Events Email Briefings
rotating globe
Privacy© 2026 Semafor Inc.
  • D.C.
  • BXL
  • Lagos
  • Riyadh
  • Beijing
  • SG
Events Email Briefings

Intelligence for the New World Economy

  • D.C.
  • BXL
  • Lagos
Semafor Logo
  • Riyadh
  • Beijing
  • SG
rotating globe
Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
Brendan Ruberry

Brendan Ruberry

Newsroom Fellow

Email Brendan

Global EV sales surge during Iran war

Global EV sales are expected to hit 23 million this year, an 11% jump from 2025, as the Iran war drives demand for cheaper electric mileage.
Sebastian Castaneda/Reuters

Taipei taps US firms in drone push

A US dronemaker is partnering with a Taiwanese tech firm to build scalable systems for the country’s military, as the rush to augment autonomous defense capabilities intensifies on both sides of the strait.
A drone display in TaichungBen Blanchard/Reuters

New York Knicks celebrate their historic win

The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games to become NBA champions on Saturday, delivering New York City’s first basketball title in 53 years and ending one of the longest losing streaks in US sports history.
The New York Knicks celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Championship TrophyDustin Safranek — Imagn Images via Reuters

Trump celebrates 80th birthday with spectacle at White House

Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday with a UFC fight at the White House, as the oldest-ever US president looks to eclipse recent political setbacks with a massive spectacle.
UFC arena on the White House lawnEvan Vucciu/Reuters

A critique of the H-1B system, by an H-1B recipient

Tanul Thakur’s book lays out schemes of worker exploitation, corporate tax avoidance, and the middlemen taking advantage of those desperate to work overseas.
Semafor Recommends graphic

World Cup shows off soccer’s globalization

The globalization of professional soccer has turned players into polyglots, even as global entertainment is increasingly siloed.
Belgium’s national team. Belgium’s national team. Yves Herman/Reuters

How to watch the men’s World Cup like a genius

Nick Greene’s book offers an intellectual tune-up for readers looking to get the most out of their tournament viewing.

OpenAI files to go public in major test of AI investment boom

The ChatGPT-maker filed confidentially for an IPO one week after its rival Anthropic.

US defense secretary attacks European allies in D-Day speech

Speaking in France on Saturday, Pete Hegseth decried a modern “invasion” of “boats and men.”

A debut novel flavored with Urdu and Arabic slang

“Wimmy Road Boyz,” by Sufiyaan Salam, “tears through Britain’s social fabric to examine toxic masculinity, community and youth culture,” The Guardian wrote.

An experimental collaboration between a Guatemalan cellist and an American guitarist

“Almost Waking” by Mabe Fratti and Bill Orcutt conjures “ghosts of British folk and Pacific Northwest indie rock,” Pitchfork wrote.

Sheinbaum decries US ‘interference’ in Mexico’s politics

Mexico’s president delivered her harshest rebuke yet of US “interference,” following Washington’s indictment of 10 Mexican officials for alleged cartel ties.

Israel seizes Crusader castle in Lebanon

Israeli forces seized a 12th-century Crusader castle in southern Lebanon, as Israel intensifies its farthest incursion into the country in 26 years, despite a nominal ceasefire.

Strong El Niño produces record temperatures

The hot weather arrives just as many countries are struggling with high energy prices.

Pope calls for ‘disarming’ of AI in first encyclical

Pope Leo XIV warned humanity against creating “new digital slaveries” in a 42,300-word encyclical about AI, the first major teaching document of his papacy.

AI divide emerges at Cannes

“Fjord,” a multilingual Norwegian drama about political polarization, claimed the Palme d’Or, the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, as the starkest divide at the festival emerged around the use of AI.

Rubio questioned in New Delhi on US green card policy

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy was “not targeted at India.”

China’s auto CEOs become influencers

China’s electric vehicle price wars have spilled into the attention economy.