Elgin Marbles, Scientists, EV, Punk, PGA, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for communications pros.
Happy Wednesday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
Negotiators press for long-term Israel-Hamas truce: WSJ reports a long-term cease-fire would likely require both sides to make hard-to-swallow concessions.
CIA director arrives in Qatar for talks on hostage releases: NYT reports William J. Burns, the CIA head, and David Barnea, who leads the Mossad, Israel’s spy service, are scheduled to meet with officials in Qatar, which has been mediating talks between Israel and Hamas.
Senior CIA official posted pro-Palestine image on her Facebook page: FT reports a rare public political statement comes amid dissent over White House’s handling of Israel-Hamas war.
Israeli intelligence leak details extent of warnings over Hamas attack: Officer who reviewed intelligence considered risk of big attack ‘an imaginary scenario,’ leak suggests. Guardian
Wife of Ukraine’s spy chief was poisoned, officials say: NYT reports Marianna Budanova, whose husband is the director of military intelligence, is recovering in a hospital, the officials said. Her husband has long accused Russia of trying to kill him.
Finland to close the last border crossing with Russia for two weeks: NYT reports relations have deteriorated markedly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Finns accuse Moscow of orchestrating a flow of migrants in retaliation for Finland joining NATO.
Ukraine braces for brutal winter as Russia threatens new attacks: The Times reports weather is a weapon that Moscow is more than happy to deploy in an attempt to grind down Kyiv’s morale.
NATO leaders try to pin down US on Ukraine aid as Republicans waver: NYT reports continued American funding for Ukraine was a key concern for leaders in the military alliance, who met as the current allocation was running down and a Ukrainian counteroffensive appeared stalled.
Comparing views of the US and China in 24 countries: In recent years, views of the United States and China have changed a lot. This year, the US is largely viewed positively in the 24 countries we surveyed. At the same time, China is seen much more negatively – especially in high-income countries. But favorability does not tell the whole story. Both countries are seen positively in some ways and negatively in others. Pew
US and China loom in background of Indonesia's presidential race: Candidates' foreign connections may give clues to election race. Virdika Rizky Utama
Japan and Vietnam upgrade security ties with eye on China: Nikkei reports Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong agreed Monday to work more closely on security, possibly involving Tokyo's new defense aid program, as Hanoi grows more concerned about China's maritime military buildup.
Gold bars and Tokyo apartments: How money is flowing out of China. Chinese families are sending money overseas, a sign of worry about the country’s economic and political future. But a cheaper currency is also helping exports. NYT
Xi Jinping announces plan to better protect interests of foreign firms: NHK reports Xi Jinping has announced a plan to create a stronger rule of law to help protect the interests of foreign companies and provide more support for foreigners in the country.
The cost of doing business with China? A $40,000 dinner with Xi Jinping might be just the start: Beijing’s green lights for Broadcom and Mastercard are seen as isolated successes tied to politics. WSJ
Is China muddling its response to cold and flu spike? DW reports China's cold and flu season is in full swing. Images of full hospital waiting rooms and memories of Beijing's opaque response to investigating the origins of COVID have drawn global attention.
Reuters: North Korea says its new spy satellite photographed White House, Pentagon
North Korea shock as party candidates fail to gain 100% of vote: The Times reports the irst signs of electoral dissent emerge and are reported by state media.
A window into secretive North Korea – in pictures: These images from a book by Tariq Zaidi offer rare glimpses of the North Korean people’s daily struggles and ways of life. Guardian
Thailand PM Srettha faces hard sell in e-wallet plan to stoke economy: 'Salesman' turns to domestic woes after foreign focus in first 100 days. Nikkei
Quad faces reality check as alleged plot to kill US Sikh dents trust: Nikkei reports The revelation that US authorities thwarted an alleged conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil -- and that the Indian government could have been involved in the plot -- has instantly underscored a fundamental question regarding the grouping: Is it a set of like-minded democracies who share common values, or is it a quartet bound by strategic interests, namely common skepticism toward China?
+ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited US President Joe Biden as "chief guest" to the Republic Day parade on Jan. 26. Plans are also being made to hold a Quad leaders' summit the following day on Jan. 27 in New Delhi. Still, sources said the whole itinerary could be shelved if Biden's State of the Union address overlaps.
Athens accuses British PM Sunak of disrespect to Greeks as marbles row deepens: Politico reports Kyriakos Mitsotakis expresses his ‘annoyance’ that Rishi Sunak called off a meeting at late notice.
How did Britain get the Elgin Marbles — and should they be returned? Our writers’ verdicts on whether the Parthenon friezes belong in Greece or the British Museum. The Times
Italy searches for museum leaders, with nationalism in the air: Last time the top jobs at some of the country’s most prestigious art institutions came up, many went to foreign candidates. This time, that’s unlikely. NYT
Spain ready to sign post-Brexit Gibraltar deal, says foreign minister: Guardian reports José Manuel Albares met David Cameron to discuss agreement on trade, immigration and workers.
How France needs to radically transform its energy system: Fighting against climate change implies major transformations over the next decade: electrifying, developing renewable energies, and decreasing energy consumption. Le Monde
FT: Saudi Arabia beats out Italy to host 2030 World Expo
The checkbook COP: UAE’s $200bn bid for climate influence: The summit host is investing big in clean energy to ensure talks are a success — and possibly to sway the outcome, critics say. FT
Argentina’s right-wing president-elect to meet with a top Biden adviser: AP reports Milei will meet with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other administration officials. Biden, who will be traveling on Tuesday to Georgia for a memorial service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter and then to Colorado, will not meet with Milei.
*** Politics + Elections ***
Thursday: Fox News will host a 90-minute debate between Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, starting at 9:00 pm ET.
Anti-Trump network backed by Charles Koch endorses Nikki Haley in loss for Ron DeSantis: NBC News reports Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had strong ties to the group when he ran for governor.
The viral $16 McDonald’s meal that may explain voter anger at Biden: As some Democrats fear social media is exaggerating economic problems, the White House faces a crucial choice on election strategy. WP
Americans’ trust in scientists, positive views of science continue to decline: Among both Democrats and Republicans, trust in scientists is lower than before the pandemic. Pew
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Disney’s Bob Iger plays down asset sales: WSJ reports Disney CEO Bob Iger told employees that the task he faced after returning to the company a year ago was harder than expected, and he played down his previous comments suggesting major asset sales were on the table.
Fallen kingdom: Why has Disney had such a terrible year? A dubious brand strategy and underperforming films like Wish and The Marvels have led the once-golden studio into disarray. Guardian
First transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable jet fuel takes off: Guardian reports Virgin Atlantic flight, partly funded by UK government, hailed by ministers but criticized by campaigners.
+ Climate-focused start-ups now represent 27 percent of all European venture investments.
Is America’s EV revolution stalling? Its motorists aren’t won over by battery power—yet. Economist
Gucci design staff strike in protest at plan to relocate to Milan: Guardian reports that about 50 workers take part in action, claiming move from Rome would be tantamount to collective dismissal.
High-flying City workers set to be most affected by AI, finds UK study: Analysis suggests London is 5 times more exposed to impact of evolving technology than north-east England. FT
Amazon announces Q, an AI chatbot for businesses: CNBC reports developers and non-technical business users will be able to ask questions of Amazon Q, which can be connected to a variety of business software tools.
The ‘Airbnb alternative’ black market Kim Velsey
Goldman Sachs pares back ‘growth at all costs’ China strategy: Bank wary of uncertainty created by US-China tensions, chief David Solomon tells FT’s Global Banking Summit. FT
*** Culture ***
I wanna be curated: Can you really put punk in a museum? In Las Vegas, the answer is a resounding yes — and why not throw in a wedding chapel and a bar, too? NYT
At the Chicago Architecture Biennial, artists run free: The directors, who are part of an art collective, wind up stretching architecture’s net in so many directions that it begins to fray. NYT
*** Sport ***
The NBA’s next superteam: Charles Barkley and Stephen A. Smith: WSJ reports for the semifinal round of the inaugural In-Season Tournament, stars from TNT and ESPN will collaborate on a new kind of broadcast.
Paris 2024: 'Neutral status for Russian athletes is irresponsible,' says Ukrainian sports minister: Matvii Bidnyi, the new Ukrainian sports minister in office since November 9, hopes that the IOC will show responsibility when deciding on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris Olympic Games. Le Monde
Tiger confident PGA-Saudi deal will be completed: AFP reports Tiger Woods is confident the US PGA Tour merger agreement with Saudi backers of the LIV Golf League will be completed, vowing Tuesday to make the best deal for players.
CNBC: Miriam Adelson to sell $2 billion in Las Vegas Sands stock as she looks to buy sports team
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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