Caracal Daily | June 24
Marine Le Pen, "Double Haters," The Hermès Birkin, Centre Pompidou, Sha’Carri Richardson, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
Caracal Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for comms pros.
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Happy Monday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Sweden approves controversial US defense deal: DW reports the US Defense Cooperation Agreement with Sweden gives US forces access to Swedish military bases. There are concerns that it leaves the door open for the deployment of US nuclear weapons.
Russian saboteurs behind arson attack at German factory: WSJ reports the attack last month is a sign of the Kremlin’s more aggressive clandestine operations, security officials say.
AP: South Korea will consider supplying arms to Ukraine after Russia and North Korea sign strategic pact
House Intel chair warns of ‘Cuban missile crisis in space’ with Russia: The Hill reports House Intelligence Committee Chair Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) warned of a “Cuban missile crisis in space” if Russia launches a nuclear weapon into orbit, a threat that Turner and the US have repeatedly warned about.
Coke—and dozens of others—pledged to quit Russia. They’re still there: Even companies that have tried to leave are having trouble cutting ties to the country. Bloomberg
Taiwan wants a drone army—but China makes the drones it wants: WSJ reports the vast majority of the types of small, inexpensive drones that are having the greatest impact on battlefields are made in China, the very country that poses the biggest threat to the Taiwanese military.
Reuters: US and China hold first informal nuclear talks in five years
Rahm Emanuel calls on US and Japan to accelerate missile production: Washington’s ambassador to Tokyo warns rule changes needed to strengthen deterrence against Beijing. FT
EU eyes security, defense partnerships with Japan and South Korea: Nikkei reports ties with Asian partners would lead to broader joint development project.
The rise of Chinese EVs is dividing the West: WSJ reports US and European tariffs on car imports from China look similar, but will have different consequences.
German automakers pressure EU leaders to drop China EV tariffs: Nikkei reports European Commission's move politically driven, harms local industry, insiders say.
China and European Union agree to talks in bid to head off trade war: NYT reports the economic minister of Germany, whose auto sector is enmeshed with China, met with Chinese officials as the EU moves to impose tariffs on electric cars.
Europe’s response to China shock 2.0: Hold China closer: Squeezed between threat of Trump and Chinese imports, European leaders woo Chinese investment and know-how. WSJ
Tuesday: The World Economic Forum's "Summer Davos" conference opens in Dalian, China. Around 1,500 business leaders and other luminaries will gather to discuss the global economy's prospects, AI, climate change and other topics.
Europe has a new economic engine: American tourists: WSJ free-spending visitors are fueling a powerful boom in southern Europe, flipping economic power in the EU. Some economists think it could end badly.
Just Stop Oil has said it will target airports this summer.
The Times: Top Tory ‘placed dozens of bets on election date’
The Times: Gove: Betting row is like partygate — one rule for us and another for them
Keir Starmer up close: My three months with the ‘normal bloke’ who would be PM: Friends say he’s warm, kind and funny. So why can’t he show that side to the public? Josh Glancy joined the campaign trail in search of the real Keir Starmer. The Times
British far-right leader Farage claims West 'provoked' war in Ukraine, sparking outrage: Le Monde reports Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Nigel Farage's claim was 'completely wrong and only plays into Putin's hands.'
UK election: On the road in a broken nation: Like France, the United Kingdom is about to vote in early general elections. Before leaving England, where he has lived for two decades, Le Monde journalist Eric Albert took one last trip across the country. From Hartlepool, where life expectancy is falling, to Hastings, where fishermen have had to put away their nets, he paints a portrait of a broken nation. Le Monde
Bloomberg: New polls show French national rally forging ahead of Macron
+ Far-right party leads among likely voters with 36% support
+ Le Pen’s party ahead in poll on trust in handling economy
French trust Marine Le Pen’s RN most on economy, FT poll suggests: Inflation has battered the Macron government’s reputation on improving living standards.
Bloomberg: French feminists protest Le Pen even as she pulls in women
+ Protests gather thousands in Paris and other cities in France
+ Support for National Rally by women has risen over time
Bloomberg: Germany’s Scholz says he hopes Le Pen won’t win French elections
Emmanuel Macron will end his presidency as he began it: Alone: The decision to call early elections illustrates the president's governance, which consists of trusting only himself. After seven years of undivided reign, he is now being abandoned by his main allies. Solenn de Royer
Seven New Caledonia independence activists sent to mainland France for detention: Le Monde reports the activists are linked to CCAT, a group the French government has accused of organizing the recent riots over a reform of the voter register. They will be detained 17,000 kilometers away from the Pacific Ocean territory.
Bloomberg: Barcelona plans to ban all short-term rentals for tourists from 2029
+ Spanish city will stop renewing existing rental licenses
+ Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni announced the plan on Friday
AP: Over 1,000 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, officials say
Namibia embarks on a major space port project.
Tuesday: China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe is due to return to Earth carrying the first samples ever collected from the far side of the moon.
How AI is changing warfare: An AI-assisted general staff may be more important than killer robots. Economist
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Thursday @ 9:00 pm ET: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election in Atlanta. The 90-minute event hosted by CNN will take place in a studio with no audience.
Trump said he’s made up his mind on who he’ll select as his vice presidential nominee - but hasn’t told the Republicans vying for the position his decision yet.
Biden and allied Republicans are trying to rally GOP women in swing-state suburbs away from Trump: AP reports President Joe Biden and his allies are trying to replicate their success with suburban women, who helped the Democrat beat Donald Trump in swing states like Pennsylvania four years ago.
Meet the ‘double haters’ who could decide the election: WP reports many voters express resignation, dismay and anger over being asked to choose between Biden and Trump again in November.
Both parties have decided: In the 2024 election, 'fear' is the word Mitch Albom
An AARP poll of 44 competitive House districts found Biden with a 5-point lead among seniors, echoing other recent polls. However, Trump led by 13 points among voters aged 50-64.
The Squad vs AIPAC: Gaza war hangs over New York Democratic primary: FT reports leftwing congressman Jamaal Bowman has angered some constituents with his trenchant criticism of Israel.
This Democratic governor knows how to win in a red state. Is his party listening? Kentucky’s Andy Beshear has a reputation for compassion and an eye on 2028. Molly Ball
Spotting potholes—and other ways San Jose hopes to use AI to improve public services: WSJ reports the California city has gotten an early glimpse at how artificial intelligence can make government more effective.
‘Too many old people’: A rural PA town reckons with population loss: WP reports there is a deepening sense of fear as population loss accelerates in rural America. The decline of small-town life is expected to be a looming topic in the presidential election.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
AI is alreay wreaking havoc on global power systems Bloomberg
AI is exhausting the power grid. Tech firms are seeking a miracle solution. As power needs of AI push emissions up and put big tech in a bind, companies put their faith in elusive — some say improbable — technologies. WP
Apple delays European launch of AI features because of EU rules: FT reports flagship technology faces ‘regulatory uncertainties’ stemming from Brussels’ competition law.
Apple, Meta have discussed an AI partnership: WSJ reports the longtime rivals have held talks about potentially integrating Meta’s generative AI model into Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s AI system.
AI doesn’t kill jobs? tell that to freelancers Christopher Mims
Will AI really replace your job? Most CEOs don’t think so, says leader helping them navigate the shift Fortune
AI puts CIOs in the spotlight, right next to the CEO: WSJ reports about 63% of US technology leaders report directly to their chief executives, reflecting a record high driven by AI, according to a Deloitte survey.
AI is helping scammers outsmart you—and your bank: Your “spidey sense” is no match for the new wave of scammers. WSJ
Can Nvidia stay at the heart of the new AI economy? The chipmaker’s brief reign as the world’s most valuable company is a sign of the times for the emerging technology. FT
A peek inside San Francisco’s AI boom: These photos offer an intimate look at the community powering the artificial-intelligence revolution. WP
Amtrak has disclosed a data breach that affects users of the Guest Rewards program.
Car dealers are in turmoil as cyber incidents strike software provider: WSJ reports CDK Global shuts down its systems serving nearly 15,000 dealers; some of the businesses return to pen and paper to carry out sales.
Beyond imitation: How designers are reimagining China’s cars: Electric-vehicle makers are setting new standards with unique designs and focus on gadget-packed interiors. FT
The crazy economics of the world’s most coveted handbag: The Hermès Birkin is one of the fashion world’s most conspicuous markers of wealth. Is it really worth the investment? WSJ
Bloomberg: Adidas CEO rides Samba craze to revive brand after Ye debacle
+ Bjorn Gulden made quick changes to turn around sports brand
+ Shares doubled in 18 months as investors seek longer strategy
Amazon, the NFL, and the Post: Jeff Bezos’s plans for Washington hit trouble: Turmoil at newspaper that billionaire bought 11 years ago is his latest setback in US capital. FT
Only 49 companies have been on the Fortune 500 for all 70 years. Here are their secrets to staying in power Fortune
*** Culture ***
In Paris, the Centre Pompidou is about to get renovated: 'We sought to let in as much light as possible': In an interview with Le Monde, Nicolas Moreau and Hiroko Kusunoki, winners of the competition to redevelop the Parisian building, explain their project. Le Monde
New York or London — what’s your table talk style? In the US, guests are expected to perform. In the UK, not so much . . . Gillian Tett
*** Sport ***
AP: Sha’Carri Richardson sprints onto US Olympic team after winning 100 in 10.71 seconds
Larry Ellison’s ‘extreme sailing’ returns to New York as it plots expansion: Oracle co-founder’s professional sailing league wants to become the global Formula 1 of water sports. FT
Bloomberg: Formula 1 and Amazon aim for AI-powered ‘personalized’ race viewing
+ Spanish Grand Prix sees F1 and AWS use more AI in broadcast
+ F1 broadcast and media director says ‘passive’ TV isn’t enough
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | June 24
