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Must Know

Vance writes to Iranian security chief to restart talks as US warns allies of strikes after midterms

Ongoing · day 4 ↗

Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, according to sources, to explore a basis for talks that could avert a U.S. attack in the coming weeks. In the letter, Vance proposed an immediate resumption of comprehensive talks with Iran, including about Iran's nuclear program. Trump acknowledged that he approved Vance reaching out to Tehran, and the outreach was described as offering medical supplies.

Why it matters

Washington is running a diplomatic channel and a warning to allies at once, so the letter could be a last offer before an attack or a way to shape the timing of one, and Iran has already called Qatar's latest draft unacceptable.

How reporting varies

Straits Times: Reports Trump's account that the Vance outreach was to offer medical supplies, with his approval.

Haaretz Middle East: Citing the Wall Street Journal, says Gulf states were told to prepare for a short, intensive campaign after the elections.

Haaretz Middle East: Quotes a senior Iranian official who says Qatar's latest draft contained only unacceptable ideas and did not amount to an offer.

6 reports · 6 outlets · 3 left · 3 right

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Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami after fleeing Brazil, calls himself its 'leader'

Ongoing · day 8 ↗

Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami on Wednesday with his family after leaving Brazil, and he declared himself the rightful leader of Brazil, calling the election result an electoral coup. Brazilian authorities had ordered Flavio Bolsonaro to surrender his passports in connection with an investigation, and he left the country in defiance of that order. Flavio Bolsonaro faces multiple criminal investigations in Brazil, and the country's police had canceled his passports.

Why it matters

The exile hands Bolsonaro a US base alongside his brother Eduardo, who has lived there since 2025, and leaves Brazilian investigators without access to him.

9 reports · 9 outlets · 4 left · 3 center · 2 right

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  • CBC News — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; He called himself the 'leader' of Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula; Quote: 'I did not flee Brazil; I left for the sake of Brazil'; Called himself victim of coup and persecution; repeated unsubstantiated fraud claims; Travelled via Argentina and Ecuador
  • Deutsche Welle — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; He called himself the 'leader' of Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula; Called himself victim of coup and persecution; repeated unsubstantiated fraud claims; Passports cancelled by Brazilian authorities in criminal investigation; Travelled via Argentina and Ecuador; Trump said US 'gave him a pass' but would not get involved
  • NYT World — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula; Passports cancelled by Brazilian authorities in criminal investigation; Travelled via Argentina and Ecuador
  • The Guardian — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; He called himself the 'leader' of Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula; Called himself victim of coup and persecution; repeated unsubstantiated fraud claims; Travelled via Argentina and Ecuador; Trump said US 'gave him a pass' but would not get involved

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  • BBC World — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula; Quote: 'I did not flee Brazil; I left for the sake of Brazil'; Called himself victim of coup and persecution; repeated unsubstantiated fraud claims; Passports cancelled by Brazilian authorities in criminal investigation; Travelled via Argentina and Ecuador; Trump said US 'gave him a pass' but would not get involved
  • Reuters · wire — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; He called himself the 'leader' of Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula; Quote: 'I did not flee Brazil; I left for the sake of Brazil'; Called himself victim of coup and persecution; repeated unsubstantiated fraud claims; Trump said US 'gave him a pass' but would not get involved
  • Daily Maverick · Centre
  • France 24 — Backs: Bolsonaro landed in Miami after leaving Brazil; Arrived in Miami Wednesday with family, after losing Sunday's runoff to Lula

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Israel's vote ends in deadlock: Netanyahu stays caretaker as every route to a government looks hard

Ongoing · day 7 ↗

Police dismissed Likud's claim that the election had been 'stolen' by parties representing Palestinians, and Netanyahu was accused of an 'ugly delegitimisation campaign' over his claims about Arab parties. Donald Trump said he will 'look' at helping Netanyahu form a unity government after endorsing the sitting prime minister. More than 10,000 East Jerusalem Palestinians with Israeli citizenship voted, breaking a boycott dating back to Israel's 1967 annexation of the area.

Why it matters

Eisenkot can only reach 67 seats with Arab-party backing, which he pledged not to seek, while Netanyahu can govern only by splitting the opposition or abandoning his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies, so each camp must break a campaign promise or a coalition to win.

How reporting varies

Reuters: Frames Netanyahu as having survived rather than won, with a Netanyahu-led unity government or a new election as the likeliest outcomes.

The Guardian: Reports Israeli police dismissed a Likud claim that Arab-backed parties 'stole' the election, and that Netanyahu is accused of a 'delegitimisation campaign'.

4 reports · 4 outlets · 1 left · 3 center

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Lagarde to step down as ECB president on Feb. 7, nine months early

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will leave on February 7, 2027, the ECB said Thursday. She told the Governing Council and European Council president Antonio Costa. Her term was due to end in October 2027, and the European Council will appoint her successor under EU treaty rules.

Why it matters

The handover comes as the ECB is watched over French bond strains and resurgent inflation, so markets must price a leadership change while the bank is also managing those pressures.

How reporting varies

WSJ World: Frames the exit around the economic backdrop: debt problems and resurgent inflation looming over the economy.

Reuters: Ahead of the announcement, previewed the ECB holding rates while investors focused on French bonds and Lagarde's future.

5 reports · 5 outlets · 3 center · 2 right

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Should Know

Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner, Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, as Trump weighs new Iran strikes

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a defense official said on Wednesday. No reason was given and no replacement has been named. Sylvia is the second general ousted from the post under Hegseth, and the firing comes as Trump is widely considered to be weighing fresh strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 midterms. Hegseth said in September that the US had cut its generals and admirals by 20%.

3 reports · 3 outlets · 2 left · 1 right

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  • Straits Times — Backs: Sylvia removed as head of strategy, plans and policy; No reason given, no replacement named; Hegseth said US cut generals and admirals by 20%; Iran strikes after Nov. 3 midterms

Iran hails 'positive atmosphere' after Mecca-pact envoys visit, but announces no breakthrough

Ongoing · day 3 ↗

Analysis published today says the Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish push to Tehran, officially aimed at averting a new military escalation, could also be read as a warning to Iran. Commentary published today questions how strong Pakistan's security commitment to Saudi Arabia is, given the defense agreement's inception in September 2025.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 left · 1 center

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EU and Canada drop 'associate member' offer from Montreal summit declaration

Canada and the European Union dropped the idea of Canada becoming an "associate member" from a joint declaration ahead of Thursday's summit in Montreal, according to a draft. Several European leaders reportedly pushed for the term to be removed. The watered-down text instead offers "ever closer association", after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had proposed the special status.

7 reports · 7 outlets · 4 left · 2 center · 1 right

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Russian drone kills at least 13 at Dnipro railway station

A Russian jet-powered drone hit a crowded platform at the main railway station in Dnipro, killing at least 13 people, officials said. The train was preparing to leave for Zaporizhzhia. Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said at least five more people were wounded. The state rail company said people were on the platform despite a warning of heightened danger.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 left · 1 right

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Alphabet shares fall 10% after hours on ad miss and first negative cash flow in 22 years as an public company

Alphabet's third-quarter revenue of $127.6bn missed the $128.2bn analyst estimate, and ad revenue of $82bn fell short of the $83.4bn expected, according to Reuters. Net income fell 25% to $26.17bn, free cash flow was negative $9.1bn, and the company plans to raise 2027 capital spending from this year's $195bn-$205bn forecast. Google Cloud revenue more than doubled to $30.71bn, but shares fell about 10% after hours and Nasdaq futures were down about 1% on Thursday.

3 reports · 4 outlets · 1 left · 2 center

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UK Chancellor Healey doubles bank surcharge and cuts gas bills in Budget that delays big choices

Chancellor John Healey doubled the surcharge on bank earnings, cut gas bills by scrapping the standing charge, and raised the minimum wage by 3.9%. The Wall Street Journal said the Budget ducks hard choices and keeps the government within its fiscal rules, though the deficit narrows more slowly than hoped. Healey pledged to set out plans by the end of the year to cut what he called an "unsustainable" welfare bill, and Lloyds reported surging profits a day after the bank tax rise.

5 reports · 5 outlets · 1 left · 2 center · 2 right

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European gas tops €100 per megawatt hour for first time since 2022

European natural gas prices rose above €100 per megawatt hour, the highest since 2022, as winter nears. The EU says it is not worried about supplies, though its storage is only 72 percent full, and it warns households of a "difficult" season. EU energy ministers are due to discuss soaring fuel prices.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 2 center

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US expels Cuban diplomat after UN vote on embargo draws fewer backers

The UN General Assembly voted 130-17, with 25 abstentions, to urge an end to the US embargo on Cuba, down from 165-7 with 12 abstentions last year. After the vote, US envoy Mike Waltz said Cuban first secretary Richard Tur de la Concepción would be expelled, accusing him of assaulting an American diplomat during a shouting and shoving clash on Tuesday. Cuba denies wrongdoing and has complained to UN Secretary-General António Guterres about a US official; Germany and Italy were among Western states that abstained after a US lobbying push.

5 reports · 5 outlets · 3 left · 1 center · 1 right

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Hong Kong housing chief resigns and leader apologises after report blames 'decades of failure' for Tai Po fire

Housing chief Winnie Ho resigned and Chief Executive John Lee apologised after an independent committee's report on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, which killed 168 people. The judge-led committee blamed the main contractor, the project consultant and an inspector, and singled out four government departments, with the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit bearing the greatest responsibility. The government says it will criminalise bid-rigging, tighten oversight of contractors and set up a steering committee led by the chief secretary to track reforms.

3 reports · 3 outlets · 1 left · 2 center

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Leak site publishes data on more than 40,000 Homeland Security employees, including undercover agents

The leak site Distributed Denial of Secrets said on Wednesday it released data on more than 40,000 Department of Homeland Security employees, obtained by a group calling itself the "Department of Peace". The data includes names, phone numbers, emails and job titles, and shows which staff work in undercover, surveillance and special operations roles. DHS said it is "aware of a potential breach"; the hackers say they took the data from Okta's sign-on service, which Okta denies, saying it has no evidence of a compromise. Reuters matched details for six employees to other records and confirmed numbers for three by phone.

7 reports · 8 outlets · 3 left · 3 center · 1 right

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Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 jets, says S-400 air defences to follow

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia has received 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, ahead of schedule, and plans to acquire four S-400 air defence systems. He spoke at the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, calling the jets a "milestone" and saying Ethiopia is the first sub-Saharan African country to own such technology. The delivery comes as fighting in northern Tigray, which began last month between the government and the TPLF, has intensified. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing the TPLF, which Eritrea denies.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 2 center

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