Happy Sunday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
Insight | "Where is the Fevertree?"
At the market recently, I was working through my honey-do list.
The list tasked me with getting the basics.
On the opposite side of the produce section, I overheard a harried customer with a shopping basket much more desirable than mine.
Her basket was teaming with delicious canapés and savory snacks.
She asks the shop clerk: "Where is the Fevertree?"
Full post here.
Two waves of missile attacks rock Ukrainian cities: WSJ reports some Ukrainian officials think Moscow might have used ballistic missiles, which Ukraine's current air defenses can't intercept.
Bloomberg: Russia claims Donbas town but Ukraine says it’s in control
+ Kremlin’s Wagner mercenaries fought in the Soledar area for months
+ Capture of town would be a rare advance for Russian forces
Russia’s tycoons fear tightening Kremlin squeeze as Putin’s war drags on: As invasion costs mount and militarization spreads, Russian business leaders are worried. Bloomberg
Ukraine official says Zelenskyy hopes to visit UN next month: AP reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to visit the United Nations to address a high-level meeting of the 193-member General Assembly on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of his country if the security situation permits, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
The West has changed its thinking on how to outsmart Putin: Helping Ukrainian forces to expose Moscow’s weaknesses could give Kyiv the edge in this winter stalemate. Lawrence Freedman
+ The writer is the author of ‘Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine’
NATO’s internal standoff is a gift to Putin WP - Editorial
Turkey’s approval of NATO expansion could take months: WSJ reports Turkish lawmakers likely won’t vote on Swedish, Finnish membership bids before the election, says a presidential aide.
Turkish officials say offensive in Syria 'possible at any time': AFP reports a new Turkish ground offensive in Syria is "possible any time," a top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday, despite a Moscow-brokered rapprochement between Damascus and Ankara.
Germany on Saturday inaugurated its second liquefied natural gas terminal, part of a drive by Europe’s biggest economy to put reliance on Russian energy sources firmly behind it.
Revealed: France’s massive ‘Made in Europe’ strategy: The EU is reeling as it debates how to respond to a recent US subsidy push. Politico
Boris Johnson is the itch Tories must stop scratching: The former leader’s return is unlikely, but it is a sign of the Conservatives’ malaise that so many still dream of it. Robert Shrimsley
India hopes its new electronic payment method will conquer the world: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a real-time transaction platform that has become increasingly popular in India, could potentially compete with the global interbank network SWIFT. Le Monde
Together, Japan and India can bridge rift between G7 and G20: Strong ties should help to overcome differences stemming from Ukraine. Manjeet Kripalani
Bloomberg: Albanese says Australia to focus on restoring trade with China
+ Positive relations are in both nations’ interests: PM Albanese
+ Informal ban on Australian coal imports has begun to ease
Why a record budget is just the first step to boost Japan's defense: The nation can learn from Israel about how self-reliance can lessen US dependence. Nikkei
US and Japan push for 'integrated deterrence' with tighter alliance: More cooperation on defense aims to prevent potential Taiwan crisis. Nikkei
US and China face off in raging semiconductor battle: The most powerful chips have become a key feature of both civilian and military electronics. Fearing that Beijing could dominate the sector, Washington launched an unprecedented wave of sanctions against China, in a sign protectionism is back. Le Monde
Chips are the new oil and America is spending billions to safeguard its supply: Recent shortages and fears of China’s ambitions to dominate the industry have led to a frenetic effort to rev up US production. WSJ
Biden backs Nevada lithium mine with $700 million loan offer: Bloomberg reports the project would be the second one to get federal support as the US seeks to create its own supply chain of metal vital for clean energy.
Washington bets on green hydrogen and companies line up to cash in: Plug Power hopes to be profitable for the first time in its 25-year history on the back of new law. WSJ
From outside agitator to inside player: The remaking of Marjorie Taylor Greene: Even as she has sidled up to GOP leadership, however, Greene has continued making offensive and outlandish comments. WP
WP: The top 10 Republican presidential candidates for 2024, ranked
1. Gov. Ron DeSantis
2. Donald Trump
3. SC Sen. Tim Scott
4. Mike Pence
5. VA Gov. Glenn Youngkin
6. TX Sen. Ted Cruz
7. Mike Pompeo
8. Nikki Haley
9. NH Gov. Chris Sununu
10. SD Gov. Kristi L. Noem
+ By Aaron Blake - a WP senior political reporter + writing for The Fix.
‘There are incredible things happening here in Waterloo’: Federal science minister unveils Canada’s Quantum Research Strategy at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. The Record
In ‘The Three Amigos’ summit, and Canada’s approach to it, ironies abound: Canada gave Ukraine high-tech weapons it didn’t have, took Mexico to task for being nationalistic, and talked big about helping Haiti. Thomas Walkom
Mexico’s turn to autocracy should worry the US: This week’s summit focused on the positive, but none of its aspirations are achievable with a lawless, militarized Mexico hostile to democratic rule. Denise Dresser
Lula's ties with military are strained by crackdown on rioters: By criticizing his army commanders, the Brazilian president risks undermining his own efforts to mend relations with generals. Bloomberg
US, Russia agree to use Russian ship for backup space station mission: WSJ reports NASA is in discussions with SpaceX if there is an emergency at a research facility.
The moon beckons once again, and this time NASA wants to stay WP
Lunar relations: The US, China and a new brand of space race: NASA is hopeful that a new international coalition will help propel its return to the moon. WP
Farewell Nokia: The rise and fall of a mobile pioneer: Nokia was once a dominant force in the wireless world. CNET takes a look at its successes -- and what went wrong. CNET
Are cities too reliant on Twitter? Social media platforms have become key communication tools for government agencies. The recent suspension of the DC Metrobus account shows the perils. Bloomberg
Bank of New York Mellon is planning to lay off about 1,500 employees.
BMW is planning a new major investment in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi.
Tesla drastically cut prices across its lineup in the US and major European markets, the latest effort to stoke demand after several quarters of disappointing deliveries. The company lowered the cost of the cheapest Model Y by 20% and lopped as much as $21,000 off its most expensive vehicles.
Delphine Arnault, an LVMH heir steps up at Dior: The executive will take over a thriving brand in her biggest operational role yet. FT
The rise of corporate feminism — Allison Elias on the injustice of the ‘office wife’: A riveting account of how secretaries were left behind in the fight for equality in the workplace. FT
Universal Parks & Resorts plans to build a family-focused resort in Texas.
Japanese liquor makes little splash in global market: Exports are growing, thanks to the weak yen, but red tape limits marketing potential. Nikkei
This 3D-printed Icelandic fish-gutting machine contains the secret of a future, less-globalized economy: Once suitable only for making prototypes, 3D printing is now reliable enough for mass-produced commercial products, upending the way manufacturing works. Christopher Mims
News Corp. CEO urges staff to return to work for ‘body language’ Bloomberg
Hybrid work is doomed: Office workers work in offices, for better or for worse. Ian Bogost
Noma is less sustainable than its reindeer ragout: The planned closure of the Michelin-starred Copenhagen restaurant reflects the grueling life of chefs. John Gapper
“We had to learn everything over again”: How FX Survived the Streaming Wars. Josef Adalian
French movies are flopping abroad: Le Monde reports in 2022, French movies attracted 27 million spectators outside France, a result that has fallen sharply compared to the decade pre-COVID.
Robert Plant on the finest and most questionable music of his career Devon Ivie
When did we all become pop culture detectives? Harvesting Easter eggs are now integral to our consumption of entertainment. But there’s a fine line between perceptiveness and paranoia. NYT Style Magazine
Can Netflix’s Break Point revitalize tennis? As the sport’s most decorated players bow out, a behind-the-scenes docuseries aims to bring the game to a new generation. FT
LeBron James and Luka Dončić: The two sides of a transcendent NBA coin The Athletic
Compare your fitness vs. pro skiers and snowboarders with these five drills: Tests elite mountain athletes take to track progress can help you in your everyday life. WSJ
What half the head coaches in the NFL playoffs have in common: Seven of the 14 worked for the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay or the Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid. WSJ
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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