ITK Daily | May 3

Global Street Smarts.

Happy Wednesday.

Here’s today’s ITK Daily.

To be ITK, know this:?

AP: US Speaker McCarthy: Russia must pull out of Ukraine

AP: Russian defense chief wants wartime missile output doubled

Reuters: Amid China pressure, US and Philippines recommit to security alliance

US and Philippines rapidly draw near to counter China: Nikkei reports Biden learns from Obama's mistake as Marcos reverses Duterte's anti-US policy.

Bloomberg: US Navy is hobbled by failures as the risk of conflict with China looms

+ GAO cites ‘troubling’ findings on readiness among the services.

+ Navy readiness has declined the most since 2017, the GAO says.

EU and US warn Malaysia of ‘national security’ risk in Huawei’s bid for 5G role: FT reports Kuala Lumpur’s review of tender tests ability to juggle relations with the west and China.

US to weigh rules for keeping AI safe from China, other competitors: Nikkei reports Biden administration seeks to guard against economic and security risks.

US ambassador to China says the US is ready for high-level talks with Chinese: NBC News reports comments by Ambassador Nicholas Burns were the clearest signal yet that the Biden administration wants to restore a broader dialogue with China amid tensions.

To invest in China or not? Milken conference ponders the question: Regulatory crackdowns cited as risk, some say decoupling makes it more attractive.?Nikkei

China and India to drive half of 2023's global economic growth: IMF: Nikkei reports the end of zero-COVID seen supercharging Asia-Pacific region.

Can India unlock the potential of its youth??The world’s most populous country could seize its demographic dividend — or squander it.?FT

Sudan rivals agree to seven-day ceasefire: Le Monde reports South Sudan’s foreign ministry, which made the announcement, say the truce will start from Thursday.

WP: 800,000 could flee Sudan, UN warns; sides agree to cease-fire, South Sudan says

King Charles is the monarch Britain needs right now?Matthew d’Ancona

Poland and Germany: The feud at the heart of Europe: The West is trying to present a united front against Putin. But that is being undermined by tensions between Warsaw and Berlin.?FT

My country Brazil is reaching out to people the West can’t stand?Vanessa Barbara

+ Vanessa Barbara is a contributing opinion writer who focuses on Brazilian politics, culture and everyday life.

The green revolution will stall without Latin America’s lithium: But politicians such as Gabriel Boric, Chile’s president, want to nationalise it.?Economist

Lithium investors need not fear a government takeover: A guaranteed supply is needed to meet soaring demand for EVs and the batteries that power them.?David Fickling

Biden to deploy troops to Southern Border as Title 42 ends: WSJ reports the administration is bracing for a significant increase of migrants as the pandemic-era border rules end on May 11.

WP: Biden orders 1,500 more troops to Mexico border amid migration surge

Reuters: Biden, Harris planning 1st 2024 fundraisers as soon as next week

Bloomberg: Biden and Trump are frontrunners for 2024, and rich democratic donors are thrilled

+ Biden backers see money advantage if Trump is GOP nominee.

+ President courted major donors at weekend events in Washington.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says 'no' to launching a White House bid 'this year': NBC News reports aides to Youngkin, a Republican, later told NBC News that the governor had not ruled out a 2024 presidential bid with his remarks.

Trump could win if people vote their pocketbooks: Biden has a terrible record on spending, financial regulation and inflation. Perhaps that still matters.?Gerard Baker

Trump likely to sit out one or both of first two GOP debates: NYT reports in private comments to aides and confidants, Donald Trump has indicated he does not want to breathe life into his Republican challengers by sharing a debate stage with them.

Republicans aim to disrupt general election debates amid Trump complaints: WP reports as the former president threatens to skip first Republican primary debates, party leaders are working to remake the system for staging general election debates next year.?

Storm clouds gather for Joe Manchin in West Virginia: WSJ reports GOP Gov. Jim Justice enters Senate race in deep-red state as Democratic incumbent puts off decision.

The Hill: Manchin stokes Dem fears he’ll run as third-party candidate

Bill would require disclosure of AI-generated content in political ads: WP reports legislation introduced Tuesday by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) responds to AI’s increasing deployment in political messaging

Vice is said to be headed for bankruptcy: NYT reports the company, which was once valued at $5.7 billion, has been struggling to find a buyer this year.

The news went viral: The media bet its future on Facebook. Did it learn from that mistake??John Herrman

How do we ensure an AI future ahat allows for human thriving??NYT Mag

Never give artificial intelligence the nuclear codes: The temptation to automate command and control will be great. The danger is greater.?Ross Andersen

Variety: Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary’s Sound Ventures launches $240 million AI investment fund

Jack Dorsey’s Bluesky emerges as latest challenger to Elon Musk’s Twitter: New social media platform gains momentum as once-friendly tech billionaires go toe-to-toe.?FT

Co-founders of Google DeepMind and LinkedIn launch chatbot: Debut of ‘Pi’ from Inflection AI comes as investors and consumer interest in the technology surges.?FT

The music industry has an AI problem: “Heart on My Sleeve” was built by a bot and way too believable. Was it theft??H. Drew Blackburn

CNBC: Lordstown Motors warns of bankruptcy after Foxconn threatens to walk away from crucial funding deal

Chicago’s $1 billion water deal shows Great Lakes wealth?Bloomberg

+ The region provides 80% of North America’s fresh surface water.

+ Illinois has a blueprint to grow the $17 billion water economy.

More companies head to space, but no one can agree on the rules up there: Lunar missions raise questions about who controls business in the heavens.?Bloomberg

Loneliness poses profound public health threat, surgeon general says?WP

Hollywood writers strike over streaming pay after talks fail: LAT reports the walkout, which could last for weeks or months, is expected to halt much of TV and film production nationwide.

WSJ: Late-night shows to go dark amid writers strike

Nuclear Now: The doc takes viewers on a mind-opening journey with legendary director Oliver Stone as he reveals the true history of nuclear energy and its potential to solve climate change. The looming climate crisis remains unresolved, and the volume of carbon-free electricity needed over the next 30 years is almost unimaginable. Watch the trailer?here.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc?

Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal

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