INTRIGUE’S LATEST
The global affairs briefing you’ll actually look forward to reading.
Iran launches first-ever direct attack on Israel
After three decades of shadow war and 13 days of foreshadowing, Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel early on Sunday morning.
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).
The four most intriguing lines from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) just dropped its latest World Economic Outlook. Didn’t have time to read all 202 pages? We got you.
Latest 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.
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.
Could the US let WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walk free?
President Joe Biden just said the US is “considering” Australia’s request to end the pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a move that could close over 14 years of legal and diplomatic drama.
US approves emergency weapons sale to Ukraine as ammunition woes deepen
The US State Department has approved the emergency sale of $138M in military kit for Ukraine to help keep Kyiv’s Hawk air-defence systems online.
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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
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.
More Articles
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.
Is the IMF ready for reform?
The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has told the Financial Times she would back reforms around IMF voting.
Technology
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.
More Articles
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.
The FBI disrupts China-based, state-backed hacking group
FBI chief Christopher Wray has told a US House subcommittee that his agency has disrupted a Chinese state-backed hacker group targeting US infrastructure.
