Daily flyovers
Latest news for 17 September 2025
Quick hits of consequential news from all corners of the world.
- 01
UNITED KINGDOM
Touchdown.
President Trump is in London for his second state visit, featuring a banquet with the king at Windsor Castle tonight (Wednesday) and talks with PM Starmer at Chequers tomorrow. (BBC)
Comment: The Brits were hoping to trade their trademark pomp for a bit more US tariff relief, but word is US tariffs on British steel are here to stay. Starmer will also be hoping for more Trump buy-in for Ukraine’s (and Europe’s) security.
- 02
UNITED STATES
TikTok deets.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the mooted US-China TikTok deal involves US investors like Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz taking an 80% stake in a new US entity operating the ultra-popular video app. (WSJ $)
Comment: DC’s customary yelling is now focused on who will control TikTok’s powerful algorithm (ie, determining who sees what). There are conflicting reports stemming from a Chinese official’s remarks in Madrid earlier this week, which some interpreted as suggesting the US app would still use a China-controlled algorithm. But our reading of those comments is they’re just not conclusive either way.
- 03
KYRGYZSTAN
Ready, set, maybe vote?
Kyrgyz lawmakers look set to vote for the self-dissolution of parliament, meaning elections could come as early as November. (Times of Central Asia)
Comment: Why would a legislature vote to self-dissolve, we hear you ask? That’s the 20-million Kyrgyz som question: looser campaign finance rules (up to 20M KGS) mean key factions are hopeful they can bankroll their way to more seats in parliament.
- 04
SPAIN
Off the pitch.
Spain is the latest to say it’ll boycott next year’s Eurovision if Israel participates, joining the likes of Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands (Iceland and Finland are also thinking it through). (Guardian)
Comment: This’ll reignite an old debate around the politics of Eurovision (something we explored last year).
- 05
SOLOMON ISLANDS
High tech.
The folks at Reuters are reporting that China’s police are piloting a Mao-era village surveillance model in Solomon Islands, collecting fingerprints, mapping communities, and promoting “grassroots governance” to curb unrest. (Reuters)
- 06
COLOMBIA
Looking within.
Colombia’s peace tribunal has handed down its first war crimes ruling, sentencing seven former FARC rebel leaders for the group’s policies that led to the kidnapping of 21,000 people. The punishment? Rather than prison time, they’ll do eight years on reparation projects such as recovering bodies and clearing landmines. (AP)
- 07
ZAMBIA
When mining comes to town.
Farmers in Zambia have filed an $80B lawsuit against two China-linked mining firms, accusing them of causing an “ecological catastrophe” after February’s big dam collapse spilt toxic waste into local waterways. (BBC)