Happy Sunday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
WP: Baltic states urge Germany to provide tanks ‘now’ after no deal reached
German politicians criticize stalling on tanks to Ukraine: Western allies meeting in Ramstein failed to back the delivery of powerful battle tanks to help Kyiv fend off Russian forces. One German lawmaker said the lack of a decision was a major foreign policy failure by Berlin. DW
German caution on Ukraine arms rooted in political culture AP
Germany is refusing to send tanks to Ukraine. Biden cannot let this stand. WP - Editorial
Send in the Leopards! The German government failed to approve the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Christoph Hasselbach
Apart from Leopard tanks, Ukraine is getting lots of weapons: Volodymyr Zelensky accentuates the positive. Economist
US officials advise Ukraine to wait on offensive, official says Reuters
Ukraine’s winter could turn against Russian troops: With Western-supplied uniforms and “trench candles,” Ukrainian soldiers seek a cold-weather advantage. WSJ
A hit French novel tries to explain Putin. Too well, some critics say.: A popular novel, “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” presents a sympathetic portrait of the Russian leader, critics say, raising concerns that it might influence national policy toward the Ukraine war. NYT
Russia to retaliate after RT accounts frozen in France: reports: AFP reports Moscow will retaliate against French media in Russia after the bank accounts of RT France, the French arm of its state broadcaster, were frozen, Russian news agencies quoting an anonymous foreign ministry source reported Saturday.
Ex-SEAL dies in Ukraine; 6th known American killed in war: AP reports A former U.S. Navy SEAL who went AWOL in 2019 was killed this week in Ukraine, American officials said Friday. They said he was not fighting in an official capacity.
+ The Navy said he deserted his post in San Diego, California, in March 2019. “We cannot speculate as to why the former Sailor was in Ukraine,” the Navy said.
US extends troop deployment in Romania, at Ukraine war’s doorstep: NYT reports the buildup is part of President Biden’s commitment to increase American forces in Europe in response to the Russian invasion last February.
AFP: Anti-Turkey protests in Sweden heighten tensions over NATO bid
France and Germany stifle their spats to celebrate a 60-year friendship: The war in Ukraine puts a testy partnership under stress. Economist
What does Sunak stand for? His party needs to know: Internal Tory dissatisfaction is always an opportunity for renegades on the Right. Boris Johnson and Liz Truss haven’t gone too far. Martin Ivens
Japan was the future, but it's stuck in the past BBC
China’s global mega-projects are falling apart: Many of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure projects are plagued with construction flaws, including a giant hydropower plant in Ecuador, adding more costs to a program criticized for leading countries deeper into debt; “They’re falling apart bit by bit.” WSJ
From Benin to Egypt, China reaffirms commitment to Africa: China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited five African countries to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties. Le Monde
One of the most influential ambassadors in Washington isn’t one: Taiwan’s representative, Bi-khim Hsiao, calls herself a “cat warrior” walking a delicate diplomatic line. China calls her a troublemaker who could trigger a war. NYT
Peru anti-government protests force closure of famed tourist site Machu Picchu: AFP reports Peru has closed its famed tourist site Machu Picchu amid anti-government protests, its Ministry of Culture said Saturday, with hundreds of tourists having been left stranded near the Inca citadel amid deadly unrest.
Brazil's Lula fires army chief in aftermath of January 8 riots: AFP reports Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sacked the country's army chief, Julio Cesar de Arruda, in the wake of riots earlier this month by supporters of former leader Jair Bolsonaro.
Ron Klain expected to step down as Biden’s White House chief of staff: Klain’s departure would mark a rare moment of high-level turnover in an administration that has been remarkably stable through two years of crises and political battles. NYT
Operative jumps from Haley team to Pence amid 2024 jostling: AP reports the executive director of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley’s issues advocacy group is leaving to help run similar efforts for former Vice President Mike Pence, a defection that comes as both former Trump administration officials consider 2024 Republican presidential bids. Tim Chapman is taking over as senior adviser at Pence’s Advancing American Freedom, according to a statement provided to The Associated Press on Friday.
As Disney turns 100, its business is on a rollercoaster ride: The decline of TV and cinema and the rise of streaming will reshape entertainment. Economist
Microsoft’s big bet on AI could bring ChatGPT to the masses: The Seattle giant is making a big, risky bet on the trendiest new AI tools. WP
One-in-five new cars sold in California in 2022 was zero-emission: Le Monde reports the largest car market in the United States charges towards its goal of electrifying its fleet. Ten years ago, that figure was 2 percent.
How will geoengineering work? Time for some game theory: If one nation comes up with a way to reduce carbon emissions, others might be more likely to slow down their transition to clean energy. Tyler Cowen
Banks prepare for deepest job cuts since the financial crisis: FT reports firings expected to be ‘super brutal,’ with Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley already laying off staff.
‘Nightmare’: Collapse of leading crypto lender traps investors: Savers who sought high returns via schemes run by Genesis and Gemini can no longer withdraw funds. FT
Milan luxury real estate booms as bankers leave London for Italy: Generous tax breaks, splashy urban development projects, and a low cost of living are luring foreigners and returning Italians to the financial hub. Bloomberg
American expatriates in Paris wish Emily Cooper would go home: Real-life Emilys in Paris complain that the show’s heroine, clad in over-the-top couture and barely able to speak French, is giving them a bad name. NYT
A drink with Paul Pairet: 'Your perfect steak frites is not the same as mine!': A simple grill under the gilding of the Crillon in Paris is the latest surprise from this internationally renowned chef, who is preparing to open Nonos on January 18, just a few days before returning as a judge on 'Top Chef.' Le Monde
How Milan’s seafood king made langosteria a must for foodies and fashionistas alike: Enrico Buonocore’s Italian restaurant chain, now opening in St. Moritz, is winning a well-heeled following with its minute-fresh fish and savvy partnerships. WSJ
Japan wins World Pastry Cup: AFP reports Japan scored their third win Saturday in the World Pastry Cup, seeing off France and Italy, at Sirha, the plum event for catering and hotel professionals.
Bloomberg: Beyonce launches $100,000-a-night Dubai resort’s luxury bet
+ Dubai’s first Atlantis opened a year before the market crashed.
+ Emirate is cashing in on an influx of newcomers to the city.
Inside the battle to control, and fix, tennis: The sport’s hit Netflix series and a rising collection of young stars have investors bullish on tennis, which is poised for a once-in-a-generation moment of disruption. NYT
Australian Open: Down under, the most relaxed of Grand Slam tournaments: Less exuberant than the US Open but far from the very sedate Wimbledon, the Melbourne tournament, nicknamed the 'Happy Slam,' is like a joyful festival. Le Monde
In Belgium, a football hooligan explains the allure of 'free-fighting': Despite the efforts of law enforcement and the justice system, the issue of violent 'free fights' between football hooligans remains a major concern. Le Monde
Big waves to deliver storied Hawaii surf contest The Eddie AP
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
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