Latest news for 26 November 2025

UNITED STATES

Russo-Ukraine peace?

US special envoy Steve Witkoff is now due to meet President Putin in Russia next week amid reports Ukraine has reached a “common understanding” with the US on a more balanced 19-point peace plan. Meanwhile, President Trump has defended Witkoff after a leaked October phone call with a senior Russian official suggested the US envoy was coaching the Russians on how to pitch Trump. (Bloomberg $)

CHINA

Another mission.

According to Syrian TV via Cuban state outlets, China plans to reopen its Damascus embassy in early 2026, following a recent Syrian FM visit to Beijing. (Prensa Latina)

Comment: A year after Assad fled to Moscow, it’s arguably a classic Beijing caution play — wait and see how the new administration stabilises before committing.

EUROPEAN UNION

Scratch my back.

The eurosceptic Patriots for Europe group is offering to support Roberta Metsola's bid for an unprecedented third term as European Parliament President in exchange for lifting a long-standing political firewall blocking them from power. (Euractiv)

Comment: Barely a year old, this populist grouping is now the third largest bloc in Europe’s parliament, and wants to push power back out to national capitals. For Metsola, it’s the ultimate devil’s bargain: to keep power, let them trim it.

PHILIPPINES

Coup plot?!

In one of the wilder announcements you’ll hear today, the Philippine military spokeswoman has conceded that reports of plots to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are "not far-fetched", amid mounting public anger over mass corruption in the president’s flood funding. (SCMP)

Comment: Her intention was to assure everyone that the military remains loyal to Marcos Jr, after the leader of the senate sensationally revealed on Sunday he’s already getting texts from putschists offering him a seat on a junta. Marcos (whose own presidential parents were famously crooked) will need to uphold his promise to go after corrupt allies, or this thing will keep snowballing.

BOLIVIA

Sound familiar?

Bolivia's new market-friendly leader Rodrigo Paz has announced plans to scrap several taxes, slash federal spending by 30%, and borrow up to $9B in an effort to stabilise the country's finances and course-correct its economy. (AP)

Comment: It’s no accident Paz is shaping up as Milei’s mini-me — while Paz avoids the Argentine leader’s antics, he campaigned on a similar platform, pledging a return to economic orthodoxy after years of socialist rule.

TANZANIA

Party over!

Tanzania has cancelled its independence day celebrations, instead redirecting the funds to repair infrastructure damaged in recent election unrest. (Africa News)

Comment: Lest you think this is just good stewardship, keep in mind Tanzania’s opposition had been calling for mass protests on independence day (December 9).