Exxon is reportedly nearing a deal to invest in Venezuela two decades after exiting the country, a move that could revamp oil production in the de facto US protectorate. Under the agreement, the Texan firm would partner with state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela to invest in fields containing as many as ...
Month: September 2026
Hopes dim for US-China détente during leaders’ summitHopes dim for US-China détente during leaders’ summit
Analysts voiced skepticism that the US and China would agree on AI regulation — or, indeed, any broad-ranging détente during next week’s leaders’ summit. The US Treasury secretary told Axios he was open to discussing “shared risks” on AI with Beijing at talks this weekend ahead of the summit. “Bitter ...
Tested by war, Abu Dhabi charts its energy and water futureTested by war, Abu Dhabi charts its energy and water future
The News Electricity use in Abu Dhabi reached an all-time high in August despite a summer exodus of residents, as demand on the emirate’s power grid remains on pace to nearly double between 2025 and 2035, Department of Energy Chairman Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan told Semafor. To meet the demand ...
Aramco says technology delivered $5 billion in value last yearAramco says technology delivered $5 billion in value last year
The Scoop Saudi Aramco says its investments in artificial intelligence and other technologies are already paying off by cutting costs, boosting efficiency, and enhancing its response to disruptions from the regional war. At Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran this week, Semafor saw how the company is deploying technology across its operations, ...
Political, military costs of the US’ war in Iran become clearerPolitical, military costs of the US’ war in Iran become clearer
The mounting political, economic, and military costs of the Iran war for the US came into clearer view. Barely a third of Americans support the conflict, and most say it has failed to achieve its goals, surveys showed, further hurting Republicans’ prospects for retaining control of Congress. In part, that ...
Dear Ed Sheeran, fence-sitting is so last century: musicians can no longer opt out of politics | Zoe WilliamsDear Ed Sheeran, fence-sitting is so last century: musicians can no longer opt out of politics | Zoe Williams
It’s all very 2026: with a stadium owner on one side and angry support acts on the other, the cornered star will have to pick a side Ed Sheeran, seeking to stay out of politics, has become, in this moment, the most political artist in the world. And in trying ...
Iran school bombing: grounds to believe US was behind atrocity, UN findsIran school bombing: grounds to believe US was behind atrocity, UN finds
Fact-finding mission says military strikes on school and sports facility in February constitute war crimes A UN fact-finding mission on Iran has said there are reasonable grounds to believe the US was behind two military strikes on a school and sports facility in Iran in February, and that these constituted ...
Feeling overwhelmed by the AI doom loop? Here’s the essential reading list to make sense of it allFeeling overwhelmed by the AI doom loop? Here’s the essential reading list to make sense of it all
It’s a chaotic time in an industry that’s reshaping our lives – Guardian reporters and experts recommend the books that help explain how we got here, and where we’re heading Have you been feeling trapped in an endless cycle of artificial intelligence hype and panic? You’re not alone. It’s a ...
Trump’s love of fossil fuels is about more than money | Moira DoneganTrump’s love of fossil fuels is about more than money | Moira Donegan
The US decision to remove limits on coal and gas plant emissions is rooted in a perception of manliness in these industries You can impress a certain kind of person at a party by reciting the fact that there are more yoga instructors in the US than there are coalminers. ...
South Park – I mean, South America – is back, with no Donald Trump in sight (yet)South Park – I mean, South America – is back, with no Donald Trump in sight (yet)
After adopting the president’s fondness for renaming things ‘America’, the season 29 premiere sees Trey Parker and Matt Stone use e-bikes to critique the ruination of the US South Park has been renamed South America. That was the main news ahead of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s animated series returning ...