Happy Monday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
WP: At G20, Biden announces ambitious corridor connecting India, Europe: Nations at the economic summit also reach consensus referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine, with some softer language. Link
FT: US and EU back new India-Middle East transport corridor: Project agreed on G20 sidelines would counter growing Chinese influence in Arab states. Link
The Times: G20 declaration fails to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine
FT: Western nations accept ‘climbdown’ on Ukraine to salvage G20’s relevance
FT: Yellen denies G20 weakened statement on Ukraine at New Delhi summit
FT: China opposed plans for US to host G20 in 2026
Matthew Syed: This complex, nuanced world has a right-hemisphere problem: In an increasingly context-blind age, it’s time we tackled the disease of being endlessly over-literal. Link
BBC: Four unique things about traveling abroad with a prime minister Link
Bloomberg: Trudeau is stuck in India with faulty aircraft after hearing criticism from Modi
Bangladesh: French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Dhaka for a state visit after attending the G20 summit in New Delhi.
AFP: US and Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow
WSJ: Biden seeks stronger Vietnam ties in bid to counter China: President is visiting Hanoi after attending a gathering of G20 leaders in India. Link
NYT: Biden forges deeper ties with Vietnam as China’s ambition mounts: Visiting Hanoi, the president cemented a new strategic partnership that puts the memories of the past behind them and focuses on mutual concerns over Beijing’s assertiveness in the region. Link
Ian Cowie: Good morning Vietnam: My bet on this fast-growing economy is paying off Link
Daniel Silverberg: Biden's near-secret successes in countering China Link
NYT: China is full of risks. So why can’t corporate America leave? Doing business in China, once seen as a can’t-miss opportunity, poses a troubling quandary: Reasons to stay can be as compelling as the reasons to retreat. Link
WSJ: Xi’s tight control hampers stronger response to China’s slowdown: While officials become more worried about growth, they can’t act without top leader’s approval. Link
Ruchir Sharma: Have we reached peak pessimism on China? The consensus now sees the country stagnating long term, but is missing more dramatic short-term scenarios. Link
Bloomberg: Biden doubts China able to invade Taiwan amid economic woes
Taiwan war game: The US House of Representatives China committee plans to hold a Taiwan war game with financial and business executives in New York, in an effort to raise awareness about the risks attached to Americans investing in China.
Commons worker arrested after allegedly spying for China: The Times reports the British parliamentary researcher had links to MPs with classified information.
The Times: Revealed: China spy suspect is parliamentary aide Chris Cash: Arrested researcher unmasked as GP’s son, 28, who attended public school and uses a dating app. Link
Bloomberg: Meloni tells China that Italy plans to exit Belt and Road
Tim Marshall: Forget G20, Kim’s trip to Russia and Biden’s visit to Vietnam are more significant Link
WSJ: ‘The Sister’ review: North Korea’s sibling dynasty: Kim Jong Un was not the only member of his family raised to rule. His sister Kim Yo Jong displays an instinct for power. Link
Konstantin Akinsha: Expel Russia From UNESCO: In the face of Putin’s continuing destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage—including the recent bombardment of Odesa’s historic center—the organization must take decisive action at its session this month. Link
FT: Oh, Vienna: What Austria’s turmoil means for the West: Two books look at the capital’s outsized influence on Western liberalism and the nation’s loudening drumbeat of far-right politics. Link
AFP: Ethiopia announces filling of Nile Renaissance mega-dam complete
Ethiopia finishes filling reservoir of contentious mega-dam: DW reports the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is set to double the country's electricity generation and become Africa's biggest dam. Egypt fiercely opposes the megaproject, arguing that it will reduce the flow of the Nile River.
Israel delegation visits Saudi Arabia as UNESCO meeting observers: FT reports a delegation of Israeli officials has traveled publicly to Saudi Arabia for the first time, in the latest sign of increasingly overt ties between the two countries.
WP: Morocco earthquake live briefing: More than 2,100 dead; US ‘ready to go,’ Blinken says
WP: With 2,100 dead in Morocco, many communities yet to see rescue teams after quake
AFP: Spain sends two planes with rescuers to quake-hit Morocco
AFP: France ready to help Morocco when authorities 'deem it useful', says Macron
Crunch time for Biden and US economy as auto industry strike looms: FT reports President Biden could be forced to pick a side as car workers demand pay rises from profitable Detroit Three.
Even brief UAW strike seen causing billions in US economic damage: Bloomberg reports a 10-day work stoppage could reduce the US GDP by $5.6 billion.
NYT: Newsom to Democrats: ‘Buck up’ and back Biden: The California governor has become the most visible Democrat-in-waiting. His support of the president is a key part of his effort to put himself forward for the next campaign. Link
Trump, the ultimate attention seeker, wages a campaign largely out of public view: Politico reports the ex-president’s allies want his competition to drop out as they start focusing on Biden. But Trump’s team insists he’s not taking anything for granted.
Nikki Haley and Mike Pence Rise in the polls without spending too much: Bloomberg reports the two are running low-budget 2024 campaigns.
Camila Domonoske: Electric cars have a road trip problem, even for the secretary of energy Link
Qatar plots £4bn spree on UK’s green tech: The Times reports the oil-rich state of Qatar is weeks away from announcing a £4 billion investment to set up a university-style facility in the UK specializing in green energy research and development.
US, Saudi Arabia in talks to secure metals for EVs: WSJ reports the partnership could boost US in race with China for cobalt while jump-starting Saudi mining industry.
The Times: Why Shell is joining the scramble for liquid gas: Demand, and prices, for LNG soared when Russia turned off the gas taps. But as Shell looks to join shipping companies in cashing in, is this boom built to last? Link
WSJ: Meta is developing a new, more powerful AI system as technology race escalates: Parent of Facebook and Instagram wants artificial intelligence system to be as capable as OpenAI’s most advanced model. Link
Reid Hoffman: We must shape the AI tools that will in turn shape us: The answer to fears about this technology is not to slow down its progress but accelerate it. Link
Josh Tyrangiel: You hate AI for all the right reasons. Now reconsider. Link
NYT: Lockheed Martin, but make it fashion: The American defense contractor, best known as the world’s largest arms dealer, is getting into the streetwear business. Link
Bloomberg: Tesla and China risk leaving Volkswagen on a road to nowhere Link
‘Poor Things’ takes top prize at Venice Film Festival: NYT reports the film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, stars Emma Stone as a woman who goes on a sexual and philosophical journey. The announcement of its win was met with a roar of applause.
TJT: 'Lost in Translation' at 20: A Tokyo perspective: While film critics often note the film's Tokyo setting is inconsequential, those involved believe Tokyo is the only place it could have been made. Link
Jason Gay: How Coco Gauff did it: Tennis’s teenage sensation wins her first US Open: She’s just 19, but possesses skill and wisdom beyond her years. Link
AFP: 'Team-first' mentality nets Germany first Basketball World Cup title
Hansi Flick fired as German national football team coach: DW reports Germany have parted ways with coach Hansi Flick after two years in the job. The decision comes a day after Germany were humbled 4-1 by Japan in Wolfsburg and follows a run of poor results under his watch.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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