Corporate M&A, like the economy, is all about vibes
Trump’s energy ‘dominance’ agenda may not look too different than Biden’s
The World at a Glance
Updated 8:37am EST
1
China’s GDP growth exceeded expectations in the fourth quarter, though some analysts still expressed concern about the risk of deflation.
2Israel’s security council voted to approve a Gaza truce and hostage release deal after overcoming last-minute disputes with Hamas over the agreement.
3US officials accused Sudan of using chemical weapons against rebels, as Washington readies to sanction the country’s military chief for war crimes.
4Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was barred from attending US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
5India successfully docked two spacecraft in Earth’s orbit — just the fourth nation to ever do so, demonstrating its growing space ambitions.
6Multi-year droughts are becoming more common due to climate change, a recent study found, affecting vegetation survival and aiding wildfire outbreaks.
The Senate’s new power duo is John Fetterman and Katie Britt
It’s a new breed of bipartisan alliance compared with the gangs of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Mike Segar and Evelyn Hockstein/ReutersNuclear energy to generate record levels of electricity in 2025: IEA
Renewed momentum around nuclear is driving investment, but significant hurdles remain.
Mike Segar/ReutersSaudi Arabia’s state oil company pivots to lithium mining
A growing number of fossil fuel giants are investing in the metal to keep up with the global green energy transition.
Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/ReutersInvestor interest in defense grows
Asset managers debuted 15 defense-focused funds in Asia last year, compared to six in the four years prior.
Cesar Munoz/ReutersAD
Ideological extremes are growing in the US, new survey finds
The share of Americans who identify as moderate has declined over time, while people increasingly identify as conservative or liberal.
Callaghan O’Hare/Reuters‘I don’t over-promise’: John Thune builds his own bond with Trump
The new Senate majority leader didn’t need Trump’s endorsement like the House speaker did. But it’s important to stay close.
Elizabeth Frantz/ReutersUS finance watchdog SEC faces potential dilemmas over Musk, crypto suits
A new lawsuit filed against Elon Musk Tuesday is one of the last actions the agency will take under Joe Biden, setting a potential challenge for the incoming Trump administration.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
politics
Nathan Howard/ReutersMike Segar and Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Callaghan O’Hare/Reuters
Marco Rubio set to be first confirmation to Trump’s cabinet: Reports
Early signals from Democrats point toward allowing a vote on Rubio’s confirmation on Day 1.
Nathan Howard/ReutersThe Senate’s new power duo is John Fetterman and Katie Britt
It’s a new breed of bipartisan alliance compared with the gangs of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Mike Segar and Evelyn Hockstein/ReutersIdeological extremes are growing in the US, new survey finds
The share of Americans who identify as moderate has declined over time, while people increasingly identify as conservative or liberal.
Callaghan O’Hare/ReutersThe New York Times rethinks political endorsements
The paper has already dropped local endorsements, and a broader, more radical change may be underway.
‘I don’t over-promise’: John Thune builds his own bond with Trump
The new Senate majority leader didn’t need Trump’s endorsement like the House speaker did. But it’s important to stay close.
Ramaswamy eyeing Ohio governor’s race
He’s reported as a contender to replace JD Vance in the Senate. But he has another goal.
Marco Rubio previews hawkish China approach in confirmation hearing
China has “cheated, hacked and stolen” its way to global power, Sen. Marco Rubio said.
Trump tops risk factors for Latin America in 2025
The region relies heavily on agricultural exports so threats of tariffs from the incoming US president may leave many countries vulnerable.
Republicans will only have themselves to blame if can’t pass Trump agenda: Hern
House conservative Rep. Kevin Hern made the remarks in an interview with Semafor’s Elana Schor Tuesday.
Johnson reclaims power over the House floor
The Republican’s predecessor had stocked the influential Rules Committee with conservatives. It looks different now.
Laken Riley immigration bill will cost $83B, Democrats project
Party spending leaders are warning the bill is unworkable in its current form and will cost far more to implement than past estimates.
business
Brendan McDermid/Reuters
Corporate M&A, like the economy, is all about vibes
A dealmaker is back in the White House. Will the deals follow?
Brendan McDermid/ReutersDefense contractor L3Harris CEO Kubasik makes appeal to Musk and Ramaswamy
Chris Kubasik said in a letter that the new Department of Government Efficiency, the quasi-official group tasked with cutting federal spending, offers a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for change.
Investor interest in defense grows
Asset managers debuted 15 defense-focused funds in Asia last year, compared to six in the four years prior.
US finance watchdog SEC faces potential dilemmas over Musk, crypto suits
A new lawsuit filed against Elon Musk Tuesday is one of the last actions the agency will take under Joe Biden, setting a potential challenge for the incoming Trump administration.
Key US inflation metric cools, in welcome news for markets
The cooling boosted expectations of an interest rate cut this year, leading US bond yields to slide.
technology
Steve Nesius/Reuters
Replit/YouTube
Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin successfully launched its first rocket into orbit
The launch marks the first real challenge to the dominance of Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Steve Nesius/ReutersAn AI coding company on how computers as we know it will change
Replit’s Amjad Masad discusses the breakthrough that quintupled his company’s revenue.
Replit/YouTubeTrump, Musk dined with Microsoft CEO at Mar-a-Lago
Satya Nadella is the latest corporate chief to visit the president-elect before he takes office.
Last-ditch Biden effort to curb Chinese tech ambitions targets chip sales
The regulations follow a flurry of last-minute measures from the Biden administration to curtail China’s tech ambitions.
Gallup Survey: Most people don’t know they’re using AI in their everyday apps
Nearly all Americans use products that contain AI on a weekly basis, but 64% don’t realize it.
Replit CEO on AI breakthroughs: ‘We don’t care about professional coders anymore’
Amjad Masad talks about their new AI developments that will allow anyone to code naturally.
net zero
REUTERS/Elizabeth FrantzMike Segar/Reuters 
REUTERS/Ringo Chiu
Trump’s energy ‘dominance’ agenda may not look too different than Biden’s
Cabinet nominee Chris Wright plans to embrace LNG, but otherwise maintain many Biden-era energy priorities.
REUTERS/Elizabeth FrantzNuclear energy to generate record levels of electricity in 2025: IEA
Renewed momentum around nuclear is driving investment, but significant hurdles remain.
Mike Segar/ReutersThe home insurance crisis can’t be fixed with money alone
LA’s wildfires make clear that insurance is too cheap. But geophysics are a bigger problem.
REUTERS/Ringo Chiugulf
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Jared Kushner and Dubai billionaire to partner on Trump hotel in Serbia
Kushner’s investment firm and Dubai billionaire Mohamed Alabbar will work on a project Trump himself considered before running for president in 2016.
Carlos Barria/ReutersMasdar plans global green hydrogen push
Abu Dhabi’s renewables giant plans to produce 1 million tons of green hydrogen — half of it domestically — by 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil company pivots to lithium mining
A growing number of fossil fuel giants are investing in the metal to keep up with the global green energy transition.
UAE plans $6B always-on clean energy facility
The project, slated for completion in 2027, is expected provide uninterrupted clean power using massive batteries.
Analysis: Why Dubai is getting many ‘likes’
The UAE is positioning itself as a global hub for content creators, carving out a spot in the $250-billion global creator economy.
africa
Zohra Bensemra/Reuters
Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty
Mining companies turn to arbitration over West African disputes
Canadian miner Barrick Gold, Australian gold explorer Sarama Resources, and French uranium giant Orano are among those that have launched arbitration proceedings in the Sahel.
Zohra Bensemra/ReutersMozambique inaugurates new president as unrest grows
Daniel Chapo’s victory in a vote international observers said was beset by irregularities raises questions over his legitimacy.
Phill Magakoe/AFP via GettyFewer Africans find their food nutritious, research finds
The fall in perception of nutritious eating coincided with double digit inflation in several African countries in 2023.
Analysis: The risk of outsourcing Africa’s ambition
Africa must not “outsource its ambition” to external powers, the former Liberian Minister of Public Works W. Gyude Moore argues in a new Semafor column.
Ghana fire devastates garment traders
Accra’s Kantamanto Market receives around 15 million used clothes from the Global North every week.
British consumer goods firm Reckitt makes long-term bet on Nigeria
The company’s plans buck a trend in which consumer goods giants have scaled down or shuttered their operations in Africa’s most populous country.
media
Tony Webster/Wikimedia Commons
The Washington Post’s traffic tanks
Over the last four years, web traffic has cratered, according to internal data shared with Semafor in recent weeks.
Tony Webster/Wikimedia CommonsChuck Todd to exit NBC
He has quietly been meeting with Washington media organizations about his post NBC-future.
‘This American Life’ faces rare staff cuts
Host Ira Glass has quietly discussed the likely cuts with the show’s top leadership.
Ashlee Vance launches media startup Core Memory
The company will produce high-end documentaries along with the usual “digital” products.
Former Reuters editor wrote confidential Pulitzer report
Stephen Adler’s report on the Pulitzer Board’s deliberations is at the heart of a lawsuit from Donald Trump.
security
Maya Alleruzzo/File Photo/Pool via Reuters
El-Tayeb Siddig/Reuters
Mohammed Salem/Reuters
Israeli security council approves Gaza ceasefire deal
The wider Israeli cabinet still needs to green-light the vote at a meeting later today, though it is expected to be approved.
Maya Alleruzzo/File Photo/Pool via ReutersUS accuses Sudan military of using chemical weapons in civil war
International observers are worried that escalations in the country’s nearly three-year conflict could see more chemical weapons used in densely populated areas.
El-Tayeb Siddig/ReutersIsrael and Hamas agree Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal: Biden
Israel said that the agreement details could be finalized within hours, while US President Joe Biden hailed the deal.
Mohammed Salem/ReutersAD