Caracal Daily | June 13
Philippines, GOP, Martin Amis, Bank of New York Mellon, Rafael Nadal + Carlos Alcaraz, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
Caracal Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for comms pros.
Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. Caracal is here to help.
Always Be Communicating.
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Ross Rant ***
A soaking mistake: Rishi Sunak's ill-fated election call
In a seismic shift in UK politics, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made the unprecedented and potentially catastrophic move of calling a snap general election for July. This decision has sent shockwaves through his party and the political landscape, leaving many to ponder the motives behind this high-stakes gamble.
Having recently met with well-placed sources in SW1, I can confidently say that the mood within the Conservative Party is one of confusion and concern.
Full post - click here.
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
AP: Biden and Zelenskyy will sign a security deal, as G7 leaders agree to use Russian cash to help Kyiv
Germany to launch limited military service in push to be ‘war ready’: FT reports increased Russian threat prompts move to a Swedish-style selective approach to army recruitment.
AP: Russian warships reach Cuban waters ahead of military exercises in the Caribbean
Massive Attack pull out of gig in Georgia in solidarity with protesters: Guardian reports the band said performing at a state-owned arena could be seen as endorsing a government attack on human rights.
Thailand is already seeing signs of a White Lotus travel bump: Bloombeg reports the third season of the hit show, which is set in the Southeast Asian country, has yet to announce a premiere date—but tourists are already making plans.
Philippines says China poses ‘existential’ threat in South China Sea: FT reports the defense secretary accuses Beijing of trying to ‘bully’ Manila ‘into submission’ or ‘appeasement.’
How the Philippines is turning the water-cannon on China: Ferdinand Marcos’s flip is a huge gift to America. But dangers lie ahead. Economist
EU slaps additional duties of up to 38% on Chinese EVs: Nikkei reports Beijing threatens retaliation as negotiations begin to avoid application of new tariffs.
EU announces taxes on Chinese electric cars, Beijing slams 'naked protectionist behavior': Le Monde reports Brussels is seeking to protect European automakers from aggressive competition from Chinese rivals.
Macron defends decision to call elections, slams possible alliance on the right: WP reports French President Emmanuel Macron said he hears people’s anger — and thinks they will vote for his political bloc anyway.
Defiant Macron predicts chaos if France succumbs to extremes: NYT reports the French president called on people of good will to come together to defend the Republic in the snap election he decided to call.
French election: Centre-right leader backs National Rally’s Jordan Bardella in blow to Macron: The Times reports Éric Ciotti, the Republicans’ leader, said he would support Bardella after president called snap parliamentary elections.
French conservative leader deposed by party for backing Marine Le Pen: FT reports political turmoil turns to farce after Eric Ciotti shutters party HQ to thwart critics.
Jordan Bardella: The far-right TikTok king gunning for France’s premiership: The 28-year-old party leader has outshone his mentor Marine Le Pen on the campaign trail. FT
Kids and screentime: What the committee appointed by Macron recommends: Le Monde reports the report advises against exposing under-threes to screens and suggests waiting until the age of 11 for a cellphone and 13 for a smartphone with internet access.
What would a Labour ‘super-majority’ mean for the UK? Senior Tories, including the defense secretary, Grant Shapps, hope that warning about unchecked power will curb a Labour landslide. The Times
What separates Tony Blair’s Labour from the party today? The approach to globalisation is the clearest dividing-line of all. Economist
In charts: The legacy of 14 years of Conservative rule: Next UK government must grapple with series of challenges in a nation still reeling from austerity, COVID, and Brexit. FT
G7 summit to include commitments on cyber, AI: A major agreement to enhance the cybersecurity of energy infrastructure equipment will be on the table, and Pope Francis will participate in an AI-focused event. Politico
Why Pope Francis thinks the Church should play a part in world leaders’ debate on AI CNN
Why G7 leaders are turning to a special guest — Pope Francis — for advice on AI: When leaders of the world's leading industrialized nations meet in Italy this week, they'll be joined by a unique guest to talk about the risks posed by artificial intelligence: Pope Francis. NPR
+ This is the first G7 summit to feature a pope as an invited participant. But it's not the first time that Pope Francis has weighed in on this emerging technology and how he believes it should be developed for the good of humanity.
The George Bush Century: The 41st president’s life set an example for a divided country. James A. Baker III
*** US Politics + Elections ***
The Economist’s prediction model gives Donald Trump a two-in-three chance of winning America’s presidential election in November, compared with one in three for Joe Biden.
WP: Trump, seeking to show unity, to meet with GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill
The appeal of an American Caesar: A well-organized cabal of rightwing intellectuals is assembling an authoritarian playbook for Donald Trump. Edward Luce
Why is Biden going to Europe twice in a week? The White House won’t say, but the politics seem clear: Three down days in Europe “might not look right.” NYT
Why Senate Democrats are outperforming Biden in key states: Democratic candidates have leads in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona — but strategists aligned with both parties caution that the battle for Senate control is just starting. NYT
WSJ: Fed sees one cut this year despite mild inflation data
Reuters: Four more states join US monopoly lawsuit against Apple
+ The Justice Department said that the four states are Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
The challenges of regulating AI and the role of behavioral science Heather Graci
AI start-up sees thousands of vulnerabilities in popular tools: Haize Labs says tests found that popular generative AI programs produced violent or sexualized content and allowed for the automation of cyberattacks. WP
AI chatbots just can’t shake off gender stereotypes, here’s why: Many, whether they realize it or not, will gravitate toward a female chatbot voice because it’s perceived as less threatening than a male voice. FC
Apple passes Microsoft as the most valuable company.
Databricks and Shutterstock are trying to remove the copyright risk from AI image generation: The companies’ new model is trained only on content from Shutterstock, which gets paid for every image generated. FC
According to a Gallagher survey, over 80% of US business owners plan to maintain or increase their AI investments in 2024
The oldest US bank is getting a new name: Bank of New York Mellon is embracing BNY as its new moniker, it announced on Tuesday.
Audi will invest one billion euros ($1.08 billion) in electric vehicle projects in the Mexican state of Puebla.
This Detroit startup is bringing e-bike manufacturing to the US: Bloom is working with American factories to create a new domestic supply chain for light electric vehicles like e-bikes. FC
Barack Obama visited Detroit last night. He still wants us to have hope. Nancy Kaffer
Grab them. Then stump them. Word puzzles on LinkedIn. Logic challenges in The Washington Post. For news publishers and tech sites looking to both entice and engage users, games are serious business. NYT
*** Culture ***
‘He made every sentence electric’: Martin Amis remembered by Tina Brown, his old friend and devoted editor: He called her Tiny. She called him Bruno. In this speech from today’s memorial service to the novelist, the legendary magazine editor celebrates her cocky, beguiling, and witheringly funny star writer. Guardian
*** Sport ***
Rafael Nadal + Carlos Alcaraz to play doubles together for Spain at the Paris Olympics.
NBA all-time great Jerry West dies at age 86: ESPN reports Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning at the age of 86, the LA Clippers announced.
The world’s richest family is about to remake the Olympics. Here’s how: This summer, as athletes and fans descend on the Paris Olympics, LVMH is spending a fortune making sure its brands are enmeshed in the Games. It's the grandest convergence of sports and luxury ever—but what can it tell us about the Arnault family's broader ambitions? GQ
Winter Games: The IOC Executive Board has proposed to the IOC Session the election of the French Alps as the host of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030, and Salt Lake City-Utah as the host of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2034.
America, cricket’s next frontier: Team USA’s historic win in the current global tournament was a shot heard around the world. Now it just needs a domestic audience. Joseph O’Neill
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | June 13
