Intel in early talks to add AMD as foundry customer
View / The more realistic AI gets, the more likely we’ll use it
The World at a Glance
Updated 7:06am EDT
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Denmark’s prime minister said Russia and NATO were in a state of ‘hybrid war,’ ahead of a European security summit.
2China announced a new ‘K-visa’ aimed at attracting top foreign talent in the fields of science and technology.
3Donald Trump said Pfizer agreed to a deal to sell drugs at lower prices on a new direct-to-consumer government website.
4Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a once-outlawed Hindu-nationalist paramilitary group, the RSS.
5US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth railed against ‘fat troops’ and ‘woke’ standards in a speech to top military brass.
6Demonstrators clashed with police in Madagascar’s capital, following days of Gen Z-led protests that have gripped the country.
World leaders welcome Trump’s Gaza peace plan
The Israel-backed plan proposes an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Amir Cohen/ReutersBoth parties prepare for a long US shutdown
Neither Republicans nor Democrats have taken the exit paths they had. All signs are pointing to a chaotic, long affair.
Jonathan Ernst/ReutersUS-Africa trade pact AGOA expires but hopes remain for renewal
A White House official told Reuters the Trump administration supports a one-year extension of the pact, though this is yet to materialize.
Monicah Mwangi/ReutersGulf sovereign funds boost European investing
Wealth funds are expanding investments in Europe even as they make pledges to pour trillions into the US.
Courtesy of PIFAD
Top African economies eye exit from corruption ‘gray list’
South Africa and Nigeria were added to the Financial Action Task Force’s list in February 2023 for failing to tackle money laundering.
Johannesburg skyline. Emmanuel Croset/AFP via Getty Images.US shutdown isn’t landing in key 2025 elections
In Virginia and New Jersey, both parties see other advantages and are making other campaign plans.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesNigerian fintech firm Paga targets African migrants in the US
The company launched in America in September through a partnership with Oklahoma-based Regent Bank.
Olympia de Maismont/AFP via Getty ImagesPolitics
Kent Nishimura/Reuters
Kevin Mohatt/ReutersJonathan Ernst/Reuters
US government shuts down as both parties dig in
The government shut down for the first time since 2019 after Republicans and Democrats failed to solve a dispute over health care costs.
Kent Nishimura/ReutersAmericans increasingly see Supreme Court as too conservative, poll finds
Independents and Democrats have mostly driven the increase.
Kevin Mohatt/ReutersBoth parties prepare for a long US shutdown
Neither Republicans nor Democrats have taken the exit paths they had. All signs are pointing to a chaotic, long affair.
Jonathan Ernst/ReutersCruz stiff-arms Democratic college sports plan, vows bipartisan deal
The Commerce Committee chair, R-Texas, told Semafor that he’s already in talks on an alternate solution to what’s becoming an untenable situation in athletics.
US shutdown isn’t landing in key 2025 elections
In Virginia and New Jersey, both parties see other advantages and are making other campaign plans.
Trump announces Pfizer deal to reduce drug prices
The deal is the first one signed under Trump’s plan to bring down drug prices in the US to match the lowest prices offered in other wealthy nations.
AI could spur millions of layoffs, Kelly warns
Still, the Arizona Democrat told Semafor’s Burgess Everett that AI presents ‘tremendous opportunity.’
Democrats urge Johnson to swear in new member amid Epstein push
Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is poised to become the last lawmaker needed to force a vote on requiring the DOJ to release its records on Jeffrey Epstein.
Shutdown threatens goverment-linked sectors
Unanswered questions about President Donald Trump’s tariffs risk compounding any damage.
Wall Street shrugs off looming shutdown
Shutdowns tend to be economic non-events, but investors may be underestimating this one.
Washington hurtles toward a shutdown
The first sitdown between President Donald Trump and congressional leaders in both parties was short and yielded no breakthrough.
Business
Reuters / Ann Wang
Intel in early talks to add AMD as foundry customer
AMD relies on TSMC for most of its manufacturing, but the US government has made clear that bolstering Intel is a top priority.
Reuters / Ann WangRash of CEO ousters signals tightened boardroom leashes
More than 1,500 CEOs have left through the end of August, the highest year-to-date total since search firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas started tracking CEO exits.
London’s IPO slump intensifies pressure on Starmer government
LSE Group CEO David Schwimmer said the exchange has undergone a process to become “a far more flexible regime for listing,” but companies continue to eye exits.
US consumer confidence falls to 5-month low
US consumer confidence fell in September to a five-month low, driven by concerns over the labor market.
Silver Lake mounts comeback with TikTok, EA deals
The private-equity firm has recaptured its knack for popping up in interesting times.
TechnologyReuters / Ann Wang 
Courtesy of Pathways
Intel in early talks to add AMD as foundry customer
AMD relies on TSMC for most of its manufacturing, but the US government has made clear that bolstering Intel is a top priority.
Reuters / Ann WangNew AI research claims to be getting closer to modeling human brain
A new paper published by startup Pathway says it can more closely replicate connections between neurons than current LLMs.
Courtesy of PathwaysBollywood actors raise legal concerns with YouTube’s AI training policy
Power couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan want to block the creation of AI videos that violate their image, and prevent their likeness from being used to train AI models.
The more realistic AI gets, the more likely we’ll use it
As the physics of AI improves, they will become more applicable to the everyday needs of humans.
OpenAI’s shift to consumer products signals new era for AI
The ChatGPT maker is rolling out a standard to allow consumers to make purchases directly from the app, and also launched a video generator tool.
Physical fitness linked to brain health in seniors, study shows
University of Vienna research links physical fitness in older adults to changes in blood markers, exploring whether blood tests can reflect how someone is aging.
Net Zero
Mario Anzuoni/File Photo/Reuters
Benoit Tessier/File Photo/Reuters
Rebecca Droke/AFP/Getty Images
PepsiCo’s renewable energy plans
PepsiCo’s chief sustainability officer spoke to Semafor about the beverage giant’s climate plans.
Mario Anzuoni/File Photo/ReutersUS govt shutdown would push back energy permitting
Congress looks unlikely to agree on a budget by Wednesday.
Benoit Tessier/File Photo/ReutersTrump administration to spend $625M to revive coal
Donald Trump has championed what he calls ‘clean coal’ despite evidence that coal is a chief contributor to carbon emissions and air pollution.
Rebecca Droke/AFP/Getty ImagesGulf
Courtesy of Esqyre
Gulf startup turns Rolls-Royces, superyachts into rentals
New services like UAE company Esqyre offer a taste of a luxury lifestyle.
Courtesy of EsqyreSaudi Arabia boosts investment in art and fashion
The country’s cultural revolution means that public displays of music and art, which were forbidden just a few years ago, are now part of the mainstream.
Qatar sends Trump’s Gaza plan to Hamas
Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey have been the main mediators with Hamas, and are pressing the Islamist group to agree to the US-proposed deal.
KKR takes stake in Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC
KKR has been adding headcount and eyeing infrastructure in the region.
Saudi Arabia projects higher deficit on path to Vision 2030
The kingdom’s budget is closely watched by investors for signs of the government’s outlook on crude prices to prospects for construction spending.
AfricaMonicah Mwangi/Reuters 
Zo Andrianjafy/Reuters
US-Africa trade pact AGOA expires but hopes remain for renewal
A White House official told Reuters the Trump administration supports a one-year extension of the pact, though this is yet to materialize.
Monicah Mwangi/ReutersMadagascar dissolves its government amid deadly protests
At least 22 people were killed and dozens injured after several days of protests over water shortages and power cuts.
Zo Andrianjafy/ReutersFormer DR Congo President Kabila sentenced to death in absentia
His conviction could complicate Washington’s efforts to drive peace between Kinshasa, M23 rebels in the east, and the rebels’ alleged backers in Rwanda.
Africa Finance Corporation raises record $1.5B loan
The Lagos-headquartered infrastructure bank mobilizes finance for major projects such as the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in DR Congo.
China, Tanzania, and Zambia strike $1.4B railway deal
The decades-old TAZARA railway, a vital route for moving minerals from Zambian mines to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, will be refurbished under the agreement.
Top African economies eye exit from corruption ‘gray list’
South Africa and Nigeria were added to the Financial Action Task Force’s list in February 2023 for failing to tackle money laundering.
Security
Mette Frederiksen. Ritzau Scanpix/Ida Marie Odgaard/via Reuters
Jeenah Moon/Reuters
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Russia and NATO in a state of ‘hybrid war,’ Danish PM says
Mette Frederiksen said that the military alliance must step up its response to Russian aggression after repeated incursions into its airspace.
Mette Frederiksen. Ritzau Scanpix/Ida Marie Odgaard/via ReutersTrump and Netanyahu to hold talks over Gaza peace plan
The Trump administration is pushing a deal that would freeze battle lines and see all remaining hostages released.
Jeenah Moon/ReutersUS Secret Service foils major telecommunications threat ahead of UN meeting
The system could have blacked out cell service in New York City, investigators said.
Carlos Barria/ReutersMedia
Courtesy of Arab News
Arab News taps AI for global reach
Saudi Arabia’s oldest English-language daily will translate its coverage into 50 languages using tech from Dubai-based CAMB.AI.
Courtesy of Arab NewsThe Dispatch expands into DC analysis
The company is rolling out a new policy vertical for the Beltway set.
Versant CEO Mark Lazarus on the new Versant, what it might buy, and life after cable
Lazarus envisions Versant as a bridge between the past and future of media.
Versant CEO Mark Lazarus on the new Versant, what it might buy, and life after cable
Versant’s Mark Lazarus appears this week on Semafor’s Mixed Signals. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Disney could have sold ABC. But then where would we be?
Pesky media businesses are liabilities for companies like Disney, whose fortunes lie in theme parks, cruises, and movie studios.
CEO Signal
Zhong Zhi/Getty Images for CNBC International
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Fast Company
Courtesy of Caruso
‘Mass deployment is just around the corner’: Pony AI’s Peng on the robotaxi revolution
The US-listed Chinese startup faces technological, adoption, and political challenges as it chases rapid growth.
Zhong Zhi/Getty Images for CNBC InternationalHow Brian Niccol brewed his ‘Back to Starbucks’ strategy
Clarity, cuts, and high expectations are shaping one of corporate America’s highest-profile turnarounds.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Fast CompanyCorinne Verdery on ‘shining the apple’ at Rick Caruso’s property empire
Investments in employee housing and community outreach are shaping a long-term view that differentiates the LA developer.
Courtesy of CarusoAD