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Intelligence for the New World Economy
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The World at a Glance
Updated 8:16am EST
1
Chad closed its border with Sudan, shutting a vital lane for thousands trying to escape the Sudanese civil war.
2Mexico deployed thousands of troops across the country to quell violence sparked by the killing of its most-wanted cartel boss.
3Panama seized control of key canal ports from Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchinson, as US pressure mounts.
4German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing for major trade talks as Berlin seeks to diversify its supply chains.
5China imposed new export curbs on rare earths and other minerals from Japan, as tensions rise between the two countries.
6US shipping giant FedEx sued the US government, seeking reimbursement for costs related to increased tariffs under President Trump.
Why Chinese wind power firms won’t give up on Europe
Windey International’s CEO details the company’s global strategy in a rare interview with Western media.
Jonathan Ernst/ReutersTrump administration weighs new retirement savings plan
President Donald Trump is considering mentioning the concept in his State of the Union address.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Politico is launching in Australia
The company is preparing to launch a Canberra Playbook newsletter before the next parliamentary cycle later this year, Politico’s CEO told Semafor.
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty ImagesData reveals scale of US allies’ China hedge under Trump
A Semafor analysis of Chinese foreign ministry data quantifies a shift in which more Western officials are hedging between the US and China under Donald Trump’s second term.
Carl Court/Pool via ReutersPatel gets a pass on Olympic celebrations
The FBI director was back at the bureau on Monday after defending himself from critics.
Mike Segar/ReutersHow Democrats are handling State of the Union
Plenty of Democrats see it as their duty to attend, despite their distaste for President Donald Trump.
Kylie Cooper/ReutersImpact of US government shutdown spreads
The snowstorm on the East Coast means there will be no Senate or House votes until Tuesday.
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters 
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Politics
Charles Platiau/Reuters
Kevin Lamarque/File Photo/ReutersMike Segar/Reuters
FedEx sues US government for tariff reimbursement
The lawsuit is the first filed by a major US company since the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s controversial tariffs were illegal.
Charles Platiau/ReutersTrump’s approval rating falls ahead of State of the Union
The US president will use today’s address to defend his stewardship of the economy, as many Americans sour on its outlook.
Kevin Lamarque/File Photo/ReutersPatel gets a pass on Olympic celebrations
The FBI director was back at the bureau on Monday after defending himself from critics.
Mike Segar/ReutersNo end in sight for Ukraine war at four-year mark
US-mediated talks haven’t resolved sticking points over territorial concessions and security guarantees.
Messy tariffs send Capitol Hill scrambling
Officials in both parties are studying the president’s unprecedented use of Section 122 tariffs and how Congress can respond.
How Democrats are handling State of the Union
Plenty of Democrats see it as their duty to attend, despite their distaste for President Donald Trump.
Trump administration weighs new retirement savings plan
President Donald Trump is considering mentioning the concept in his State of the Union address.
A progressive star wants a ‘moratorium’ on deportations
How Analilia Mejía plans to operate in the House if she wins a special election in April.
Democrats split over restrictions on institutional investors in housing
Some within the party are skeptical that restrictions on institutional investors buying houses would do more than deliver a win for President Donald Trump.
This year in bad ideas, so far
A few highbrow political memes have captivated the chattering classes in 2026 so far. I thought I would raise a few questions about them.
Finance firms look to State of the Union for clarity on Trump Accounts
Administration officials have made the children’s savings tool from the megabill a key part of their affordability pitch.
Business
Mike Blake/File Photo/Reuters
Paramount bets that politics, price will win it Warner Bros.
David Ellison’s new bid puts the media scion back in the running for a company that should have been his from the start.
Mike Blake/File Photo/ReutersGerman Chancellor Merz visits Beijing for talks on trade relations
The German leader is facing calls to protect domestic industry, though US unpredictability means he is also under pressure to diversify trade.
FedEx sues US government for tariff reimbursement
The lawsuit is the first filed by a major US company since the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s controversial tariffs were illegal.
Trump’s approval rating falls ahead of State of the Union
The US president will use today’s address to defend his stewardship of the economy, as many Americans sour on its outlook.
Brazil seeks new trade allies amid tariff uncertainty
Brasília and Delhi agreed to a mining pact following Lula’s visit to India last week.
Technology
Courtesy Abu Dhabi Media Office
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images/Reuters
Abu Dhabi’s G42 to build supercomputer for India
At 8 exaflops of capacity, the project makes it competitive with the world’s leading supercomputers.
Courtesy Abu Dhabi Media OfficeNY Gov. Hochul nixes plans for Waymo expansion
Kathy Hochul withdrew her proposal for robotaxi services in areas outside New York City after it drew pushback from transit workers and rideshare drivers.
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images/ReutersCan AI predict Trump’s State of the Union address?
AI company Stett predicted Trump’s State of the Union address verbatim using speechwriting tools and analysis of his social media posts.
Microsoft says it can store data for 10,000 years on glass
In a paper published in Nature, Microsoft outlines its solution to preserve data on a durable material called borosilicate glass.
Behind Microsoft’s efforts to push AI adoption
Microsoft is expanding its boot camp for educating employees on AI.
India AI summit attracts money and rivals
The event was a nexus for dealmaking and investment announcements.
Energy
Audrey Richardson/Reuters
Stringer/Reuters
Bridget Bennett/Reuters
Data centers hit by power delays, equipment shortages
Some hyperscalers weigh the benefits of pursuing on-site power generation instead, a new Sightline report found.
Audrey Richardson/ReutersEurope should brace for Russian energy attacks, ex-CIA analyst says
A former CIA analyst warned of the potential energy threats in a report first shared with Semafor.
Stringer/ReutersUS tariffs decision won’t heavily impact clean tech firms
The head of the sustainable solutions group at Dutch bank ING spoke to Semafor about the Supreme Court’s tariff decision.
Bridget Bennett/ReutersGulf
Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters
Saudi relaxes rules for foreign companies to establish headquarters in the country
Saudi Arabia began blocking foreign companies without a regional headquarters in the kingdom from bidding for government contracts two years ago, but it’s now becoming more flexible.
Hamad I Mohammed/ReutersFinstreet sees UAE as crossroads in private capital boom
The fintech startup is hoping to tap into $600 billion in private assets seeking exits across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, its CEO told Semafor.
Dubai aircraft lessor climbs global ranks
DAE Capital is reportedly closing in on a deal to buy Australia’s Macquarie AirFinance as it seeks to join the world’s top aircraft lessors.
Middle East states condemn US ambassador’s Israel comments
Mike Huckabee said that Israel had a Biblical right to parts of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Saudi Arabia expands gaming investments
Riyadh continues to bet big on video games, adopting a multi-tiered approach to dealmaking.
Africa
Santa Maria beach, Cabo Verde. Michel Porro/Getty Images.
Feisal Omar/Reuters
Ecowas proposes major marine protection zone
The world’s high seas — international waters beyond any country’s control — have long been exposed to overfishing, shipping, and plastic pollution.
Santa Maria beach, Cabo Verde. Michel Porro/Getty Images.Somalia offers to renew US access to ports
Mogadishu’s offer comes days after the breakaway region of Somaliland reiterated a similar proposal.
Feisal Omar/ReutersNigerian fintech Fairmoney looks to expand to phones, vehicles
The move is the latest push among African fintechs to broaden services and capture a larger share of customers’ business.
Dangote oil refinery to go public on Nigerian stock exchange
The move would portend a huge win for the Nigerian stock market’s ambition to generate interest for local and foreign investors.
Ethiopia, Eritrea risk new war as tensions escalate
Deteriorating relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have created a “powder keg” in the region, the International Crisis Group warned.
Relief, but no reset: South Africa recalibrates after US tariff ruling
Pretoria previously faced the highest tariff rate on the continent.
Security
Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via Reuters
Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters
Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters
Japan PM vows defense shakeup over China tensions
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked a diplomatic dispute with Beijing last year by saying Tokyo could defend Taiwan if China were to invade.
Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via ReutersTrump issues 15-day warning to Iran on nuclear deal
The US president warned that if Iran does not agree to a deal, “it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”
Majid Asgaripour/WANA via ReutersUS ups pressure on Iran with huge air power assembly
Two aircraft carriers and dozens of land-based planes have moved to the Gulf, enough to wage what experts said could be a sustained war against Iran.
Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters MediaKenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images
Politico is launching in Australia
The company is preparing to launch a Canberra Playbook newsletter before the next parliamentary cycle later this year, Politico’s CEO told Semafor.
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty ImagesStoried, faceless, and stubbornly profitable: The Economist braces for change
A publication famed for its brilliant, monolithic anonymity faces a moment of intense individualization and personalization.
‘Survivor’ contestant torches CBS ahead of 50th season premiere
’“They are choosing a side, and they are using your viewership to launder that choice,” said Eliza Orlins.
Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer on trading the Situation Room for a podcasting booth
They helped set the US’ course through an administration beset by international crises. Now, they’re podcasters. It’s been a learning curve.
Watch: Restoring Trust in Media
As trust in news declines and business models evolve, media power is being reshaped by mergers, regulation, and ownership battles.
CEO Signal
Courtesy of Port of Long Beach/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor
Courtesy of Calm/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor
Courtesy of AstraZeneca/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor
Why the Port of Long Beach is betting that US imports will continue to grow
Noel Hacegaba aims to handle twice as many containers, even as trade tensions mount.
Courtesy of Port of Long Beach/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforCalm’s CEO on the mental health struggle at the top of big companies
David Ko sees stress and sleep deprivation taking a toll on executives’ decision-making.
Courtesy of Calm/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforAstraZeneca’s CEO on competing in the new world order
Pascal Soriot says Europe “cannot be naive” about the rivalry with the US and China.
Courtesy of AstraZeneca/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforAD