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View / How Washington fell for Nord Stream conspiracy theories
View / How AI is helping fight the latest Ebola outbreak
The World at a Glance
Updated 6:54pm EDT
1
President Donald Trump announced that the US and Iran had finalized a deal to extend their ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
2The US government’s move to suspend foreign access to Anthropic’s powerful AI models injected fresh urgency into Europe’s plans for tech sovereignty.
3Japan and Europe are deepening defense ties amid growing unease over Washington’s security commitments, Russian aggression, and China’s surging power.
4A German arms company is in talks to build Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile, a sign of Kyiv’s growing defense clout.
5Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday with the massive spectacle of a UFC fight at the White House.
6The New York Knicks delivered New York City’s first basketball title in 53 years.
Rand Paul defrosts his relationship with Trump
The Kentucky Republican senator, after past tension with the president and Rep. Thomas Massie’s ouster, looks more White House-aligned.
Annabelle Gordon/ReutersTrump announces peace deal with Iran
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the US and Iran had finalized a deal to extend their ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Vessels near Bandar Abbas, Iran. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA via ReutersWhite House’s export limits on Anthropic linked to concerns about Chinese access
Trump adviser David Sacks said restrictions aren’t connected to prior conflicts with AI company.
Reuters/Jessica KoscielniakHoneywell’s CEO on ‘the brutal truth’ about breaking up an industrial giant
Vimal Kapur says delegation and momentum are the keys to splitting a conglomerate.
Courtesy of Honeywell/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforUFC ‘spectacle’ is about a show, not winning votes
Trump’s Sunday affair speaks to his affection for ambitious construction and affinity for sports — but isn’t designed to help Republicans.
Shelby Talcott/SemaforTrump’s prediction-market regulator to the Supreme Court: Bring it on
CFTC Chair Mike Selig told Semafor he’s weighing more lawsuits against states that try to regulate those markets.
US limits use of Anthropic AI models Fable 5 and Mythos
A new White House directive forced Anthropic to shut down access to its most advanced AI models.
Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters 
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Politics
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters 
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
Treasury defends offshore tax havens
The department is mounting a defense of last year’s decision to exempt US companies from a global minimum tax ahead of this week’s G7 meeting.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Trump undercuts Republicans’ push on surveillance law
The president said Sunday that if a bill requiring voter ID is not attached to its renewal, then he’s “against FISA.”
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters Rand Paul defrosts his relationship with Trump
The Kentucky Republican senator, after past tension with the president and Rep. Thomas Massie’s ouster, looks more White House-aligned.
Annabelle Gordon/ReutersHow Washington fell for Nord Stream conspiracy theories
The true story of the Nord Stream pipeline explosion is even crazier than what Washington bought easily.
Trump announces peace deal with Iran
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the US and Iran had finalized a deal to extend their ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
White House’s export limits on Anthropic linked to concerns about Chinese access
Trump adviser David Sacks said restrictions aren’t connected to prior conflicts with AI company.
UFC ‘spectacle’ is about a show, not winning votes
Trump’s Sunday affair speaks to his affection for ambitious construction and affinity for sports — but isn’t designed to help Republicans.
Debatable: Government stakes in AI
Trump and Sanders want the government to exact a public benefit from big AI firms. Others aren’t so sure.
Momentum builds in Washington around Sudan sanctions
US lawmakers look to penalize warring factions as three-year conflict drags on.
Trump’s reconciliation 3.0 ask lands with thud
President Donald Trump’s demand for a third party-line spending bill isn’t going over well with lawmakers.
It’s Schumer vs. Collins as midterms heat up
The majority leader is no fan of Graham Platner, but he’s more focused than ever on knocking out Susan Collins — and winning back the Senate.
Business
Brendan McDermid/Reuters
SpaceX soars in historic IPO
The boost is a positive sign for Anthropic and OpenAI, which are expected to go public in mega offerings later this year.
Brendan McDermid/ReutersTrump’s prediction-market regulator to the Supreme Court: Bring it on
CFTC Chair Mike Selig told Semafor he’s weighing more lawsuits against states that try to regulate those markets.
Honeywell’s CEO on ‘the brutal truth’ about breaking up an industrial giant
Vimal Kapur says delegation and momentum are the keys to splitting a conglomerate.
China is betting on medical tourism boom
The country has set up a special international medical tourism zone in Hainan, and relaxed visa rules have encouraged visitors.
China scolds e-commerce giants
The scolding dented shares of Alibaba and JD.com and came weeks after regulators told the companies to avoid an aggressive price war.
TechnologyReuters/Jessica Koscielniak Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters
White House’s export limits on Anthropic linked to concerns about Chinese access
Trump adviser David Sacks said restrictions aren’t connected to prior conflicts with AI company.
Reuters/Jessica KoscielniakUS limits use of Anthropic AI models Fable 5 and Mythos
A new White House directive forced Anthropic to shut down access to its most advanced AI models.
Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters Amazon takes on Starlink in Kenya
Amazon has applied for approval to build its first African satellite ground station in Kenya, putting it in competition with SpaceX.
SpaceX soars in historic IPO
The boost is a positive sign for Anthropic and OpenAI, which are expected to go public in mega offerings later this year.
Sam Altman calls off Abu Dhabi visit
As an investor and customer, the UAE has deep ties to OpenAI.
AI price war begins
Users are increasingly looking for value as well as capability.
Energy
Eloisa Sanchez/Reuters
China Daily via Reuters
Willy Kurniawan/Reuters
2026 World Cup could be the hottest and dirtiest ever
Climate change and the risk of extreme heat could affect players’ performances in the largest World Cup ever.
Eloisa Sanchez/ReutersRising trade barriers could reshape China’s clean tech investments
Tariffs, localization requirements, and other trade barriers abroad are making a pure export strategy trickier to sustain.
China Daily via ReutersPoorer nations face fertilizer hit as prices soar
Around 30% of global fertilizer supplies flowed through the Strait of Hormuz before the start of the Iran war.
Willy Kurniawan/ReutersGulf
Miners ply a gold mine in the Central African Republic. Daniel Flynn/Reuters.
Dubai is Central African Republic’s ‘conflict gold hub’
The UAE has become the main destination for conflict minerals from the Central African Republic, placing Dubai at the center of a lucrative trade in gold and diamonds, suggests a new report.
Miners ply a gold mine in the Central African Republic. Daniel Flynn/Reuters.Saudi firm closes first fund since start of Iran war
Saudi Arabia’s Growth Catalyst raised $96 million to back companies in the kingdom.
Sam Altman calls off Abu Dhabi visit
As an investor and customer, the UAE has deep ties to OpenAI.
No ‘final decision’ on US deal, Iran says
Trump has predicted an Iran deal was imminent dozens of times, only for talks to fall apart.
Blue Owl opens office in Abu Dhabi
Wall Street firms are still betting on the UAE capital despite uncertainty over the Iran war.
China
cnsphoto via Reuters
Isabel Infantes/ReutersChina Daily via Reuters
China is betting on medical tourism boom
The country has set up a special international medical tourism zone in Hainan, and relaxed visa rules have encouraged visitors.
cnsphoto via ReutersChina scolds e-commerce giants
The scolding dented shares of Alibaba and JD.com and came weeks after regulators told the companies to avoid an aggressive price war.
Isabel Infantes/ReutersRising trade barriers could reshape China’s clean tech investments
Tariffs, localization requirements, and other trade barriers abroad are making a pure export strategy trickier to sustain.
China Daily via ReutersAfrica
Troy Taormina/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/Reuters
DRC minister says US Ebola rules are disrupting its World Cup return
The country’s first World Cup appearance in 52 years has been complicated by travel restrictions and limits on supporters heading to the tournament.
Troy Taormina/IMAGN IMAGES via ReutersHow AI is helping fight the latest Ebola outbreak
The technology is already showing its potential value, helping epidemiologists to make data-driven comparisons with previous outbreaks.
Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/ReutersAmazon takes on Starlink in Kenya
Amazon has applied for approval to build its first African satellite ground station in Kenya, putting it in competition with SpaceX.
Dubai is Central African Republic’s ‘conflict gold hub’
The UAE has become the main destination for conflict minerals from the Central African Republic, placing Dubai at the center of a lucrative trade in gold and diamonds, suggests a new report.
Momentum grows for Africa’s largest-ever IPO by Dangote
The company’s refinery aims to raise $5 billion from an IPO this year.
Scientists race to develop Ebola vaccines
Two of the four vaccines being developed for the Bundibugyo strain could be ready for clinical trials in two months.
Security
Yves Herman/ReutersVessels near Bandar Abbas, Iran. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA via Reuters 
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Kin Cheung/Pool via Reuters
US’ Mythos restrictions heighten EU tech fears
The US government’s move to suspend foreign access to Anthropic’s powerful AI models injected fresh urgency into Europe’s plans for tech sovereignty.
Yves Herman/ReutersTrump announces peace deal with Iran
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the US and Iran had finalized a deal to extend their ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Vessels near Bandar Abbas, Iran. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA via ReutersJapan deepens defense ties with Europe
Japan and Europe are deepening defense ties amid growing unease over Washington’s security commitments, Russian aggression, and China’s surging power.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Kin Cheung/Pool via ReutersMedia
David Swanson/Reuters
New York Times’ Kristof quoted former campaign donors in columns
The paper had promised that Nick Kristof would disclose when someone he reported on was a donor to his Oregon gubernatorial campaign.
David Swanson/Reuters Progressive site Zeteo plans UK expansion
Zeteo UK is a standalone site that will begin publishing this week, with a hard launch date in September.
Politico folds E&E News ahead of broader energy push
In September, Politico plans to launch a series of energy-focused newsletters.
Former Gourmet magazine owner sues new Gourmet newsletter
Condé Nast filed a lawsuit against Goulash Unlimited, the LLC set up by the owners of a revived Gourmet site.
CBS News in the crossfire
Within the network, every editorial decision has been scrutinized by CBS’ own staff.
CEO SignalCourtesy of Honeywell/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor 
Courtesy of Smith & Nephew/Graph Massara/Semafor
Courtesy of Cisco/Joey Pfeifer/Semafor
Honeywell’s CEO on ‘the brutal truth’ about breaking up an industrial giant
Vimal Kapur says delegation and momentum are the keys to splitting a conglomerate.
Courtesy of Honeywell/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforDeepak Nath applies pressure at Smith and Nephew
The medtech CEO is standing by his company’s portfolio strategy despite calls to break it up.
Courtesy of Smith & Nephew/Graph Massara/SemaforHow Cisco’s Chuck Robbins gets his team to ‘disagree and commit’
The longstanding CEO says a bad decision that you reverse is better than a delay.
Courtesy of Cisco/Joey Pfeifer/SemaforAD