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Illinois primaries showcase the rise of the bizarro-world super PAC
View / Semafor Gulf and a golden age under fire
The World at a Glance
Updated 7:18pm EDT
1
President Donald Trump lashed out at US allies for rebuffing his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
2The US Treasury secretary walked back President Trump’s remarks tying his upcoming China visit to the Iran conflict.
3Iran’s asymmetric warfare of cheap drones and sea mines is challenging the US, analysts argued.
4A protracted war in the Persian Gulf is disrupting fuel and chemical supplies to Asia, endangering the global supply of semiconductors.
5Nvidia expects to see $1 trillion in orders for its most advanced processors through 2027, CEO Jensen Huang said.
6Iranian drones hit an Emirati port and targeted Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as the conflict entered its third week.
Ireland seeks slice of AI boom
Irish companies “have a very strong confidence in the US market and the growth opportunity that’s in the US,” the CEO of Ireland’s government trade agency told Semafor.
Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Klobuchar seeks to stiffen antitrust review process in wake of Live Nation scrutiny
The senator plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would broaden the judiciary’s abilities to approve — or reject — antitrust settlements.
Mike Blake and Annabelle Gordon/Reuters Trump lashes out at US allies over Iran
Europe has largely resisted Trump’s efforts to build an international coalition against Iran, with Germany’s defense minister saying, “This is not our war.”
Jonathan Ernst/ReutersWhy (and how) everyone is cold-calling the president
Plus, what happened when Semafor’s Max Tani gave him a ring.
Joey Pfeifer/SemaforSchmitt to unveil Trump-approved changes to voter ID bill
The Missouri Republican aimed to fulfill the president’s new priorities for his top priority on the Hill.
Elizabeth Frantz/ReutersNewsom 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/FilmMagicIsrael 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/Reuters
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PoliticsMike Blake and Annabelle Gordon/Reuters Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters 
Rebecca Blackwell/Pool via Reuters
Klobuchar seeks to stiffen antitrust review process in wake of Live Nation scrutiny
The senator plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would broaden the judiciary’s abilities to approve — or reject — antitrust settlements.
Mike Blake and Annabelle Gordon/Reuters Ireland seeks slice of AI boom
Irish companies “have a very strong confidence in the US market and the growth opportunity that’s in the US,” the CEO of Ireland’s government trade agency told Semafor.
Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Trump’s top priority faces pivotal Senate vote
Republican leaders are focused on getting the 50 votes needed to win the initial roll call.
Rebecca Blackwell/Pool via ReutersIran conflict tests Federal Reserve’s dual mandate
Policymakers were already split over whether to prioritize persistent inflation or lackluster employment.
Trump lashes out at US allies over Iran
Europe has largely resisted Trump’s efforts to build an international coalition against Iran, with Germany’s defense minister saying, “This is not our war.”
US sends mixed messages over China summit
The US Treasury secretary walked back President Donald Trump’s remarks tying his upcoming China visit to the Iran conflict.
Illinois primaries showcase the rise of the bizarro-world super PAC
The cash, much of it from the crypto and AI industries as well as AIPAC, is swamping races throughout the state.
Schmitt to unveil Trump-approved changes to voter ID bill
The Missouri Republican aimed to fulfill the president’s new priorities for his top priority on the Hill.
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.
Democratic 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.
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.
BusinessMike Blake and Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
Klobuchar seeks to stiffen antitrust review process in wake of Live Nation scrutiny
The senator plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would broaden the judiciary’s abilities to approve — or reject — antitrust settlements.
Mike Blake and Annabelle Gordon/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.
Fears 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.
Technology
Ann Wang/Reuters
Fred Greaves/Reuters
Iran war threatens global chip supply
Barring a quick end to hostilities, Taiwan will struggle to satisfy its needs for liquefied natural gas, as well as other chemicals on which chip production depends.
Ann Wang/ReutersNvidia expects $1 trillion in chip orders through 2027
The figure exceeds Nvidia’s previous projection of $500 billion revenue from its Blackwell and Vera Rubin systems.
Fred Greaves/ReutersEV 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.
‘RAMageddon’ hits gaming industry
A global memory shortage driven by the AI boom is threatening to blunt the gaming industry’s multi-year momentum.
The 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.
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
DVIDS/Handout via Reuters
Iran’s asymmetric warfare challenges US
The US is confronting its limitations in dealing with Iran’s asymmetric warfare, analysts argued.
DVIDS/Handout via ReutersSemafor Gulf and a golden age under fire
War doesn’t change Semafor’s commitment to building the leading independent news business in the Gulf.
Major 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.
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.
SecurityDVIDS/Handout via Reuters 
Stoyan Nenov/Reuters
Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
Iran’s asymmetric warfare challenges US
The US is confronting its limitations in dealing with Iran’s asymmetric warfare, analysts argued.
DVIDS/Handout via ReutersEurope 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/ReutersMediaGary 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/Semafor
Courtesy 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