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Intrigue

Daily flyovers

Latest news for 10 November 2025

Quick hits of consequential news from all corners of the world.

  1. 01

    BRAZIL

    COP kick-off.

    This year’s UN climate conference in the Amazonian city of Belem is now underway, with attendance seemingly down compared to earlier summits — neither China nor India will send their leaders, and the US will skip the event altogether (though US governors, mayors and others are attending). (ABC)

    Comment: While the research continues to declare that climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health, governments are still tapping the brakes on their response as they struggle to juggle competing priorities. So negotiators seem to be managing their expectations for any big outcomes out of Belem.

  2. 02

    CHINA

    Have some chips.

    Authorities have approved the resumption of certain Nexperia chip exports, easing a shortage that was rattling automakers outside China. Beijing first imposed the ban in retaliation for the Dutch government’s national security seizure of Nexperia’s Dutch subsidiary, in a move that now seems to be up for re-negotiation. (CNBC)

    Comment: Markets are cheering this as a de-escalation, but it’s possible China just flexed its chip supply leverage, and the Dutch caved. China will also have been wary of Dutch leverage over critical ASML chipmaking machines. Plus everyone got a breather after the US eased certain subsidiary rules as part of the latest Trump-Xi de-escalation. Why’d the US do that? Because China flexed its rare earth leverage. So the real winner here is leverage.

  3. 03

    TAIWAN

    Diplomatic blitz.

    Taiwan’s former president (Tsai) is due to speak at the Berlin Freedom Conference today (Monday), days after Taiwan’s current VP (Hsiao) delivered rare remarks at the European Parliament, declaring “we are not alone”. (Euractiv, Taiwan News)

    Comment: This Taiwanese blitz across Europe — at a relatively high level for a continent that mostly doesn’t recognise Taiwan — looks to us like an effort to diversify the democratic island’s friends amid creeping doubts around US reliability.

  4. 04

    UNITED KINGDOM

    What helpful neighbours.

    The Royal Airforce has sent specialists to help Belgium counter last week’s drone incursions that disrupted flights at Brussels and Liège airports. (Guardian)

    Comment: There’s still no formal attribution, though the fact last week’s drones are now being met with a military response among two NATO allies aligns with initial assessments there’s only one player with both the motive and capability (Russia).

  5. 05

    PHILIPPINES

    Court orders, maybe.

    The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly issued an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald Dela Rosa for his role overseeing the war on drugs launched by former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte (already in ICC custody). We say “reportedly” because the ICC itself is still declining to confirm the reports. (Reuters)

    Comment: This senator is also a close backer of the Philippine VP, who’s the daughter of former president Duterte and a rival to the current president (Marcos Jr). So sending this senator to The Hague would carry political benefits for the president.

  6. 06

    MEXICO

    Hit averted.

    Israel has thanked Mexican and US authorities for helping thwart an alleged Iranian plot to kill the Israeli ambassador to Mexico City, though Mexico has released a statement denying knowledge of any such plot. (AP)

    Comment: Maybe Mexico’s denial is just a procedural thing (eg, the comms team not in the loop?), though it’s odd to then pump out such a flat denial. Another possibility is Mexico just doesn’t want to be seen as too close to Israel, whether domestically, internationally, or both. A third possibility is the US and Israel kept Mexico in the dark, then just publicly thanked Mexico afterwards to avoid causing any embarrassment.

  7. 07

    NIGERIA

    Thanks for the idea!

    Protesters have stormed Nigeria’s landmark new $25M Museum of West African Art in the state capital of Benin City ahead of its opening tomorrow (Tuesday). (BBC)

    Comment: This museum was meant to be a home for the famous Benin Bronzes looted by British soldiers in the 19th Century, and this might be the source of the protestor anger: a local descendent of the area’s earlier king is now claiming ownership of the artefacts, and plans to showcase them in a museum of his own.