Analysis: Why it’s time for African led-growth
Debatable: Can the Trump administration cut off Harvard’s funding?
The World at a Glance
Updated 4:05pm EDT
1
OpenAI will remain under non-profit control instead of trying to convert to a for-profit company, following criticism and a lawsuit by Elon Musk.
2Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to seize territory in the Gaza Strip, escalating tensions ahead of Donald Trump’s upcoming Middle East visit.
3Claudia Sheinbaum rebuffed a US proposal to send American troops to Mexico, imperiling her surprisingly positive relationship with Donald Trump.
4Washington may be preparing further support for Ukraine following the signing of a minerals deal with Kyiv.
5The White House voiced confidence in the US economy, suggesting new trade deals could soon be unveiled.
6Oil prices dropped after OPEC+ agreed to ramp up supply once again, with further declines expected.
Black White House aide returns after suspension for past political activity on the job
The Office of Special Counsel had barred Lynne Patton from federal service for 48 months back in 2021.
Lynne Patton, at left. HUD/Creative CommonsGermany’s new government faces overlapping domestic, international challenges
An ascendant far right, economic malaise, and an adversarial Washington are all top of mind for Germany’s new leaders.
Liesa Johannssen/ReutersSenate prepares to change the House’s ‘big, beautiful’ Trump bill
One GOP senator called the efforts across the Capitol ‘a sandstorm of bad ideas.’
Leah Millis/ReutersTrump to end backing for African Development Bank fund
The Trump administration plans to slash funding for the bank’s main development fund as part of its sweeping cuts to foreign aid.
African Development Bank annual meeting in Nairobi in 2024. Simon Maina/AFP via Getty ImagesAD
Trump’s Gulf visit to focus on investment, weapons deals
US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region, scheduled for mid-May, is expected to focus on US-bound investment pledges and weapons deals.
Jonathan Ernst/ReutersAnti-incumbency trend falters as ‘Trump effect’ shapes global elections
A slate of foreign elections this week indicated that voters have become increasingly concerned with the role of US President Donald Trump.
Hollie Adams TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/ReutersGulf countries shine amid IMF downgrades
Gulf countries are faring better than many other countries thanks to sustained government investment and fiscal buffers.
Leah Millis/Reuters
politics
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Nicholas Pfosi/ReutersLeah Millis/Reuters
Trump’s falling in polls. Why aren’t Democrats benefiting?
There’s a handful of critical reasons why the opposition party remains remarkably unpopular right now in public opinion surveys.
Kevin Lamarque/ReutersDebatable: Can the Trump administration cut off Harvard’s funding?
Legal minds differ over the suspension of federal funds to the prestigious university.
Nicholas Pfosi/ReutersSenate prepares to change the House’s ‘big, beautiful’ Trump bill
One GOP senator called the efforts across the Capitol ‘a sandstorm of bad ideas.’
Leah Millis/ReutersSenate Dems divided ahead of key crypto vote
Schumer urged colleagues last week against putting their weight behind the bill until changes were made.
Black White House aide returns after suspension for past political activity on the job
The Office of Special Counsel had barred Lynne Patton from federal service for 48 months back in 2021.
The great deliverable of Trump’s first 100 days? Revenge.
Karoline Leavitt’s recent “new media” briefings have laid bare President Trump’s priorities — and those of his biggest cheerleaders.
Greg Grandin: Would be ‘great’ if someone tried to ban book
Greg Grandin’s new history of America(s).
How two powerful, polar-opposite Republicans are paving the way for Trump’s big, beautiful sprint
Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Jason Smith couldn’t be more different. The two chairmen are still working “hand-in-glove” on Trump’s tax cuts.
Rubio’s responsibility grows
The secretary of state is also serving as acting administrator for USAID, acting archivist, and now also Trump’s interim national security adviser.
Small businesses push for tariff relief
The administration isn’t saying no so far.
Trump’s national security adviser sent to UN amid ideological tensions
Mike Waltz is departing his initial post, alongside his former deputy, after less than four months.
business
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
Analysis: The US is not an ‘emerging market’ — yet
Trump’s actions threaten to make America a place where investors are less confident that their assets are safe, and quicker to run for the exits at the first sign of trouble.
Elizabeth Frantz/ReutersSurge in imports drives US GDP down as businesses navigate Trump tariffs
The new data indicated that growth is slowing, rather than shrinking, while a measure of inflation ticked up.
US consumer confidence falls again amid rising fears of price hikes, slowdowns
Recent polling also indicates that trust in Trump’s ability to handle the economy is faltering, while recession fears are rising.
Why ‘Margin Call’ remains Wall Street’s favorite movie — and the best indictment of it
Semafor talks with JC Chandor, who wrote the 2011 movie that gains new relevance and fans when markets shudder.
Shareholder adviser Glass Lewis joins political retreat
In what would be a seismic shift in how shareholders vote in corporate elections, the advisory firm is considering scrapping its “house views,” which have drawn fire from conservatives — and from Jamie Dimon.
technology
Carlos Barria/File Photo/Reuters
Annegret Hilse/Reuters
Analysis: Americans need Elon Musk more than the government does
The ironic thing about Elon Musk’s leaving Washington is that now he can get back to really working for the American people, Semafor’s Reed Albergotti writes.
Carlos Barria/File Photo/ReutersReports: US losing edge in AI talent pool
About as many top AI researchers are leaving the country as those entering, according to Zeki data.
Annegret Hilse/ReutersUS lawmakers, tech execs gather to discuss national security priorities
The summit was aimed at figuring out how cutting-edge technology can bolster security and help reindustrialize the US.
Huawei eyes new AI chip to rival Nvidia
Huawei has been at the forefront of Beijing’s effort to bolster China’s tech industry and skirt Washington’s restrictions.
Law experts, former employees push to stop OpenAI’s nonprofit structure change
“If the problem is [that] investors don’t like that the mission comes first, that’s too bad,” said one former OpenAI employee.
Elon Musk says he will reduce his time at the White House
The Tesla CEO said his time working with the Department of Government Efficiency will drop starting next month.
net zero
Daniel Cole/Reuters
Nick Oxford/Reuters
Dane Rhys/Reuters
Nearly 400,000 US clean energy jobs on the line, Climate Power analysis finds
The bulk are in GOP-controlled districts, and could be on the chopping block if congressional Republicans follow through on repealing or gutting Biden-era tax credits.
Daniel Cole/ReutersTrump’s trade war threatens cash bonuses for oil investors
Dividend payments and share buybacks are at risk if oil prices continue to slide.
Nick Oxford/ReutersThe US can’t win the AI race without renewables
The Trump administration wants to push the power sector more into coal and gas, but utility execs have a different plan.
Dane Rhys/Reutersgulf
Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters
Top UN court dismisses Sudan’s genocide case against UAE
The International Court of Justice decided it lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, ending a legal battle the UAE has called a “publicity stunt.”
Piroschka Van De Wouw/ReutersTrump’s Gulf visit to focus on investment, weapons deals
US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region, scheduled for mid-May, is expected to focus on US-bound investment pledges and weapons deals.
Oman pushes cleaner energy with green hydrogen and gas projects
Muscat has launched a third green hydrogen auction round, while a $1.6 billion LNG project broke ground in the north of the country last week.
Gulf countries shine amid IMF downgrades
Gulf countries are faring better than many other countries thanks to sustained government investment and fiscal buffers.
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala pours $10B into TWG Global
A two-way deal with TWG Global will see TWG invest $2.5 billion in exchange for a 5% stake in Mubadala Capital.
africaAfrican Development Bank annual meeting in Nairobi in 2024. Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images 
Yves Herman/File Photo/Reuters
Trump to end backing for African Development Bank fund
The Trump administration plans to slash funding for the bank’s main development fund as part of its sweeping cuts to foreign aid.
African Development Bank annual meeting in Nairobi in 2024. Simon Maina/AFP via Getty ImagesNigeria accuses Meta of pressure campaign over threat to cut off apps
Meta has threatened to withdraw Instagram and Facebook from the country after facing huge fines for allegedly violating regulations.
Yves Herman/File Photo/ReutersAnalysis: Why it’s time for African led-growth
As traditional development models fray, the ONE Campaign CEO says there’s an opportunity for a bold growth agenda built on the continent.
Hollywood producer, investors back Nigerian traditional fighting league
Dambe, the major product of the African Warriors Fighting Championship, is a centuries-old boxing sport that is popular in the country’s northern region.
Afreximbank financing could boost Africa’s oil trade
The new financing program could unlock up to $14 billion of additional oil trade on the continent.
Nigeria’s Dangote bullish on ‘winning’ fight for his $20B refinery
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, vowed to push through his plan despite challenges from oil importers.
media
David Swanson/Reuters
Paramount cuts ties with political groups working on ‘Daily Show’ project
The initiative, called “Take A Seat,” is meant to encourage people across the country to run for local office.
David Swanson/ReutersTrump’s social media strategy, by the numbers
In the administration’s first 100 days, the White House account on X saw more than 2 billion impressions, officials told Semafor.
Slate taps new podcast chief
Slate is bringing on Mia Lobel, formerly of Pushkin Industries.
Mixed Signals: Jen Psaki on her journey from politics to cable, what the Trump White House is doing right — and whether there was a Biden cover-up
Jen Psaki has gone from being a behind-the-scenes political staffer, to running the White House briefing room, to now hosting a primetime show on MSNBC
Daily Wire to open DC branch
The outlet is making a push to have a bigger presence in Donald Trump’s Washington.
security
Kris Tripplaar/Semafor
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSA
Trump will likely ‘walk away’ from both Russia and Ukraine if he can’t get a peace deal: Ian Bremmer
If Trump fails to convince Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, he will likely walk away from both Ukraine and Russia, Bremmer said at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.
Kris Tripplaar/SemaforUS scales back Greenland visit after criticism
US President Donald Trump’s expansionist overtures are creating a ‘permissive space’ for other world leaders bent on territorial acquisition, analysts argued.
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix/via ReutersDOGE reviews nuclear contractors
A review of National Nuclear Security Administration contractors has sparked concern within the agency that it could lose manpower at a critical time.
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSAAD