ITK Daily | December 23

Happy Friday.

Here’s today’s ITK Daily.

To be ITK, know this:

*** ITK Daily will be on hiatus starting December 24, returning on January 9. ***

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JBAT: Counties to watch in 2023:

Japan

Brazil

Australia

Turkey

Zelensky’s visit yields remarkable moment for two presidents: Ukrainian leader briefly leaves his war-torn country to meet US counterpart who has rallied nations on his behalf.?WP

Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes emotional pitch to Washington in whirlwind visit: The Ukrainian president receives a warm reception from Democrats and secures more aid for the fight against Russia.?FT

Banner day for Ukraine hero Zelensky in DC?John Podhoretz

Putin is just waiting for Zelenskiy’s star turn to end: The longer the war drags on, the more the US will be asked to pay for it, and the greater resistance will grow.?Mark Gongloff

Zelenskyy makes his case in DC for more US support for Ukraine: In his first foreign trip since Russia invaded, the Ukrainian leader urges Biden, and the US Congress, for more money and weapons.?Politico

Zelenskyy comes to Washington and pulls neither punches nor asks: The Ukrainian president asked for money, weapons, and continued support in a trip that comes amid a shifting power dynamic in DC.?Politico

Why the US declined to send Ukraine long-range missiles, tanks?AFP

Zelenskyy rallies Congress, but future support could get harder?Semafor

AFP: Zelenksy, Biden show unity, but war fatigue a threat

Where Zelensky and Biden still diverge?David Ignatius

+ "The Ukraine conflict is in part an information war, and Zelensky’s visit to Washington was a triumph in that domain. He showed the world what a real-life hero looks like."

Zelenskyy’s surprise visit to DC was months in the making?AP

NATO spy-craft and US fighter jet in ring of steel around Zelensky?SMH

After US trip, Zelensky meets Poland's Duda on way back to Ukraine: Le Monde reports the Ukrainian president said the two leaders "discussed strategic plans for the future" during his short visit to Poland.

The Patriot system, a symbol of 'American power projection': Washington confirmed delivery to Kyiv of one of these surface-to-air missile systems on Wednesday, December 22.?Le Monde

Europe is rushing arms to Ukraine but running out of ammo: As war consumes more munitions, Europe is struggling to increase arms production to help Kyiv and still defend its own territory.?WSJ

Macron on Ukraine: 'I don't want the Chinese and Turks to be the only ones negotiating the day after': The French president told 'Le Monde' he backed a strategy of 'absolute defense of Ukraine,' although he is also keen to anticipate the end of the conflict.?Le Monde

US officials: Russia is increasingly relying on Wagner in Ukraine: Politico reports the Wagner group is recruiting prisoners to fight on the frontline in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Wagner group acquires North Korean missiles for use in Ukraine war: WP reports the Russian private mercenary group now has 40,000 convicts in battle, taken directly from Russian prisons, US officials say.

+ US estimates the group has 50,000 personnel on the ground in Ukraine.

Putin concedes military failings, but insists Russia will fight on: Nodding to criticism that his army lacked the basic necessities to wage war, the Russian leader said his government was providing "everything that the army asks for."?NYT

Putin declares ‘war’ – aloud – forsaking his special euphemistic operation?WP

Caught on camera, traced by phone: The Russian military unit that killed dozens in Bucha: Exclusive phone records, documents, interviews, and thousands of hours of video reveal how a Russian paratrooper unit killed dozens of people on one street in March.?NYT

German intelligence officer arrested on suspicion of spying for Putin?The Times

Suspected Russian spy arrested in German intelligence agency: An employee of the German intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested after being suspected of sending classified information to Russia.?DW

Delayed France-Germany summit to be held in January: Le Monde reports the meeting between the two governments was canceled in October as they struggled to find common ground.

How England and Wales lost their religion: Christianity’s grip has been slipping for decades — evidenced by crumbling chapels and dwindling attendance. Can new communities help the church regain relevance??FT

Reuters: Turkey calls for more action from Sweden on extradition for NATO backing

Turkey's attempt to ban an Erdogan rival from politics is drawing a backlash: NPR reports a Turkish court decision this month to sentence Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu to prison and bar him from politics for more than two years is proving unpopular. Critics say the ruling, handed down last Wednesday after the court convicted Imamoglu of insulting public officials, clearly favors President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party, known by the acronym AKP.

Erdo?an raises Turkey’s minimum wage by 55%: FT reports help for workers comes as the president prepares for tough elections next year.

Reuters: PM Meloni urges Italians to turn off lights in solidarity with Ukraine

Turkey hikes minimum wages for third time to fight inflation: AFP reports Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday announced the third major minimum wage hike in a year to try and combat a historic jump in consumer prices ahead of crunch elections.

+ The 2023 Turkish general election will be held on June 18, 2023.?

+ Presidential elections are held to elect the President of Turkey using a two-round system.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt building factories for battery powered vehicles?VOA

+ Saudi Arabia aims to manufacture more than 150,000 electric cars annually by 2026.

A new geostrategic reality: Saudi Arabia’s growing role: Xi’s visit to Saudi Arabia is his second in six years, indicating that China is seeking to expand its ties with Saudi partners at the strategic level.?Salem Alketbi

The American PR firm helping Saudi Arabia clean up its image: Edelman signed $9.6m in deals with the Saudi government over the past four years to sanitize the Islamic kingdom’s image.?Guardian

The Gambia thwarts alleged coup attempt: The government says some soldiers of the Gambian army "were plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government" of President Adama Barrow.?DW

France’s Macron calls on Europe to reduce reliance on US for security: French president says he doesn’t see his recommendation as an alternative to NATO.?WSJ

HBD: Sweden's Queen Silvia, an official flag-flying day

Corruption scandal ‘damaging’ to EU credibility, says Charles Michel: European Council chief says scandal makes it harder to focus on ‘on the economic and energy crises that impact the lives of European citizens right now.’ Politico

Greek MEP remains in detention as Qatargate investigations continue: AFP reports a Greek MEP, Eva Kaili, was ordered Thursday to stay in detention in Belgium over corruption allegations linked to Qatar that have rocked the European Parliament, prosecutors said.

How dependent is Europe on Qatar for its gas supplies??The emirate is the European Union's second-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), but it is losing momentum as the US grabs market share.?Le Mond

Canada moves to mandate electric vehicle sales starting in 2025: CP24 reports one-fifth of all passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks sold in Canada in 2026 will need to run on electricity under new regulations Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault proposed Wednesday.

+ By 2030, the mandate will hit 60 percent of all sales, and by 2035, every passenger vehicle sold in Canada will need to be electric.

CSIS briefed Trudeau that China targeted federal candidates in 2019 election, but no evidence of covert funding?Globe + Mail

Exclusive: 2020 intel warned Trudeau government that China’s interference in Canadian elections will likely be ‘pervasive’?Global News

Look for this to spill into the US...

House Republicans will be talking about this more and more.

+ Beijing used an extensive network of community groups to conceal the flow of funds between Chinese officials and Canadian members of an election interference network, all in an effort to advance its own political agenda.

+ According to the document, community leaders and “co-opted” political staffers “under broad guidance” from the Toronto consulate serve as intermediaries between Chinese officials and the politicians Beijing was seeking to influence.

+ It alleges that Chinese consulate officials “targeted” at least 11 candidates in the Greater Toronto Area in the October 2019 contest — and that Beijing’s objective was to “influence government officials into taking specific stances on China’s issues of interest.”

+ During its surveillance, CSIS observed an official from the Toronto consulate at a campaign event. Toronto is considered the epicentre of Chinese foreign interference operations, with Vancouver a close second, one of the sources told The Globe.

China’s chip equipment imports plunge in November as US export controls bite: Purchases of semiconductor-making machines from overseas fell to the lowest level in more than two years.?WSJ

What I saw in 22 hours in Beijing with Penny Wong?Matthew Knott

SMH: ‘Entire Greater Shanghai will fall’: Hospital warns of ‘tragic battle’ with COVID

AFP: Blinken calls on China to share information on its COVID outbreak

Japan adopts plan to maximize nuclear energy, in major shift: AP reports Japan adopted a plan on Thursday to extend the lifespan of nuclear reactors, replace the old, and even build new ones, a major shift in a country scarred by the Fukushima disaster that once planned to phase out atomic power.

+ Under the new policy, Japan will maximize the use of existing reactors by restarting as many of them as possible and prolonging the operating life of aging ones beyond a 60-year limit.?

+ The government also pledged to develop next-generation reactors.

CNN: Peru orders Mexico ambassador to leave after asylum is granted to family of ousted president

Mexico to maintain diplomatic relations with Peru, Lopez Obrador says: Reuters reports Mexico will not break off diplomatic relations with Peru, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday, a day after Peru named Mexico's ambassador to the country "persona non grata" and ordered him to leave.

A coup or not? Peru crisis highlights Latin American polarisation: Diplomatic spat over former president Pedro Castillo highlights political divide in Latin America.?Michael Stott

Suddenly everyone is hunting for alternatives to the US dollar?Bloomberg

+ US pushes dollar’s 'exorbitant privilege' to breaking point

+ New payment systems spring up as technology advances

OTD: In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act is signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, creating the Federal Reserve System.

NY Attorney General's Office 'looking into' allegations against George Santos: NBC News reports the congressman-elect, who made history last month as an openly gay Republican, was the subject of a bombshell New York Times investigation Monday.

George Santos and how opposition research really works?Tyson Brody

The impenetrable armor of Elise Stefanik: Her climb through the ranks of GOP leadership in the House and embrace of Donald Trump has come at a personal cost.?WP

Restless Republicans: Infighting is becoming a major issue for GOP leaders?WP

Kamala Harris, a very turbulent year in America, and the challenge of being first: In an interview with Vanity Fair, the vice president discusses protecting abortion rights post-Roe and tackling immigration, along with how, as a woman of several firsts—from DA to AG to VP—she hopes to “create a path and widen the path for others.”?Vanity Fair?

Youngkin gears up for the make-or-break year of his governorship?Jim Geraghty

CNBC: FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to be released on $250 million bail, will live with his parents

+ A prosecutor called it the largest pretrial bond ever.

The secret to FTX’s ‘massive, years-long fraud’: A made-up crypto asset whose price was allegedly manipulated?Globe + Mail

Andreessen-backed startup wants to make it easier to hire anywhere in the world?Semafor

Elon Musk’s campaign to win back Twitter advertisers isn’t going well: Executives promise big incentives and new technology while also trying to explain the actions of their new owner.?WSJ

TikTok spied on Forbes journalists: ByteDance confirmed it used TikTok to monitor journalists’ physical location using their IP addresses, as first reported by Forbes in October.?Forbes

ByteDance inquiry finds employees obtained user data of 2 journalists: NYT reports the company’s internal investigation showed that workers also obtained data on a small number of other US users.

Exclusive: TikTok steps up efforts to clinch US security deal?Reuters

There are 1.8 million apps on the iOS App Store: Only 37 claimed the coveted #1 spot in the US (for at least one day) in 2022.

+ BeReal topped the charts for 22% of the year, followed by TikTok at 17%.

+ Only 11 apps lasted 10+ days, and ~25% of #1 apps were "one day wonders."

+ HT @omooretweets

The chatbots are coming for Google: ChatGPT and a handful of startups founded by Google alumni are aiming to reimagine search for the AI age.?Bloomberg

Tesla, GM among car makers facing Senate inquiry into possible links to Uyghur forced labor: WSJ reports lawmakers to ask companies for information on their supply chains to help find any connections to China’s Xinjiang region.

Self-driving cars are a natural fit for rural America: An aging population that often lives far from essential services is giving autonomous vehicles a chance to prove they can make a difference.?Adam Minter

Russian space agency may send rescue craft to space station: WP reports officials at Roscosmos and NASA are determining if a Soyuz spacecraft that sprang a massive coolant leak last week is healthy enough to bring the crew home.

Musk and Starship are now at center stage in NASA’s moon landing hopes: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says SpaceX has assured him that it is not distracted while CEO Elon Musk has been consumed with Twitter.?WP

Today: Festivus

American second-home buyers are pouring into Italy’s wine country: Known for its prized Barolos and precious white truffles, the country’s Piedmont region is drawing those looking for vineyard properties.?WSJ

The 25 best podcasts of 2022: from The Rest is Politics to The News Agents?The Times

‘The White Lotus’: Quebec City launching charm offensive to host popular HBO series?Global News

Hello Quebec City - good on you.

White Lotus is getting pitched by cities like #AmazonHQ2 sweepstakes.

IOC threatens to drop boxing from the Paris Olympics?WP

Paris 2024: The undocumented workers building the Olympics: 'Le Monde' met several undocumented workers on Olympic sites in the northern suburbs of Paris. The government says it wants to regularize workers in sectors where there are labor shortages.?Le Monde

The parallel universes of Qatar’s World Cup: In retrospect, the soccer tournament held up a mirror to the modern world, showing us the disconnected lives we all lead.?John McManus

Bloomberg: World Cup parade debacle triggers blame game in Argentina

+ The security minister lashes out at the soccer federation on security.

+ Messi and other players had to be evacuated by helicopter during the parade.

+ The ruling Peronist coalition has seen its approval rating decline as annual inflation accelerates to close to 100%.

Cristiano Ronaldo set for Saudi move after lack of interest from Europe: The Times reports conflicts with club and country put potential suitors off the five-times Ballon d’Or winner. Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of Ronaldo, who turns 38 in February, forms part of the nation’s multi-billion spending on elite sport, one intended to overhaul Qatar’s investment in the area.

Three falls in the Alps: I was tethered to my partner when we fell 200m, beginning an almost unbelievable new chapter in my life.?FT

This is the final ITK Daily for 2022. Normal service resumes on January 9, 2023.?

I wish you a happy holiday season and an adventurous new year.

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc?

Caracal produces ITK Daily.

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