ITK Daily | April 25

Global Street Smarts.

Happy Tuesday.

Here’s today’s ITK Daily.

To be ITK, know this:?

World military expenditure reaches new record high as European spending surges: Total global military expenditure increased by 3.7 percent in real terms in 2022, to reach a new high of $2240 billion. Military expenditure in Europe saw its steepest year-on-year increase in at least 30 years. The three largest spenders in 2022—the United States, China, and Russia—accounted for 56 percent of the world's total.?SIPRI

AP: Diplomats flee Sudan fighting as citizens struggle to escape

+ UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chaired a COBRA meeting on the situation in Sudan.?

+ The UK is mobilizing troops, military aircraft, and warships to evacuate more than 4,000 Britons or people with dual citizenship who are trapped in Sudan amid warnings that time is running out for those left stranded by the fighting.

Civilians flee fighting in Sudan for troubled neighboring countries: NYT reports the clashes have killed more than 400 people and injured thousands more. Those displaced are streaming into nations such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, adding to a refugee crisis in the region.

Japanese in Sudan evacuated by Self-Defense Forces plane: Kishida: Nikkei reports airlift carries 45 Japanese residents and their families.

US says Sudan rivals agree to ceasefire after hundreds killed: Le Monde reports the US secretary of state said Monday that the rival generals in Sudan have agreed to extend a shaky cease-fire for another three days as foreign nations continue evacuating their nationals.

Biden’s team fears the aftermath of a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive: Politico reports behind closed doors, the administration worries about what Ukraine can accomplish.

Iran ships ammunition to Russia by Caspian Sea to aid invasion of Ukraine: WSJ reports the water route poses a challenge for the US to disrupt cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

Allies resist US plan to ban all G7 exports to Russia: FT reports EU and Japanese diplomats say that Washington’s proposal is ‘simply not doable.’

How the war split the mafia: It has transformed crime in Russia, Ukraine, and around the world.?Economist

Can Meloni and Sunak unite to tackle Europe’s migrant crisis??Gavin Mortimer

+ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is visiting London this week.

‘We’ve got no plan ... Holy crap’: What Boris said after Brexit vote: Westminster insiders reveal what really happened after Vote Leave claimed victory in the referendum.?The Times

German president embarks on official visit to Canada: DW reports Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Ottawa Sunday for a four-day official visit. He is expected to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before heading to Vancouver and the Arctic Circle.

India pushes 'Global South' goals on to G20 agenda: Grouping of less industrialized countries remains loosely defined.?Nikkei

India to pass China this week as world's most populous nation: UN: AFP reports India will overtake China as the world's most populous country in the coming week, hitting almost 1.43 billion people, the United Nations said Monday.

CNN: Chinese ambassador sparks European outrage over suggestion former Soviet states don’t exist

How one Chinese ambassador's comments set off a wave of European fury: NBC News reports Beijing appeared to be scrambling Monday to contain the fallout from comments by its top diplomat in Paris, who sparked uproar by questioning the legitimacy of former Soviet states.

China seeks to calm storm over ambassador’s Ukraine remarks: WSJ reports Beijing says it respects the sovereignty of former Soviet republics after a Chinese diplomat appeared to question their legitimacy under international law.

China tries to limit damage from diplomat’s comments that riled Europe: NYT reports the remarks by China’s ambassador to France questioning the sovereignty of ex-Soviet states threatened to upset China’s efforts to balance courting Europe with supporting Russia.

Reuters: Chinese ambassador in Paris expressed "personal viewpoint" with comments on Ukraine - embassy

China disowns envoy’s remarks on sovereignty of post-Soviet states: FT reports the ambassador to France stokes furor in Baltic nations by questioning their legal status.

The return of wolf warriors in mediator clothing: China is all for territorial integrity — whenever it suits Beijing, that is. Its potential fans in the Global South should take note.?Andreas Kluth

China's planned changes to espionage law alarm foreign business: Fears grow of more cases like Astellas employee's detention.?Nikkei

Europe’s disunity over China deepens: France, Germany, and EU institutions are at odds over whether to revive the stalled Comprehensive Agreement on Investment with China.?Politico

Australia will upgrade military powers to counter China’s long reach: Biggest defense strategy change since Second World War signals boost to northern bases.?The Times

Australia to overhaul military amid rising regional tensions to prepare for ‘missile age’: Australia unveiled plans on Monday to overhaul its military as it prepares for a new era in which the United States is no longer the uncontested leader in the Indo-Pacific region, and potential adversaries such as China can threaten territory and trade routes with long-range missiles.?Straits Times

South Korea has America in its face and China breathing down its neck: Yoon Suk-yeol can expect an awkward conversation in the Oval Office on April 26th.?Economist

US urges South Korea not to fill China shortfalls if Beijing bans Micron chips: White House has tried to enlist Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in its semiconductor battle with Beijing.?FT

US war games touch nerve in Philippines as tensions flare with China: FT reports remote islands could become the front line in possible future conflict over Taiwan.

How to stop a war between America and China: Washington wants to revive some Cold War-era practices to ease tensions with Beijing.?Gideon Rachman?

Today: Joe Biden is set to announce tomorrow that he will run again for president.

AP: Biden’s 2024 campaign has been hiding in plain sight

Biden expected to shrug off polls, age doubts, to announce re-election bid: AFP reports, after months of teasing, President Joe Biden is expected finally to announce his bid for a second term Tuesday, defying lukewarm polls and, at 80, boldly pushing what was once considered age boundaries for one of the planet's most stressful jobs.

Democrats reluctant about Biden 2024, but they see no other choice: They are lukewarm about picking Biden as their nominee, but many believe he may be the best hope of preventing a second Trump term and fighting extremism.?WP

Biden plans an election bid that will be more complicated the 2nd time around: The president’s mission will be to defend his record while warning about the dangers of Donald J. Trump’s return.?NYT

Florida gov in Japan ahead of expected US presidential bid: AP reports Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Japan on Monday to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials as part of his four-nation trade mission seen as an attempt by the expected Republican presidential candidate to improve his diplomatic profile.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis begins world tour in Japan, plays down 2024 bid: WSJ reports the potential Republican challenger to Trump meets Prime Minister Kishida in Tokyo.

DeSantis, an enigma on foreign policy, praises US-Japan ties in Tokyo: AP reports the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, had a chance to buff up his foreign policy credentials, after criticism from fellow Republicans over his comments on Ukraine.

Netanyahu says he will meet with DeSantis: Politico reports the Florida governor will be in Israel later this week as part of an international trade mission.

AP: Some DeSantis allies feel growing urgency to launch 2024 bid

UAE probe offers unprecedented view of Mars moon: AFP reports the United Arab Emirates' Hope space probe on Monday revealed Mars' smaller moon Deimos in unprecedented detail, shedding new light on the origin of the mysterious lumpy satellite.

Fishing boats can’t stop running over undersea internet cables: Trawlers regularly cause expensive damage to the cables, but fishers say they’re the ones suffering.?Bloomberg

Apple will take scattershot approach to pitching AR/VR headset?Bloomberg

Can Apple really help fix banking??The tech group brings both opportunities and challenges to a troubled consumer finance industry.?Rana Foroohar

Postcard from San Francisco: Empty robot cars are filling the streets: In San Francisco, hundreds of self-driving cars are confusing and angering some residents while impressing bicyclists and tourists.?WP

Sweetgreen?is launching a paid loyalty program that will give fans discounts and access to salad-themed merchandise. The chain is offering a $10-per-month membership that gives subscribers $3 off daily orders, delivery perks, and access to new merchandise.

LVMH becomes first European company to hit $500bn market value: FT reports French luxury group’s share price boosted by rise in Chinese demand.

Conferences are back, but with a twist: The urge to do business again is being amplified by a desire to do so offsite and is bringing innovation to the conference genre.?Bloomberg

The audience for women’s sports is surging. Richer media deals could follow.?The NCAA women’s basketball tournament, Women’s World Cup, and others seek to turn rising ratings into much bigger broadcast fees.?WSJ

Barcelona raise 1.45 bn euros for Camp Nou rebuild: AFP reports Barcelona said on Monday they had secured 1.45 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in funding for a redevelopment plan and would start the renovation of the Camp Nou stadium on June 1.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc?

Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal

Caracal produces ITK Daily.

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