ITK Daily | November 7
Rishi Sunak, Sweden, Debt, Millennials, Indian Cricket League, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for communications pros.?
Happy Tuesday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:?
Globalization + Statecraft
As Gaza war enters new phase, Israel faces pressure over civilian deaths: NYT reports fears are rising that the conflict could spread to the occupied West Bank, where tensions are soaring among Palestinians angered over deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
Gaza becoming ‘a graveyard for children’, says UN secretary general: Guardian reports António Guterres calls for more aid trucks to enter besieged territory and calls for end to ‘dead end of destruction.’
Jordan has airdropped ‘urgent medical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza’ according to the Jordanian King Abdullah II.
+ Hezbollah missiles have struck several Israeli army posts, including one with two Burkan ‘Volcano’ rockets.?
+ Israel’s military said it cut off Gaza City, the strip’s most populous area, from the rest of the enclave.?
AFP: Iranian President Raisi to attend Gaza summit in Saudi Arabia Israel-Hamas war escalation puts Qatar’s clout to the test: After spending years building soft power, the wealthy Gulf nation is under pressure to show its Western allies they need it as much as it needs them. Bloomberg
The United States comes under fresh criticism from Arab countries: Le Monde reports in the Middle East, US diplomatic chief Antony Blinken attempts to give a renewed role to the Palestinian Authority.
US diplomats slam Israel policy in leaked memo: The document offers a window into internal fury at the State Department over President Joe Biden’s Middle East policies. Politico
The Labour revolt over the Gaza war: Keir Starmer is facing the biggest crisis of his leadership. Andrew Marr
Washington trapped by its support for Israel: Le Monde reports perceptions of this support have backfired on Washington, isolating it and creating a rift both with opinions in Arab countries and also with a large part of Democrats back home.
Israel quietly pushed for Egypt to admit large numbers of Gazans: NYT reports the Israeli government has not publicly called for large numbers of Gazans to move to Egypt. But in private, diplomats say, it has pushed for just that — augmenting Palestinian fears of a permanent expulsion.
Attacks on US troops in Middle East spike amid military buildup: Politico reports the US publicized the deployment of warships and a submarine that were sent into the region over the weekend.
CNN: In rare announcement, US says guided missile sub has arrived in Middle East, a message of deterrence to adversaries
Reuters: France to give armoured vehicles to Lebanese army - defence minister Zelensky's trip to Israel in doubt after media leak: Le Monde reports the Ukrainian president, who has adopted a pro-Israeli stance, has been trying to rally Israel to his cause since Russia first invaded his country.
Sweden faces worst security crisis since 1945, warns top adviser: Henrik Landerholm told The Times that Russia was using hybrid warfare to undermine Swedish society. The Times
Russia's Putin to stay in power past 2024, sources say: Reuters reports Vladimir Putin has decided to run in the March presidential election, a move that will keep him in power until at least 2030, as the Kremlin chief feels he must steer Russia through the most perilous period in decades.
Stars & Stripes: Pentagon announces new military aid for Ukraine worth $425M
NHK: Zelenskyy rejects claims of 'stalemate'
AP: Japan’s prime minister tours Philippine patrol ship and boosts alliances amid maritime tensions
Australian and Chinese leaders look to ease tensions with meeting in Beijing: Anthony Albanese and President Xi signal thawing of relations after row over Aukus security pact. The Times
China has acquired a global network of strategically vital ports: Beijing’s investments along some of the world’s key waterways have significant military implications. WP
How China became the world’s top development financier: China’s largess has helped build the perception of Beijing as better at pulling off bold engineering projects than wealthier Western nations. WSJ
More semiconductors, less housing: China’s new economic plan: Policymakers, wary of inciting reckless borrowing in real estate, are instead investing heavily in factories and trying to help indebted local governments. NYT
US, China hold rare talks on nuclear arms control: Le Monde reports the United States and China held nuclear arms talks for the first time since the Obama era, aiming to address growing concerns about China's growing nuclear arsenal ahead of a presidential summit next week.
Janet Yellen to meet China’s vice-premier ahead of Biden-Xi summit: FT reports the US and Chinese presidents expected to hold talks in San Francisco amid renewed effort to improve relations.
There’s a way for the US to compete with China — and to work with China Janet L. Yellen
It's time for America's leaders to act on the global and national challenges before us: Democracies and free markets are under attack abroad. Perhaps the most painful lesson of the 20th century is that what happens in Europe and Asia impacts America directly. We ignore it at our peril. Suzanne P. Clark
From the US to Ukraine, the Gaza war will change the world: Conflict in the Middle East is bad news for liberals and helpful for Putin and Trump. Gideon Rachman
Mexican businesses warmed by glow of 'nearshoring' dawn: Reuters reports Mexican businesses, particularly those linked to real estate and construction, are counting on investment from so-called "nearshoring" to boost profits and economic growth, especially in industrial zones near the US border.
Bloomberg: Canada’s premiers take aim at Trudeau’s signature climate policy
+ Provincial leaders demand carbon tax exemptions for residents
+ Trudeau waived tax for heating oil mostly used on East Coast
Argentina’s next president will face an economy in crisis: As Argentines prepare to choose a new president later this month, the once-prosperous nation is grappling with its most debilitating economic crisis in a generation. WSJ
New Brexit cliff edge looms for UK energy and steel: There’s little appetite from the British government for fresh negotiations with Brussels but that could mean big costs for industry. Politico
Today: King’s Speech at State Opening of UK Parliament.
+ A bill to mandate annual oil and gas licensing rounds in the North Sea will be announced in tomorrow’s King’s Speech.
Has Rishi Sunak already given up on the next election? The Prime Minister has finally found his happy place, hobnobbing with entrepreneurs talking about technology. Freddie Hayward
Politics + Elections
What the UAW and Big 3 really thought of Biden’s picket line visit: The president and his team made a big bet on the union. Here’s how they managed it. Politico
Biden needs to go very negative on Trump or he will probably lose in 2024 Ed Kilgore
+ Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is set to endorse Donald Trump’s presidential bid on Wednesday
领英推荐
The Hill: Biden announces $16.4B in new funding for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Markets got an unexpected boost from Washington. Will it mark a turning point? A surprising borrowing plan from the Treasury Department helped drive down bond yields and revive stocks. WSJ
Disruption + Innovation
Tech start-ups try to sell a cautious Pentagon on AI: Shield AI, a tech start-up, already has a drone run by artificial intelligence being used by the Israeli military. But persuading the Pentagon to embrace the technology remains a big challenge. NYT
Silicon Valley is piling in to the business of snooping: Tech upstarts are selling their wares to America’s police. Economist
We must stop AI replicating the problems of surveillance capitalism: There should be less focus on ‘Terminator’-style scenarios and more on economic data disclosure. Rana Foroohar
Elon Musk unveils ‘Grok,’ an AI bot that vombines snark and lofty ambitions: WSJ reports the billionaire says first product from his artificial-intelligence startup will eventually be available to subscribers on X.
Chatbots may ‘hallucinate’ more often than many realize: When summarizing facts, ChatGPT technology makes things up about 3 percent of the time, according to research from a new start-up. A Google system’s rate was 27 percent. NYT
ChatGPT maker OpenAI announces customizable chatbots and enhanced AI models: Le Monde reports the San Francisco-based start-up presented its latest innovations on Monday while promising 'superpowers on demand' for all.
+ OpenAI is launching custom versions of ChatGPT that can be adapted and tailored for specific applications, turning the chatbot interface into a digital platform like iOS or Android.
How Bumble’s incoming CEO Lidiane Jones plans to use AI to take matching to the next level: Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd is stepping down, with the Slack CEO taking over in January. They share their plans for the company’s next stage. FC
I’ve worked with Generative AI for nearly a year. Here’s what I’ve learned. Spending this year with my robot colleagues has changed the way I work. But it took some trial and error to figure out how to collaborate best. WSJ
Europe's space industry searches for a way out of its crisis: Le Monde reports the 22 member states of the European Space Agency are meeting in Seville on Monday, in an attempt to find a compromise between the German and French positions and to secure the funding operation of Ariane-6.
India developers seek to cash in on soaring EV sales with residential chargers: Reuters reports more developers in India are putting electric vehicle chargers in parking slots of new developments, hoping to boost the value of the property and attract more buyers in a country where the charging infrastructure can't keep up with soaring EV sales.
The UK electric car market is not growing in line with government targets: The proportion of sales from pure EVs has hardly shifted: up to 15.6 percent this year from 14.8 percent last year, figures show.
Does the auto industry have an EV loyalty problem? S&P Global
Look, up in the sky! It’s a can of soup! Amazon’s much-hyped drone project is dropping small objects on driveways. Some customers are not sure what it delivers beyond minestrone. NYT
Bloomberg: SpaceX eyes $15 billion in 2024 sales on Starlink strength
White noise advertising Dave Trott
Erewhon’s secrets: In the 1960s, two macrobiotic enthusiasts started a health-food sect beloved by hippies. Now it’s the most culty grocer in LA. Kerry Howley
Can corporate America cope with its vast debt pile? Rapid increases in borrowing costs prompt concerns about more defaults on $13tn of debt, but companies are finding new ways to survive. FT
Culture Millennials aren’t having kids. Here are the reasons why.
Behind the gates of a private world for only the wealthiest New Yorkers: Although everyday life has become increasingly unaffordable for almost everyone, a new class of private, members-only and concierge services is emerging. NYT
Sport
Bloomberg: NFL viewership rises 6% as Amazon, ABC add viewers ?
+ One of the largest pickleball facilities in the world is coming to Scottsdale, Arizona — the future home of USA Pickleball.
WP: Emma Hayes, set to be USWNT coach, sorting through a Chelsea transfer
Bloomberg: Saudi Arabia eyes stake in $30 billion Indian Cricket League
+ MBS’s advisers have spoken to Indian govt officials about deal
+ Saudi Arabia has proposed investing up to $5 billion in IPL
CNBC: Fenway chairman confirms talks with PGA Tour as doubts grow about LIV Golf deal
+ Fenway Sports Group Chairman Tom Werner confirmed that the company has had “conversations” with the PGA Tour.
+ The talks between Fenway and the PGA Tour raise concerns about the golf organization’s proposed business combination with Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc?
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
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