Always Be Communicating.
Happy Friday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
Cuba to host secret Chinese spy base focusing on US: Beijing agrees to pay Havana several billion dollars for eavesdropping facility. WSJ
+ National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on MSNBC Thursday that the WSJ’s story, and others like it, are “inaccurate.” The administration has yet to publicly say what is wrong with the reporting.
+ The news could derail the administration’s plans to thaw out frosty US-China relations and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s reported intention to visit China soon.
Xi's rule in China won't last forever: Taiwan presidential candidate: Nikkei reports Ko Wen-je says Japan is the island's 'most important ally in Asia.'
US to link up with Taiwan and Japan drone fleets to share real-time data: FT reports military coordination with Taipei is a ‘taboo’ issue for China, analysts said.
China’s air patrols around Taiwan intensify after military drills: The Times reports the flights came a day after China and Russia carried out a joint incursion over the western Pacific.
The Times: Sunak and Biden agree alliance to close ranks against China
WP: Ukraine launches counteroffensive against Russia
Ukraine sends western tanks into battle as counter-offensive gets under way: FT reports an assault with German-made Leopards is the first heavily armored attack of Kyiv’s summer push.
+ ‘In most areas Ukraine holds the initiative,’ says UK defense ministry.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive ‘begins in Zaporizhzhia’: The Times reports Russian officials and military bloggers say attacks have increased dramatically.
WP: Biden and Sunak reaffirm support for Ukraine amid counteroffensive
The West isn’t ready to give Ukraine the security pledges it wants: Politico reports the planning to translate calls for ‘security guarantees’ into something tangible is still muddled, despite growing urgency.
Russia is getting better at evading Western sanctions on electronics, US official says: Politico reports: ‘By the start of this year, Russia was able to reimport certain key categories of electronics at about pre-war levels,’ top sanctions official says.
Bloomberg: Labour is on course for UK election landslide, poll shows
+ Findings will be major blow to Conservative PM Rishi Sunak.
+ Survey of voters points to a Labour majority of over 140 seats.
+ Labour could win 470 seats at the election, with the Tories plummeting to just 129, according to the baseline scenario of an MRP poll by Focaldata.
Tech bro Sunak makes drama out of AI crisis: No 10 hopes the PM’s Silicon Valley credentials, once a turn-off, will earn him the public’s trust over boomer Starmer. Katy Balls
Kim Darroch on the “special relationship” between America and Britain: It’s real, but right now it lacks warmth, says Britain’s former ambassador to Washington. Economist
Reuters: US Vice President Harris to announce new embassies, spending for Caribbean on trip
+ Harris is the highest-ranking US official to visit the Bahamas since its independence in 1973
Smoky conditions to last for days as wildfires persist: WSJ reports unhealthy air-quality levels that have engulfed Northeast states are becoming more concentrated in the mid-Atlantic region, as the smoke from Canada’s wildfires continues to disrupt daily life for tens of millions.
Never bet against the American economy: Over the past year, we helped create jobs, reduce inflation, and give working families breathing room. Joe Biden
Bidenomics and its contradictions: Competition with China has reinforced President Biden’s commitment to industrial policy, but his vision for government intervention carries risks for the US economy and our allies. Greg Ip
Extremism is more bipartisan than Democrats want to believe Mark Mellman
WSJ: Donald Trump indicted in classified documents case
WP: Trump charged in secret documents case
NYT: Trump indicted
+ The seven counts against the former president include conspiracy to obstruct, willful retention of documents, and false statements, according to people familiar with the indictment. He said he would surrender to the authorities on Tuesday.
Time: Details in Mueller Report draw interest of special counsel in Trump classified documents case
Past cases persuaded Justice Dept. officials to shift Trump case south: WP reports shifting from DC federal courthouse to one in Miami could make it harder for Trump lawyers to challenge a possible indictment.
The presidential candidate who has his own supporters scratching their heads: NYT reports Gov. Doug Burgum’s quixotic presidential campaign has baffled even North Dakotans, but then again, many of the 2024 hopefuls have prompted the same wonder.
‘I’m worried about it’: GOP agonizes over 2024 primary field: Donald Trump is training his fire on Ron DeSantis, with over a half-dozen others languishing in polls. It’s enough to spark heartburn among Hill Republicans. Politico
Supreme Court backs landmark voting rights law, strikes down Alabama congressional map: NBC News reports the justices threw out Republican-drawn congressional districts that a lower court said discriminated against Black voters.
+ In a 5-4 decision written by Roberts, the court ruled that the state would likely need a second majority-Black congressional district.
Court says Jack Daniel’s can sue maker of ‘Bad Spaniels’ dog toy: WSJ reports the Supreme Court said the distiller of Jack Daniel’s whiskey could pursue a trademark claim against the maker of Bad Spaniels, a dog toy resembling a famous liquor bottle.
Gavin Newsom wants 28th Amendment for guns in US Constitution: Politico reports California’s governor outlines a plan fueled by money left over from his recent reelection.
Fortune: Every major US news organization is now officially helmed by a woman
Google to launch news showcase in the US this summer: WSJ reports the company said the long-delayed product would pay more than 150 US news publications to feature their content.
CNN and the decline of an American icon: The channel founded in 1980 revolutionized television by inventing rolling news coverage. Chris Licht's departure, after just 13 months in charge, reveals its current difficulties. Philippe Escande
Gensler on crypto: ‘I’ve never seen so much noncompliance’: WSJ reports enforcement actions against crypto middlemen Binance and Coinbase could define the SEC chair’s legacy.
WP: To fill offices, Google issues ultimatum while Salesforce tries charity
+ Google is cracking down on remote work, while Salesforce is donating to charity for each day workers who come in from June 12 to 23
+ On Wednesday, Google told workers that they must comply with the three-day requirement or their nonattendance could show up on their performance reviews, according to a memo sent to employees by Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi obtained by The Washington Post.
America’s long, tortured journey to build EV batteries: The fall of startup A123 still haunts the US decades later—and reveals everything that’s wrong with this country’s approach to innovation. Bloomberg
Sportico: Congress tees up new bill stripping PGA Tour’s tax-exempt status
How the PGA Tour, LIV Golf shockingly came together to change pro golf Brendan Quinn
Messi to Miami the seismic exclamation on South Florida’s single greatest sports week ever Greg Cote
How signing Lionel Messi will impact Inter Miami, MLS, and American soccer The Athletic
Who really owns your football club? An analysis shows that funds and investment firms now control 17% of the clubs in Europe’s five biggest leagues. Bloomberg
Big 12 mulling Monterrey as site of 1st Mexico-based bowl game: ESPN reports the Big 12 conference is exploring starting a bowl game in Monterrey, Mexico, as a linchpin of the league's push into the country, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The game would begin in the postseason following the 2026 season and has been targeted for Monterrey, the sources said.
Globalization is cool.
Is this the best team in college sports? The Women’s College World Series has everything—great action, obsessed fans, sudden weather warnings, and an in-state super team blazing toward softball history. Jason Gay
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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