The illiberal world order is here: Now that Donald Trump's administration has explicitly rejected the international rules-based institutions and arrangements that America created after World War II, the very idea of an international order is no longer relevant. The world now belongs to illiberal regimes intent on pursuing their own interests. Carl Bildt
The loneliness of America’s model ally: Donald Trump has no desire to play global cop. That is tough on Denmark, a loyal sheriff’s deputy. Economist
US may owe $1 trillion in refunds if SCOTUS cancels Trump tariffs: ARS reports tech industry primed for big refunds if SCOTUS rules against Trump tariffs.
AP: Trump dismisses criticism of Saudi Crown Prince over 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, says ‘things happen.’
Trump says Saudi leader knew nothing of journalist murder, rejecting CIA assessment: WSJ reports Jamal Khashoggi’s grisly murder in a Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018 led to intense blowback in Washington. The CIA assessed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman orchestrated the killing.
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing: WP reports the president said he did not hold Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the 2018 murder of Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, despite a US intelligence report assessing the opposite.
DW: Saudi prince calls Khashoggi killing a 'mistake' on US visit
Bloomberg: US plans to approve sale of chips to Saudi AI venture Humain
Chinese agents using LinkedIn to target British MPs: Politico reports MI5 warns lawmakers China’s security ministry is “actively reaching out to individuals in our community” to “collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships.”
Chinese spies targeting MPs with ‘large financial incentives’, MI5 warns: The Times reports MPs are told that Beijing is ‘relentless’ in trying to gain influence over members of the Commons and Lords.
How Chinese spies seek state secrets with LinkedIn ‘headhunters’: MI5’s decision to publicise the online targeting of parliamentary aides sends a clear message to Beijing: we know what you are doing. The Times
The growing problem with China’s unreliable numbers: Beijing’s GDP figures have drawn scrutiny for years but the questions have become more acute. FT
Xi’s university fuels China AI boom with more patents than Harvard or MIT: Tsinghua University has educated the country’s top science and engineering students for decades. Now, it’s at the forefront of the AI revolution. Bloomberg
China and Japan are in a vicious game of chicken over Taiwan: Neither side sees backing down as an option. Economist
From films to flights, Xi tests Japan’s stamina for a fight: Beijing has continued its tirade against Sanae Takaichi after she suggested Tokyo’s support for Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. The Times
Japanese, Chinese diplomats spar over Taiwan row, signaling long standoff: Nikkei reports Tokyo refuses to retract PM comment, pushes back on Beijing warning against Japan travel.
Cutting ties with China is harder than companies expected: As US toymaker Learning Resources tries to wean itself from mainland producers, it’s discovering that it’s easier to move your factory out of China than it is to move China out of your factory. Bloomberg
Germany hopes new data centre can help bring 'digital sovereignty': AFP reports a new mega data centre is slated to rise in a rural stretch of eastern Germany in what backers hope is a starting point for a European AI sector that can compete with the United States and China.
Bloomberg: Macron says Germany, France seek to delay high-risk AI rules
+ Germany and France want to delay by a year provisions of the European Union’s AI Act that would regulate high-risk artificial intelligence systems, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
+ Macron said it's necessary to use the time to accelerate the innovation agenda, and industry groups and companies have lobbied the EU's executive branch to freeze the rules until standards are adopted.
+ The European Commission will present a "digital omnibus" draft law to simplify data protection regulations and the AI Act, and requirements for high-risk AI systems are set to come into force next August if a delay is not agreed upon.
Europe aimed to set standards for tech rules, now it wants to roll them back: WSJ reports backed by France and Germany, the EU thinks easing back on legislation will boost growth and make the bloc less dependent on US tech.
Macron urges 'European preference' in tech to avoid becoming vassals of US or China: The French President called for Europe to build its own digital solutions and stop relying on American and Chinese tech giants. Le Monde
AFP: As Europe aims for "digital sovereignty", biomedical agentic AI could be the next big field
What NATO’s arms industry is learning from the battlefields of Ukraine: War has long been constrained by the moral and physical boundaries of soldiers. Now humanity is being removed from combat altogether. Toronto Star
TotalEnergies accused of 'complicity in war crimes' in Mozambique: Le Monde reports in the summer of 2021, Mozambican civilians were detained and tortured by soldiers guarding TotalEnergies's gas site. A non-governmental organization is challenging the responsibility of the French multinational company.
Toronto Star: One in five immigrants are leaving Canada. Data reveals these highly skilled newcomers are leading the exodus
Crime and economic woes push South American voters to the right: Reasons why South Americans are electing right-wing candidates this year differ in each country, but they’re all driving the region in the same political direction. BAT
Ecuador votes no to hosting US military base: NYT reports vote on Sunday rejected the expansion of a foreign military presence. It came as the US military’s campaign in waters near Latin America has been roiling the region.
Milei plans new US trip to meet Trump and attend 2026 World Cup draw: BAT reports Argentina’s President Javier Milei planning new trip to United States; He will attend World Cup 2026 draw at Kennedy Center and meet with US President Donald Trump.
A grand bargain with Venezuela: American forces won’t dislodge Maduro, but American diplomacy might. Francisco Rodríguez
Trump Team calls Maduro a ‘cartel’ boss. That word doesn’t mean what you think. Venezuelans coined a figure of speech for the phenomenon of generals corrupted by drug money: “Cartel de los Soles.” Then the United States started talking about it as a literal organization. NYT
Why the real target of Trump’s campaign in Venezuela is Cuba: The US president is amassing firepower in the Caribbean to force Maduro out, but the ultimate goal may be regime change in Havana. Telegraph
Can Venezuela count on any allies to help if the US attacks? American adversaries are unlikely to help President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela fend off a concerted attack. But they have made toppling him harder. NYT
BBC: Venezuela's Maduro 'ready to talk' as US ramps up pressure
Axios: Senate passes bill to release Epstein files
Senate approves Epstein files bill, sending it to Trump’s desk: Politico reports the legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent, with no debate.
ST: US House passes measure to force release of Epstein files in 427-1 vote
Congress passes bill to release Epstein files after lengthy fight: WSJ reports the Senate quickly approved the measure after a 427-1 vote in the House. President Trump had said he would sign the bill despite his long-standing objections.
Congress to send bill to Trump forcing disclosure of Jeffrey Epstein files: WP reports the House overcame a months-long impasse, and the Senate moved quickly to dispatch with the issue.
Miami Herald: Epstein turned to academic Noam Chomsky, others to rehab image after Herald investigation
Trump again threatens ABC's broadcast license, this time over Epstein questions: Politico reports Trump’s threat came after questions about whether he would order the files released without congressional consent, as well as those related to the 2018 assassination of a Washington Post columnist.
Trump threatens ABC News in Oval Office meltdown: AFP reports an infuriated Donald Trump threatened a US network's broadcast license Tuesday after its reporter asked questions about his family's business and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal at a high-profile White House event.
‘Quiet, piggy, ’ Trump tells reporter who asked about Epstein files: The Times reports the Bloomberg reporter, thought to be Catherine Lucey, has not commented on the exchange on board Air Force One.
Reuters: Trump approval falls to lowest of his term over prices and Epstein files, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
CDC links measles outbreaks in multiple states for the first time: NYT reports that if the outbreaks cannot be extinguished by January, the anniversary of the first cases in Texas, the United States will lose what is known as “elimination status” as determined by the World Health Organization.
Trump administration announces steps to dismantle Education Department: NYT reports responsibilities for K-12 and college programs, among others, will be moved to other federal agencies.
Trump administration announces dismantling of parts of the Education Dept. WP reports President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March seeking to close the department, but only Congress has the power to do that.
Under Trump, immigrants are more fearful but determined to stay, poll finds: NYT reports a national survey found that half of all immigrants in the United States say they feel less safe since President Trump took office. Still, many say their future remains bright.
Texas’ new congressional map blocked by court: WSJ reports challengers succeeded in a bid to block the state’s move to add more Republican seats to the House.
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s big MAGA break-up: Defying the president over the Epstein files is her latest bust-up with the Republican Party. Economist
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rebrand sends a message to MAGA: The Georgia lawmaker is using the Epstein vote to draw a line in the sand between herself and President Trump. Jessica Karl
It’s the cost of living, stupid: The MAGA agenda will only succeed if Americans feel material relief. Bridget Phetasy
Musk is back in politics. Does he want to stay a while? Having struck an uneasy truce with the president, Elon Musk is starting to make political appearances again, and his allies are planning a DOGE reunion party. NYT
Kamala Harris hits campaign trail in Tennessee special election: NYT reports on Tuesday, the former vice president made her first campaign appearance for another Democrat since leaving office.
Why Ford can’t find mechanics: Forget about reshoring manufacturing without more skilled workers. WSJ-Editorial
Bloomberg: US faces winter blackout risks from data centers’ power needs
US backs $1 billion loan to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant: WSJ reports Constellation Energy aims to bring the mothballed plant back to life to power a Microsoft AI agreement.
Bloomberg: Constellation gets $1 billion loan to open Three Mile Island nuclear plant
Alphabet-led AI project to shield New Zealand grid from outages: Bloomberg reports a consortium of four utilities serving a quarter of New Zealand will join an Alphabet Inc.-led initiative that uses artificial intelligence to fortify the country’s grid against failures caused by extreme weather or earthquakes.
Why today’s internet is so fragile Bloomberg
Rampant AI demand throws the memory chip market into turmoil: Nikkei reports supply constraints spark warnings of price rises and launch delays for consumer electronics.
Oracle is already underwater on its ‘astonishing’ $300bn OpenAI deal: FT reports AI’s circular economy may have a reverse Midas at the centre.
The AI bubble’s shaky math: Today’s massive and still-growing investments in AI and its accompanying infrastructure could well pay off like the internet did, following the investment boom of the late 1990s. But, for now, the gains from AI look more muted, and the macro downsides larger, than in the case of the dot-com bubble. Carl Benedikt Frey
BBC: Google boss says trillion-dollar AI investment boom has 'elements of irrationality'
Nvidia, Microsoft pour $15 billion into Anthropic for new AI alliance: WSJ reports Anthropic is committing to purchase $30 billion from Microsoft’s cloud-computing business, Azure.
Nvidia, Microsoft invest $15 billion in AI startup Anthropic: AFP reports Nvidia and Microsoft announced Tuesday investments totaling $15 billion in AI startup Anthropic, creator of the Claude chatbot, amid frenzied spending on the technology and growing fears of a bubble.
I invented the AI actress Tilly Norwood. She’s no threat to Hollywood: The UK-based former actress Eline van der Velden on the backlash to her ‘Bafta-optimised’ creation, the benefits of AI, and her plan to make Norwood interactive. The Times
Bloomberg: Google launches new Gemini AI model with interactive answers
+ Alphabet Inc.'s Google debuted an updated version of its artificial intelligence model, Gemini, that executives said represents a "massive jump" in reasoning and coding ability.
+ The new model, Gemini 3, can process text, images, and other media as well as solve complex science and math problems, and has dramatically improved its ability to reason and respond based on that input.
+ Gemini 3 will be available immediately across all of Google's major products, including search, and can answer questions with interactive graphics, and will be used to reply to the hardest queries in Google Search or AI Mode.
Google seeks to shake up chatbot race with new Gemini version: WSJ reports the new model could help the company leverage its built-in advantages of scale and profitability—if it can meet users’ expectations.
AI can empower the financial industry: Detecting subtle patterns in data will help America preserve its hard-won competitive edge. Eric Schmidt + Dimitris Tsementzis
Meta defeats FTC’s antitrust case alleging social-media monopoly: WSJ reports the ruling denies the agency’s attempt to force the Facebook parent to unwind its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions.
Meta wins major antitrust case as US judge rules no monopoly: AFP reports a US judge dismissed the federal government's antitrust lawsuit against Meta on Tuesday, ruling that the tech giant's acquisition of Instagram and Whatsapp did not constitute an illegal monopoly in social media.
Meta’s victory opens the way for Silicon Valley to go deal shopping: NYT reports that to avoid regulatory scrutiny, big tech companies had steered clear of buying start-ups outright. Meta’s antitrust win may change that thinking.
Bloomberg is looking for Africa’s standout startups: We want to know about the companies that are designing Africa’s future. Bloomberg
Crypto market sheds $1.2tn as traders shun speculative assets: FT reports Bitcoin drops 28% in six weeks amid concerns about lofty tech valuations and US interest rates.
Why crypto’s spectacular market success is going sour: The industry got everything it wanted. Now it’s sinking. Economist
The stablecoin threat: Far too little attention has been paid to the fact that stablecoins could erode governments' control over money and debt, fundamentally reshaping how modern economies manage inflation, stabilize markets, and finance public spending. By catering to a politically connected industry, the United States is playing with fire. Angus Armstrong + Dennis J. Snower
Anheuser-Busch InBev nears $700 million deal for party punch maker BeatBox: WSJ reports the owner of Michelob Ultra is in talks to buy boxed punch that has gained traction with younger drinkers.
French court says Perrier can keep marketing as 'natural mineral water': AFP reports a French court on Tuesday said Perrier can keep selling its famed sparkling beverage as "natural mineral water", rejecting a case brought by a consumer rights group that said the label was misleading and urged the suspension of sales.
Panera plans to spend millions on better sandwiches and nicer stores: WSJ reports a turnaround strategy for the sandwich-and-salad chain includes improving service and food. “No one likes iceberg,” said Paul Carbone, CEO of Panera Brands.
Bloomberg: The hot new Dubai restaurant run by an AI chef at Woohoo
+ Dubai restaurateur Ahmet Oytun Cakir used ChatGPT for menu inspiration, which led to a bestselling dish and the idea for an all-AI concept restaurant called Woohoo.
+ Woohoo is fronted by "Chef Aiman," a large language model that creates recipes, analyzes ingredients, and generates flavor combinations, with human chefs testing and refining the dishes.
+ The restaurant features a futuristic atmosphere with immersive audio and video experiences, and its menu includes experimental dishes such as the Dinosaur Heart and Molecular Burrata, with prices ranging from $130 to $200 for a four-course meal.
Toyota announces $912m investments in US hybrid vehicle production: Nikkei reports the automaker aims to enhance production capabilities across five factories.
Self-driving taxis are catching on. Are you ready? With the arrival of Amazon’s Zoox robot taxi in San Francisco to compete with Waymo, autonomous services are gaining momentum. But there are pros and cons. NYT
After last week’s stunning landing, here’s what comes next for Blue Origin: “There’s never been such a high demand for launch as there is right now.” ARS
UK plans ban on ticket resale touts in bot-buying era: DW reports modern technologies have made it possible to buy up tickets moments after their release and instantly put them up for resale, often at an egregious mark-up. But the industry argues a ban will fuel the black market.
Did the Louvre robbers want to get caught? They left behind incriminating evidence, but perhaps their bungling was all part of a plan. Gavin Mortimer
The world has hit “peak wine”: Consumption is in secular decline, thanks to demographic and cultural shifts. Economist
Scotland has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The Times: Pandemonium as Scotland strike late to reach first World Cup in 28 years
What’s it like to compete in the longest US off-road rally with no GPS? Hydrogen and solar power the rally infrastructure, but navigation is low-tech. ARS
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | November 19
