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🟡 Exclusive: Some Republicans want Bill Pulte out for intel chief
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Exclusive: Some Republicans want Pulte out for intelligence job
“Democrats are not going to vote to pass [a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act extension] until he’s withdrawn,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/09/2026/some-republicans-want-pulte-out-for-intelligence-job
17 minutes ago
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🟡 Exclusive: US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer heads to Silicon Valley to promote Trump's efforts to onshore jobs.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Exclusive: Greer heads to Silicon Valley to promote onshoring
The US trade representative will tour manufacturing facilities.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/09/2026/greer-heads-to-silicon-valley-to-promote-onshoring
44 minutes ago
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Apple shares fall on Siri’s AI upgrade as the long-awaited rollout left investors underwhelmed.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Apple shares fall on Siri’s AI upgrade
Many of the new AI features Apple announced were similar to advances that were previously unveiled and delayed.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/apple-shares-fall-on-siris-ai-upgrade
about 1 hour ago
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The Pentagon has added some of China’s biggest companies to a blacklist of firms accused of aiding Beijing’s military. The entrants to the 1260H list include tech giants Alibaba and Baidu, EV behemoth BYD, a leading robot-maker, and a top biotech firm.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Pentagon blacklists some of China’s biggest tech firms
The entrants to the list include Alibaba and Baidu, EV behemoth BYD, a leading robot-maker, and a top biotech firm.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/pentagon-blacklists-some-of-chinas-biggest-tech-firms
about 2 hours ago
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Global backlash to data centers is growing, shown in Ireland's recent demand that all data centers in the country need to "bring your own power."
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Global backlash to data centers grows
The UN forecasts that global electricity demand from AI data centers will double by 2030.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/global-backlash-to-data-centers-grows
about 15 hours ago
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in North Korea, where he will seek to draw fellow dictator Kim Jong-un closer after years of growing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Xi looks to win over Kim during North Korea visit
Pyongyang’s ties to Beijing have been strained by a virtual freeze in trade during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/xi-looks-to-win-over-kim-during-north-korea-visit
about 16 hours ago
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Armenia’s pro-EU prime minister claimed victory in parliamentary elections, dealing a major blow to Russia’s regional influence.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Pro-EU PM claims victory in Armenian elections
Armenia has pivoted closer to the West in recent years with the help of Europe.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/pro-eu-pm-claims-victory-in-armenian-elections
about 16 hours ago
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The Iran war's impact on the European energy market is intensifying: Europeans are driving less and the airline industry is facing a $100 billion fuel hit as the Iran war’s energy impacts expand.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
about 17 hours ago
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European development finance institutions were the most active investors in African private capital funds in the first 3 months of 2026.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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European DFIs lead Africa’s private capital funds
The data underscores the continent’s continuing dependence on foreign capital for private investment.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/european-dfis-lead-africas-private-capital-funds
about 17 hours ago
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The Iran war is disrupting phone shipments to Africa, resulting in the cost of handsets to rise.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Iran war disrupts phone shipments to Africa
Shipments of African mobile phones have slowed to their lowest level in two years, research firm Omdia said.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/iran-war-disrupts-phone-shipments-to-africa
about 18 hours ago
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US Republicans propose State Department Africa staff revamp
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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GOP proposes State Department Africa staff revamp
Republicans are looking to bolster Washington’s diplomatic capacity on a continent where the US is struggling to keep pace with rivals.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/gop-proposes-state-department-africa-staff-revamp
about 18 hours ago
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Africa’s wealthy class is growing faster than even the Gulf, in what Yinka Adegoke calls the "paradox of Africa's millionaire growth." Read more of his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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View: The paradox of Africa’s millionaire growth
More entrepreneurs are getting rich despite difficult conditions, yet many remain reluctant to keep their capital in the markets that made them wealthy.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/africas-wealth-paradox
about 19 hours ago
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced plans to crack down on undocumented migrants in an attempt to appease public anger after weeks of xenophobic violence.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Ramaphosa vows migrant crackdown amid rising xenophobia
In a televised speech, South Africa’s president said Pretoria was finalizing plans to limit foreign workers and expand labour inspections.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/ramaphosa-vows-migrant-crackdown-amid-rising-xenophobia
about 19 hours ago
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The World Health Organization launched a $500 million plan to curb the spread of Ebola in Africa.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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WHO readies $500M to curb Ebola spread
The announcement came as confirmed cases in DR Congo topped 500.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/who-readies-500m-to-curb-ebola-spread
about 20 hours ago
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SpaceX IPO won’t solve Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s languishing stock, argues Wael Mahdi. Read the full view:
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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View: SpaceX IPO won’t solve Alwaleed’s languishing stock
Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has picked many winners in his career, but outside investors in his holding company haven’t benefited.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/spacex-ipo-wont-solve-alwaleeds-languishing-stock
about 20 hours ago
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The US government approved a Kuwaiti order for $2 billion in counter-drone systems, days after an Iranian strike got through the country’s defenses and hit Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring 63.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Kuwait arms up against Iranian drones
The US government approved a Kuwaiti order for $2 billion in counter-drone systems.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/kuwait-arms-up-against-iranian-drones
about 21 hours ago
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The West is in an age of “hyperpolitics” in which polarization has surged but institutions are incapable of delivering change, a leading researcher argued.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
about 21 hours ago
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FIFA bans use of vuvuzelas at World Cup
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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FIFA bans use of vuvuzelas at World Cup
The vuvuzela became a symbol of South African football following its widespread use in the 2010 World Cup, which was hosted in the country.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/fifa-bans-use-of-vuvuzelas-at-world-cup
about 22 hours ago
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🟡 Exclusive: Politico folds E&E News ahead of broader energy push
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Exclusive: Politico folds E&E News ahead of broader energy push
In September, Politico plans to launch a series of energy-focused newsletters.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/politico-folds-ee-news-ahead-of-broader-energy-push
about 22 hours ago
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Khaldoon Al Mubarak, one of Abu Dhabi’s top money men, pledged to accelerate investments in technology and energy infrastructure in the world’s largest economy “despite regional and macroeconomic challenges,” he said in a statement.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Abu Dhabi’s money man pledges accelerated US investment
Khaldoon Al Mubarak visited Washington, where he met with a number of Trump administration officials.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/abu-dhabis-money-man-pledges-accelerated-us-investment
about 23 hours ago
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A human received two kidneys and a whole liver from a pig, the first example of multi-organ xenotransplantation.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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In a first, human receives multiple pig organs
A patient received two kidneys and a whole liver from a pig, the first example of multi-organ xenotransplantation.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/07/2026/human-receives-multiple-pig-organs
about 23 hours ago
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US Defense secretary Pete Hegseth attacks European immigration allies in D-Day speech: Hegseth decried a modern “invasion” of “boats and men,” one day after the US vice president blamed a British teenager’s murder on “mass migration.”
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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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.”
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/07/2026/us-defense-secretary-attacks-european-allies-in-d-day-speech
about 24 hours ago
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MTN Group – Africa’s biggest mobile operator – is leading an industry push to relax national telecoms rules, pitching shared networks as a fix for the continent’s $100 billion digital infrastructure deficit.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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MTN leads bid to share African digital infrastructure costs
Africa’s biggest mobile operator wants shared ownership of infrastructure to replace the model in which firms build their own private networks.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/mtn-leads-bid-to-share-african-digital-infrastructure-costs
1 day ago
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Inside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s pitch on the US government having a stake in AI companies
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Inside Altman’s pitch on government AI stake
OpenAI’s Sam Altman last year offered to cede equity in his firm to the Trump administration.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/inside-altmans-pitch-on-government-ai-stake
1 day ago
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To extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, there would need to be 60 votes in the Senate, and Democrats want to use their leverage to get Bill Pulte replaced as interim DNI; they might be willing to let the warrantless spy powers lapse.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Surveillance tools expiration bears down on Senate
Democrats want to use their leverage to get Bill Pulte replaced as interim director of national intelligence.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/surveillance-tools-expiration-bears-down-on-senate
1 day ago
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While his campaign may be in shambles, Graham Platner entered his comfort zone: a theater with 500 Mainers greeting him as a flawed, relatable hero.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Beleaguered in DC, Platner enters his comfort zone
Democrats’ presumptive Senate nominee in Maine isn’t going anywhere, despite the wishes of some in his party.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/beleaguered-in-dc-platner-enters-his-comfort-zone
1 day ago
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🟡 Exclusive: Sean McCann, the Democrat running to unseat Rep. Bill Huizenga, pulls ahead in key House race
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Exclusive: Democrat McCann pulls ahead in key House race
Bill Huizenga, who won his seat by nearly 12 points in 2024, has long been a target for House Democrats’ campaign arm.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/democrat-mccann-pulls-ahead-in-key-house-race
1 day ago
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Politicians failed kids on social media. AI is the next battle, argues Ben Smith. Read the full view:
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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View: Politicians failed kids on social media. AI is the next battle
Leaders of both parties in Washington and in state capitals are confronting AI before it becomes as omnipresent as vertical video.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/politicians-failed-kids-on-social-media-ai-is-the-next-battle
1 day ago
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🟡 Exclusive: Condé Nast, the parent company of the defunct food magazine Gourmet, is not pleased that a group of journalists have revived it on their own.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Exclusive: 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.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/07/2026/former-gourmet-magazine-owner-sues-new-gourmet-newsletter
1 day ago
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🟡 Exclusive: CBS News in the crossfire If CBS News’ new owners are trying to pull the network away from what they see as liberal politics and reflexive hostility to Donald Trump, the president would like them to try harder. Read more from Max Tani:
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Exclusive: CBS News in the crossfire
Within the network, every editorial decision has been scrutinized by CBS’ own staff.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/07/2026/cbs-news-in-the-crossfire
1 day ago
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Voice capabilities are the future of AI, but customer service is still not quite ready.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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AI customer service is not ready for prime time
There’s a trust gap when it comes to AI voice models handling customers’ needs.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/ai-customer-service-is-not-ready-for-prime-time
3 days ago
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Deepak Nath, CEO of Smith & Nephew, is applying pressure at the UK-listed medical supplies group. “There was a burning platform,” he says. “It was very clear that we were underperforming.” Read more from The CEO Signal:
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Deepak Nath applies pressure at Smith and Nephew
The medtech CEO is standing by his company’s portfolio strategy despite calls to break it up.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/deepak-nath-applies-pressure-at-smith-and-nephew
3 days ago
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will dispatch special envoys across the continent to manage the diplomatic fallout from weeks of attacks targeting migrants.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Pretoria sends envoys across Africa over migrant attacks
Mozambique said five of its citizens were killed across South Africa, while Kenya, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have issued security advisories to their nationals.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/pretoria-sends-diplomatic-envoys-across-africa-over-attacks-on-migrants
4 days ago
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Two telecom tower companies are committing more than $200 million to DR Congo, betting that rising data use and growing demand from the mining sector will transform one of Africa’s largest underdeveloped telecom markets.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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DR Congo growth drives mobile infrastructure spending
Data use and mining growth are driving demand for new coverage and capacity in one of Africa’s largest underdeveloped mobile markets.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/dr-congo-draws-more-than-200-million-in-tower-investment
4 days ago
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Australia, the UK, and the US agreed new measures to protect undersea cables and pipelines from sabotage, including the deployment of autonomous submarine drones.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Nations race to protect undersea cables
Marine cables carry more than 95% of the world’s intercontinental telecommunications data and ever more electricity.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/nations-race-to-protect-undersea-cables
4 days ago
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Ballooning electricity demand from AI data centers in the US is pushing companies and regulators to consider unorthodox — and aggressive — solutions.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Data center energy challenges mount
Unorthodox and aggressive solutions are emerging amid AI boom.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/data-center-energy-challenges-are-mounting
4 days ago
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Gulf executives are reckoning with the economic consequences of the Iran war, argues Mohammed Sergie. Read more of his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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View: Gulf executives reckon with economic consequences of Iran war
Most economic indicators still don’t reflect the extent of the damage the region has suffered, but they do point to weaker confidence across much of the Gulf.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/gulf-executives-reckon-with-economic-consequences-of-iran-war
4 days ago
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Saudi Arabia’s economy is proving resilient to the shock of the Iran war, with higher oil prices offsetting lower export volumes.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Saudi economy shows resilience even as war softens growth
Higher oil prices are offsetting lower export volumes, but overall growth will still likely fall to around 2% this year.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/saudi-economy-shows-resilience-even-as-war-softens-growth
4 days ago
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US asset management firm State Street and Saudi Arabia’s Jadwa Investment agreed to jointly expand their offerings in Oman.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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State Street’s Gulf expansion adds Oman
Muscat has in recent years sought to develop its capital markets and attract foreign firms.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/state-streets-gulf-expansion-adds-oman
4 days ago
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Dubai has started applying a 5% value-added tax to every road toll and parking fee, adding another income stream for the government.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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UAE starts taxing road tolls and parking fees
The 5% value-added tax adds another income stream for the government
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/uae-starts-taxing-road-tolls-and-parking-fees
4 days ago
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Intelligence alliance warns China is using LinkedIn and other social media platforms to recruit spies.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Intelligence alliance warns of China’s spy recruiting efforts
The global Five Eyes intelligence alliance warned that China was using LinkedIn and other social media platforms to recruit spies.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/intelligence-alliance-warns-of-chinas-spy-recruiting-efforts
4 days ago
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The UAE’s two largest port operators are pushing into Latin America, with deals in Brazil and the Dominican Republic.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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UAE dives into Latin American ports
Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group acquired Brazilian terminal operator CLI, while Dubai-based DP World said it will invest a further $100 million in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/04/2026/uae-dives-into-latin-american-ports
4 days ago
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Tech companies bet on PC comeback: A few big companies are betting that data privacy concerns in the AI era will only grow, creating an opening for computing products that rely less on the cloud.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Tech companies bet on PC comeback
A few big companies are betting that data privacy concerns in the AI era will only grow, creating an opening for computing products that rely less on the cloud.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/03/2026/tech-companies-bet-on-pc-comeback
4 days ago
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Zelenskyy has proposed face-to-face talks with Putin.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Zelenskyy proposes face-to-face peace talks with Putin
The Ukrainian president made the proposal in a combative letter that comes as Kyiv strikes ever deeper into enemy territory and Moscow’s offensive stalls.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/zelenskyy-proposes-face-to-face-peace-talks-with-putin
4 days ago
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The US National Security Agency is reportedly using Anthropic’s cutting-edge Mythos AI model for hacking.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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US National Security Agency reportedly using Mythos for hacking
Anthropic’s AI model Mythos has not been publicly released because of its powerful abilities to detect and exploit software vulnerabilities.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/us-national-security-agency-reportedly-using-mythos-for-hacking
4 days ago
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The US imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel DĂaz-Canel and other senior officials.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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US sanctions Cuban President Miguel DĂaz-Canel
US President Donald Trump has vowed to oust Cuba’s communist rulers, so far using economic coercion.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/us-sanctions-cuban-president-miguel-daz-canel
4 days ago
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How one Tennessee student started a red-state anti-Pride push
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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How one Tennessee student started a red-state anti-Pride push | Semafor
The movement to counter June’s role as a celebration of LGBTQ rights is catching on with Republicans.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/how-one-tennessee-student-started-the-anti-pride-push-thats-spreading-in-red-states
4 days ago
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Companies are struggling to measure AI’s ROI resulting in executives reducing spending in the technology despite its growth. In an era of tokenmaxxing, IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn said that so far, the ROI has “not been nearly as high as people might think.” Others are singing a different tune.
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Companies struggle to measure AI’s ROI
CEOs are trying to prove to their boards that the cost is worthwhile.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/companies-struggle-to-measure-ais-roi
4 days ago
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The US labor market is on a hot streak. A strong May jobs report complicates Kevin Warsh's path to lower rates, putting Trump in a tough spot heading into the midterm elections.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Strong jobs data complicates Warsh’s path to lower rates
The US added 172,000 jobs in May, blowing past expectations and boosting the odds, in traders’ eyes, of a Fed rate hike.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/jobs-data-complicates-warshs-path-to-lower-rates
4 days ago
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Anthropic has called for a slowdown in global AI development to ensure safety, saying that its models were increasingly capable of autonomously designing and developing their own successors.
www.semafor.com/article/06/0...
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Anthropic calls for AI development slowdown to ensure safety
Anthropic’s CEO said that its models were increasingly capable of autonomously designing and developing their own successors.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2026/anthropic-calls-for-ai-development-slowdown-to-ensure-safety
4 days ago
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