Latest news for 28 October 2025

UNITED STATES

First impressions.

Japan’s new PM (Takaichi) has welcomed President Trump to the Japan leg of his regional tour, with the two signing the world’s latest mining and rare earths pact. (Japan Today)

Comment: Full marks to Japan’s diplomats who helped Takaichi nail her first impression, presenting the US leader with a gift combining two loves: not just a putter, but one used by Trump’s beloved late counterpart and golfing buddy, Shinzo Abe.

RUSSIA

For sale.

Russia’s second-largest oil producer (Lukoil) has announced it’ll sell its international assets following recent US, UK, and EU sanctions. (TVP World)

Comment: It’s further evidence the latest sanctions are hitting Russia where it hurts.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Warship docked.

A US destroyer has now docked in Port of Spain ahead of exercises planned for Thursday, just as America’s largest-ever aircraft carrier (the USS Gerald R Ford) pivots to the region. While Venezuela’s Maduro continues to criticise the US build-up, Trinidad’s leader (Persad-Bissessar) remains a vocal backer. (EuroNews)

Comment: We wrote about possible US regime change efforts in Venezuela here.

SUDAN

RSF captures key city.

After besieging the western Darfur city of El Fasher for 18 months and leaving thousands of civilians dead, the notorious ‘RSF’ paramilitary now says it’s seized control of the military’s last stronghold in the area. The UN says it’s a “terrifying” situation, with a real risk of reprisals against the 250,000 civilians still there. (CBC)

JAPAN

Stable launch.

A local startup has launched the first-ever yen-denominated stablecoin in the world’s third-largest forex market, in hopes of carving out a slice of the ~$300B global stablecoin sector (99% of which is still denominated in USD). (Yahoo)

LITHUANIA

We’re done here.

Lithuania has finally closed its border with Russia-loyal Belarus after repeated balloon-smuggling attempts wreaked havoc on Lithuanian airports. Vilnius says they’re hybrid attacks, and is holding dictator Lukashenko responsible. (Politico)

Comment: To the extent Lukashenko is turning a blind eye or worse, he’s likely calculated that a few balloons over NATO’s border won’t be enough to tank his tentative rapprochement with the White House.

INDIA

Direct relationship.

Direct flights between India and China have resumed for the first time in five years, in the latest sign ties between the neighbouring giants might be thawing. They paused flights during Covid, but never resumed them after their infamous high-altitude melee in 2020 left dozens of soldiers dead. (BBC)

Comment: These headlines will come and go, but they won’t change the underlying structural reality that these regional powers are still rivals with near-zero trust.