Latest news for 5 November 2025

UNITED STATES

Cheney.

Former VP Dick Cheney has died aged 84, with supporters remembering his stabilising stint as chief of staff to President Ford post-Watergate, and his (many) critics pointing to his role as Bush Jr’s VP in the invasion of Iraq. Meanwhile, the current US government shutdown is now the longest in history, with no obvious end in sight. (PBS)

CHINA

Headcount.

China’s commerce ministry is on a hiring spree, adding 60 new officials to its ranks to strengthen oversight of its tougher rare earth export controls. (Bloomberg $)

Comment: Coming just days after Xi promised Trump he’d resume desperately-needed rare earth supplies to the US, this hiring spree is a reminder China’s truce is only for a year.

BELGIUM

Another airport down.

Belgium has temporarily shut two major airports (Brussels and Liege) after drone sightings, the latest in a string of similar incidents across Europe. (CBC)

Comment: Whodunnit this time? The Belgian defence minister has told public broadcasters this was the work of professionals with an intent to destabilise, so again, we’re not just talking about Uncle Gus playing with his new gadget.

AUSTRALIA

Free lunch?

Australia will offer households in select states up to three hours of free electricity a day under a new scheme aimed at using the country’s daytime solar surplus. (ABC)

Comment: Australia has the world’s highest rooftop solar uptake, so this policy is a classic attempt to flatten the infamous duck curve (ie shift more demand towards peak solar generation).

MEXICO

Foreign influence.

President Sheinbaum is dismissing more reports that the US plans to send troops into Mexico to fight drug cartels, declaring “it’s not going to happen.” (Guardian)

Comment: The US and Mexico have partnered closely against organised crime for decades, even if most of it never becomes public. What’s more at issue here is whether the US would move without Mexico’s thumbs-up, a political headache for Sheinbaum.

TANZANIA

Back to business.

The dust is settling following President Hassan’s re-inauguration on Monday, after her North Korean-esque 98% win in last week’s elections triggered widespread unrest that might’ve left 1,000 dead. We say “might’ve” because in addition to jailing her opponents, she cut the internet and cracked down on journalists. (BBC)