AI startup aimed at demystifying the world of public policy secures new funding
Fed’s big rate cut “screams of interference” in election, Trump adviser says
The World at a Glance
Updated 10:51am EDT
1
X restored its service in Brazil despite a ban, the latest salvo in Elon Musk’s feud with the country’s Supreme Court.
2UN members voted overwhelmingly to demand Israel withdraw from Palestinian territories within 12 months.
3Israel and Hezbollah traded new attacks along the border after a second day of exploding devices in Lebanon raised fears of a wider regional war.
4Hundreds of Russian scientists will be expelled by Switzerland’s CERN, which runs the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, by December.
5The Bank of England kept interest rates steady, a day after the US Federal Reserve issued a half percentage-point cut.
6US overdose deaths dropped for the first time in decades, likely driven by new addiction treatments and law enforcement efforts.
Germany hasn’t approved arms exports to Israel in months, as Berlin denies blocking shipments
Germany, a strong European ally of Israel and the second largest arms exporter to the country after the US, has faced a wave of legal challenges against the shipments.
An Israeli soldier docks a German-built submarine. Amir Cohen/File Photo/ReutersBrazil threatens X with $900k daily fine for circumventing ban
Elon Musk’s social media network was able to bypass a block in Brazil after updating its communications network.
REUTERS/Jorge SilvaPager attack brings Israel and Hezbollah closer to all-out war
At least 37 people have been killed and more than 3500 wounded after two days of exploding devices in Lebanon.
Funeral of people killed following pager detonations in Lebanon. Mohammed Azakir/ReutersNevada Democrat backs no taxes on tips — with a caveat
Both Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump embraced the idea in a bid to woo voters in the swing state, albeit with some differences.
Kristoffer Tripplaar /SemaforAD
US Fed cuts rates by half percentage point
The cut follows the lead of other major economies and could set other world central banks up to move.
Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo/ReutersPelosi: ‘I feel sorry for Mitch McConnell’
The Democratic Speaker Emerita offered a withering assessment of the Senate GOP leader during an interview with Semafor’s Kadia Goba.
Kevin Wurm/ReutersUN vote adds to international pressure on Israel over Gaza and West Bank
The resolution was criticized by Israel and the US, which argued the move undermines efforts toward a two-state solution.
Eduardo Munoz/File Photo/Reuters
politics
Kristoffer Tripplaar /Semafor
REUTERS/Vincent Alban
Go Nakamura/Reuters
Nevada Democrat backs no taxes on tips — with a caveat
Both Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump embraced the idea in a bid to woo voters in the swing state, albeit with some differences.
Kristoffer Tripplaar /Semafor‘Uncommitted’ campaign won’t endorse Harris over Israel, but warns Trump must be defeated
The movement of anti-war Democratic delegates walked a fine line in their announcement.
REUTERS/Vincent AlbanJD Vance keeps getting ahead of Donald Trump on policy
On abortion, health care, and taxes, Vance has staked out positions that may or may not be Trump’s.
Go Nakamura/ReutersPelosi: ‘I feel sorry for Mitch McConnell’
The Democratic Speaker Emerita offered a withering assessment of the Senate GOP leader during an interview with Semafor’s Kadia Goba.
Trump’s growing tax cut promises will give GOP a huge headache
Republicans concede they have a “math problem” when it comes to the former president’s ambitious, and hugely costly, array of new tax ideas.
In break with tradition, powerful Teamsters union won’t endorse Harris or Trump
The union’s decision reflects a split among its members, with a poll showing most favored the Republican for the presidency having endorsed Joe Biden in 2020.
Principals Live with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joins Semafor to discuss the state of the presidential race, how she learned to wield power, and more.
JD Vance reopens the pre-existing condition debates
His comments on NBC News hinted at a return to Trump’s old Obamacare ideas.
Illinois congressman calls for US permitting law reform talks to continue through election
Rep. Sean Casten made the remarks at a Semafor event on US energy infrastructure in Washington DC.
Here’s what a Kamala Harris victory looks like
Breaking down the groups Harris needs to win most to get over the finish line.
Harris stands firm with Biden on Gaza strategy
Speaking at an NABJ panel, Harris also talked about reparations, Trump’s second assassination attempt, and the economy.
business
Tom Brenner/Reuters
Fed’s big rate cut “screams of interference” in election, Trump adviser says
Reaction from Trump world shows the fight is now over who gets credit for what looks like a soft economic landing: “Why couldn’t this wait until the day after the election?”
Tom Brenner/ReutersLobbying efforts against China tariffs are growing in some Western countries
Germany joined Spain in pushing back against the EU’s proposed curbs on Chinese EVs ahed of a critical vote on levies in the bloc next week.
Top US antitrust cop says DOJ will overhaul how it reviews bank deals
The agency plans to look more broadly at financial services, a move that could sweep companies that have largely avoided regulatory scrutiny.
US approves tariff hikes on Chinese goods, including a 100% duty on EVs
The hikes, which also include a 25% tariff on EV batteries, will come into force on Sept. 27.
ECB cuts interest rates for second time in three months
Christine Lagarde said that while the eurozone still faces some “headwinds,” it will “strengthen over time.”
technology
Pierre Albouy/Reuters
Statt
CERN to expel hundreds of Russian scientists
The researchers will lose their access to CERN, which operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, by December.
Pierre Albouy/ReutersAI startup aimed at demystifying the world of public policy secures new funding
Statt’s service distills the vast amount of online regulatory and policy data to quickly churn out summaries that usually takes days.
StattBrazil threatens X with $900k daily fine for circumventing ban
Elon Musk’s social media network was able to bypass a block in Brazil after updating its communications network.
A radical idea to make the UAE an AI innovation hub
A tech sandbox where copyright law doesn’t exist is one idea discussed by investors, making the Emirates more attractive than the US.
Black teenagers twice as likely to be falsely accused of using AI tools in homework
Racial biases are creeping into teachers’ policing of generative AI tools among students, the study found.
LinkedIn’s have nots and have bots
Frustrated software developers are building AI bots to write cover letters and apply for jobs on LinkedIn — bypassing the site’s anti-bot measures.
net zero
Staff/File Photo/Reuters
Ivan Alvarado/Reuters
Bing Guan/Reuters
Coming winter may prove ‘sternest of tests’ for Ukraine’s battered power grid
The International Energy Agency warned that energy and heat shortages would pose significant additional security risks for Ukraine as Russia increasingly targets the country’s grid.
Staff/File Photo/ReutersPolitical infighting is holding back Ukraine’s energy reconstruction
In his first interview with US media after being sacked this month, the former head of Ukraine’s state-owned grid company said the government has been too slow to change its culture.
Ivan Alvarado/ReutersTrump and Harris have the same oil problem
Politics aside, the market isn’t asking for more drilling.
Bing Guan/Reutersgulf
Saudi Press Agency via Reuters
Senators in both parties open to treaty vote on US-Saudi defense pact
If the next administration can clinch a deal with Riyadh, it will likely take a lot: an end to the Israel-Hamas war, momentum toward a Palestinian state — and 67 Senate votes.
Saudi Press Agency via ReutersThe deeper question haunting OPEC
The oil-producers group meets in December. Analysts want to know if it will cut or raise production. But more vexing challenges are lurking.
Saudi Arabia is betting big on Egypt
After decades of providing cash assistance, the kingdom will invest $5 billion in companies and projects that promise yield.
Silent anniversary of Abraham Accords, despite record trade
Diplomatic ties between the UAE and Israel generated economic opportunities that persist, even during an unpopular war.
Welcome to Semafor Gulf
Semafor’s latest expansion will chart what’s happening right now in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the greatest stories in the world.
africa
Jomo Kenyatta International Airportl; Kenya Airports Authority
Senegal's Presidency/handout
Storm grows as Adani eyes billion-dollar Kenya infrastructure deals
Kenya’s President Ruto faces mounting pressure over a series of controversial proposals by an Indian conglomerate to upgrade the country’s aging infrastructure.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airportl; Kenya Airports AuthoritySenegal’s Faye faces parliamentary election challenge
Senegal’s president hoped dissolving Parliament and calling a legislative election would shore up his power among lawmakers, but it could backfire.
Senegal's Presidency/handoutJPMorgan CEO heads to Africa next month
Jamie Dimon is set to make his first Africa visit in seven years next month, according to a person familiar with the plans.
South Africa urges Elon Musk to invest at ‘home’
South Africa’s government plans to intensify discussions with billionaire Elon Musk about investing in his country of birth.
Cash is king for lifting people out of poverty, says ex-UK minister
Rory Stewart wants the aid community to overhaul its collective approach and provide people in need with cash.
Extreme flooding devastates Africa and Europe, displacing millions
Increasingly warmer weather due to climate change is causing more extreme rainfall in some areas of the globe.
media
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
New York Times’ tech staff threatens strike during Election Day crunch
The threat has rattled the paper’s management, including some leaders in the newsroom.
Shannon Stapleton/ReutersMixed Signals: It’s a man eat dog world, with food critic Pete Wells
On the menu: the health hazards of criticism, how celebrity chefs and TikTokers altered the power of his seat, and more.
Low-profile New York publisher bids for Telegraph
Dovid Efune and a group of North American financiers are among a handful of bidders for the Tories’ favorite newspaper.
Q&A: David Rubenstein on the presidents, and George W. Bush’s theory of populism
The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency is out on Sep. 10.
Mysterious influencer network pushed sexual smears of Harris
“Please God make it stop,” objected former New York Rep. George Santos.
security
Houthi Media Office/Handout via Reuters
Aziz Taher/Reuters
Jens Buttner/Pool via Reuters
Houthi missile strikes reach central Israel
The attack was apparently designed to put pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza.
Houthi Media Office/Handout via ReutersPager explosions injure hundreds of Hezbollah members in alleged cyberattack
Hezbollah, an Iran and Hamas-aligned militia, alleged the pagers were targeted in a coordinated cyberattack.
Aziz Taher/ReutersEU proposes $44B in loans for Ukraine — with or without US support
The loan plan was floated after Hungary vetoed a previous proposal that sought to use frozen Russian assets to back Ukraine.
Jens Buttner/Pool via ReutersAD