil terminal, Tehran said it would retaliate against US-linked energy facilities in the region, deepening concerns about sustained disruptions to global supply.
AT&T CEO pitches Trump amid $23 billion antitrust review
The private meeting was to discuss AT&T’s mammoth investment in the US, as the company looks to minimize scrutiny of its EchoStar spectrum deal.
How Kyle Clark got BETA’s air taxis ready for takeoff
The electric aircraft company’s CEO has a ‘burn-the-boats’ approach to decision-making.
Upwork’s CEO on the AI agents that try to hire human workers
Hayden Brown sees the pairing of technology and human “orchestrators” redefining workforces.
Technology
Annegret Hilse/Reuters
Leon Kuegeler/Reuters
EV sales surge in Europe while slowing in US, China
The European increase — a 21% year-on-year rise in February — was driven by continuing subsidies and policy support.
Annegret Hilse/Reuters‘RAMageddon’ hits gaming industry
A global memory shortage driven by the AI boom is threatening to blunt the gaming industry’s multi-year momentum.
Leon Kuegeler/ReutersThe revenge of Thomas Friedman: How AI is turning us into ‘inoffensive, center-left’ columnists
AI is steering us to cerebral slop.
Tech firms are diverging on how to integrate AI
Companies are leaning on AI firms to teach them how to integrate the technology into their own businesses.
Workers need to figure out their ‘real’ job in AI age, analyst says
When spreadsheet software was invented, it didn’t eliminate accountants — their job, it turned out, was more than crunching numbers.
AI bubble driving interest in chip alternatives
Tech companies’ capex problem is driving research and investment in new kinds of chips that aim to lower the cost and energy needs of data processing.
Energy
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Daniel Cole/Reuters
Amit Dave/Reuters
China aims to expand oil reserves amid MidEast volatility
The world’s largest crude importer, China is vulnerable to a lasting disruption in global energy flows.
Maxim Shemetov/ReutersUS solar installations fall as Trump policies hit sector
A combination of tariffs, scrapped subsidies, and a White House energy agenda built around fossil fuels hit the solar industry in 2025.
Daniel Cole/ReutersRussia’s fossil fuel revenue 14% higher than in February
The sudden boost is a result of higher oil and gas prices and the relaxation of some US sanctions.
Amit Dave/ReutersGulf
Amr Alfiky/Reuters
Semafor Gulf and a golden age under fire
War doesn’t change Semafor’s commitment to building the leading independent news business in the Gulf.
Amr Alfiky/ReutersMajor Gulf events canceled over Iran war
Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are the most high-profile casualties so far.
UAE airlines slowly resume operations
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said more than 1.4 million passengers passed through the country’s airports from Mar. 1 to 12.
How missile alert systems vary in Gulf countries
Depending on which Gulf country you’re in, the missile alert system may feel like an app store product, or something decidedly more old school.
Gulf’s US security ties an increasing liability
As Tehran targets Gulf states because of those ties, some regional leaders are beginning to consider how to reduce their exposure to the US.
Africa
Raw copper from Zambia awaits export in a warehouse in Durban. Rogan Ward/File Photo/Reuters.
Bobi Wine and his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi. Michel Lunanga/Getty Images.
Mineral exports curbs across Africa upend Chinese supply chains
The restrictions have squeezed Chinese refineries — the world’s biggest — forcing many to draw from domestic stockpiles.
Raw copper from Zambia awaits export in a warehouse in Durban. Rogan Ward/File Photo/Reuters.Opposition leader Bobi Wine flees Uganda
Wine said he was escaping the government’s attempt to capture him following his criticism of recent election results.
Bobi Wine and his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi. Michel Lunanga/Getty Images.South Africa’s MTN revamp strategy neglects Iran assets
Iran remains one of MTN’s most valuable assets, where it has a 49% stake in the major telecoms company, Irancell.
South Africa’s Transnet in critical loan talks
The state-owned freight company is preparing to refinance this year.
Why the Horn of Africa could become the next front in the Iran war
Strategic bases and Red Sea trade routes are putting the region in the crosshairs as the Middle East conflict widens.
US eyes rebuilding relations with West African juntas
The Trump administration says its outreach is “pragmatic” as critics question the lack of democracy support.
Security
Stoyan Nenov/Reuters
Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
Europe races to develop new security strategy
The European Commission is consulting with EU member states to produce a sweeping new security strategy document, tentatively set to publish by June.
Stoyan Nenov/ReutersRussia makes a comeback in sports and arts
Russian athletes are competing in the Winter Paralympics and Russian artists are returning to the Venice Biennale.
Sarah Meyssonnier/ReutersMojtaba Khamenei’s first statement signals lengthy conflict
Iran’s new supreme leader vowed vengeance in his first statement, signaling defiance over diplomacy.
Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via ReutersMedia
Gary Miller/FilmMagic
Newsom calls FCC chairman’s threats ‘sick’
The California governor argued people from all political perspectives should be concerned about federal regulators weighing in on news content.
Gary Miller/FilmMagicWhy (and how) everyone is cold-calling the president
Plus, what happened when Semafor’s Max Tani gave him a ring.
Oscars mask a Hollywood in crisis
As Hollywood celebrates the Oscars on Sunday, the glitz masks a deeper crisis for the entertainment industry: rising production costs.
AI is the latest gatekeeper between brands and buyers
Companies are now writing ad copy for bots, not people, and those bots are telling consumers what products to buy.
Hasan Piker on streaming all day, his relationship with Zohran Mamdani, and the lefty media machine
Since 2018, Hasan Piker has gone from streaming alone in his bedroom to becoming one of North America’s most influential leftist creators.
CEO Signal
Courtesy of BETA/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforCourtesy of Upwork/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor Courtesy of Robinhood/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor
How Kyle Clark got BETA’s air taxis ready for takeoff
The electric aircraft company’s CEO has a ‘burn-the-boats’ approach to decision-making.
Courtesy of BETA/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforUpwork’s CEO on the AI agents that try to hire human workers
Hayden Brown sees the pairing of technology and human “orchestrators” redefining workforces.
Courtesy of Upwork/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforWhy Vlad Tenev thinks you’ll want Robinhood’s ‘James Bond’ credit card
A platinum-plated physical product advances the broker’s bid to become a financial “super app.”
Courtesy of Robinhood/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforAD