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Transparent, global reporting by Semafor journalists on politics, policy, business, finance, technology, climate, energy, media, entertainment, world affairs, China, Asia, Europe, Africa for US and international readers.
4:51 PM
Friday March 14, 2025
IntelligentTransparentGlobal
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[
Politics
Why Democrats arenât worried about their three retiring senators
----------------------------------------------------------------
In Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire, the party sees a good opportunity to elect younger and more diverse candidates.
Paul Sancya/Reuters
](/article/03/14/2025/why-democrats-arent-worried-about-their-three-retiring-senators)
[
China, Iran, and Russia hit out at Western sanctions on Tehran
--------------------------------------------------------------
Trump has voiced openness to nuclear talks even as he resumes a âmaximum pressureâ campaign against Iran.
Pool via Reuters
](/article/03/14/2025/nuclear-talks-in-beijing)
[
](https://link.chtbl.com/kCdZaYDF)
[
China, Iran, and Russia hit out at Western sanctions on Tehran
--------------------------------------------------------------
Trump has voiced openness to nuclear talks even as he resumes a âmaximum pressureâ campaign against Iran.
Pool via Reuters
](/article/03/14/2025/nuclear-talks-in-beijing)
The World at a Glance
---------------------
Updated 2:46pm UTC
[1
**Germany parties agree on** **historic defense and infrastructure spending deal**, a major departure from Berlinâs fiscal restraint.
](/article/03/14/2025/germany-parties-agree-on-historic-defense-spending-deal)[2
**Armenia and Azerbaijan struck a peace deal to resolve their decades-long conflict** over the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
](/article/03/14/2025/armenia-and-azerbaijan-agree-peace-treaty-ending-decades-long-conflict)[3
**Europe is seeking to boost ties with US allies** spurned by President Donald Trump, as a new transatlantic alliance emerges.
](/article/03/14/2025/europe-boosts-ties-with-us-friends-spurned-by-trump)[4
**China, Iran and Russia hit out at Western sanctions** on Tehran as they met for nuclear talks in Beijing.
](/article/03/14/2025/nuclear-talks-in-beijing)[5
US judges ordered that **thousands of fired federal employees have their jobs reinstated**, in a blow for the Trump administration.
](/article/03/14/2025/us-judges-order-the-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-fired-federal-workers)[6
**Syriaâs leaders signed a new constitution** that includes provisions for civil liberties but also retains Islamic law.
](/article/03/14/2025/syrian-leaders-sign-landmark-new-constitution-following-decades-of-dictatorship)
[
Tesla warns Trump that trade war could harm its business
--------------------------------------------------------
The letter urged the US trade representative to âconsider the downstream impactsâ of tariffs.
Thomas Peter/File Photo
](/article/03/14/2025/elon-musks-tesla-warns-trump-in-letter-that-trade-war-could-harm-its-business)
[
Putin says Russia is âin favorâ of Ukraine ceasefire, but stresses âquestionsâ remain
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US officials arriving in Moscow may find the Russian leader unwilling to make the necessary concessions for peace, analysts said.
Maxim Shemetov/Pool via Reuters
](/article/03/13/2025/europe-pushes-to-unite-west-over-ukraine)
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[
Nigeria readies $40M startup seed fund backed by Japan
------------------------------------------------------
The government is stepping in to boost support for early-stage ventures.
Reinnier Kaze/AFP/Getty
](/article/03/14/2025/nigeria-readies-40m-startup-seed-fund-backed-by-japan)
[
Why three senators may leave Washington to run for governor
-----------------------------------------------------------
A long-running pipeline may be starting to reverse, now that serving in Congress isnât what it used to be.
Tierney Cross/Reuters
](/article/03/13/2025/why-three-senators-may-leave-washington-to-run-for-governor)
AD
[
Senate unveils its bid to curb US investment in China as House waits
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John Cornyn told Semafor heâs enlisted a deep bench of colleagues to finally enact a plan that imploded at the end of 2024.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
](/article/03/13/2025/senate-unveils-its-bid-to-curb-us-investment-in-china-as-house-waits)
[
âIncompetent:â Jamie Dimon unloads on proxy advisor ISS
-------------------------------------------------------
The banking chief is the latest executive to take aim at the proxy advisory firms, which have a huge amount of influence over shareholder votes.
Ruby Ella Photography/BlackRock
](/article/03/12/2025/incompetent-jamie-dimon-unloads-on-proxy-advisor-iss)
[
Jeanne Shaheen gets candid: âWe have lots of young leadersâ
-----------------------------------------------------------
The New Hampshire Democratic senator spoke to Semafor about her former rival Scott Brown, ex-Gov. Chris Sununu, and more.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters
](/article/03/12/2025/jeanne-shaheen-gets-candid-after-her-retirement-announcement)
Sign up for Semafor flagship
**The daily global news briefing you can trust.
**In your inbox, twice every weekday. [Read it now](/newsletters/flagship/latest).
Email address
Sign up for freeSign in
Already subscribed? Sign in and we wonât show you this message again.
Take me back to the news
### CURIO
[
Local film Hobal revives excitement for moviegoing in Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------------
The new drama is a boon for the kingdomâs box office sales, which have been falling since a 2022 peak after the ban on cinemas was lifted in 2018.
Waleed Alzuhair/Flickr. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
](/article/03/12/2025/local-film-hobal-revives-excitement-for-moviegoing-in-saudi-arabia)
* Flagship
The daily global news briefing you can trust.
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What the White House is reading.
weekdays[Read it](/newsletters/principals/latest)
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The stories (& the scoops) from Wall Street.
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* Technology
Whatâs next in the new era of tech.
2x/week[Read it](/newsletters/technology/latest)
* Net Zero
The nexus of politics, tech, and energy.
2x/week[Read it](/newsletters/netzero/latest)
* Gulf
Navigating the regionâs capital, influence, and power.
3x/week[Read it](/newsletters/gulf/latest)
* Africa
A rapidly-growing continentâs crucial stories.
3x/week[Read it](/newsletters/africa/latest)
* Americana
An insiderâs guide to American power.
2x/week[Read it](/newsletters/americana/latest)
* Media
Mediaâs essential read.
sundays[Read it](/newsletters/media/latest)
### Sign up for our Newsletters.
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2 newsletters selected
[politics](/vertical/politics)
[
Marylandâs governor on life under DOGE
--------------------------------------
Semaforâs Ben Smith talks with Wes Moore at BlackRockâs retirement summit.
Ruby Ella Photography/BlackRock
](/article/03/14/2025/marylands-governor-wes-moore-on-life-under-doge-elon-musk)
[
Why Democrats arenât worried about their three retiring senators
----------------------------------------------------------------
In Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire, the party sees a good opportunity to elect younger and more diverse candidates.
Paul Sancya/Reuters
](/article/03/14/2025/why-democrats-arent-worried-about-their-three-retiring-senators)
[
US judges order Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired federal workers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ruling applies to more than a dozen government agencies that were affected by mass firings conducted by Elon Muskâs advisory committee, DOGE.
Kent Nishimura/File Photo/Reuters
](/article/03/14/2025/us-judges-order-the-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-fired-federal-workers)
[
Why three senators may leave Washington to run for governor
-----------------------------------------------------------
A long-running pipeline may be starting to reverse, now that serving in Congress isnât what it used to be.
](/article/03/13/2025/why-three-senators-may-leave-washington-to-run-for-governor)
[
Senate unveils its bid to curb US investment in China as House waits
--------------------------------------------------------------------
John Cornyn told Semafor heâs enlisted a deep bench of colleagues to finally enact a plan that imploded at the end of 2024.
](/article/03/13/2025/senate-unveils-its-bid-to-curb-us-investment-in-china-as-house-waits)
[
Jeanne Shaheen gets candid: âWe have lots of young leadersâ
-----------------------------------------------------------
The New Hampshire Democratic senator spoke to Semafor about her former rival Scott Brown, ex-Gov. Chris Sununu, and more.
](/article/03/12/2025/jeanne-shaheen-gets-candid-after-her-retirement-announcement)
[
Senior House Republican pushes senators on debt ceiling increase
----------------------------------------------------------------
House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith addressed Semafor reporting about Senate resistance to his chamberâs strategy.
](/article/03/12/2025/senior-house-republican-pushes-senators-on-debt-ceiling-increase)
[
CEOs need âa measure of predictabilityâ from Trump: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The governor said Trumpâs fast-changing tariff policy is having a âreal impactâ on markets.
](/article/03/12/2025/ceos-need-a-measure-of-predictability-from-trump-maryland-gov-wes-moore)
[
Inside the Senate debate on housing affordability
-------------------------------------------------
Memos seen by Semafor show how lawmakers are trying to build bipartisan momentum to fix sinking affordability ahead of the Senate Banking Committeeâs first hearing.
](/article/03/12/2025/inside-the-senate-debate-on-housing-affordability)
[
Trump begins slashing Education Department workforce
----------------------------------------------------
The department began cuts affecting nearly half its workforce on Tuesday night in a move that an administration official said will impact âevery partâ of it.
](/article/03/12/2025/trump-begins-slashing-education-department-workforce)
[
Senate Republicans give Houseâs debt ceiling plan cold shoulder
---------------------------------------------------------------
The biggest deadline in Washington is not Fridayâs shutdown date, but a debt ceiling breach.
](/article/03/11/2025/senate-republicans-give-houses-debt-ceiling-plan-cold-shoulder)
[business](/vertical/business)
[
âIncompetent:â Jamie Dimon unloads on proxy advisor ISS
-------------------------------------------------------
The banking chief is the latest executive to take aim at the proxy advisory firms, which have a huge amount of influence over shareholder votes.
Ruby Ella Photography/BlackRock
](/article/03/12/2025/incompetent-jamie-dimon-unloads-on-proxy-advisor-iss)[
Dimon: âUncertainty is not a good thingâ
----------------------------------------
The JPMorgan Chase CEO acknowledged that Donald Trumpâs policies are contributing to âsome negative sentimentâ but said he thought consumers have been less bothered.
](/article/03/12/2025/dimon-uncertainty-is-not-a-good-thing)
[
BlackRock CEO calls for Social Security reform
----------------------------------------------
âWe have a plan called Social Security that doesnât grow with the economy,â CEO Larry Fink told Semaforâs Liz Hoffman.
](/article/03/12/2025/blackrock-ceo-calls-for-social-security-reform)
[
US inflation dipped last month, but tariff concerns remain high
---------------------------------------------------------------
New consumer price index data indicated that inflation rose by 2.8% in February, lower than economistsâ expected 2.9% increase.
](/article/03/12/2025/us-inflation-dipped-last-month-despite-tariff-concerns)
[
Samaranch puts sponsorship and media overhaul at core of Olympic presidency pitch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The son of a veteran IOC leader says his banking background qualifies him to run âan extraordinarily efficient business machine.â
](/article/03/11/2025/samaranch-puts-sponsorship-and-media-overhaul-at-core-of-olympic-presidency-pitch)
[technology](/vertical/tech)
[
Tech leaders pivot away from H-1B visa program after populist revolt
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Some tech leaders support reforming the program that has garnered skilled talent, putting them at odds with GOP members who prefer to eliminate it.
Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
](/article/03/07/2025/tech-gop-scuffle-ensues-over-h-1b-visa-program)
[
Anthropic looks to chip and energy strength to secure American AI dominance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The startup has also recommended the White House enhance national security testing of AI models.
Yves Herman/Reuters
](/article/03/05/2025/anthropic-looks-to-chip-and-energy-strength-to-secure-american-ai-dominance)
[
Autonomous driving technology has crossed a threshold, and thereâs no going back
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I turned the family ski trip into an autonomous driving experiment and saw the future of transportation.
](/article/02/28/2025/autonomous-driving-technology-has-crossed-a-threshold-and-theres-no-going-back)
[
Apple announces $500B US investment as Trump tariffs loom over tech
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Silicon Valley giant also said it would hire more than 20,000 people in the US as part of the effort.
](/article/02/24/2025/apple-pledges-to-spend-500bn-on-manufacturing-in-us-to-avoid-china-tariffs)
[
Microsoftâs quantum chip creates new state of matter
----------------------------------------------------
The new âtopological stateâ â which isnât a solid, liquid, or gas â had previously only existed in theory.
](/article/02/20/2025/microsofts-new-quantum-chip-creates-new-state-of-matter)
[
Corporations dig deeper: using bunkers to secure data (and their CEOs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Several large companies are building underground housing for their data centers and executives.
](/article/02/20/2025/corporations-dig-deeper-using-bunkers-to-secure-data)
[net zero](/vertical/netzero)
[
Wind and solar together overtake coal for first time in US
----------------------------------------------------------
Itâs now a two-horse race between solar and gas to meet the countryâs rising electricity demand.
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/Recurrent Energy
](/article/03/13/2025/wind-and-solar-together-overtake-coal-for-first-time-in-us)
[
Exxon isnât scared of low oil prices
------------------------------------
Big Oil still sees a bright future ahead.
Eli Hartman/Reuters
](/article/03/13/2025/exxonmobil-isnt-scared-of-low-oil-prices)
[
Inflation Reduction Act exposes US taxpayers to âpotentially unlimited liability,â Cato Institute argues
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The libertarian think tank has long criticized the Biden-era energy subsidies as a fiscally reckless example of âcrony capitalism.â
Annie Rice/Reuters
](/article/03/11/2025/inflation-reduction-act-exposes-us-taxpayers-to-potentially-unlimited-liability-cato-institute-argues)
[gulf](/vertical/gulf)
[
How a delivery boom in Riyadh is reshaping the Saudi capital
------------------------------------------------------------
The surge in e-commerce, food delivery, and parcel services is boosting profits for logistics firms, but external costs and housing needs for workers are rising.
Ahmed Yosri/Reuters
](/article/03/14/2025/how-a-delivery-boom-in-riyadh-is-reshaping-the-saudi-capital)[
Standard Chartered targets UAEâs affluent class
-----------------------------------------------
The bank opened a dedicated facility in Dubai, catering to affluent clients seeking global investment opportunities.
](/article/03/14/2025/standard-chartered-eyes-asset-management-growth)
[
The UAEâs $2 billion bet on a pro-crypto Trump
----------------------------------------------
The investment by Abu Dhabiâs MGX in Binance this week anticipates greater institutional adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
](/article/03/14/2025/the-uaes-2-billion-bet-on-a-pro-crypto-trump)
[
Local film Hobal revives excitement for moviegoing in Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------------
The new drama is a boon for the kingdomâs box office sales, which have been falling since a 2022 peak after the ban on cinemas was lifted in 2018.
](/article/03/12/2025/local-film-hobal-revives-excitement-for-moviegoing-in-saudi-arabia)
[
Riyadh emerges as Middle Eastâs fastest-growing market for data centers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Saudi capital plans to grow its capacity at almost double the rate of Dubai and Abu Dhabi through 2027, according to real estate services firm JLL.
](/article/03/12/2025/riyadh-emerges-as-fastest-growing-market-for-data-centers-in-the-middle-east)
[africa](/vertical/africa)
[
Chad tops global list of most polluted countries
------------------------------------------------
The Central African country recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration more than 18 times above the World Health Organizationâs guideline.
Korom10/Creative Commons
](/article/03/14/2025/chad-tops-most-polluted-list)
[
Nigeria readies $40M startup seed fund backed by Japan
------------------------------------------------------
The government is stepping in to boost support for early-stage ventures.
Reinnier Kaze/AFP/Getty
](/article/03/14/2025/nigeria-readies-40m-startup-seed-fund-backed-by-japan)
[
Chinese firms are stakeholders in more than a quarter of Africaâs ports
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese companies are builders, financiers, or operators in an estimated 78 of 231 African commercial ports, according to a new tally.
](/article/03/13/2025/chinese-firms-are-stakeholders-in-a-quarter-of-africas-ports)
[
Trump eyes US colonel for top Africa job in White House
-------------------------------------------------------
Col. Jean-Philippe Peltier is expected to be appointed President Donald Trumpâs senior Africa director, three people familiar with the matter told Semafor.
](/article/03/13/2025/us-colonel-eyed-for-top-africa-job)
[
South Africaâs US ambassador shut out of Washington
---------------------------------------------------
Ebrahim Rasool, a veteran diplomat who was Pretoriaâs envoy to the US during the Obama administration, has failed to secure routine meetings.
](/article/03/12/2025/south-africas-us-ambassador-shut-out-of-washington)
[
Africa climate tech investor Equator closes $55M fund
-----------------------------------------------------
It is among a growing pool of financiers betting on climate solutions.
](/article/03/11/2025/africa-climate-tech-investor-equator-closes-55m-fund)
[media](/vertical/media)
[
Mixed Signals: Does mass culture still matter? And how Snoop Dogg mastered commerce, with Frank Cooper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lessons from LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg, from Visa CMO Frank Cooper
](/article/03/14/2025/mixed-signals-mass-culture-frank-cooper)[
Newsmax deletes interview criticizing FCC
-----------------------------------------
The article had featured the CEO of a telecom company, Telnyx, complaining about the commission.
](/article/03/12/2025/newsmax-deletes-interview-criticizing-fcc)
[
In reversal, NPR permits anchor to attend Pride event
-----------------------------------------------------
The public broadcaster has faced increasing pressure from the Trump administration and Republicans.
](/article/03/12/2025/npr-urged-anchor-to-avoid-upcoming-pride-event)
[
Meta braces for ex-Facebook employeeâs tell-all book
----------------------------------------------------
Meta is pushing back particularly hard on some of the authorâs claims about the companyâs dealings abroad.
](/article/03/09/2025/meta-braces-for-ex-facebook-employees-tell-all-book)
[
Democratic media leader dating US senator
-----------------------------------------
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy has recently been one of the most visible Democrats in Washington.
](/article/03/09/2025/democratic-media-leader-dating-us-senator)
[security](/vertical/security)
[
DOGE reviews nuclear contractors
--------------------------------
A review of National Nuclear Security Administration contractors has sparked concern within the agency that it could lose manpower at a critical time.
Flickr Creative Commons Photo/NNSA
](/article/03/10/2025/doge-reviews-nuclear-contractors)
[
UK clamps down on Russian espionage, as Moscow ramps up pressure on Europe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia is increasingly reliant on private intelligence operatives and criminals to carry out espionage missions, UK security experts said.
Stringer/File Photo/Reuters
](/article/03/10/2025/uk-cracks-down-on-russian-espionage-as-moscow-ramps-up-pressure-on-europe)
[
Iran expands stockpile of near-weapons grade uranium by 50%
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tehranâs growing uranium stockpile is of âserious concern,â the United Nationsâ nuclear watchdog warned.
Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
](/article/02/26/2025/iran-expands-stockpile-of-near-weapons-grade-uranium-by-more-than-50)
AD