Daily flyovers
Latest news for 20 February 2026
Quick hits of consequential news from all corners of the world.
- 01
INDONESIA
Trade deal, Board of Peace.
On the sidelines of the first Board of Peace summit (where members pledged ~$5B to Gaza’s reconstruction), the US and Indonesia have signed a deal to virtually eliminate duties on American goods in return for the US dropping its tariffs on Indonesia from 32% to 19%. (Politico)
Comment: By way of context, the UN estimates the total Gaza reconstruction bill is closer to $70B.
- 02
UNITED KINGDOM
Andrew arrested.
King Charles III has emphasised the “law must take its course” after police arrested his younger brother (formerly Prince Andrew) on suspicion of sharing sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities released him after almost 10 hours of questioning, though he’s still under investigation. (Guardian)
- 03
NORTH KOREA
Our vision.
According to state media, Kim Jong Un has opened North Korea’s ninth party congress, touting five years of economic recovery since Covid-19. (Reuters)
Comment: It’s the hermit state’s biggest political event since 2021, and you can bet analysts will parse proceedings for any clues about the dictator’s intentions.
- 04
EUROPEAN UNION
Waving the finger.
The European Commission has called an emergency meeting after Hungary and Slovakia halted diesel supplies to Ukraine, alleging Kyiv has deliberately delayed repairs after a Russian attack damaged a pipeline that supplies them. (Euronews)
Comment: Hungary and Slovakia could (and should) just stop buying Russian energy, but are instead challenging an EU law ending Russian energy purchases by 2027.
- 05
MALAYSIA
Shut up or pay up.
Malaysia's telecom regulator has dropped its criminal case against an Australian writer living in Thailand, after he apologised and retracted 10 Substack articles which variously accused Malaysia’s regulator of overreach and politicisation. (AP)
Comment: Maybe Team Intrigue should travel less?
- 06
UNITED STATES
Odd man out.
The US energy secretary (Wright) has warned DC could leave the International Energy Agency (IEA) if it doesn’t return to its founding mission of energy security rather than net-zero. In response, the chair (Dutch deputy PM) says the IEA is meant to provide governments with all scenarios to inform decisions. (Barron’s)
- 07
TUNISIA
From Facebook to the slammer.
A Tunisian court has sentenced a lawmaker to eight months in prison for mocking President Saied on Facebook. (Al-Monitor)
Comment: Saied (once an anti-corruption outsider and law professor pledging reform) has now become the very thing he opposed.