Drones, Xi, Putin, Digital engagement, Roger Goodell, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for communications pros.
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
WSJ: US, experts cast doubt on Palestinian claims of Israeli strike on hospital
+ Analysts say the deadly explosion was more likely due to a misfire by the local militant group, but anger in the Middle East builds
+ @NSC_Spox: While we continue to collect information, our current assessment, based on analysis of overhead imagery, intercepts and open source information, is that Israel is not responsible for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday.
+ @marcgarlasco: Whatever hit the hospital in #Gaza it wasn’t an airstrike. Even the smallest JDAM leaves a 3m crater. Widespread surface damage and total lack of cratering inconsistent with an airstrike.
WP: As US stands with Israel, region seethes
+ Biden says deadly Gaza hospital blast appears to be the result of an errant rocket fired by a militant group
Biden walks a tightrope on Israel-Gaza as democratic tensions smolder: NYT reports the president has won bipartisan plaudits for his response to the war, and his trip to Israel offers a chance to appear statesmanlike. But anger on the left is growing as Israeli strikes pound Gaza.
Biden admin doesn’t want Israel-Hamas to suck US back into the Middle East: Politico reports Biden wants to show the U.S. supports Israel, but there’s little appetite in the White House to make the Israel-Hamas fight the top foreign policy priority.
+ At least 31 Americans were killed in Israel.
+ UK PM Rishi Sunak set to visit Israel Thursday on a 2-day regional tour
The Times: Biden gives Israel ‘private backing’ to invade Gaza
The next drone war is coming to Gaza: The world could soon glimpse how soldiers use drones and personal data to find targets. DefenseOne
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has landed in North Korea, amplifying United States concerns about deepening North Korea-Russia military cooperation amid the war in Ukraine.
NHK: Xi, Putin reaffirm ties at Belt and Road Forum
Politico: Xi hails Putin friendship at China summit, ignores Israel-Hamas war
+ Chinese and Russian leaders focus on economic ties.
+ Putin said afterward that the two countries had signed a ‘substantial’ action plan.
WP: Xi, with ‘no limits’ partner Putin, says US holding back Global South
With Putin by his side, Xi outlines his vision of a new world order: China’s close ties with Russia in countering American dominance point to a geopolitical rift that could shape the conflict between Israel and Hamas. NYT
What China-Russia ties mean for America and the world: As Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin grow ever closer, their mutual distrust of the US may be their strongest bond. Bloomberg
Allied spy chiefs warn of Chinese espionage targeting tech firms: FBI officials say more than half of Chinese spying efforts aimed at stealing technology occurs in Silicon Valley. NYT
China expected to attend UK summit on artificial intelligence next month: FT reports PM Rishi Sunak is keen to bring together world leaders and tech executives to define the governance of new technology.
India sets sights on a Moon landing in 2040, but is it realistic? ArsTech
Nigeria aims to tap into the global lithium market: Africa’s largest economy has largely relied on oil, but now wants to profit from the booming lithium mining industry. DW
What Poland’s surprise election winner means for the world: The surprise winner in Poland’s elections says he saved democracy. His larger legacy could be to strengthen European security. Politico
Young people and women contributed strongly to opposition's victory in Poland: Analysis of Poland's October 15 parliamentary elections reveals profound social change. Demonstrations against the near-total ban on abortion influenced the vote against the ruling Law and Justice party. Le Monde
Keir Starmer gives hope to British politics, says BlackRock CEO: The Times reports Larry Fink said Starmer had shown ‘real strength’ in bringing Labour back to the center ground of British politics.
Brazil congressional report recommends charges against Bolsonaro over riots: AP reports a Brazilian congressional panel has accused former President Jair Bolsonaro of instigating the country’s Jan. 8 riots and recommended that he be charged with attempting to stage a coup.
The radical outsider promising to cure Argentina’s economic ills: The eccentric libertarian Javier Milei could be the country’s next president. What might he do, and how? FT
WP: Rep. Jim Jordan draws less support on second ballot, expects third vote Thursday
Reuters: Electric truck maker Volta Trucks files for bankruptcy in Sweden
Nio is considering using dealers to build sales in Europe, veering from an online-only approach.
Nikkei: Suzuki to make EVs in India, aims to export to Japan in 2025
Rivian raised another $1.5 billion via a bond deal to add more cushion against macroeconomic and political risks, not because the company was in distress.
+ Amazon now has 10,000 Rivian electric delivery vans in service.
General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis North America are hitting the brakes on spending as the costs of the UAW strikes go up, and demand for high-priced electric trucks slows down.
For Bill Ford, ‘every negotiation is a roller coaster’: The executive chair of Ford Motor counsels patience as his company negotiates with the United Automobile Workers union, which has shut three of his company’s plants. NYT
China owns the EV supply chain. Now it wants to sell you a car. European consumers use Chinese products every day. Will they also embrace cars by Chinese auto companies such as BYD that have their sights set on new markets. WP
In this Stockholm neighborhood, you won’t be able to drive a gas-powered car: The Swedish capital is banning gas and diesel cars in one central district next year. By 2030, there will be no fossil fuel vehicles in the city center. FC
Foxconn and Nvidia CEOs say they will step up AI collaboration: Taiwanese iPhone assembler has a long relationship with US chip company. Nikkei
+ Foxconn + Nvidia team up for AI ‘factories.’
OpenAI is working on a new AI-generated image tool.
Your face may soon be your ticket. Not everyone is smiling. Facial recognition software is speeding up check-in at airports, cruise ships, and theme parks, but experts worry about risks to security and privacy. NYT
The Times: Amazon Prime delivery drones to take flight in the UK next year
Why you should create a not-to-do list, according to the brain coach for Google, Nike, and SpaceX: In his new book, Jim Kwik explains how to better manage your time. FC
Fewer people are going to movies, theater,s and museums, NEA study shows: Surveys show declining in-person attendance but robust digital engagement. WP
Guardian: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell receives extension through 2027
+ Goodell has helped usher in the league’s billion-dollar era
+ 64-year-old has been in post since 2006
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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