Niger's junta, China's media mouthpieces, Mad about the economy, Making steel with nuclear fusion, Rugby World Cup, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence.
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
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Analysis: 'Third man' of Beidaihe offers clue behind China's turmoil: Xi Jinping's regime hits back by ending career of Deng Xiaoping's son. Nikkei
China Evergrande chairman put under police watch; liquidation risk looms: Reuters reports the move was a type of police action that falls short of formal detention or arrest and does not mean Hui will be charged with a crime, according to a media report.
Evergrande suspends trading in Hong Kong after Hui concerns: Bloomberg reports the halt comes after its billionaire chairman was put under police control.
Xi vows to open up Chinese markets ahead of Belt and Road Forum: NHK reports Xi Jinping has expressed determination to continue opening up domestic markets by increasing multinational cooperation and strengthening China's power to attract foreign capital.
AFP: North Korea changes constitution and declares itself a nuclear state
AFP: Burkina Faso says intelligence services have foiled coup attempt
France’s Niger debacle marks end of an era in Africa: Politico reports calls grow for Paris to rethink its relationship with African nations, including a military reduction in the restive region.
How Niger's junta won its face-off with France: After two months of face-to-face confrontation with the ruling military in Niamey, the French President was forced to announce the withdrawal of his soldiers and the recall of his ambassador, in a turning point for the Sahel region. Le Monde
The US has suspended some aid to Gabon after the military takeover: NPR reports the Biden administration on Tuesday suspended most non-humanitarian aid to Gabon after a military takeover in the country last month that was at least the second this year in an African nation.
America finally finds some success in the War on Terror: Somalia has become a surprising bright spot in the global battle pitting the US and its allies against insurgents. WSJ
‘Where are France, America, and Charles Michel?’ Armenians rage as 50,000 flee Nagorno-Karabakh: Politico reports Brussels put itself front and center in an ill-fated campaign to be a regional peacemaker — but now doesn’t dare upset gas-rich Azerbaijan.
After Brexit, Britain and Europe embrace ever-closer union: Rishi Sunak has fundamentally changed the nature of the post-Brexit relationship. Politico
Argentina searches sound model to make best of lithium: The country wants to benefit from rising global demand but struggles to define a clear strategy. Indigenous populations are concerned about the environmental and social impact of mineral extraction. Le Monde
Canada assassination claim sparks rare consensus in India’s polarised politics and media: News anchors, political commentators, and even the opposition furiously condemn accusations India played a role in the assassination of Sikh activist. Guardian
China's media mouthpieces troll West over India-Canada spat: From Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Sikh separatist killing stirs a mix of reactions. Nikkei
The woes of Justin Trudeau: Even before the spat with India, his Liberal government was faltering. Economist
Bloomberg: A last-minute deal averting government shutdown is unlikely
WP: Senate adopts resolution requiring men to wear business attire on chamber floor
Biden, Feinstein and the ageing of US politics: American politicians are clinging on to power longer. FT
Bloomberg: US ‘Latino GDP’ at $3.2 trillion would rank ahead of UK, India
+ Group contributed to a fifth a real GDP growth in 2011-2021
+ Report shows Latino economy rising faster than rest of US
The elusive Fed 'soft landing' nears. Why are Americans so mad about the economy? Howard Schneider
Inside America’s plans for an autonomous, AI-powered military The Hill
Bloomberg: Palantir wins $250 million AI deal with US Defense Department
Elon Musk wins US Space Force contract for Starshield: Bloomberg reports the contract extends the billionaire’s role as a defense contractor.
Reuters: Marriott projects upbeat revenue per room growth as travel demand stays strong
Delta CEO promises SkyMiles update after plan changes irk frequent fliers: Bloomberg reports Bastian promises ‘modifications’ and says changes went ‘too far.'
Lululemon and Peloton end their feud: WSJ reports the companies strike partnership to sell co-branded apparel; Lululemon will steer Mirror customers to Peloton classes.
Reuters: Toyota plans third India plant, new SUV as domestic sales surge - sources
Renault has ended its common purchasing partnerships with Nissan and Mitsubishi, another step in unwinding the Alliance among the three automakers.
Japan's Mitsubishi Motors to end production in China: Nikkei reports sluggish sales, rising local brands will force automaker to shutter operations.
Tesla's rivals scrap for thin slices of US EV sales: Reuters reports global automakers are launching scores of new electric vehicles in the United States, and pouring billions of dollars into new EV and battery plants. But few of them besides Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 are selling at high enough volumes to support a full-scale assembly plant, according to a Reuters analysis of US EV sales data for the first six months of 2023.
Biden’s EV plan will kill Michigan jobs Mike Rogers
A futuristic plan to make steel with nuclear fusion: Helion Energy and Nucor are teaming up to build a power plant at one of Nucor’s US steel mills. WSJ
Bloomberg: Apple iPhone 15 Pro users complain that device can get too hot
Why Linda Yaccarino took on the wildest job in Silicon Valley: Can the chief of the company formerly known as Twitter survive Musk’s chaos and win back advertisers? FT
Meta unveils new mixed reality headset in push for traction on Metaverse: WSJ reports Facebook parent Meta Platforms announced the release date of its coming Quest 3 mixed reality headset and new Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Meta launches AI chatbots for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp: FT reports Facebook parent unveils ‘mixed-reality’ Quest 3 headset to rival Apple’s Vision Pro.
Microsoft could supplant Apple as the world’s most valuable firm: It hopes to seize on AI to transform the future of work. Economist
How AI changes our sense of self: Instead of focusing on how people feel about technology, marketing research should examine how technology makes people feel about themselves. Stefano Puntoni
These are the hottest 50 startups in the United States right now, according to LinkedIn: Unsurprisingly, the list includes a number of AI-focused companies, including Tome and Placer ai. FT
Dyson and the divide over working from home: Two dozen former employees say engineering firm took uncompromising measures to ensure staff returned to UK campus. FT
Save our cigars! Winston Marshall
Bloomberg: Eleven Madison Park will never serve meat again, says Daniel Humm
Welcome to the pub of 2030: You’re going to hate it. Angus Colwell
‘Every bottle has a story’: Most valuable wine collection ever sold could fetch £41m: Billionaire Pierre Chen selling 25,000 bottles, including burgundies valued at £156,000 and a very rare 1982 Pétrus. Guardian
Rugby has a plan to get Americans excited about the other World Cup: The tournament is the third-most-popular sports event in the world. Will the US get on board when it comes stateside in 2031? Bloomberg
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
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