Global Street Smarts.
Happy Friday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
ITK Radio | Tracy MacDonald | Carpe Diem Creativity
On this episode of ITK Radio, a conversation with Tracy MacDonald.
Tracy is a Southerner from Columbus, Georgia, who holds a BA from Wesleyan College in behavioral sociology.
She is a fraud and risk consultant and public speaker, drawing on her experience as a former special agent with the US Secret Service and from her critical roles as a counter-terrorism instructor for the Defense Intelligence Agency, and as a lead associate in counter-illicit finance for Booz Allen Hamilton.
She has gained a unique perspective from living and working abroad in several countries. She is currently posted with her husband, son, and Golden Retriever "Biscuit" as diplomats supporting the US Embassy's mission in Libreville, Gabon.
You can catch the discussion and show notes here.
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Modi’s US visit sends a big, if quiet, signal to China: Though the White House downplays it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swing through Washington is about enhancing a partnership that includes stopping Beijing’s aggressive expansion. WP
America’s lavish red carpet for Modi: Biden’s India charm offensive is all about China. Edward Luce
Politico: Biden is happy to throw Modi an esteemed dinner. And bite his lip about human rights.
For the state dinner = "a stunning vegetarian menu"
US-India ties enter 'new chapter,' Modi says in meeting with Biden: Nikkei reports Washington 'is one of our most important defense partners,' Indian PM tells Congress.
Why is Narendra Modi so popular? Tune in to find out. The Indian leader, who visits Washington this week, has softened his image at home with an old-fashioned radio show, which feeds a vast social media apparatus. NYT
AP: Indian Prime Minister Modi showcases yoga and his country’s cultural diplomacy on the UN lawn
Reuters: US to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits
Bloomberg: Biden and Modi deals span drones, jet engines, and chips
WSJ: US offers India drones, jet engines to lure it fom Russia
+ @JakeSherman: NEWS: @SpeakerMcCarthy just told us he plans to go to India October with @RepJeffries on a codel.
Analysis: After a decade, Xi floats 'G2' world with US again: Xi says Planet Earth is big enough for both US and China. Nikkei
Bloomberg: China says Biden calling Xi Jinping a dictator is ‘provocation’
NBC News: Biden calls Xi a 'dictator,' fueling Chinese anger
+ Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in California, Biden called Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator” on Tuesday
+ The president's comments came a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing in an effort to calm tensions.
+ The Chinese government summoned Nicholas Burns, the US ambassador in Beijing, over Biden labeling China’s Xi a “dictator.”
+ Chinese Foreign Ministry termed Biden’s characterization of Xi as ‘absurd’ and lodged an official diplomatic complaint
China’s cloud computing firms raise concern for US: NYT reports the Biden administration is exploring whether it can mount a campaign against Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Huawei, potentially fueling tensions with Beijing.
US tracked Huawei, ZTE workers at suspected Chinese spy sites in Cuba: WSJ reports intelligence bolstered suspicions telecom giants might be playing a role in the expansion of China’s capabilities on the island.
Military bases and Biden quips complicate thaw of US-China ties: Politico reports the administration insists diplomacy is the only way to keep the relationship of the world’s foremost powers on track.
AP: Germany warns China over Taiwan, voices human rights concerns days after talks with Chinese premier
Oh, Canada: Neil Moss of The Hill Times scoops that the House Canada-China committee is planning a Capitol Hill summit with US counterparts.
Belarus is fast becoming a ‘vassal state’ of Russia: NYT reports allowing Moscow to place tactical nuclear weapons on its soil is just the latest sign of its loss of sovereignty to the Kremlin, military experts, and pro-democracy activists say.
RFE: Kyrgyz, Kazakh companies send Western Ttech to firms linked to Kremlin war machine
Top US official to meet Ukraine war skeptics from developing nations: FT reports Jake Sullivan to fly to Copenhagen at Kyiv’s request to meet India, Brazil, and others in ‘global south.’
West eyes Romania as possible F16 training site for Ukrainian pilots: Politico reports the Netherlands and Denmark are leading the multinational training effort, but specific issues remain unsettled.
Politico: Western countries launch a raft of plans to keep up with Ukraine’s weapons needs
US ramps up Howitzer shell production to supply Ukraine, replenish stockpiles: WSJ reports production rates are rising sharply while US stockpiles are bigger than most people think, the chief of the Army’s acquisition program says.
FT: Germany locks in more US natural gas as it shuns Russian supply
Russia gas flows through Ukraine could stop next year, Kyiv says: FT reports Ukrainian energy minister said renewal of five-year transit contract to supply Europe was unlikely.
Inside Ukraine’s first day as an EU member: If Kyiv is to join the club, the bloc will first have to change. Politico
Ben Wallace says he is out of the race for NATO’s top job: The Economist reports the British defense secretary, a fierce friend of Ukraine, looks sidelined.
+ The NATO summit is just over two weeks away.
Rishi Sunak to open conference on rebuilding Ukraine with pledge on corruption: The Times reports the prime minister is seeking to reassure private investors as he attempts to organize a multibillion-pound support package.
The Times: UK interest rates rise to 5%
Jeremy Hunt calls in banks for talks over spiraling UK mortgage costs: FT reports the UK Chancellor wants lenders to help struggling households more and rules out fiscal support.
For millions, the house party is finally over: After decades in which housing wealth became hard-wired into the economy, rate rises herald a painful readjustment. Juliet Samuel
Can Labour win back Scotland? Katy Balls
Bloomberg: Italy plans to crack down on e-scooters
+ Embraced as the future of urban transport after COVID lockdowns eased, the scooters now face rising backlash from pedestrians and other road users.
#Lame
Western leaders snub Macron’s Paris summit on global finance: Delegates in Paris will seek to overcome divisions on how to reform the financial system and tackle climate change. Politico
Bloomberg: Senegal secures $2.7 billion in climate finance from G7 nations
+ Senegal to boost renewable energy share to 40% by 2030
+ Unlike other JETP partners, Senegal isn’t reliant on coal
‘The signs aren’t good’: Bolsonaro may face ban on running for office in 2026: Guardian reports judges to decide whether to impose an eight-year ban on Brazil’s former president, after an attack on the electoral system.
Canada's economy is winning and nobody realizes it: Is it a coincidence that a country that embraces immigrants is outpacing the rest of the G7 and has a soaring stock market? Jessica Karl
Justin Trudeau is preparing a summer cabinet shuffle — and all eyes are on Mendicino: CBC reports several Liberal sources say the embattled public safety minister could be dropped.
Will's running: Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) jumped into the Republican presidential primary today, becoming the 13th or 14th (depending on whom you count) major candidate in the very crowded field.
CNBC: Chris Christie lures big donors as he takes on Trump, while billionaire ally Cohen sits out
Christie lashes Trump, to the slice of the GOP open to it: NYT reports missing from Chris Christie’s campaign stop: Republicans who are leaning toward Donald J. Trump but open to an alternative.
Why is the DeSantis campaign struggling? Once regarded as the GOP frontrunner, the Florida governor has fallen as Donald Trump has risen. Yahoo News
DeSantis won’t say if he’ll support Trump in 2024: Politico reports Florida governor says Trump is “full of it” for criticizing how DeSantis responded to the pandemic.
‘Terrible idea’: Fellow Dems try to stop Manchin’s presidential flirtation: Politico reports many are skeptical he’ll mount a third-party White House bid. They also fear it could hand the GOP both the Senate and the White House if he does.
Biden can barely say the word, but ‘abortion’ is set to define his 2024 pitch: Politico reports the president’s team plans to put abortion rights “front and center” for voters while the issue remains urgent for many.
Biden world once rolled their eyes at Gavin Newsom. Now, they love the guy. Politico reports after some skepticism and mistrust of the younger governor, the president and his political orbit have found a loyal soldier in California.
Why not Whitmer? The Michigan governor isn’t running for president. But she is happy to be interrogated over whether she might change her mind. Mark Leibovich
Is Barack Obama ready to reassert himself? After lying low to give Biden some space, the former president is reaching out to younger Democrats and offering advice. Jonathan Martin
+ The Texas Tribune reports Texas is now 40.2% Hispanic and 39.8% non-Hispanic white.
HBD: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) turned 90 years old yesterday.
The United States is aging:
+ The median age in the United States reached a record high of 38.9 in 2022, according to data released by the Census Bureau.
+ It’s a rapid rise. In 2000, the median age was 35, and in 1980, the median was 30.
Fortress Investment Group set to acquire Vice out of bankruptcy: NYT reports the company was part of a group of bidders that offered $350 million to acquire the bankrupt media company.
OpenAI lobbied the EU to water down AI regulation Time
The godfathers of AI are at war: Existential threat or humanity’s salvation? The founders of AI don’t know what’s next. Harry Lambert
World is still unprepared for the risks that AI will bring: Disinformation, proliferation, displacement, and replacement must be addressed. Ian Bremmer
+ @realBrookNash
A writer rearranges ideas and they call it plagiarism.
An AI tool rearranges ideas and they call it the future.
FT: TikTok operating chief Pappas to step down after five years
FT: US to lend $9.2bn for Ford battery plants in clean energy push
Biden’s $9.2 billion Ford loan is aimed at China: The US administration’s green industrial policy is drawing on the most proven playbook out there: Beijing’s. Liam Denning
Micron to invest $825m for building chip assembly plant in India: Nikkei reports US semiconductor maker gets Indian subsidies toward two-phase, $2.75bn project.
3M agrees to pay up to $12.5 billion to settle 'forever chemicals' suits: WSJ reports lawsuits said the company’s PFAS, used in firefighting foam, contaminated drinking water.
FT: Bahrain tightens grip on McLaren with purchase of Saudi stake
Overstock won the auction for Bed Bath & Beyond’s intellectual property and digital assets.
Why Brits are going to start fighting about pylons: The country’s creaking electricity system needs a once-in-a generation upgrade — and that means a fight is coming between net zero and the NIMBYs. Politico
Windrush 75: How Caribbean culture has helped to shape the UK: Generations of migrants from the West Indies have transformed sport, culture, comedy, politics and the NHS. The Times
Fox News’s Greg Gutfeld rides ‘anti-woke’ humor to ratings stardom: Host of late-night show ‘Gutfeld!’ and co-host of ‘The Five’ emerges as bigger player at network after Tucker Carlson’s exit. WSJ
Fore! The PGA Tour said that it would agree to appear before a Senate subcommittee in July to testify about its mega deal with Saudi-funded LIV Golf.
Invited to attend the hearing:
+ PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan
+ Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia
+ Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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