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Sen. Susan Collins is again confronting the White House on National Institutes of Health grant decision-making, calling on Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to drop his push to assert greater control over the NIH’s grant process.
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Collins challenges NIH grant review plan
Since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, she’s successfully pushed back against National Institutes of Health funding cuts.
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September 22, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Sen. Susan Collins is again confronting the White House on National Institutes of Health grant decision-making, calling on Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to drop his push to assert greater control over the NIH’s grant process.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
OpenAI calls for the US to lead an international coalition to coordinate global AI standards.
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OpenAI calls for global US-led coalition on AI safety
Debate over the technology’s risk and promise looms over this week’s UN General Assembly.
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September 22, 2026 at 12:34 PM
OpenAI calls for the US to lead an international coalition to coordinate global AI standards.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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Paramount has settled lawsuits brought by 12 US states, paving the way for David Ellison’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
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Paramount settles US states’ lawsuits, clearing way for Warner Bros. takeover
The $110 billion takeover will create one of the world’s largest entertainment companies. But the deal’s opponents are still skeptical.
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September 22, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Paramount has settled lawsuits brought by 12 US states, paving the way for David Ellison’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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AMD became the fourth US chipmaker to exceed a $1 trillion market cap, as traders piled into AI-related stocks.
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September 22, 2026 at 7:12 AM
AMD became the fourth US chipmaker to exceed a $1 trillion market cap, as traders piled into AI-related stocks.
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The US military reportedly prepared to intercept a Chinese vessel in the Middle East this spring after an AI chatbot misidentified materials on board, a close call that “almost started a war,” a source told CNN.
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Experts warn of AI warfare risk
The US military reportedly prepared to intercept a Chinese vessel in the Middle East this spring after an AI chatbot misidentified materials on board, a close call that “almost started a war,” a…
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September 21, 2026 at 10:31 PM
The US military reportedly prepared to intercept a Chinese vessel in the Middle East this spring after an AI chatbot misidentified materials on board, a close call that “almost started a war,” a source told CNN.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Mining for copper fell in the first half of the year relative to the same period in 2025, sparking fears over long-term supplies of the metal, which is key for the clean energy transition and building data centers.
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Copper production falls, leading to concerns over longterm supplies
Production disruptions and weak output in Chile, the world’s biggest producer, sent prices to record highs.
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September 21, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Mining for copper fell in the first half of the year relative to the same period in 2025, sparking fears over long-term supplies of the metal, which is key for the clean energy transition and building data centers.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Restrictions on shipping through key global trade routes are stoking concerns of a coming worldwide food-price shock, with poor countries particularly ill prepared.
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September 21, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Restrictions on shipping through key global trade routes are stoking concerns of a coming worldwide food-price shock, with poor countries particularly ill prepared.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Surging fuel prices driven by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are remaking global politics. The US, Brazil, France, Germany and Italy are all seeing the effects in their elections, policies and approval ratings.
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Surging fuel prices heat up polls across US, Brazil and EU
Though benchmark oil prices have stabilized after a recent surge, a shortage of fuel tankers and limits on global refining capacity have driven diesel costs.
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September 21, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Surging fuel prices driven by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are remaking global politics. The US, Brazil, France, Germany and Italy are all seeing the effects in their elections, policies and approval ratings.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Global diplomacy takes center stage in New York this week, highlighted by talks between the US and Chinese leaders, even as global conflict looks set to intensify.
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Global diplomacy takes center stage in New York
The UN General Assembly could see talks between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian, and maybe even Iranian, counterparts.
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September 21, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Global diplomacy takes center stage in New York this week, highlighted by talks between the US and Chinese leaders, even as global conflict looks set to intensify.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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The Strait of Hormuz “cannot be obsolete,” despite the Trump administration’s assertions, Qatar’s energy minister said, rejecting US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s view that it could become a “worthless piece of water.”
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Al-Kaabi: Hormuz ‘cannot be obsolete’
The Strait of Hormuz “cannot be obsolete,” despite the Trump administration’s assertions, Qatar’s energy minister said.
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September 21, 2026 at 8:02 PM
The Strait of Hormuz “cannot be obsolete,” despite the Trump administration’s assertions, Qatar’s energy minister said, rejecting US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s view that it could become a “worthless piece of water.”
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
European leaders are taking Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s flirtation with pulling out troops seriously and reckoning with the fading American security umbrella.
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September 21, 2026 at 7:34 PM
European leaders are taking Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s flirtation with pulling out troops seriously and reckoning with the fading American security umbrella.
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🟡 NEW: South Africa is leveraging its position as the world’s dominant producer of platinum — key for both energy and AI-related buildouts — to simultaneously improve ties with Beijing and Washington.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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September 21, 2026 at 7:02 PM
🟡 NEW: South Africa is leveraging its position as the world’s dominant producer of platinum — key for both energy and AI-related buildouts — to simultaneously improve ties with Beijing and Washington.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
The summit won’t break the US-China stalemate, argues Andy Browne.
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
September 21, 2026 at 6:32 PM
The summit won’t break the US-China stalemate, argues Andy Browne.
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
🟡 NEW: A key Republican super PAC has removed $6.5 million in ad reservations from North Carolina’s Senate race for the month of October.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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September 21, 2026 at 6:03 PM
🟡 NEW: A key Republican super PAC has removed $6.5 million in ad reservations from North Carolina’s Senate race for the month of October.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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Doha is moving the Qatar Investment Authority’s domestic assets into a separate unit as it seeks to attract more foreign capital and increase private sector involvement in the economy.
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September 21, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Doha is moving the Qatar Investment Authority’s domestic assets into a separate unit as it seeks to attract more foreign capital and increase private sector involvement in the economy.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
The data center buildout is driving a rush of venture capital investment in clean tech, breathing new life into startups that were at risk of being steamrolled by the Trump administration’s pullback on climate policy.
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September 21, 2026 at 5:03 PM
The data center buildout is driving a rush of venture capital investment in clean tech, breathing new life into startups that were at risk of being steamrolled by the Trump administration’s pullback on climate policy.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Inside a low-key House Democratic leadership fight: The feud is over the pecking order in their extended leadership hierarchy as they hope to win the majority.
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September 21, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Inside a low-key House Democratic leadership fight: The feud is over the pecking order in their extended leadership hierarchy as they hope to win the majority.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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Trump’s new Canada tariffs are infuriating Democrats and annoying some Republicans — but Congress is unlikely to vote on them before the election.
Burgess Everett explains why:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Burgess Everett explains why:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
September 21, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Trump’s new Canada tariffs are infuriating Democrats and annoying some Republicans — but Congress is unlikely to vote on them before the election.
Burgess Everett explains why:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Burgess Everett explains why:
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
Questions about the US’ relationship with Taiwan will likely take a back seat to trade, AI, and other issues as President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Washington.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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At Trump-Xi meeting, Taiwan will be on back burner
Still, rising US-China tensions over the self-governing island loom in the background.
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September 21, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Questions about the US’ relationship with Taiwan will likely take a back seat to trade, AI, and other issues as President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Washington.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
‘This pushes the boundaries’: White House helped Pentagon explain the legality of its stock deals
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September 21, 2026 at 3:04 PM
‘This pushes the boundaries’: White House helped Pentagon explain the legality of its stock deals
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had a “very successful engagement with the Chinese on trade and AI,” setting the stage for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to meet this week.
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US, Chinese officials talk trade, AI ahead of Xi visit
Officials picked up where they “left off in Beijing,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
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September 21, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had a “very successful engagement with the Chinese on trade and AI,” setting the stage for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to meet this week.
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
There’s a groundswell of people claiming the AI doomer narrative sweeping the nation is part of some carefully coordinated “psyop.” I don’t buy that, says Reed Albergotti.
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
September 18, 2026 at 11:02 PM
There’s a groundswell of people claiming the AI doomer narrative sweeping the nation is part of some carefully coordinated “psyop.” I don’t buy that, says Reed Albergotti.
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Read his full view:
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Fears about technology causing extinction are not unprecedented, argues J.D. Capelouto.
Read his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Read his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
September 18, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Fears about technology causing extinction are not unprecedented, argues J.D. Capelouto.
Read his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Read his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
The African diaspora is often discussed as a vast reservoir of capital and goodwill waiting to be tapped for the continent’s development. But that may undersell its value, argues Yinka Adegoke.
Read more of his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Read more of his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
September 18, 2026 at 10:02 PM
The African diaspora is often discussed as a vast reservoir of capital and goodwill waiting to be tapped for the continent’s development. But that may undersell its value, argues Yinka Adegoke.
Read more of his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Read more of his full view: www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
An energy price spike in Nigeria is renewing fears of an inflation rise and concerns that Africa’s top oil producer remains vulnerable to global shocks.
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
Nigerian fuel price spike renews worry over inflation and Iran war exposure
Prices have risen despite domestic oil production and growing refining capacity.
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September 18, 2026 at 9:36 PM
An energy price spike in Nigeria is renewing fears of an inflation rise and concerns that Africa’s top oil producer remains vulnerable to global shocks.
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...
www.semafor.com/article/09/1...