The World Economic Forum (WEF) crams epic wealth and power into the tiny Swiss ski resort of Davos each January, leaving it open to some truly cracking conspiracy theories — personally as Simpsons fans, we love to imagine Davos rigging every Oscars night. But we’ve been to Davos before (and will be back again from Monday), […]

When a quiet and distant land suddenly starts popping up on the front pages of international newspapers, it’s often one of three things: i) it’s won a sporting tournament, ii) there’s been some sort of disaster, or iii) someone important is talking about it. Greenland now falls into category three, though Trump critics might suggest […]

With the Assad regime gone and rebel rule slowly consolidating across Syria, governments around the world are weighing up whether — and if so, how — to resume contact with the emerging new Syrian leadership. Some capitals are diving chin-first right into the shallow end: Others have been a little more cautious: And of course, […]

In the US-China chip war, it’s become an endless game of tag (you’re it). And yesterday (Monday), Beijing tagged Washington right where it hurts — its shining chip star, Nvidia.  Specifically, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced an investigation into Nvidia’s 2020 acquisition of Israeli chip company, Mellanox. The timing isn’t random – it’s […]

We’re truly sorry to be the bearer of bad news, on a Monday no less, but we figured you’d prefer to find out via your favourite newsletter rather than on your next café visit.

“Urgency and concreteness” are the two words Mario Draghi said he’d use to sum up the highly-anticipated 400-page report he dropped on us yesterday (Monday).

It’s always good to be remembered for the things you accomplish in life, right? Less so if those accomplishments include international media outlets dubbing you the ‘World’s Worst Central Banker’, plus now a jail stint in Lebanon.

German automaker Volkswagen has long been synonymous with the kind of all-round reliability that can get you to Vegas and back when Spirit Airlines lets you down. But Germans may now be re-thinking those vibes after Monday’s news.

Just when you think Joe Biden is wrapping things up, he announces updated export controls on AI chips that’ve sent US tech giants into a tizzy.  Let’s dive in.  The new rules, sexily named the Regulatory Framework for the Responsible Diffusion of Advanced Artificial Intelligence Technology 💘, divide countries into three categories:  So it’s business-as-usual for some friends, and no-business-as-usual for foes. The biggest […]

In the US-China chip war, it’s become an endless game of tag (you’re it). And yesterday (Monday), Beijing tagged Washington right where it hurts — its shining chip star, Nvidia.  Specifically, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced an investigation into Nvidia’s 2020 acquisition of Israeli chip company, Mellanox. The timing isn’t random – it’s […]

There’s nothing like working on a plan for years only to be blindsided, pieces shuffled, strategies upended, and suddenly, you’re the one asked to leave. Aside from being quite a neat summary of life as a diplomat, it’s also what happened to Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger first thing Sunday morning. Just before Thanksgiving, Gelsinger had […]

A couple of highly classified US intelligence documents somehow landed in the media over the weekend, with a pro-Iran site first highlighting them on Friday. What happened? Some of the coverage has breathlessly described the leaked docs as Israel’s “plans” to attack Iran, so you’d be forgiven for thinking maybe they were some kind of Looney Tunes […]