INTRIGUE’S LATEST
The global affairs briefing you’ll actually look forward to reading.
The four spiciest lines from Saudi Arabia’s World Economic Forum
The two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) ‘Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development’ wraps in Riyadh today.
World’s biggest miner launches bid to become copper super-producer
Australia’s BHP, the world’s largest mining company, wants to get just a little bit larger. Yesterday (Thursday) the firm announced it had made a $39B bid for one of its main competitors, London-listed Anglo American.
Tesla, BYD and the race for global EV dominance
Not many companies can issue a recall on their latest product, lay off 10% of their workforce, report a 9% drop in revenue, and still somehow ride a 13% bump in share price. But that’s what US EV-maker Tesla has just done.
Latest Articles
Europe moves against suspected Chinese spies
In the space of just two days, authorities across Europe have moved against six suspects accused of spying for China.
The US to exit Niger after a decade of security ties
The US has agreed to withdraw its troops from Niger as the West African country joins several neighbours in pivoting towards Russia.
Xi shakes up China’s military (again)
In amongst the weekend’s historic vote in Congress, a surprise album-drop by Taylor Swift, and another new episode of Bluey, you could be forgiven for not following the movements of China’s leader, Xi Jinping. In fact, we do forgive you.
US allies hold breath as House readies vote on security assistance bills
After months of deadlock, US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says he’ll bring a key $95B military aid package to a vote as soon as tomorrow (Saturday).
Stay on top of your world
from inside your inbox.
Subscribe for free today and receive way much more insights.
Trusted by 116,000+ subscribers
No spam. No noise. Unsubscribe any time.
Geopolitics
US allies hold breath as House readies vote on security assistance bills
After months of deadlock, US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says he’ll bring a key $95B military aid package to a vote as soon as tomorrow (Saturday).
More Articles
Modi unveils election manifesto as ~1 billion Indians prepare to vote
Few world leaders enter a re-election campaign as sure of winning as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but that’s no excuse to slack off. So last Sunday, just before voting kicks off this Friday, his Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People’s Party, or BJP) unveiled its election manifesto named Modi’s Guarantee.
Six quick signals from Kishida’s visit to the US
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has kicked off his US visit, hitching a ride with President Biden in ‘The Beast’ to crush some crab cakes over at BlackSalt last night, before continuing the week’s formal program today (Wednesday).
The world condemns Ecuador’s raid on Mexico’s embassy
An international tit-for-tat culminated on Friday night with Ecuadorian police dramatically storming Mexico’s embassy to arrest Ecuador’s former vice president.
Biden warns Netanyahu of “unacceptable” Israeli strike on aid convoy
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke yesterday for the first time since an Israeli airstrike killed seven aid workers on Monday.
ECONOMICS
Court forces Panama to shut a key copper mine
Panama’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously (🇵🇦) on Tuesday that the law behind the country’s vast Cobre Panama copper mine was “unconstitutional”.
More Articles
China’s shadow financial system is creaking under increasing amounts of bad debt
Chinese authorities have launched a criminal investigation into Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, one of the country’s biggest shadow lenders, days after it told investors it was “severely insolvent”. The firm blamed “internal management [running] wild” for its problems, which is one of the rarer corporate excuses you’re ever likely to hear.
Saudi Arabia kicks off its ‘Davos in the Desert’
Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative, nicknamed ‘Davos in the desert’, kicked off on Tuesday as global business and finance leaders descended on Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel for three days of talks.
Hong Kong’s economy needs a hand
Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, announced several major tax cuts during his annual policy address yesterday (Wednesday).
Hydroelectricity in the Himalayas
At least 14 people have died and over 100 are missing in the north-east Indian state of Sikkim, after a cloudburst caused a glacial lake to break its banks and overflow into the valley below.
Technology
Tesla, BYD and the race for global EV dominance
Not many companies can issue a recall on their latest product, lay off 10% of their workforce, report a 9% drop in revenue, and still somehow ride a 13% bump in share price. But that’s what US EV-maker Tesla has just done.
More Articles
Microsoft invests $1.5B in UAE AI firm after secret US government talks
US tech giant Microsoft has announced it’ll invest $1.5B in G42, the leading artificial intelligence (AI) firm in the UAE. The “strategic investment”, which gives Microsoft a minority stake in the company, aims to further the UAE’s ambitions as an AI hub while bringing yet another leading AI firm into Washington’s orbit.
The US goes all in on Intel with $20B package
Washington has awarded US chipmaker Intel up to $8.5B in grants and $11B in loans to lift local semiconductor output. The package, announced yesterday (Wednesday), is the biggest yet under America’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.
US House votes to advance TikTok ban if China parent company doesn’t divest
The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (352-65) to pass a bill requiring popular social media app TikTok to sever ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban in its largest market, the US.
The 6G race is well underway
Ten Western-aligned countries (including the US, UK, Finland, Sweden, Japan and Korea) just published six shared principles for 6G telecommunication systems, to try to shape the development and rollout of this emerging technology.
