Iran tightens grip on Strait of Hormuz
A new shipping route is likely to emerge out of the expected agreement between Tehran and Muscat this week, and the chokepoint’s relevance will likely remain.
Recent coverage
Reading John Hersey's 'Hiroshima,' 81 years on
One year after the city’s atomic bombing, The New Yorker handed over a whole issue to the stories of six survivors.
Kalshi banks on its predictions’ accuracy
The company studied its bets and found they came closer to reality than most AI models and track human “superforecasters.”
Drone bomb allegedly linked to Russia found at German airport
The explosives-laden drone was discovered in one of Europe’s busiest freight terminals near Ukrainian cargo planes, in what one commentator called a “dangerous escalation” of Russian agression.
Deal to open Strait of Hormuz nears ‘final stages’
Iran and Oman are close to an agreement on a commercial route through the Strait of Hormuz, but dysfunction at the top of the Iranian regime is likely slowing talks.
Senate Democrats advise party to break out economic populism
Democrats should use Congress’ August recess to take on corporate interests, the four senators wrote.
Americans turning to AI for financial advice but confidence low, poll shows
About 20% of Americans have recently used AI for financial advice, but their confidence in its expertise remains low.
Crypto’s top legislative priority slips in Senate
The industry needs a vote before November so it can deploy millions in political spending, but leaders have yet to line one up.
Pirro is still in trouble as Trump mulls her future
Others inside the administration are raising concerns about her, Semafor is told.
Republicans sense advantage in ‘target-rich’ Michigan
Even with President Donald Trump’s plunging popularity, they view the progressive Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as an opponent they can pick apart.
Demis Hassabis was shifting away from DeepMind CEO duties for a year
The CEO of Google’s AI unit was increasingly unsatisfied with the role of tech executive, preferring a more scientific position, said two people familiar with his thinking.
Saudi fund leads buyout of video game giant EA
It’s perhaps the largest leveraged buyout in history.
Iran, Oman signal Hormuz deal
Analysts cautioned the deal was unlikely to resolve the wider disputes fueling the conflict.
Google DeepMind boss steps down
Demis Hassabis follows a string of prominent AI executives who have departed DeepMind in recent months.
The White House maintains a little obscurity for AI security
The takeaway shouldn't be fear that the US government is hiding the ball. It’s that there isn’t a ball to hide yet.
Public records laws must modernize
The public should have greater and more granular visibility into how the technology is being used.
Campaign ridicule was the real winner of Michigan’s Democratic primary
Abdul El-Sayed’s victory was a clear win for anti-AIPAC Democrats — and ridicule.
Startup Sapiom routes clients’ AI to lowest-cost tokens
As AI spending ramps up, businesses want fast pathways to the cheapest models.
Michigan primary adds to Schumer's future headaches
The Senate Democratic leader has a half-dozen viable candidates threatening to oppose him if they win.
A Nobel Prize winner's journey from 'posh Lima' to Cricklewood
Gerald Martin’s new biography of Mario Vargas Llosa is “chatty yet coolly analytical,” The Guardian wrote.
Conjoined twins arrive in Riyadh for potentially life-changing surgery
The kingdom has built a global reputation in the specialty through the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has operated since 1990.
Dubai population tops prewar peak, countering fears of expat exodus
After an initial exodus, the loss of 61,000 residents was quickly reversed.
Gulf economies rebounded in July, as firms dig out from wartime lows
Renewed strikes and slower traffic through the Strait of Hormuz later in July may undermine the chances of a sustained rebound.
US military to add laser weapons to its arsenal
Lasers have long been the stuff of science fiction battles, but are yet to be used in combat after 50 years of testing.
Africa’s glaciers have shrunk more than 90% since the late 19th century
Mount Kenya’s glaciers are disappearing particularly fast, a UN climate report said.
Romania's navy detonates part of Danube river to cool nuclear plant
Romanian naval forces blew up part of the drought-hit Danube river.
Major PC makers turn to China's CXMT amid memory shortage
AI-driven data center buildouts have pushed up memory demand that has tripled DRAM costs in the last 18 months.
Anthropic, OpenAI models attempt to fool humans
Anthropic’s Claude Mythos model wrote malicious code, then lied to humans claiming it was an innocent mistake.
Nigeria raises military salaries as security threats persist
Insurgent groups, such as Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates, have caused instability in Nigeria’s northeast for many years.
South Africa's Democratic Alliance leads land reform lawsuit
The coalition government member is joining lobby groups in challenging legislation that allows the government to seize private land for public use.
South African court reinstates state pension fund chief
Patrick Dlamini returns to lead the Public Investment Corporation alongside a completely overhauled board.
New deal expected to open the Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices plunged after reports that the US, Iran, and Oman had agreed the countours of a deal that would allow traffic through the key waterway.
Trump's costly visa bond program is now permanent
Up to 30 of the 50 countries affected are in Africa.
Africa's funding reset leaves early-stage tech founders behind
Later-stage companies with strong revenues, scale, and a firm handle on customer needs tend to be the new beneficiaries rather than seed and series A startups.
After tough Michigan primary, Democrats set sights on Rogers
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is out with a six-figure ad buy going after the Republican Michigan Senate nominee.
White House’s AI framework close-hold fuels industry concerns
The Trump administration told a handful of tech firms that it will not publicly release its new framework for voluntary government reviews of advanced AI models.
Trump hits the campaign trail in Las Vegas
He plans to give a speech in Las Vegas highlighting his administration’s efforts to address the cost of living.
An inconclusive Tuesday, in Michigan and beyond
The Democratic establishment couldn’t get some of its candidates over the line, and the party’s rising left wing couldn’t win some key races.
SpaceX shares sink after execs promise more spending
Still, shares wobbled after an initial jump on Tuesday.
Democrats want Venezuelan oil revenue details
The Trump administration is under increasing pressure to answer questions about the management of Venezuela’s oil revenue.
Oil plunges after US signals progress on Hormuz deal
The drop appeared unlikely to translate to immediate relief for consumers.
SpaceX revenue jumps, beating expectations
Still, shares wobbled after an initial jump on Tuesday.
US stockpiles of missiles, interceptors dwindle
The US has used up “virtually all” of its highly accurate long-range missiles during the Iran war, Reuters reported.
Why some Democrats may hesitate to push Max Miller out
Several Democrats are pushing for Ohio GOP Rep. Max Miller to resign or face expulsion over allegations of domestic abuse, but privately some wouldn’t mind if he stuck around for now.
Airtable sale punctures SaaS bubble
It’s a sign that some companies hit hard by the SaaS selloff (or their venture-capital backers, as Airtable is still privately held) are bowing to reality and taking whatever money is available.
AstraZeneca could be Britain’s next loss
AstraZeneca’s deal talks with US-headquartered Bristol Myers Squibb, which Semafor confirms remain active, would strike another blow to the UK’s effort to keep hold of its corporate champions.
The trade in Trump’s social-media previews
Some firms are willing to shell out $100,000 a month for early access to Trump’s social-media posts.
China's AI giants target enterprise profits
Price wars could erode margins, as firms race to bundle their models and workplaces offerings.
Taiwan export boom marks return of 'Tiger economy'
Propelled by chips and other AI-related exports to the US, the surge caps a decade-long pivot away from the mainland market.
China currency debate bursts into the open
Economists are sparring over the yuan’s value as China’s trade surplus continues to grow.