The World at a Glance
Updated 11:01am EST
1
The US opposed condemning Russian aggression ahead of the Ukraine war’s third anniversary, as relations between Washington and Kyiv reach new lows.
2Impeached South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol is standing trial over his botched martial law declaration, as the country’s political crisis deepens.
3US President Donald Trump called Ukraine’s Zelenskyy a ‘dictator,’ as his administration pivots away from Kyiv toward warmer ties with Russia.
4Arab leaders will meet in Riyadh to discuss an alternate plan for Gaza, after the US proposed displacing Palestinians from the enclave.
5Hamas handed over to Israel the bodies of two of the youngest hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attacks.
6Archaeologists found a pharaoh’s tomb in Egypt, the first such discovery since Tutankhamun’s more than a century ago.
Arab leaders race to craft Gaza proposal to counter Trump
Officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are set to meet in Riyadh Friday to formulate a plan for the enclave.
Hatem Khaled/ReutersUS Congress approval highest in nearly four years, Gallup poll finds
Nearly 30% of US adults approve of the job that Congress is doing, a 12-percentage-point spike since January.
Nathan Howard/File Photo/ReutersMicrosoft’s new quantum chip creates new state of matter
The new “topological state” — which isn’t a solid, liquid, or gas — had previously only existed in theory.
Microsoft/Handout via ReutersTrump’s Ukraine criticism caps a dramatic pivot in US foreign policy
The US president’s suggestion that Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s war is perhaps the most marked contrast yet with the former Biden administration’s support for Kyiv.
Kevin Lamarque/ReutersAD
A MAGA adviser is proposing a ‘DOGE dividend’
James Fishback, who launched an anti-woke fund an has been advising DOGE, wants to send its savings back to Americans.
Kevin Lamarque/ReutersSenate Republicans want input as Trump steps up government overhaul
They stomached the initial layoffs with only a few complaints. Reshaping regulators may be another matter.
Evelyn Hockstein/ReutersGermany elections: Three themes that will shape the country’s future
The elections will determine the direction of the world’s third-largest economy as it navigates the new Trump administration and growing security threats.
Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
politics
Piroschka Van De Wouw/ReutersNathan Howard/File Photo/Reuters
Kentucky Republicans already tangling over McConnell’s succession
A Bluegrass brawl is taking shape as three Senate hopefuls vie for a leg up.
Piroschka Van De Wouw/ReutersTackling Washington’s tax and spend priorities
Tax cuts are back — but so are the big questions.
US Congress approval highest in nearly four years, Gallup poll finds
Nearly 30% of US adults approve of the job that Congress is doing, a 12-percentage-point spike since January.
Nathan Howard/File Photo/ReutersSenate Republicans want input as Trump steps up government overhaul
They stomached the initial layoffs with only a few complaints. Reshaping regulators may be another matter.
Top DOJ official defends move to drop NYC mayor charges
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emile Bove appeared at a federal court hearing to dismiss the case after several Manhattan federal prosecutors resigned over the DOJ’s order.
Trump approval rating slips slightly as more Americans worry about economy
While 93% of Republicans said they approved of the US president in a new Gallup poll, just 4% of Democrats said they approved of the job he is doing.
Bipartisan SHIPS bill could appeal to Trump
Dem senator talks to White House about new version of bill to revitalize the US maritime industry.
Awaiting DOGE’s latest reveal: Who is running it?
The Trump administration says Elon Musk isn’t technically in charge. Semafor is told the position remains vacant.
Homeland Security budgets $200m for new border ad campaign
In the ads, Kristi Noem praises President Trump and warns migrants in the US illegally that “we will find you.”
Trump’s Labor pick will need unusual help to get confirmed
Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s support for pro-union legislation puts her at risk of losing Republican votes.
Russia and Ukraine trade assaults as peace talks loom
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top White House advisers will travel to the Gulf for talks this week.
businessKevin Lamarque/Reuters
A MAGA adviser is proposing a ‘DOGE dividend’
James Fishback, who launched an anti-woke fund an has been advising DOGE, wants to send its savings back to Americans.
Kevin Lamarque/ReutersBlackRock paused corporate meetings in wake of new rules on ESG engagement
The big asset manager kiboshed meetings in the immediate aftermath but is just one of many companies retooling in the face of the Trump administrations rapid rulemaking.
Xi Jinping set to host top Chinese CEOs amid economic push
The gathering could reassure global investors that “another crackdown is not around the corner,” one analyst said.
Argentina’s Milei backtracks after promoting crypto coin as means to boost economy
The cryptocurrency token, which had the same name as Javier Milei’s political party, rapidly rose in value Friday before cratering, drawing opposition ire.
Qatari-backed investor eyes Papa Johns takeover
A Qatari royal and a takeover pro have teamed up and are mulling a bid for the struggling $1.4 billion pizzeria.
technologyMicrosoft/Handout via Reuters 
David Swanson/Reuters
Microsoft’s new quantum chip creates new state of matter
The new “topological state” — which isn’t a solid, liquid, or gas — had previously only existed in theory.
Microsoft/Handout via ReutersCrypto heavyweight Coinbase releases US legislative wishlist
After battling regulators in the Biden administration and funneling millions to Republicans in the 2024 elections, the crypto exchange is formalizing its asks of a GOP-controlled Washington.
David Swanson/ReutersOpenAI board rejects Elon Musk’s takeover bid
The ChatGPT maker said Musk’s $97.4 billion offer was “not in the best interests” of the company.
ChatGPT: Will you be my Valentine? More users are falling for AI companions
Behind the Valentine’s plans and relationships of chatbot users who fell in love with AI.
Chip maker EnCharge raises $100M in Series B round, aims to slash AI energy usage
The DARPA-backed startup has developed chips using a unique technology that requires significantly lower amounts of energy to run AI models compared to market-leading options.
Analysis: Elon vs. Sam is good for US AI progress
The intensifying rivalry between the two tech CEOs aids the US in its AI race against China.
net zero
Alexey Malgavko/Reuters
Pexels/Creative Commons
Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto/Reuters
Trump is playing a dangerous game with Russian energy
Lifting sanctions and allowing Russian oil and gas back into the global market could backfire for the US.
Alexey Malgavko/ReutersTrump’s anti-DEI push threatens a huge energy bank
Beneficiaries of the EPA’s $20 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund might sue to keep the money, the head of one such group told Semafor.
Pexels/Creative CommonsTrump-EU tariff spat could put a key climate policy on the negotiating table
Europe’s looming methane standards could hold US gas companies accountable — or devolve into greenwashing.
Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto/Reutersgulf
Mohammed Sergie/Semafor
Dubai studying ‘railbus’ system in effort to improve public transport
The hybrid mode of transport is already in use in parts of Asia and Europe, but it may take years before it’s available in Dubai.
Mohammed Sergie/SemaforNew paper raises questions over Saudi foreign direct investment data
A new paper points to major discrepancies in the quarterly and annual FDI data compiled by two different Saudi government bodies.
Analysis: Riyadh’s huge balancing act begins to pay off
By hosting critical negotiations, Saudi Arabia is cementing itself as a trusted mediator on the world stage.
Battle for world’s largest blue cut diamond ends in stalemate
Qatari Sheikh Hamad Abdullah Al-Thani had moved to enforce the sale of the $10 million diamond, but a London High Court has ruled against it, quashing the royal’s hopes of acquiring the gem.
US consumer boycotts over Israel hit profits at Gulf fast food outlets
The Gulf’s biggest operator of American fast food restaurants took a hit in 2024, as did rivals like McDonald’s, but pressure may be easing.
africa
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Esa Alexander/Reuters.
Luc Gnago/File Photo/Reuters
South Africa postpones high-stakes budget announcement
Africa’s largest economy has faced a burgeoning debt and stagnating economy that threatens to derail the country’s coalition government.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Esa Alexander/Reuters.African Development Bank projects 4.1% growth for the continent
The improvement will be driven by economic reforms in several countries, the Bank wrote.
Luc Gnago/File Photo/ReutersSouth Sudan’s instant payments push
The country will fully roll out the new instant payments system by December.
South Africa plans emergency delegation to save ties with Trump
Tensions are high since the US president cut off aid to the nation.
Dangote injects $400M to expand Ethiopia cement operations
Africa’s richest man says the country is one of his company’s most promising investments.
EU says it ‘cannot fill’ USAID funding gap as Africa seeks solutions
A health care crisis looms as the sector hardest hit by the Trump administration’s sudden foreign aid freeze.
media
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
New York Times goes all-in on internal AI tools
The company said it was greenlighting a number of AI programs for editorial and product staff.
Shannon Stapleton/ReutersDemocrats, influencers huddle for a new new media strategy
The summit in DC was part of a monthslong effort by the party to fix its online presence.
Mixed Signals: How Fox is embracing the creator economy, with Red Seat’s Chris Balfe
Is the future of media one where big media companies no longer have control over their talent?
Innovating to Restore Trust in News: A National Summit
The movement to shape a new era of trusted journalism.
New York Magazine partnered with anti-psychedelics activists on MDMA series
The group, Psymposia, is coming under greater scrutiny for its at times aggressive tactics.
security
Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/Reuters
Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters
Vitaly V. Kuzmin/Reuters
Zelenskyy: ‘Nobody decides anything behind our back’ as US, Russia hold Ukraine talks
The Ukrainian leader sharply criticized Tuesday’s US-Russia bilateral talks in Riyadh.
Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/ReutersAt least 28 injured in suspected car-ramming attack in Munich
The incident happened about a mile away from the venue of the Munich Security Conference, which is set to begin Friday.
Wolfgang Rattay/ReutersRussia to target Americans with ‘nuclear winter’ propaganda, Estonia intelligence says
The Kremlin plans to resurrect Cold War-era concerns about the contested nuclear winter theory to reduce US support for Ukraine, Estonian intelligence said.
Vitaly V. Kuzmin/ReutersAD