Happy Tuesday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
The G20 should abolish itself John R. Bolton
G20 result shows clout of Global South in face of Europe’s priorities Karishma Mehrotra
West goes easy on Russia to save the G20: The group of the top world economies remains intact, but many are questioning at what cost as Western powers opt for consensus. Politico
Who are the G20’s bad guys now? With Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping staying away, B-list bad boys are flexing their muscles. Politico
Bloomberg: Blinken says Musk’s Starlink should keep giving Ukraine full use
+ Musk cut service in Crimea to avoid complicity in ‘act of war’
+ Broadband system is an essential tool for Ukrainian military
Putin wants more land. The EU is racing to get there first: European Union expansion is back on the agenda for Ursula von der Leyen but rapid growth is going to hurt. Politico
NATO to launch biggest military exercise since Cold War: FT reports the alliance plans to assemble 41,000 troops next year to test readiness to repel a Russian invasion.
+ The exercises will be held in Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states in February and March 2024
+ About 41,000 military personnel, between 500 to 700 air combat missions, more than 50 ships from all NATO member states and Sweden are expected to take part in the exercises
CNBC: Nearly five decades after the fall of Saigon, US will help Vietnam boost its military capabilities
Kim Jong Un’s bulletproof train spotted as he travels to Russia: WSJ reports the North Korean leader is making his first trip abroad in more than four years, likely aboard a luxury carriage preferred by his family.
WP: Allegations of Chinese spying rock UK Parliament
Chinese spies at Westminster: The Telegraph reckons intelligence services will “unmask” more Chinese spies in coming months, raising the prospect that a “network” of spooks is operating out of Westminster.
+ China should be barred from attending Sunak’s November AI summit, China hawk Iain Duncan Smith tells the Mail.
+ Rishi Sunak’s government suggested it would not rescind a possible Chinese invite to the UK’s AI Safety Summit despite pressure to do so after police arrested a parliamentary aide on suspicion of spying for Beijing.
China’s not a foe, says UK minister amid parliament spy scandal: Politico reports Beijing best described as a ‘challenge,’ says Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.
China could be designated formal risk after Commons ‘spying’ arrest: The Times reports ministers look at compelling people linked to Chinese state entities to disclose their activities.
Have we reached peak China? How the booming middle class hit a brick wall Guardian
UK SMEs not ready for ‘avalanche’ of Brexit 2.0 rules and taxes: Business group warns small and medium-sized companies face significant new obligations. FT
Does Rory Stewart know how to fix politics? The anti-Brexit former cabinet minister is an advocate of citizens’ assemblies and of giving money directly to the poor. FT
Orkney islands to trial electric ferries to cut carbon emissions: Guardian reports the battery-powered hydrofoils to start in March 2024, aimed at replacing ageing and highly polluting inter-island ferries.
What it’s like in Europe’s popular crypto haven Portugal as the US cracks down CNBC
Marine Le Pen invitation raises tensions in Meloni coalition: The Times reports Matteo Salvini, the Italian deputy prime minister, has invited Marine Le Pen to address a political rally this weekend, adding to tensions in the coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni.
German economy teeters as tighter monetary policy slashes demand: The Times reports the European Commission forecasts growth for Spain, France, Italy and Netherlands.
AP: US moves to advance prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds
Ron DeSantis and Trump get ready for a fight at California’s GOP convention: NBC News reports both sides have signaled they’re willing to battle over the state's new rule for allocating delegates.
CNN: Brisk trip to Asia highlights Biden’s diplomatic strengths – and, he hopes, his vigor
‘It is evening, isn’t it?’ An 80-year-old President’s whirlwind trip. President Biden went to Asia with a diplomatic to-do list. But he also wanted to show he remains up to the rigors of globe-trotting statesmanship. NYT
Joe Biden cut off after rambling at press conference: US president, 80, called climate change deniers ‘lying dog-faced pony soldiers’ at the conference in Vietnam. The Times
Biden’s news conference in Vietnam ignites his opponents: NYT reports President Biden’s top aides believe that stories about the president’s age and health are stoked by his enemies in an effort to undermine his accomplishments.
Voters feel better about the economy, but few credit Biden, polls find: Most Americans disapprove of president’s economic policy, posing a challenge to his re-election. WSJ
Joe Biden bucks tradition, bets big on early swing-state advertising: WP reports a $25 million buy is larger and earlier than the Obama and Trump reelection strategies.
Biden or bust: Why isn’t a mainstream Democrat challenging the president? Jonathan Chait
Biden campaign to focus more on Trump to boost lackluster fundraising: NBC News reports the president's re-election team will launch an aggressive effort in the final weeks before it has to make public how much cash he has raised.
Thursday: Big Three automakers’ labor contract expires at 11:59 pm.
AFP: Strike worries overshadow Detroit Auto Show
AP: US approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall
Google goes to trial in biggest US challenge to tech power in decades: Guardian reports the US justice department accuses Google of monopolizing search space in landmark case to start on Tuesday.
Google prepares for biggest US antitrust showdown since Microsoft: FT reports the trial will be first big test of more assertive enforcement strategies embraced by Biden administration against Big Tech.
The Handover by David Runciman review: Should we worry about AI? States and corporations that rule us are no more human than artificial intelligence. The Times
‘He is driven by demons’: Biographer Walter Isaacson on Elon Musk: The writer tells Gillian Tett what he learnt during two years spent with ‘total access’ to the tech tycoon. FT
NASA says distant exoplanet could have rare water ocean and possible hint of life: Guardian reports the space agency said potential finding of dimethyl sulfide on K2-18 b, produced only by life on Earth, is yet to be confirmed.
Muscular advertising Dave Trott
Streaming has reached its sad, predictable fate: What should I watch? is now a much easier question than How do I watch it? Charlie Warzel
Smucker sets sights on snacks with $4.6 billion Twinkie deal: WSJ reports the purchase of Hostess aims to broaden J.M. Smucker’s reach into the fast-growing snacks business. The deal follows Smucker’s earlier pet-food acquisitions.
Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton quits after two decades: AFP reports British fashion house Alexander McQueen is losing its artistic director Sarah Burton who has been in charge for more than 20 years, parent company Kering announced on Monday.
Can Chinese wine compete with the world? What I learnt from a blind tasting of Chinese wine alongside top Bordeaux. FT
Paul Pogba suspended after testing positive for testosterone: The Times reports the Italian anti-doping agency says Juventus player failed drugs test after Udinese game in August.
NBA expected to toughen rules on resting stars: AFP reports NBA team owners are expected to pass tighter rules against resting star players this week, including larger fines for missed games by multiple All-Star players, according to multiple reports Monday.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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