Daily flyovers
Latest news for 27 January 2026
Quick hits of consequential news from all corners of the world.
- 01
UNITED STATES
ICE chief out?
The hardline immigration chief leading ICE operations in Minneapolis now looks set to depart in the wake of the agency’s second fatal shooting of a US citizen this month. Certain Trump-aligned senators have now joined calls for an investigation, and federal/state/city officials now seem to be describing talks as positive. (BBC)
- 02
SOUTH KOREA
More tariffs?
President Trump has announced he’ll hike certain tariffs on South Korea from 15% to 25%, accusing the US ally’s legislature of slow-walking their trade deal. Korea’s ruling party is aiming to pass the necessary legislation by the end of February — it’ll establish a new state-run firm to manage Seoul’s vaunted $350B investment pledge that formed the guts of July’s US-Korea trade deal. (The Hill)
Comment: Just yesterday, a top Pentagon official (Colby) was in Seoul reiterating DC’s new strategy to play a “more limited” role in deterring North Korea. Throw in a presidential tariff threat the next day, and you’ve got yourself a pretty clear message.
- 03
UKRAINE
Security guarantees done.
President Zelensky has announced a deal on US security guarantees to stop Putin from re-invading is “100% ready”, though the details remain unclear. And in a familiar twist, US special envoy Steve Witkoff is now flagging the US won’t sign unless Ukraine agrees to (more) territorial concessions. (AP)
- 04
AZERBAIJAN
Pass the gas.
Baku says it’s started exporting natural gas to Austria and Germany, though there are still questions if it can hit its pledge to double EU exports by 2027. (EurasiaNet)
Comment: The deal aims to help wean the EU off Russian gas, but the Europeans are also hoping to wean the Azeris off Russia.
- 05
MYANMAR
Sham election.
The final sham-round of sham-voting has wrapped in Myanmar’s sham-election, and you’ll never guess who sham-won: the ruling junta’s sham-party. (Le Monde)
Comment: This is a win for Beijing, which has increasingly backed the junta in hopes of stabilising its own restive border — so much so, China (which famously loves elections) has been openly supporting the junta’s ballot as a tool to achieve “sustainable peace and reconciliation”.
- 06
COLOMBIA
No power for you.
Colombia has halted energy exports to Ecuador after Ecuador’s President Noboa slapped 30% tariffs over allegations Colombia isn’t partnering enough against criminal groups on their shared border (claims Colombia’s president denies). (AA)