Category: Semafor

The Scene As Lyft tries to climb out of Uber’s shadow, the ride-share company is going after the high-end travel market. CEO David Risher said he’s already speaking with CEOs like United Airlines’ Scott Kirby about bundling Lyft with other corporate travel perks. “Maybe it looks like: get a first-class ...

Chinese AI startup Deepseek made a 75% discount on its flagship model permanent, intensifying an AI price war. Chinese labs are increasingly looking to compete with their global peers for customers, and cost is a big part of the equation: DeepSeek’s offering is more than 10 times cheaper than OpenAI’s. ...

Iran is using Chinese hardware to strengthen its censorship capabilities, further proof that Beijing is exporting the technology that powers its cutting-edge firewall. Since the start of US-Israeli attacks in February, Tehran has essentially cut Iranians off from the web, reshaping the country’s economy in the process. Authorities now plan ...

Worried about “hot money” outflows, Chinese regulators are cracking down on illegal cross-border stock trading. The move — in which officials have targeted brokerages offering investors an easier and cheaper way to get capital out of China than through official channels — has already hit Chinese mainland companies listed on ...

China’s armed forces are fast building the country’s fourth aircraft carrier, which experts said showcased Beijing’s impressive industrial base. Details about the vessel are scarce, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a post about the secretive project, but progress has been steady. It is very likely to ...

Tim’s view The past few weeks have revealed more of the strengths and limitations of energy-centric warfare. The outcome of the latest peace talks between Washington and Tehran remains uncertain. Even though the US resumed strikes against Iran on Monday, US officials were optimistic that a “framework” to extend the ...

Ferrari unveiled the almost $600,000 Luce, its first ever EV, marking a major departure for the Maranello-based brand, which has long been known for making some of the world’s most powerful gasoline cars. It’s a decision that clashes with other giant carmakers, including rival Lamborghini, which, just a couple of ...

The Kremlin urged foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, warning of a major forthcoming attack, with analysts arguing that Russia is losing momentum in its war on Ukraine. Moscow’s latest threat came after it launched a wave of strikes over the weekend, including with a hypersonic, nuclear-capable missile. Yet growing signs ...

Chinese leader Xi Jinping reportedly complained about Japan’s increased defense spending in an “intense diatribe” during his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump. Tensions have risen considerably between Beijing and Tokyo since Japan’s prime minister said her country could come to the defense of Taiwan — which Beijing claims ...

China’s EV exports surged 40% year-on-year in April, further cementing its global dominance of the industry. Europe became the second-biggest buyer of Chinese-made EVs, as April imports jumped by 36%, despite Brussels’ stated fear that such imports are hollowing out the continent’s manufacturing capabilities. Data from earlier this year showed ...