*** Ross Rant ***
The anti-conference
No lanyards.
No name badges.
No PowerPoint decks.
No recorded sessions.
Just 100 entrepreneurs and thought leaders at Robert Redford's Sundance Mountain Resort for three days of conversations that actually matter.
Brigadoon returns February 22-24, 2026.
Eighth year. Same principle: what happens in the mountains, stays in the mountains—but the relationships last forever.
More @ brigadoon.live/utah.
-Marc
*** Caracal Daily ***
Monocle’s 2025 Soft Power Survey – who is quietly gaining or losing influence in a multipolar world: Which country’s cultural influence grew and whose slumped in the past 12 months? We take a look at six nations. Monocle
The rise of unpopular populism: On birth rates, the lockdown, and above all, Brexit, the right is out of touch with the public. Janan Ganesh
Ukraine goes after Moscow’s shadow fleet in international waters: Recent strikes hit core of Russia’s economy but are risky, and their ultimate impact is uncertain. WSJ
Confident of military success, Putin refuses compromise in Moscow talks: European officials, who were not included in the talks, said at a NATO meeting in Brussels that Russia appears to be inflexible in the negotiations. NYT
The limits of Putin’s balancing act: What the Kremlin Will Sacrifice in Pursuit of Victory in Ukraine. Michael Kimmage + Maria Lipman
Ukraine peace plan has only led to Putin losing his fear of Trump: The Russian leader has shown no signs he is ready to give up his imperial ambitions — while negotiations have deepened the rift between Europe and Washington. The Times
Germany says Russia resisting negotiated peace: DW reports Germany says that despite diplomatic efforts, Russia has not done enough to engage in negotiations to end its war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Europe has reached a deal to phase out all Russian gas imports.
Negotiating peace: A chaotic art with no established rules: Donald Trump, casting himself as mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, has been pushing Kyiv and European leaders to accept his 'peace plan,' drafted with Moscow. His seemingly erratic approach reveals a deeper issue: the absence of any standards governing peace processes. Le Monde
The new nuclear frontier: Why Russia is sharing arms with Belarus: Moscow is moving some of its nuclear arsenals into neighboring Belarus. WSJ investigates how this deployment elevates the risk to Europe. WSJ
Enough dithering. Europe must pay to save Ukraine: America will not. Europe’s security depends on agreeing how to. Economist
Top US official berates Europe over cutting American industry out of defense buildup: Washington is unhappy that some European arms programs limit US participation. Politico
EU bans Russian gas imports after last-minute agreement: Politico reports officials say the move will complement existing sanctions and kill off EU imports of Russian gas for good.
Commission unveils €165B loan to Ukraine using Russian frozen assets: Politico reports Belgium’s foreign minister has already expressed concerns over the plan.
EU moves to seize €90bn of Russian assets to fund Ukraine reparations: The Times reports the proposal comes after Zelensky’s meeting with Steve Witkoff, the US envoy, was said to have been cancelled when peace talks with Putin stalled.
The European Commission unveils plan to continue financial support for Ukraine after US aid ends: Le Monde reports the European Commission is considering two mechanisms: a reparations loan funded by immobilized Russian central bank assets held in Europe, or a joint debt guaranteed by the EU budget. The proposals, which face opposition from Belgium and Hungary, will be on the European Council's meeting agenda on December 18 and 19.
Brussels pushes for 70% of critical goods content to be ‘made in Europe’: Policy would force EU companies to buy certain products domestically in an effort to cut reliance on China. FT
EU revives China de-risking plans amid rare earth chokehold and overcapacity risks: SCMP reports twin proposals aim to boost economic arsenal while cutting China dependence as 27-nation bloc fights for survival in era of trade warfare.
They were supposed to save Europe. Instead, they’re condemning it to horrors. David Broder
France is updating its polar strategy amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic: Le Monde reports the strategy, which covers the period from 2026 to 2040, aims to support polar research and, above all, to address defense concerns – though it comes with no guaranteed funding.
German president welcomed by King and Queen on three-day state visit: The Times reports that in the First German state visit to Britain this century, President Steinmeier will visit the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, destroyed in 1940.
German president gets royal treatment on UK state visit: AFP reports Britain's King Charles III treated German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to a sumptuous banquet Wednesday, as the pair hailed the countries' deep ties during the first UK state visit by a German head of state in decades.
To clear huge court backlog, UK aims to scrap jury trials for some crimes: WP reports the plan to forgo jury trials for defendants charged with lower-level crimes is aimed at easing an 80,000-case backlog in a court system booked as far out as 2030.
Bloomberg: Poland to join US-hosted G20 Summit as South Africa is shunned
+ The US is inviting Poland to the next Group of 20 summit and plans to shun South Africa when President Donald Trump hosts the forum in 2026.
+ Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Poland's partnership with the US and criticized South Africa for its redistributionist policies and burdensome regulation.
+ Rubio said the US will have a seat for South Africa at its table when South Africa decides to fix its broken system and rejoin the family of prosperous and free nations.
Nobel winner warns China is ‘nanoseconds’ behind in quantum race Bloomberg
+ “China is definitely very competitive in this,” John Martinis said in an interview with Bloomberg News in Tel Aviv. “People should be concerned that there’s a real race.”
Nvidia's Jensen Huang warns of China's AI 'Belt and Road' ambitions: Nikkei reports CEO calls for more use of nuclear power as data center energy demand surges.
Can America win the new race for scientific leadership? Even as China and the United States compete for scientific leadership, the Trump administration has slashed investment in research and tightened immigration rules. If the US has truly entered a second Cold War, it should repeat the strategy that helped it win the first one: expanding the scientific frontier at home. Nancy Qian
Rare earth prices remain sky-high despite US-China deal: Nikkei reports truce seen easing supply in US, but outlook unclear for other destinations.
Takaichi repeats 1972 stance respecting China’s view on Taiwan: Bloomberg reports Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated the country’s long-held position that it understands and respects China’s view that Taiwan is an “inalienable part of its territory,” without specifically agreeing to the ‘One China’ principle.
Analysis: Xi's Takaichi retribution has less impact on eastern Japan: Area hit by 2011 quake still receiving Taiwanese and other tourists as Kansai suffers. Nikkei
Macron to meet Xi as France navigates EU's China de-risking strategy: Nikkei reports trade imbalances, Ukraine war, and Taiwan tensions loom over visit to Beijing.
France's Macron meets Xi for Ukraine, trade talks: AFP reports French President Emmanuel Macron met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, where he is expected to push the Chinese leader to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, and discuss trade relations.
The significant trade imbalance between France and China: Even as Chinese competition increasingly undermines French industries, including in innovation, many French companies argue that maintaining a presence in China remains essential. President Emmanuel Macron is visiting the country from December 3 to 5. Le Monde
Putin visits India for defence, trade talks: AFP reports President Vladimir Putin is set to begin a two-day visit to India on Thursday, seeking to deepen defence ties even as New Delhi faces growing US pressure to stop buying Russian oil.
Vladimir Putin to meet Narendra Modi to talk over oil, arms, and Donald Trump’s tariffs: Russia and India seek to deepen energy and security ties that have been tested by Western pressure. FT
Why Macron’s China visit and Putin’s India trip will show Europe no longer sets the agenda Jonathan Eyal
+ Macron visits China seeking support on Ukraine and trade, but faces scepticism about influencing Beijing's position, despite a grand welcome.
+ Putin's India visit aims to maintain energy and military ties, but US sanctions and diversification efforts are limiting Russia's commercial gains.
+ Both leaders seek to bolster trade positions amid global shifts, but are unlikely to secure more than lukewarm reassurances from their Asian counterparts.
Trump tariffs likely to worsen Pakistan's 21-year-high jobless rate: Nikkei reports experts predict half a million job losses on expected dip in exports to US.
Israel says a Gaza border will reopen, but only for Palestinians to leave: NYT reports Israel had agreed to open the Rafah crossing as part of the October cease-fire deal with Hamas, but kept it closed. Egypt denied that the border would reopen soon.
Europe’s banned pesticides are poisoning Nigeria: Chemicals barred by the EU are widely available across Africa, threatening food and water supplies. Bloomberg
From Portugal to Mexico, Canadian snowbirds are scouting beyond the US for vacation homes: G+M reports that about 23% of survey respondents say they would go to non-US destinations this year, compared with 12% last year.
Here in Venezuela, people are more afraid of runaway inflation than Trump: Venezuelans are shrugging off threats to oust leader Nicolás Maduro, worrying more about the price of Christmas decorations and an economy in ruins. WSJ
Venezuela reveals what Trump covets most: Leading in war is the hallmark of great American presidents. Theodore R. Johnson
‘Welcome to America!’ Captured drug lords choose: Snitch or suffer: Under pressure from the Trump administration, Mexico turned over 55 cartel leaders in a pair of cloak-and-dagger missions. WSJ
Survivors of boat strike were actively continuing drug mission, Admiral to tell lawmakers: WSJ reports commander of September attack to provide account of his role for the first time in closed briefing.
AP: Pentagon knew boat attack left survivors but still launched a follow-on strike, AP sources say
AP: Pete Hegseth faces deepening scrutiny from Congress over boat strikes
WP: Republicans begin to tighten the screws on Hegseth’s Pentagon
Pentagon’s signalgate review finds Hegseth violated Defense Department regulations: WSJ reports the department watchdog also states that as Pentagon chief, Hegseth has the authority to declassify information.
Pentagon watchdog says Hegseth’s Signal chats put troops at risk: Politico reports the inspector general produced two reports on the Defense secretary’s use of the messaging app to discuss sensitive Yemen strike plans.
White House renames building the ‘Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace’: WP reports President Donald Trump is eager to be recognized as a peacemaker. His administration obliged on Wednesday by renaming the building that houses the US Institute of Peace in downtown DC. “Donald J. Trump” is now emblazoned in several places on what has often been dubbed the Peace building, according to eyewitnesses and photos obtained by The Washington Post. A White House official said the building would now be known as the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
Will Marco Rubio’s Venezuela strategy get him on the ticket for 2028? Monocle
The operator: Josh Shapiro has spent his life preparing to lead an America that might no longer exist. Tim Alberta
In unexpected moment of candor, Shapiro says Harris told ‘blatant lies’ about him: Shapiro appeared to also dismiss some of Harris’s accounts about him in her memoir “107 Days” by telling the Atlantic, “She’s trying to sell books.” WP
MyPillow founder Mike Lindell files paperwork for Minnesota gubernatorial bid: WP reports Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow CEO and a 2020 election denier, joins a crowded race in his unlikely Republican bid against two-term incumbent Gov. Tim Walz (D).
Rep. Nancy Mace reportedly planning to discuss retiring early from Congress with MTG: WCIV reports Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) is reportedly planning to discuss retiring early from Congress with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who announced her resignation in late November. New York Times reporter Annie Karni wrote Wednesday that the South Carolina Republican has told those around her she is frustrated with Speaker Mike Johnson and sick of the way he has run the House, primarily with how women have been treated there.
Republican anger erupts at Johnson as party frets about future: A small group of GOP women have been among the most vocal in raising what their colleagues say is a broader frustration with the speaker. NYT
Trump ally Elise Stefanik attacks Speaker Johnson’s leadership: In interview, New York lawmaker says Johnson losing control of House Republicans. WSJ
Time: Double-digit swing in Tennessee has Republicans rethinking how badly 2026 could hurt
Republican wins closely watched House special election in Tennessee: Matt Van Epps defeats Democrat Aftyn Behn in Nashville-area district, but margin narrows compared with past contests. WSJ
What Tennessee revealed about the GOP’s Trump trap in the midterms: Republican candidates face the problem that President Trump alone gets out the vote that they need. And he alone gets out the vote that Democrats need, too. NYT
A GOP win foretells midterm trouble: The double-digit drop in the Republican margin from 2024 demands changes. Karl Rove
Trump pollster’s health care advice for Republicans: Pivot to drug prices: Politico reports Tony Fabrizio did not recommend an extension of Obamacare subsidies, as he previously counseled.
Private hiring sank in November, ADP says: WSJ reports figures from payroll processor suggest a labor slump, with small businesses hit especially hard.
Private employers cut jobs in November, the latest sign of a slowdown: NYT reports data from ADP, a payroll processor, is getting added attention because of delays in official statistics caused by the government shutdown.
Bloomberg: Bessent under discussion to also lead National Economic Council
+ Donald Trump's aides and allies are discussing the possibility of making Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent the top White House economic adviser, in addition to his current job, if Kevin Hassett becomes the next chair of the Federal Reserve.
+ Tapping Bessent to lead the White House's National Economic Council would allow him to consolidate oversight of Trump's economic policies and give him a West Wing office.
+ Trump has hinted at announcing Hassett as the next Fed chair, and has said he has made his decision, but will wait until early 2026 to make an official announcement.
Trump announces plans to weaken fuel efficiency rules for cars and trucks: WP reports executives from Ford, GM, and Stellantis joined the president as he announced plans to roll back rules pushing automakers to sell more electric cars.
Trump returns to gasoline as fuel of choice for cars, gutting Biden’s climate policy: NYT reports the president said he would weaken Biden-era mileage standards, which were designed to increase electric-vehicle sales, calling them a “scam.”
Donald Trump proposes slashing fuel efficiency goals for cars: FT reports auto and oil industry leaders cheer the move, while green groups said it would increase costs for drivers.
How Palantir shifted course to play key role in ICE deportations: WP reports: “The truly progressive position on immigration” is “extreme skepticism,” says Alex Karp, a longtime Democrat and the data management company’s chief executive.
DOGE isn’t dead. Here’s what its operatives are doing now: Contrary to popular reports, DOGE has “burrowed into the agencies like ticks,” government sources tell WIRED.
Half of US states now require visitors to porn sites to upload their ID: 404 Media reports Missouri has become the 25th state to enact age verification laws.
Meta starts removing under-16s from social media in Australia: AFP reports tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads, and Facebook ahead of the country's world-first youth social media ban.
Chile to ban smartphones in classrooms: DW reports parents and teachers had lobbied for the bill, saying that smartphones hinder students' learning and emotional development. Once signed by President Gabriel Boric, the law would go into effect in 2026.
Bloomberg: MrBeast hasn’t thought much about how social media impacts kids
Senators urge White House to take action to curb AI-powered cyberattacks: Politico reports Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are urging the nation’s top cyber official to focus on combating the use of artificial intelligence by nation-state hackers to conduct cyberattacks after a recent China-linked incident.
The race to AGI-pill the pope: A team of believers want the Vatican to take AI doomsday scenarios seriously. The Verge
VB: Amazon's new AI can code for days without human help. What does that mean for software engineers?
Amazon releases AI agents it says can work for days at a time: WSJ reports AWS CEO Matt Garman unveiled a set of new tools at the cloud giant’s annual re:Invent conference, calling them critical to helping companies get value out of AI.
Silicon Valley builds Amazon and Gmail copycats to train AI agents: Several new start-ups are building replicas of sites so AI can learn to use the internet and maybe replace white-collar workers. NYT
Why Kissinger worried about AI Eric Schmidt
Manias, panics, and AI: By any metric, the US – and, by implication, the world – are now in the midst of an intense AI speculative boom. To assess whether all the investment pouring into the industry will build something useful, three questions must be addressed. Simon Johnson + Piero Novelli
Meta poaches senior Apple designer Alan Dye to support AI glasses push: FT reports Mark Zuckerberg foresees wearable artificial intelligence-powered devices supplanting smartphones.
Stephen Witt wins FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year: ‘The Thinking Machine’ tells the inside story of how Nvidia became the world’s most valuable corporation. FT
The hunt for copper to wire the AI boom: Data centres and green grids are heavy users of the red metal, but mine supply is stagnating and new discoveries are rare. FT
+ The price of copper reached a record high of $11,411.50 per metric ton on the London market, driven in part by frantic buying ahead of expected American tariffs.
Boomers are starting to devour influencer content: Could the time of the ‘granfluencer’ be far behind? FC
Spotify Wrapped’s genius marketing taps into individuality and belonging: The annual campaign works because it nails the balance between competing needs: the desire to belong and the desire to stand out. FC
From micro-dramas to video games, Chinese entertainment is booming: But how much slack will the Communist Party give creators? Economist
Billionaire Stephen Ross has a $200 fix for Miami’s commuting hell: Flying Taxis: WSJ reports developer to work with Archer Aviation to help build a network of launchpads for a fleet of flying vehicles in South Florida.
After NYC implemented congestion pricing, Chicago became America’s worst city for traffic: A new report from transportation analytics company Inrix shows people are spending more time in their cars in major cities across the country. FC
Waymo’s self-driving cars are suddenly behaving like New York cabbies: Autonomous vehicles are adopting humanlike qualities, making illegal U-turns and flooring it the second the light goes green. WSJ
The data on self-driving cars is clear. We have to change course. Jonathan Slotkin
Bloomberg: Chinese startup’s reusable rocket crash-lands after launch
+ A Chinese rocket, Zhuque-3, crash-landed after launch due to an "abnormal burn" that prevented a soft landing on the recovery site.
+ The crash landing illustrates the challenges China faces in developing reusable rocket technology, which has been mastered by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
+ Despite the failed recovery, the mission captured "critical engineering data" that will help with future model optimization and the realization of stage recovery and reuse, according to LandSpace Technology Corp.
The case against humans in space: Three books push back on a rising tide of optimism about space settlements. Becky Ferreira
US defense tech startup Anduril eyes manufacturing in Japan: Nikkei reports founder Palmer Luckey says it is exploring 'Arsenal J' factory concept.
You might hate these companies’ ads. That’s the point. Corporate marketers are embracing a strategy perfected by online influencers: Stoke rage and watch the attention roll in. WP
Tired Americans are spending more just to avoid chores: Companies are taking advantage of a consumer eager for products that take on some of life’s drudgery. Bloomberg
Bank of America has advised its wealth management clients to consider allocating 1% to 4% of their portfolios to digital assets, marking a major endorsement of cryptocurrency, Yahoo Finance reports.
Mormon women are taking over our screens: Across reality shows, social media, and best-selling books, women raised in the church have increased its profile across pop culture. NYT
Roger Stone is selling suits. Just don’t ask him where they’re made. WP reports the president’s old friend is taking a page from the Trump playbook by putting his name on made-to-order menswear.
This can’t be the future Meghan Markle envisioned: What in the name of Wallis Simpson is going on with the repatriated royal’s new Netflix special? WP
Manohla Dargis' best movies of 2025:
+ Dargis is the chief film critic for The New York Times.
1. Sinners
2. One Battle After Another
3. Marty Supreme
4. It Was Just an Accident
5. BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions
6. My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow
7. Sorry, Baby
8. The Secret Agent
9. Caught by the Tides
10. The Mastermind
National Board of Review winners 2025:
Best Film: One Battle After Another
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another
Best Actress: Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actress: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
Best Directorial Debut: Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby
Breakthrough Performance: Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another
Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, Train Dreams
Best Animated Feature: Arco
Best International Film: It Was Just an Accident
Best Documentary: Cover-Up
Rolling Stone's 20 best movies of 2025:
1. One Battle After Another
2. Hamnet
3. Black Bag
4. Train Dreams
5. Nouvelle Vague
6. It Was Just an Accident
7. No Other Choice
8. Sorry, Baby
9. Marty Supreme
10. Sentimental Value
11. Peter Hujar’s Day
12. Eddington
13. Universal Language
14. Best Wishes for All
15. Orwell: 2+2=5
16. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
17. The Phoenician Scheme
18. Caught by the Tides
19. Frankenstein
20. Weapons
Clippers send Chris Paul packing in a stunning, late-night move: TA reports that in what is the latest low in a season of woe, the LA Clippers announced early Wednesday morning that they will part ways with point guard Chris Paul, who last month announced that this would be his last season before he retires.
The Clippers are a sinking ship, and Chris Paul was just thrown overboard: WP reports Los Angeles suddenly parted ways with a franchise icon, the latest messy chapter for an organization that doesn’t operate gracefully.
Cadillac F1 will reveal its livery during the Super Bowl on February 8.
Fanatics launches a prediction markets app, the first major sportsbook to do so: Fanatics CEO of betting and gaming Matt King reveals why the sports apparel and collectibles giant is launching Fanatics Markets as a stand-alone app, his vision for how predictions fit into the Fanatics ecosystem, and more. FC
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | December 3
*** Ross Rant ***
The origin story
In 2013, I put 8 entrepreneurs in one house at Sundance Mountain Resort.
No agenda. No PowerPoint. Just conversation.
Thirteen years later, Brigadoon has become something I never imagined: a gathering to which people return year after year—not for what they learn, but for who they meet and how those relationships reshape their thinking.
February 22-24, 2026, marks our eighth Sundance gathering. We've grown to 100 participants, but the principle remains: quality over scale, connection over content.
If you're building something that matters, this might be your year.
More @ brigadoon.live/utah.
-Marc
*** Caracal Daily ***
The West’s last chance: How to build a new global order before it’s too late. Alexander Stubb
AP: Talks between Russia and US end after almost five hours
AP: US-Russia talks on Ukraine were productive but work remains, Russian adviser says
US delegation meets with Putin in latest bid to end Ukraine war: WP reports ahead of the key meeting, Russia professed fresh military victories, hammering home its claim that it can succeed in the war without negotiations if it wants.
Marathon Russia-US meeting yields no Ukraine peace deal: A senior Kremlin official called the talks useful and constructive, but Ukrainian territory that Moscow covets remains a sticking point. WSJ
Russia says talks with US on Ukraine ‘useful’ but no deal reached: FT reports Vladimir Putin holds meeting with Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
Putin underscores Russia’s upper hand in Ukraine ahead of Witkoff meeting: NYT reports in Moscow, Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, and Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law, were expected to discuss a revised peace proposal.
Zelenskiy says he is ‘ready for a meeting with president Trump’ after Moscow talks: Irish Times reports Zelenskiy tells Oireachtas of ‘great honour to stand in a country that understands the price of freedom’ during first official visit.
Zelensky urged to reform his leadership amid ongoing peace talks: The resignation of his trusted aide and two of his ministers over corruption allegations has ignited debate over the Ukrainian president's leadership style, as calls grow for greater openness and transparency. Le Monde
Macron: No ‘finalized’ peace plan on Ukraine: Politico reports the Europeans are worried that Kyiv will be forced into accepting a bad deal.
Ukraine targets Russia’s shadow fleet: FT reports Kyiv admits striking ships to squeeze Moscow’s war revenues as peace talks enter new phase.
Ukrainian authorities arrested a British man on suspicion of spying for Russia: Economist reports Ross David Cutmore, a former British army soldier, had been volunteering as a military instructor in Ukraine. The state security service accused him of offering to carry out assassinations for money, and revealing Ukrainian troop positions.
Vladimir Putin accuses Europeans of sabotaging Ukraine peace push: FT reports Russian president hosts Witkoff and Kushner for negotiations as military claims battlefield advances in Donetsk.
+ @AFP: #BREAKING If Europe wants war with Russia, 'we are ready': Putin
Clearly the Ukraine 'peace plan' was drafted at the Kremlin: Even if not implemented as is, Trump's proposal sends another signal: by echoing war aims expressed by Putin, it reveals Russia's ambitions, argues the specialist of Russia. Françoise Thom
Bloomberg: US peace talks with Russia will not exclude NATO, Rutte says
+ US negotiations with Russia over a plan to end its war in Ukraine will not make unilateral decisions about NATO’s future, Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
+ Rutte told reporters that NATO elements of a deal to end the war against Ukraine will be dealt with separately and will include NATO.
+ NATO leaders are wary that Washington will ignore the military alliance and pressure Ukraine to accept Russia-friendly concessions, and Rutte has been in frequent contact with the US to represent Europe’s views.
NATO allies ‘punching below their weight’ face pressure to buy arms for Ukraine: Politico reports some non-NATO countries like Australia and New Zealand plan to chip in to the PURL scheme, while other allies are doing much less.
Steve Witkoff, neophyte diplomat turned Trump's global fixe: AFP reports the American at the forefront of negotiating an end to the Ukraine war is not a veteran diplomat or the US secretary of state but a billionaire real estate developer, Steve Witkoff.
A newly confident China is jockeying for more global clout as Trump pulls back: Feeling empowered after a clash over trade, Beijing looks to exploit America’s inward turn. WSJ
Macron travels to China with slim hopes of swaying Beijing on Ukraine and trade: The French president is set to make a state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday, as disputes between Beijing and Paris continue to mount. China, which maintains its support for Moscow in the war in Ukraine, now accounts for nearly half of France's trade deficit. Le Monde
QOTD: “The Chinese will not pause. They will take over.” -- Michael Lohscheller, chief executive of Swedish electric car maker Polestar, tells the Guardian why Europe should stick to its plan to ban the production of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
Moreno says United States, allies 'dumb' to compete with China on EVs: Detroit News reports the United States should quit trying to compete with China on electric vehicles, US Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) said Tuesday, sparking renewed debate over what direction the nation's auto industry should take amid shifting federal policies on trade, tailpipe emissions and fuel efficiency standards.
How foreign carmakers can stay the course in China Juliana Liu
Chinese embassy decision delayed until Starmer visits Beijing next year: The Times reports the super-embassy in London has been given the green light by MI5 and MI6, but the final decision will not be taken until January 20.
China's quantum leap will eclipse US aircraft carriers, analysts say: Next-generation computers could render traditional weapons obsolete. Nikkei
America is foolishly waving goodbye to thousands of Chinese boffins: Hostile policies and attacks on science are driving them back into China’s arms. Economist
Will the next blockbuster drug come from China? The biopharma industry is booming following record investment and improved supply chains. FT
Japan hotel bookings by Chinese tourists plunge by half: Nikkei reports fallout from Taiwan dispute spills over into tourism industry.
Bottlenecks in data center construction threaten Japan's AI ambitions: Labor shortages, rising costs, and outdated building processes delay construction. Nikkei
India demands installation of government app on all smartphones: FT reports privacy advocates raise concerns about potential snooping. India’s telecoms ministry has said Apple and other smartphone makers must ensure that new handsets come installed with a government cybersecurity app, raising concerns about privacy. The ministry-developed app, called Sanchar Saathi, will have access to the phone’s call log, memory, and camera, according to the app’s privacy statement.
H-1B to plan B: India’s top tech talent looks beyond the US: ROW reports India’s tech talent is increasingly opting for opportunities at home and in other countries, as the lure of the US fades.
Giorgia Meloni’s party pushes to declare Italy’s gold ‘property of the people’: FT reports country’s central bank says it owns the reserves to ‘boost confidence’ in its financial system and in the euro.
Marseille grapples with drug trafficking: 'They are so many and they have so much money': After the murder of Mehdi Kessaci, the brother of an activist against drug trafficking, Le Monde spoke with residents of housing projects, social workers, judges, and police officers. They described a growing sense of powerlessness and danger. Le Monde
Police detain Federica Mogherini in EU fraud probe: EU’s former diplomatic chief and top Brussels official in custody over suspicions of wrongdoing in contract award. FT
Reproached by Trump, Netanyahu is open to a Syria-Israel deal—with caveats: WSJ reports Israeli leader demands large buffer zone after Trump warned against actions that could destabilize the new government in Damascus.
Former president of Honduras is freed from prison after Trump pardon: NYT reports Juan Orlando Hernández was convicted of flooding the United States with cocaine and had been sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Latin America accelerates minerals shift as Trump pushes for regional sourcing: Leaders agree on need to mine and process key metals in the Americas, says IDB president Ilan Goldfajn. FT
The hardliner who wants to make Chile great again: José Antonio Kast would be the most rightwing president in 35 years of democracy. FT
Chinese investment in Argentina tops US$23 billion, defying Milei’s alignment with Trump: BAT reports an X-ray of the Asian country’s investments in Argentina. Beijing not only financed but also constructed and purchased assets in the sectors which today are the motor of Argentina’s recovery, from Vaca Muerta shale to lithium in the north.
The tectonic fracture of Argentina’s economy: This is a game-changer for Argentina’s economy, anticipated for years and slowly happening. Milei has contributed to this outcome, but it is not solely the result of his actions. He is, however, the President that – if he does things right – will benefit from it. Marcelo J. García
Rotating beds and cellphones, Maduro plans to outlast Trump: President Trump’s threat of military action has confronted President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela with the gravest challenge of his crisis-ridden reign. NYT
The Times: Trump says US will begin land strikes on Venezuela ‘very soon’
Reuters: Pope Leo urges US not to attempt military ouster of Venezuela's Maduro
Trump-style regime change in Venezuela: Conducting foreign policy, let alone war, by meme is dangerous and foolish. Edward Luce
AP: Hegseth cites ‘fog of war’ in defending follow-on strike on alleged drug boat
Hegseth says he didn’t see strike on alleged drug boat that killed survivors: Defense Secretary backed decision to hit the vessel for a second time during September attack, but says he left the room when the order was given. WSJ
Hegseth says he did not see survivors of boat attack clinging to wreckage: NYT reports he defense secretary supported the admiral he said called for the second strike on Sept. 2 against a boat the administration says was smuggling drugs.
Top Republicans turn against Hegseth, semand video of boat strike: Trump’s defense secretary is slowly losing the support of leading Republicans in Congress. TNR
Concerns grow that Hegseth, White House aim to scapegoat admiral in deadly boat strike: WSJ reports as Congress vows accountability, the Trump administration emphasized it was a top military commander — not Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — who directed the engagement.
The Hill: Adm. Frank Bradley to brief lawmakers Thursday on Venezuelan boat strikes
After decades in combat, a SEAL suddenly comes under scrutiny: Adm. Frank M. Bradley will soon face questions from lawmakers, as Republicans and Democrats express concerns about a Sept. 2 attack on a boat in the Caribbean. NYT
A sickening moral slum of an administration: Regarding Venezuela, Ukraine, and much more, Trump and his acolytes are worse than simply incompetent. George F. Will
Trump calls Somalis ‘garbage’ he doesn’t want in the country: NYT reports the president delivered xenophobic comments during a publicly broadcast cabinet meeting.
WP: Trump rails against Somali migrants: ‘I don’t want them in our country’
Trump says he doesn’t want Somali immigrants in US as ICE plans operation: WSJ reports enforcement effort would focus on Minneapolis; president has been feuding with Minnesota’s Democratic governor over immigration.
PBS: Trump says the word ‘affordability’ is a ‘con job’ by the Democrats
Donald Trump says he will nominate Federal Reserve chair in ‘early’ 2026: FT reports president touts frontrunner Kevin Hassett as ‘potential’ new head of the US central bank.
Trump hints economic adviser Hassett may be Fed chair pick: AFP reports Trump on Tuesday hinted that he wants to nominate his chief economic adviser Kevin Hassett to replace outgoing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell next year.
Trump vows to overhaul Dulles. An early target: its ‘people movers.’ WP reports the announcement comes after two crashes involving mobile lounges used to transport passengers. The airport is already undergoing a massive renovation.
USA Today: 'Sorry, darling.' Melania Trump not a fan of ballroom construction noise
TN-07: Republican Matt Van Epps wins special election to US House in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District.
San Francisco sues ultraprocessed food companies: NYT reports the city attorney accuses large manufacturers of causing diseases that have burdened governments with public health costs.
Bloomberg: Michael Dell gives $6.25 billion to launch ‘Trump Accounts’ for 25 million kids
+ Michael and Susan Dell will give 25 million American children $250 each to jumpstart an investment account for their futures.
+ The $6.25 billion gift builds on the Invest America initiative and will fund accounts for children 10 and under who aren’t already eligible for the government money.
+ The money will be invested in diversified, low-cost index funds and won’t be accessible until the child turns 18, at which point it can be withdrawn for expenses such as a college education, home deposit or startup costs.
CNN has stuck a partnership with Kalshi, the world's largest global prediction market company, bringing Kalshi's data to its journalism across its television, digital, and social channels, executives tell Axios.
Bloomberg: Comcast’s bid seeks to merge NBCUniversal with Warner Bros.
+ Comcast Corp. is looking to merge its NBCUniversal division with Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., and has made a renewed offer for part of Warner Bros.
+ The proposed merger would create a larger entertainment entity, combining NBC TV network, film and TV studios, and theme parks with Warner Bros., and boost NBC's Peacock streaming service with Warner Bros.' HBO Max.
+ Warner Bros. shareholders would receive a combination of cash and stock in the new entity, and Warner Bros. Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav has been offered a management role with the new entity.
Americans’ social media use 2025: Growing shares of US adults say they are using Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Reddit, but YouTube still rises to the top. Pew
The new, in-demand job skill: Being a TikTok influencer for your company: Employers used to hate it. Now, Starbucks, Delta, and others are recruiting staffers to create social-media content about life at work. WSJ
OFSTED chief backs Australia-style social media ban for under-16s: The Times reports Sir Martyn Oliver says the platforms are driving a surge in disruptive behaviour and school exclusions, and severe absence is also on the rise.
Bloomberg: Tech industry drive to block state AI laws hits wall in Congress
+ A coalition of tech companies backed by the White House's artificial intelligence chief appears to have failed to persuade lawmakers to use a defense bill to block state governments from regulating artificial intelligence.
+ House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the defense bill "wasn't the best place" for a provision preempting state AI laws, but added that there is still interest in finding another place for it.
+ The defeat is a letdown for large AI companies including Meta Platforms Inc., OpenAI, Alphabet Inc.'s Google and venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, which had argued in favor of a federal standard that would preempt state AI regulations.
AI may discriminate against you at work. Some states are making it illegal. WP reports workers in California have more power to fight against the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Welcome to fandom’s AI clout economy: AI gives fans a sense of control over their favorite celebrity’s likenesses, whether the stars like it or not. The Verge
Variety: Guillermo del Toro says ‘F— AI’ while accepting ‘Frankenstein’ Gotham
Anthropic taps IPO lawyers as it races OpenAI to go public: AI start-up picks law firm Wilson Sonsini for what could be one of the largest public offerings ever. FT
The next frontier in AI isn’t just more data: Reinforcement learning environments prepare AI for messy reality. IEEE
China’s DeepSeek challenges Google DeepMind and OpenAI with new AI model: SCMP reports DeepSeek’s V3.2-Speciale equals Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in reasoning capabilities, the Chinese start-up says.
Bloomberg: DeepSeek debuts new AI models to rival Google and OpenAI
+ China's DeepSeek unveiled two new versions of an experimental artificial-intelligence model, adding fresh capabilities to help with combining reasoning and executing certain actions autonomously.
+ The new version, DeepSeek-V3.2, matches the performance of OpenAI Inc.'s flagship GPT-5 across multiple reasoning benchmarks and combines human-like reasoning with the capability to use tools like search engines and calculators.
+ DeepSeek also released DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale, which focuses on mathematical computations and matches the performance of Google's latest Gemini-3 Pro, and performed at gold medal levels on standardized tests like the International Math Olympiad.
An AI startup looks toward the post-transformer era: The architecture underlying large language models revolutionized AI. Pathway’s Dragon Hatchling is designed to do more. WSJ
The Information: OpenAI CEO declares ‘code red’ to combat threats to ChatGPT, delays ads effort
OpenAI’s Sam Altman declares ‘code red’ after rivals make advances: FT reports $500bn start-up to refocus efforts to improve ChatGPT as Google and Anthropic narrow its early lead.
OpenAI declares ‘code red’ as Google threatens AI lead: WSJ reports a companywide memo is most decisive indication yet of pressure OpenAI faces from competitors.
OpenAI ready to roll out ads in ChatGPT responses.
OpenAI confronts signs of delusions among ChatGPT users Bloomberg
Mistral unveils new models in race to gain edge in ‘open’ AI: Release of French start-up’s latest system comes amid growing concern that Europe is falling behind US and China. FT
AIs could turn opinion polls into gibberish: Large language models can answer surveys and pass the tests to check that a respondent is human. Economist
How to spot a bubble bursting: Forget valuations. Look out for search-engine hits and fund managers getting fired. Economist
The question isn’t whether the AI bubble will burst – but what the fallout will be: Will the bubble ravage the economy when it bursts? What will it leave of value once it pops? Eduardo Porter
AI bubble is fuelled by debt, Bank of England warns: The Times reports Andrew Bailey, the central bank governor, says an asset price correction for tech firms investing $5trn in artificial intelligence could upend the credit markets.
Amazon unveils new AI chip in battle against Nvidia: AFP reports Amazon Web Services launched its in-house-built Trainium3 AI chip on Tuesday, marking a significant push to compete with Nvidia in the lucrative market for artificial intelligence computing power.
Kalshi co-founder Luana Lopes Lara passes Taylor Swift to become youngest self-made female billionaire at age of 29.
Bloomberg: Samsung debuts first trifold phone ahead of folding iPhone
Reuters: Samsung unveils first multi-folding phone as competition set to heat up
+ The model, priced at about 3.59 million won ($2,440.17), unfolds into a 253.1 millimetre (10-inch) display, using three panels, and it is nearly 25% larger than Samsung's latest foldable Galaxy Z Fold 7 model.
Can Arizona miners unleash an American copper boom? Rio Tinto’s Nuton venture is using microbes to remove copper from ores that are otherwise uneconomical to mine. WSJ
How Blue Origin plans to beat SpaceX to the Moon: Successful launches are helping Jeff Bezos’ company set up missions to ferry cargo and, eventually, astronauts to the lunar surface. WSJ
Jaguar ‘ditches designer’ behind its pink brand relaunch: The Times reports Gerry McGovern, the chief creative officer involved in a widely mocked advert that featured no cars, was asked to leave JLR on Monday, Autocar reported.
Mitsubishi Motors explores joint US production with Nissan and Honda: CEO: Nikkei reports the Outlander maker imports all cars it sells in market, leaving it exposed to tariffs.
How an $11 billion beauty company built a suburban empire: Ulta found success by acting more like Home Depot than like Sephora. Bloomberg
Prada completed its €1.25bn ($1.4bn) purchase of Versace. The price was reportedly snipped by $200 million after Versace faced a big hit from Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The end of the lunch bowl era: Diners have bowl fatigue, with some deriding them as ‘slop.’ Even Chipotle’s founder has moved on by starting a sandwich chain. Bloomberg
The single trait that successful entrepreneurs share David C. Baker
The John le Carré series “Legacy of Spies” has been picked up at the BBC in the UK and MGM+ in the US, Variety has learned exclusively.
The dark secrets of the writer behind ‘Train Dreams’: An adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella arrives at the same time as a new biography, unlocking one of his best-loved and least-understood books. NYT Mag
Bonnaroo 2026: Skrillex, the Strokes, and Noah Kahan are slated to headline the music festival, taking place from June 11-14 in Manchester, TN.
The Cleveland Browns are officially moving to Brook Park: Cleveland's city council has approved a settlement that clears the way for the Browns to leave downtown for a $2.4B stadium in suburban Brook Park. The Browns will pay up to $103M to the city over the next 15 years. The city of Cleveland will drop all lawsuits challenging the move.
Serena Williams comeback? Tennis great denies she’s planning to return. WP reports the greatest women’s tennis player of all-time has reentered the sport’s drug testing pool, a mandatory step in a potential return to competition.
Red Bull promote rookie Hadjar to partner Verstappen: AFP reports French rookie Isack Hadjar will step up to the main Red Bull car next season to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen, the Austrian Formula One team announced on Tuesday.
Detroit News: Michigan State sets $1 billion fundraising goal to upgrade athletic facilities
JMU makes the cut and ACC’s disaster scenario surfaces in CFP rankings: Even without Lane Kiffin, Mississippi is No. 6 after Texas A&M’s loss to Texas. Alabama inched ahead of Notre Dame. North Texas and James Madison debuted. WP
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | December 2
Europe is going on a huge military spending spree: But with America now an unreliable ally, will it be enough to counter Russia? Economist
DW: Poland, Germany prepare to sign defense collaboration agreement in 2026
Bloomberg: Ukraine ramps up strikes on Russian oil and targets tankers
NYT: Zelensky stresses sovereignty as US pursues peace talks with Russia
Ukraine fears being ignored in US plan to end Russia’s war: Politico reports the US was keen to finalize Ukraine’s position on territorial issues and security guarantees in ongoing talks in Florida.
Zelensky seeks support in Paris as Trump pushes plan: Le Monde reports the Ukrainian president traveled to Paris on Monday to shore up European support in a meeting with Emmanuel Macron. Zelensky said he was also expecting a call with the US president without giving a timeline.
Kremlin says Putin to meet US envoy Witkoff Tuesday afternoon: Kyiv Post reports the pair will meet after American and Ukrainian officials held negotiations on a US plan that Washington wants to be a basis to end fighting between Moscow and Kyiv.
‘Very optimistic’ Trump sends son-in-law to negotiate with Putin: Jared Kushner will join Steve Witkoff to relay Ukraine’s counteroffer to the Russian leader in Moscow, effectively sidelining the secretary of state Marco Rubio. The Times
EU tells Trump: You can’t pardon Putin for war crimes in Ukraine: Any move to “wipe the slate clean” for Russia in a peace deal would be “a historic mistake of huge proportions,” the EU justice commissioner tells Politico.
Russia claims to have captured Pokrovsk: DW reports Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Russian forces captured the key city in eastern Donetsk. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy and France's Macron spoke with US envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of talks with Putin.
Sudan offers Russia its first naval base in Africa: WSJ reports a Red Sea port would give Moscow a vital edge in the strategic waters.
South African radio host accused of recruiting for Russia: DW reports that a radio presenter appeared in court, accused of recruiting men to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Former President Jacob Zuma's daughter is facing similar allegations in a separate matter.
Bloomberg: Putin allows visa-free entry for Chinese citizens into Russia
How China is using AI to extend censorship and surveillance: China is expanding the use of AI throughout its criminal justice system and developing tools to deepen its monitoring of ethnic minorities, a new report finds. WP
The future of China’s “electro-state”: China has built the machinery of an innovative, low-carbon industrial economy capable of leading the global net-zero transition and the unfolding AI revolution. But whether this model will be sustainable depends on China's ability to overcome several major challenges. Ludovic Subran
China poses 'real national security threats' to UK, Starmer warns: Sky News reports the prime minister also describes China as a "nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity" and a "defining force in technology, trade and global governance."
Starmer: ‘Dereliction of duty’ not to engage with China: Politico reports in a speech on Monday night, Starmer condemned the previous Conservative governments’ colder approach to Beijing.
Starmer urges UK business to boost trade with China despite security threats: FT reports PM aims to give companies ‘the confidence, clarity and support’ to make deals with Beijing.
Who could shield Taiwan from China? A new answer is emerging. The island is making leaps in military spending and acting with greater focus than ever before. Ely Ratner
Bloomberg: US moves to deepen minerals supply chain in AI race with China
+ The US will seek agreements with eight allied nations to strengthen supply chains for computer chips and critical minerals needed for AI technology.
+ The initiative will begin with a meeting at the White House on Dec. 12 between the US and counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
+ The US wants to cut dependence on China and have a stable relationship with China, but also be ready to compete and ensure US companies can build transformative technologies without coercive dependencies.
Flood death toll rises rapidly across south-east Asia to more than 1000: FT reports large parts of Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka reeling after being hit by rare cluster of storms.
To avoid tariffs, UK agrees to Trump’s demand to pay more for drugs: NYT reports President Trump has complained that wealthy countries like Britain pay too little for drugs, leading America to bear much of the burden of the costs of medicines.
UK and US reveal zero-tariff deal on pharmaceuticals: Le Monde reports the accord, announced on Monday by officials from the Trump and Starmer administrations, aims to 'address long-standing imbalances in US-UK pharmaceutical trade.'
Trump’s tariffs are hitting India hard: Donald Trump’s punishing tariffs have laid bare the fragility of India’s export model, which depends on a handful of markets and a narrow band of relatively low-value-added products. Only by embracing a new model – which emphasizes diversification, regional cooperation, and value addition – can India build long-term resilience. Shashi Tharoor
Why the Gulf monarchs shower Trump with gifts: Until now, no president had yielded to royal temptations from abroad. Franklin Foer
Trump, Xi, Putin, and the strongman race: The Chinese leader is ending the year in a better position than his American and Russian counterparts. Gideon Rachman
Trump's interference and contradictions across Latin America: The US president has brought to Latin America the same virulence and threats he routinely directs at his political opponents at home. There, too, he has multiplied contradictions that make his policy direction increasingly difficult to decipher. Le Monde-Editorial
Trump becomes the wild card in razor-thin Honduras election: NYT reports President Trump warned that if his favored candidate didn’t win, the United States would “not be throwing good money after bad” at the country.
Honduras election heads for photo finish with top two rivals tied: FT reports Nasralla whittles down Trump-backed Asfura’s lead to just 515 votes as both claim they will win.
Honduras election: 'Technical tie' between two candidates: DW reports US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut aid to Honduras if Nasry Asfura, of the right-wing National Party, is unsuccessful in the presidential election.
Trafficking humans is the drug-gangs’ grimmest business: Mass migration and sex tourism are causing a new wave of exploitation across Latin America. Economist
White House denies ‘war crime’ after giving Maduro ultimatum to resign: The Times reports the presidents spoke on the phone last week as the US continued to put pressure on Venezuela and execute lethal strikes on ‘drug boats.’
White House says second strike on alleged drug boat was legal: WSJ reports it said the admiral who ordered the strike, which is reported to have killed survivors of the initial attack, was acting under the defense secretary’s authority.
The Hill: White House confirms Hegseth authorized second strike on drug boat
WP: Trump says Hegseth denied issuing order to kill boat crew
Was Pete Hegseth’s boat strike order a war crime? Nia Prater
Lawmakers spoke privately to Trump’s top general after boat strike revelations: WP reports the call between Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees occurred as both panels opened inquiries into the Sept. 2 attack.
Lawmakers suggest follow-up boat strike could be a war crime: NYT reports top Republicans have joined Democrats in demanding answers about the escalating military campaign the Trump administration says is aimed at targeting drug traffickers.
‘At what point does this cross a line into international criminality?’ Politico reports an expert on international law weighs in on the legality and global implications of the Trump administration’s drug boat killings.
+ Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that if a second strike on shipwrecked survivors happened, “that would be an illegal act.”
Reuters: Trump’s campaign of retribution: At least 470 targets and counting
How a deep red Tennessee House district turned into a political battleground: Tuesday marks the special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. ABC News
Slumping Trump says ‘whole world is watching’ Tennessee special election: WSJ reports polls show Democrat Aftyn Behn close behind Republican Matt Van Epps in race for House seat in solid-red district.
Johnson and Trump try to avoid an upset House loss in Tennessee: NYT reports Speaker Mike Johnson put the president on speakerphone during a Monday stop in the state, underscoring the unusual amount of national attention on a House special election.
GOP faces a familiar dilemma: What to do about Obamacare? WP reports subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending them before then.
Top Mace adviser leaves her campaign, citing loyalty to Trump: Politico reports Austin McCubbin, a longtime GOP operative, announced his resignation in a pointed post on X on Monday.
Steve Cohen wins approval for casino near Mets stadium: NYT reports the baseball-team owner and billionaire investor gains one of three licenses granted to operate casinos in New York City.
A surprise when your package arrives: You have to pay the tariff: NYT reports the end of a tariff exemption on goods worth $800 or less has left some US shoppers with an extra shipping bill that must be paid before delivery.
Bloomberg: Costco joins companies suing for refunds if Trump’s tariffs fall
America’s tariffs jolted the global economy. Its AI spending is helping save it. Global trade and growth forecasts go up for now, but tariffs will bite soon. WSJ
New York won’t reign forever. Bring on Y’all Street. As Dallas gets a Nasdaq exchange, Texas looks more like America’s financial center. Matthew Lynn
WSJ: Bitcoin prices decline in sharpest slide since March
Bloomberg: Crypto downturn wipes out almost $1 billion in levered bets
Top gun traders: Stock bets and crypto culture take over the military: Camaraderie, competition, and a strong bull market help troops accrue new wealth; ‘I was trying to punch my ticket.’ WSJ
Drone boot camp: Army exercises test soldiers, tech, and plans for future: The training showed integrating new systems such as drones is not easy. Commanders are betting the often-frustrating lessons will pay off on the battlefield. Bloomberg
Can the US trust AI with national security? Nowhere are the stakes higher for making sure the systems stay aligned with their creators’ purposes. Judd Rosenblatt + Cameron Berg
The state of AI: When will we reach economic singularity? Perhaps AI’s lack of impact on productivity is the normal lag of any new technology. Richard Waters + David Rotman
Lessons from the frontiers of AI adoption: Why coders and call-centre agents are especially vulnerable to the technology. Economist
Top consultancies freeze starting salaries as AI threatens ‘pyramid’ model: Productivity gains from technology are spurring debate about reliance on large numbers of junior advisers. FT
Accenture dubs its 800,000 staff ‘reinventors’ as it adapts to AI: FT reports the move follows in footsteps of Disney’s ‘imagineers’ and Amazon’s ‘ninja coders.’
1 in 6 German workers worried about job losses due to AI: DW reports 16% share of German employees are worried that their jobs may be at risk because of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a labor market survey carried out by career platform Xing.
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening: Recent surveys point to flatlining business adoption. Economist
College students flock to a new major: AI: At MIT, a new program called “artificial intelligence and decision-making” is now the second-most-popular undergraduate major. NYT
OpenAI takes stake in Thrive Holdings in latest circular deal: FT reports deal means start-up will take share in group set up by Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital.
Apple artificial intelligence head John Giannandrea is stepping down from the role, capping a tumultuous tenure that included a fumbled entry into generative AI.
Nvidia and Fanuc team on 'physical AI' push for industrial robots: Partners aim for factory robots that can perform tasks from human voice commands. Nikkei
Three Mile Island’s nuclear revival pits those who fled against job seekers: A generational rift hangs over the reboot of the plant to power Microsoft data centers. For some, it is a step backward; for others, it is the key to economic revival. WP
Disney seeks energy trader as big firms try to curb power costs Bloomberg
Travis Kavulla explains why electric bills shot up: It's not just datacenters. Bloomberg
Will Volkswagen’s radical revamp be enough? A year after revealing plans for capacity cuts and job losses in Germany, some think more retrenchment is needed. FT
Shopify breaks down on busy Cyber Monday: WSJ reports the outage at the e-commerce host interrupted transactions for merchants who use Shopify’s technology to sell products online.
Office-to-residential conversions are booming and New York is the epicenter: A tour of Manhattan buildings you can now call home, and a peek inside the architectural hacks that make transformations possible. WSJ
Ozempic is changing how we spend money and time, plus what we eat: As people’s bodies change because of GLP-1s, so does their spending across industries including fashion, restaurants, gyms and travel. WP
Michelin honored the cheesesteak. Not all Philadelphians cheered. The gastronomic guide has singled out three restaurants that serve the sandwich, setting off a loud local debate about tradition and innovation. NYT
How Pepsi trounced Coca-Cola in the Middle East: Its dominance is entwined with the region’s turbulent politics. Economist
A weird way to watch TV is bringing people a surprising amount of joy: Clips of classic shows and popular movies are filling algorithmic feeds, giving viewers a way to relive the joy without the time commitment. WP
What the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend reveals about our cultural moment: Plaid! Velvet! Bows! Dickens! A rejection of minimalism! This holiday microtrend has it all. WP
Oxford names 'rage bait' as Word of the Year 2025: DW reports the term "rage bait" has been chosen as Oxford's Word of the Year for 2025, reflecting the rise of outrage-driven online content. It beat contenders "aura farming" and "biohack" in a public vote.
Three drivers, 58 laps, one champion: F1 is headed to a final-race showdown: Formula One’s world championship is going down to the wire, with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set to square off in a three-way title fight. WSJ
McLaren have passed line of stupidity — it’s time to prioritise Norris: Commitment to ‘papaya rules’ is admirable, but in sport where marginal gains are everything, for team to allow Max Verstappen a sniff at title is ridiculous. Owen Slot
How Nick Saban and ESPN tried to help Lane Kiffin coach two teams at once: Kiffin wanted to stay at Mississippi through the College Football Playoff even after taking the job at LSU. That only made sense on television. Steven Godfrey
Lane Kiffin to LSU sets maddening precedent amid all-time hypocrisy in college football Stewart Mandel
Detroit News: Pat Fitzgerald signs contract to be next Michigan State football coach
+ @ScottHughesCBB: SOURCE: Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 college basketball season.
2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Everything you need to know about Friday’s soccer extravaganza: Co-hosts Canada, the US, and Mexico anxiously await the selection of 12 groups of four and where they’ll play starting in June. Toronto Star
Wrexham lands £18m in taxpayer funding despite Ryan Reynolds’ income: The Times reports the Championship team, part-owned by the Hollywood star, was awarded the non-repayable grants to refurbish its stadium and the surrounding area.
Turkey’s refs are caught up in a huge sports gambling scandal: The country’s football may be as corrupt as its politics. Economist
Jamaican bobsleigh team captures historic gold medal at Whistler competition: CBC reports nearly 40 years after the Jamaica bobsleigh team's first Winter Olympics inspired the film Cool Runnings, it made history again last weekend by capturing its first ever gold medal at an international bobsleigh competition. The team, composed of Shane Pitter, Andrae Dacres, Junior Harris and Tyquendo Tracey, beat out Canada to win gold at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s North American Cup in Whistler, BC, on Sunday.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal