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Intrigue

Daily flyovers

Latest news for 8 July 2026

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

  1. 01

    IRAN

    Back to war?

    Oil prices just spiked 6% after President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire “over”, amid another round of strikes after the UAE blamed Iran for more hits on Hormuz shipping. The US has also suspended a temporary licence for Iranian oil sales. (Guardian)

    Comment: We’ve long flagged the fragility and even implausibility of this truce, but time will tell if it’s now actually over or if the force-backed posturing continues. In the meantime, we’re struck by the resumed willingness of the Emiratis to publicly call Iran out, and wonder if it heralds another hardening back against détente with the mullahs.

  2. 02

    INDIA

    Delhi goes electric.

    Building on last month’s announcement of a new work-from-home order each summer, Delhi’s city authorities have now flagged they’ll also start banning petrol rickshaws and scooters to cut the city’s notorious smog. (Times of India)

    Comment: A guru in Intrigue’s group-chat (thanks TC) recently noted that these kinds of measures, while headline-grabbing, will do little to address the core driver behind Delhi’s pollution, which is really more the crop burning out in the Punjab. We’d love you to join our chat — become an Intrigue Insider today!

  3. 03

    RUSSIA

    Back in the game?

    The same week Russian missiles demolish more apartment buildings in Ukraine’s capital, the International Olympic Committee has lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, meaning they can now compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics in LA. A decision on whether they can fly the Russian flag is still pending. (NYT $)

    Comment: What changed? Putin is still clearly trying to invade his neighbour, and his anti-doping agency is still suspended because of its role in… doping. Rather, the IOC a) accepted the Russian committee’s claims that it no longer covers Russian-occupied Ukraine, and b) changed the rules to hold that athletes shouldn’t be punished for their government’s actions. Or to put it another way, it’s prioritising inclusion over accountability, though that won’t help the Ukrainian athletes already killed or maimed in Putin’s invasion.

  4. 04

    FRANCE

    Guess who’s back.

    Populist-right opposition figure Marine Le Pen has reiterated she’ll run in next year’s presidential elections, after a court upheld her embezzlement conviction but ruled she remains eligible to stand. The court’s order for her to wear an electronic bracelet, however, is now suspended pending an appeal. (France24)

    Comment: With her National Rally currently leading in the polls, this is arguably a dream outcome for Le Pen: it neutralises a big legal threat to her candidacy while still validating her own branding as a victim of the flailing establishment. While we’re on Europe’s right, UK firebrand Nigel Farage has announced he’ll resign then recontest his seat amid scrutiny of a $10M “gift” from a Bangkok-based crypto billionaire.

  5. 05

    MONACO

    Bombing suspect found dead.

    Ukrainian authorities have arrested two men — including a member of Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence — over the murder of a woman suspected in last week’s Monaco bombing targeting a Ukrainian-born oligarch. Interpol had just issued a Red Notice for the woman, who’d reportedly received crypto from the men. (FT $)

    Comment: The timing (post-Red Notice) suggests someone wanted her silenced; the payment (crypto) suggests an attempt to avoid a paper trail; and the alleged role of an HUR officer points to a possible state-linked motive (the oligarch is Russia-friendly). The fact authorities have publicly arrested a serving HUR officer suggests it was either a rogue operation (eg, in service of a rival oligarch), or they’re throwing him under the bus to contain the scandal. Either way, it won’t help Ukraine’s EU bid.

  6. 06

    COLOMBIA

    Transition suspended.

    Populist-right president-elect ‘El Tigre’ has suspended his incoming transition process in response to the populist-left Petro’s refusal to accept the election results. El Tigre is now openly accusing President Petro of trying to cling to power, and has urged soldiers to ignore any unconstitutional orders ahead of next month’s inauguration. (AP)

    Comment: Absent any evidence of electoral fraud, it’s all turning into a major test for Colombia’s institutions, and clips El Tigre’s momentum — presumably the point.

  7. 07

    LIBYA

    Talk of talks.

    According to Reuters, Pakistan has begun mediating between Libya’s two rival factions amid a wider US push to stabilise the country. (Reuters)

    Comment: The US has long wanted to counter malign influences seeking to fill the voids in Libya — and both factions probably see Pakistan as a more credible regional mediator than (say) Turkey and Qatar, who openly back the Tripoli faction, or the Emiratis, who back the rival Tobruk-based faction instead.