Caracal Daily | May 8
Vladimir Putin, 180 Days, Apple, Kids Off Their Phones, Paris Olympics, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
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Caracal Daily will be on hiatus starting Thursday, May 9, and will return Monday, May 20.
Happy Wednesday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Reuters: Israeli military takes control of vital Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt
AP: Israeli forces seize Rafah crossing in Gaza, threatening aid and putting cease-fire talks on edge
US delays arms shipments to Israel amid Rafah tensions: WP reports one US official described the move as a “shot across the bow” intended to underscore to Israeli leaders the seriousness of Washington’s concerns about the looming offensive.
Rashida Tlaib demands ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu: Politico reports that House Republicans are dialing up pressure on Democrats over ceasefire protests, including introducing a censure against Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Macron adds a personal touch to his diplomacy with China: The French president took Xi Jinping to his childhood haunts high in the Pyrenees, hoping to forge a bond. If only the weather had cooperated. NYT
Europe faces up to China's EV dominance as carbon-zero targets loom: As Xi travels through EU this week, automakers weigh whether to fight or team up with cheaper Chinese rivals. Nikkei
+ The EU accounts for around 40 percent of China’s EV exports.
Xi stirs up old grievances against NATO in Serbia: The Times reports Xi flew from France to Belgrade to be greeted by President Vucic of Serbia, a nationalist who has repeatedly challenged strategy in the Balkans.
NHK: Japan, China, South Korea prepare to hold three-way summit in late May
Philippines first, India later, as US prioritizes 'Squad' allies: Nikkei reports the White House turns attention to Beijing-Manila tensions in South China Sea.
Philippines to beef up defenses against South China Sea threats: Nikkei reports China steps up its deterrence with powerful water cannons that bend steel.
Princeton Digital Group secured a $280 million green loan to help finance a $1.5 billion data center it’s building in southern Malaysia, a first for the Asian infrastructure operator as it aims to get that complex operational by June.
Amazon plans to spend $9 billion expanding its cloud computing infrastructure in Singapore, the latest global tech company to boost investment in Southeast Asia.
TikTok sues to challenge law forcing sale or ban: Politico reports the filing claims the law violates First Amendment rights of TikTok and its users, and says the government hasn’t shown proof of national security risks.
TikTok sues to block US ban: WSJ reports the Chinese-controlled app claims new federal law violates First Amendment and unlawfully singles out company for punishment.
Thousands of UK troops hit in suspected Chinese hack on defense ministry: Politico reports Defense Secretary Grant Shapps briefed the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon — but is avoiding publicly pointing the finger at Beijing.
General election result is not a foregone conclusion, Sunak says: Guardian reports PM ‘absolutely determined to fight’ despite Tories’ disastrous local election results and Labour poll lead.
How Ukrainians are using the cover of war to escape taxes: “Black grain” infuriates exporters playing by the rules. Economist
Ukraine arrests 2 rogue colonels over secret plot to murder Zelenskyy, Kyiv says: Politico reports top official said it is the first time Russia has recruited such high-ranking “moles” inside Ukrainian security services.
AP: Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
‘No Putin means no Russia’: the cult of a modern-day tsar: Ready to rule for another six years, the president has positioned himself as the ‘indispensable’ embodiment of his nation. The Times
At his inauguration, Vladimir Putin commits to a long-term confrontation with the West: 'We look to the future with confidence,' said the Russian president as he began his fifth term in office at a ceremony in the Kremlin attended by the French ambassador. Le Monde
Italian troops deployed against wild boar to defend ham industry: FT reports an army intervention part of mission to prevent spread of contagious African swine fever to pigs.
Belgium to police Telegram under new EU tech law: Politico reports the platform claims to have more than 800 million monthly active users globally.
Saudi Arabia AI fund would divest from China if US asked, CEO says: Bloomberg reports: “So far the requests have been to keep manufacturing and supply chains completely separate, but if the partnerships with China would become a problem for the US, we will divest,” said Amit Midha, the chief executive officer of Alat, an investment firm backed by $100 billion in capital from the Public Investment Fund.
Canada re-criminalizes public drug use in British Columbia: NYT reports a province that was a global pioneer in harm reduction took a step back after a political backlash.
The Bank of Canada said Monday that its new C$20 polymer bill featuring King Charles III will be in circulation by … 2027.
One out of every 24 New York City residents is now a millionaire: Bloomberg reports the number of people with a seven-figure net worth has jumped in Manhattan, the Bay Area, and Singapore over the past decade.
A new diplomatic strategy emerges as artificial intelligence grows: The new US approach to cyberthreats comes as early optimism about a “global internet” connecting the world has been shattered. NYT
*** US Politics + Elections ***
180: The number of days until the 2024 US election.
Libertarians picked Trump to headline their convention. Then, an internal revolt erupted. WP reports that some national committee members have called on the party to rescind the invitation to former President Donald Trump.
The Hill: Trump looks to cut off oxygen to RFK Jr.
Trump is planning to send kill teams to Mexico to take out cartel leaders: Trump has told allies about his plans to covertly send Special Forces to Mexico to assassinate drug kingpins, sources tell Rolling Stone.
Trump advisers explore vast new legal powers for global trade war: Plan that would impose tariffs on all imports would probably prove extremely disruptive to the global economy. WP
Judge Cannon indefinitely postpones Trump’s classified docs trial: Politico report a new order from the judge further clouds special counsel Jack Smith’s efforts to bring Donald Trump to trial this year.
Biden condemns a ‘ferocious surge’ of antisemitism in the United States: NYT reports President Biden’s speech at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony came during weeks of protests on US college campuses against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Mike Johnson vows to remain speaker past election, despite hurdles in unruly House: WP reports Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) have threatened to topple Mike Johnson (R-LA) from the speakership, recently demanding that he adhere to a series of asks or face a removal vote.
Congresswoman battling brain disorder delivers House speech using a text-to-voice app: Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), whose ability to speak, hear and move has been affected by a degenerative brain condition, uses assistive technology to help her navigate life on the Hill. WP
AP: New York governor regrets saying Black kids in the Bronx don’t know what a computer is
Taylor Swift bill signed into Minnesota law, protecting online ticket buyers: Le Monde reports the law, prompted by the frustration of a legislator not able to buy tickets to Swift's concert in Minneapolis, will require ticket sellers to disclose all fees upfront and prohibit resellers from selling more than one copy of a ticket.
AP: Brad Parscale helped Trump win in 2016 using Facebook ads. Now he’s back, and an AI evangelist
+ “You’re going to see some of the most amazing new technology in artificial intelligence that’s going to replace polling in the future across the country.” -- Brad Parscale
+ Parscale says his company, Campaign Nucleus, can use AI to help generate customized emails, parse oceans of data to gauge voter sentiment and find persuadable voters. It can also amplify the social media posts of “anti-woke” influencers
AP: Nervous about falling behind the GOP, Democrats are wrestling with how to use AI
+ So far, Democrats said they are primarily using AI to help them find and motivate voters and better identify and overcome deceptive content.
+ ″Candidates and strategists are still trying to figure out how to use AI in their work. People know it can save them time — the most valuable resource a campaign has,” said Betsy Hoover, director of digital organizing for President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign and co-founder of the progressive venture capital firm Higher Ground Labs. “But they see the risk of misinformation and have been intentional about where and how they use it in their work.”
Anatomy of a scroll: Inside TikTok’s AI-powered algorithms: Israel or Palestine? What users see in their social media feeds related to the Middle East crisis and other global political events is determined by opaque AI-powered online content curation systems. Politico
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Wayve, a maker of artificial intelligence software for autonomous vehicles, raised $1 billion in new funding, led by SoftBank, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Defense think tank MITRE to build AI supercomputer with Nvidia: WP reports the $20 million AI “sandbox” will allow federal agencies from the Pentagon to the IRS to test cutting-edge technologies.
Are Microsoft and OpenAI becoming full-on frenemies? Fortune
OpenAI says it can now detect images spawned by its software—most of the time: WSJ reports the startup’s new tool detects 98% of pictures generated by its text-to-image generator DALL-E 3, but success drops if the images are altered.
Bloomberg: OpenAI is readying a search product to rival Google, Perplexity
Bloomberg: Meta will let advertisers create campaigns using new generative AI tools
Apple unveils ‘outrageously powerful chip for AI’ in latest iPads: FT reports the new hardware signals iPhone maker’s growing focus on running artificial intelligence features on mobile devices.
Apple plays up AI potential in new iPads: The Cupertino, Calif., company has steadily ramped up comments on its AI work, with Tim Cook saying AI will be “transformative.” WP
The iPad lost. Smartphones won. Steve Jobs predicted iPads could become as widespread as cars. Instead, they’re a niche. Shira Ovide
7 everyday work problems AI helps me solve: It’s hard to get your head around all the things artificial intelligence will do, someday. So instead focus on how it can make your life better right now. WSJ
Bloomberg: Uber and Instacart team up on restaurant deliveries, challenging DoorDash
Boeing forced to scrub first crewed Starliner launch to the space station: NBC News reports the launch attempt was called off roughly two hours ahead of the planned liftoff.
Honda to join forces with Japan taxi companies on driverless service: Nikkei reports the split between operation and support breaks with all-in-one model employed in US and China.
*** Culture ***
Inside one record store riding the vinyl-revival wave: The Attic, near Pittsburgh, looked like it wasn’t going to survive in the early 2000s. Now it sells all genres to customers young and old. WSJ
Stephen A. Smith would like even more of your attention: Sports, politics, sex, SpongeBob: There’s nothing ESPN’s biggest star won’t argue about — as long as you keep listening. WP
The French school that’s cracked getting kids off their phones: Teachers are tackling smartphone screen time — with exercise as punishment — and many teenagers welcome the hardline plan to break their addiction. The Times
*** Sport ***
Summer Games: Xi called for a “worldwide truce” during the Olympics.
China’s cheating threatens to wreck Paris Olympics, US anti-drugs chief says: Politico reports American regulator Travis Tygart accuses the World Anti-Doping Agency of “allowing” Chinese authority to cover up illegal drug-taking by top swimmers.
LIV Golf’s new CMO doesn’t come from sports. He comes from PepsiCo: WSJ reports Adam Harter, a former ringleader of the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show, is tasked with turning the Saudi-backed golf circuit from a controversial brand into a household favorite.
WP: WNBA plans to use chartered flights in reversal of long-standing policy
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | May 8
