Latest news for 7 October 2025

UNITED STATES

Missiles, maybe.

President Trump says he’s “sort of made a decision” on sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, though he wants a heads-up on Kyiv’s plans first. (Kyiv Independent)

Comment: The bigger hurdle might not be any yes from the White House, but the fact the White House was just briefing journalists that its own stockpiles are already pre-committed. This could be accurate, or it could be misdirection aimed at Moscow.

FRANCE

Another one bites le dust.

Sébastien Lecornu resigned as prime minister yesterday (Monday), less than a month after his appointment and just hours after announcing his cabinet, which faced intense backlash across the political spectrum. (DW)

Comment: That’s three felled PMs in a row, including France’s two shortest-serving PMs in modern history (Barnier and now Lecornu). The continued gridlock benefits France’s populists, who’ll be the presumed beneficiaries as soon as President Macron calls another snap election (hence his repeated attempts to find new PMs first).

UNITED KINGDOM

Pointing fingers.

Downing Street is denying any role in the sensational collapse of a trial accusing two British nationals of spying for China. Interestingly, local outlets had suggested prosecutors dropped the case because UK officials declined to classify China as an “enemy” (per the original evidentiary standard). (Politico)

JAPAN

Link up.

Rumour has it Tokyo is on the brink of signing a defence pact to supply Bangladesh with military kit and tech. (Asia Times)

Comment: If true, it’d a) provide revenue to help finance Japan’s own defence ramp-up, b) cement Japan’s image as an alternative security partner to China, and c) partly offset rival China’s growing influence in Bangladesh.

SUDAN

Convicted.

The International Criminal Court has convicted Ali Kushayb on 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role as a leader of Sudan’s infamous Janjaweed forces that ravaged Darfur from 2003 to 2020. (Africa News)

Comment: The Janjaweed has now rebranded as the Rapid Support Forces, fighting Sudan’s military since 2023. It’s still facing allegations of atrocities, including in the same Darfur region where it’s now besieged the key city of Al Fashir for 500+ days.

VENEZUELA

Just in time.

The Maduro regime says it’s reinforcing security around the (shuttered) US embassy in Caracas after thwarting an alleged false flag attack by local extremists on the US compound, purportedly aimed at provoking the US. (Bloomberg $)

Comment: This feels a tad implausible, leaving us to wonder if it’s a) propaganda to portray Maduro as a magnanimous and vigilant protector, b) a smear against conservative opponents (whom he blamed) to justify another crackdown, or c) a bit of mutual posturing to deter any more US moves in the region.

NEW ZEALAND

Sorry about that.

The Kiwis have compensated Samoa to the tune of $3.6M after a New Zealand naval ship ran aground on a Samoan reef before catching fire last year, leaving oil slicks on nearby beaches. (BBC)