Caracal Global Daily
Caracal Global Daily is a human-curated global intelligence briefing that connects geopolitical developments, economic trends, and strategic business insights.
February 11, 2026
Detroit, MI
*** Ross Rant ***
Trump's "drop dead" economics: How Trump is dismantling the Global Great Lakes advantage
From my work desk, I look south across the Detroit River, and I can see Canada. Living in an American border town, I see opportunity and growth, but Team Trump sees fears and acts petulantly. We are witnessing one of the most consequential economic policy mistakes unfolding in real time.
President Trump's threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge—a $6.4 billion, "once-in-a-generation" infrastructure investment built to ease cargo flow between the United States and Canada- isn't just rhetoric. It's a window into how Team Trump's tariff strategy is systematically dismantling the competitive advantages that have made North American manufacturing viable in a globally contested economy.
Let's be clear about what's happening: A sitting US President is threatening to prevent the opening of infrastructure that the Canadian government financed, that US workers helped construct, that incorporates US steel, and that Michigan jointly owns.
The stated rationale? America needs Canada to ensure the US is "fully compensated" and treated with proper "respect." This rationale isn't policy. This is economic theater at the expense of real businesses operating in one of the world's most economically integrated regions. Trump repeatedly does what makes sense for special-interest politics, but rarely what makes sense for broader American economic interests.
The Global Great Lakes
The Detroit-Windsor corridor, which connects the state of Michigan and the province of Ontario, represents something exceptional in the North American economy.
The broader Great Lakes region generates between $6 trillion and $9.3 trillion in annual GDP, supporting 107 million residents and 51 million jobs across eight US states and two Canadian provinces.
If the Global Great Lakes region were an independent nation, it would rank as the world's third-largest economy. That's not hyperbole.
The supply chain architecture spanning this border wasn't built overnight or by accident. It evolved over decades of bilateral investment, technical integration, and mutual advantage. The automotive sector alone depends on seamless parts flow across the Ambassador Bridge daily - the span moves roughly $300 million in daily cross-border trade, yeah, daily.
Manufacturing facilities on both sides of the border are designed as integrated operations rather than isolated entities. This isn't just interdependence; it's engineered efficiency.
The Gordie Howe Bridge is needed to support this economic juggernaut, as the existing infrastructure has reached capacity. By all accounts, the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge will reduce congestion, lower logistics costs, improve competitiveness, and generate economic growth across both countries. Blocking it doesn't strengthen American economic security. It thwarts it.
The tariff escalation trap
Trump's bridge threat doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of a broader tariff escalation campaign. Team Trump's worldview has profound implications for how American businesses must restructure their operations and government engagement strategies.
Here's what the data tells us: Trade partners don't absorb tariffs passively. History demonstrates this with remarkable consistency. When one nation implements protectionist measures, others respond with countermeasures. This creates cascading economic effects that extend far beyond the initial policy announcement. We've seen this pattern repeat across multiple administrations and decades. The promised protection becomes economic friction.
For executives across Fortune 1,000 companies—particularly those in manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, and advanced industrial sectors—the bridge dispute signals a broader reality: The administration's negotiating style prioritizes political leverage over economic outcomes. That distinction matters enormously for strategic planning.
What this means in practice:
Supply chain vulnerability: Companies that optimized their North American supply chains around frictionless border crossing now face existential uncertainty. Just-in-time manufacturing—the competitive standard for decades—becomes riskier by the day. Tariffs increase component costs. Bridge delays increase logistics costs. Countermeasures from trading partners restrict market access. The cumulative effect is a margin compression across multiple business functions.
Interest rate pressures: In an environment of elevated tariffs and supply chain disruption, inflation risks increase. The Federal Reserve's response framework becomes less predictable. For capital-intensive industries that depend on favorable financing costs, this creates planning risks that weren't present eighteen months ago. Businesses can't reliably forecast borrowing costs or capital deployment timelines.
Government relationship architecture: The bridge dispute reveals a critical point: Traditional, play-it-safe, wait-it-out approaches to government relations are woefully inadequate in this environment. When policy decisions are driven by personal dynamics rather than economic analysis, companies need different engagement strategies. Multi-front, high-low-stakeholder communication is a must-have.
What must business leaders do now?
This moment demands a systematic strategic response, not reactive commentary.
First, ruthlessly map your tariff exposure. Identify which supply chains face tariff vulnerability, which customer bases face margin pressure, and which markets face countermeasure risk. This isn't a theoretical exercise. This is operational survival planning.
Second, evaluate supply chain restructuring timelines. Some companies will need to build redundancy into their North American operations. Others will explore production relocation. Still others will adjust product mix or customer segmentation. These aren't quick decisions. They require serious capital allocation, technical evaluation, and international coordination. Start now.
Third, develop government engagement strategies that operate across multiple jurisdictions and stakeholder groups. The bridge dispute involves Canadian provincial governments, US state officials, business chambers, labor unions, and transportation authorities. They all made compelling economic arguments. Yet Team Trump acts on a mindset that is devoid of sound judgment - we are experiencing policy by personality. This suggests that traditional lobbying and government relations approaches are insufficient. Companies need more sophisticated frameworks to understand and influence policy formation in an era of persistent economic nationalism.
Fourth, prepare your investor and board communications now. Tariff policies, supply chain disruption, and interest rate uncertainty all affect earnings outlooks and capital deployment timelines. Transparent communication about these risks—and your company's strategic response—builds confidence with institutional investors and boards of directors.
Caracal Global's global business know-how
This environment is precisely why geopolitical business communications have shifted from a sideshow concern to an operational necessity.
Companies operating in North America's integrated economy now operate at the intersection of globalization, domestic politics, and economic policy. That intersection is where uncertainty originates. It's also where strategic advantage emerges for companies that understand it clearly.
Caracal Global specializes in this exact territory. We work with senior executives, board members, and CEOs responsible for geopolitics, corporate affairs, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Our clients include Fortune 1,000 companies navigating tariff volatility, supply chain disruption, and government engagement challenges—rely on us to translate geopolitical developments into actionable business strategy.
A Michigan-born geopolitical strategist leads Caracal Global, and the firm specializes in Globalization + American Politics. Caracal Global provides intelligence, strategy, and communications services to clients navigating today's interconnected business environment. Our leadership brings direct experience in US-China commercial relations, national political campaigns, NATO engagement, the energy and automotive sectors, and media dynamics. We understand how policy is formed, how stakeholders mobilize, and how business communications influence outcomes.
The Gordie Howe Bridge dispute is instructive. It demonstrates how policy decisions that appear economically irrational often carry profound political logic. Understanding that distinction—and translating it into strategic business response—is what we do.
Businesses in the Global Great Lakes and across North America shouldn't simply react to tariff policy or threats to halt border crossings. They should engage with it strategically, clearly, and with sophistication, communicating their economic impact and competitive interests to multiple stakeholder groups.
The path forward
Windsor's Mayor Drew Dilkels described the Gordie Howe Bridge as an event that, "in normal times," would be celebrated by leaders of both countries. He's right. The bridge represents exactly what successful North American economic policy should produce: infrastructure that strengthens regional competitiveness, creates jobs across borders, and facilitates commerce.
The blocking threat is precisely what a failed policy produces: uncertainty, economic friction, and damaged confidence.
For business leaders across the Global Great Lakes and beyond, the moment demands clarity. Tariff policies will continue escalating. Supply chains will require restructuring. Interest rates will remain elevated. Trump will act petulantly. Government relationships will become more needed, not less.
Companies that respond strategically by mapping exposure, restructuring operations, engaging stakeholders, and communicating high-low will navigate this environment successfully. Those who wait for clarity or assume past patterns will persist will find themselves dangerously exposed.
The bridge will likely open regardless of Team Trump's rhetoric. But the principle it represents — a global business environment of integrated, border-spanning economic cooperation — faces a genuine threat. Companies should act accordingly.
-Marc
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
‘Now we’re in a power struggle’: Europe’s resentment grows over Trump’s newest provocations: Politico reports President Trump has backed off his threats toward Denmark's territorial sovereignty, but he and aides have continued to irritate much of Europe.
France launches Orion 26, its biggest military drill since the Cold War: Euronews reports France began its largest military exercise since the Cold War on Sunday, deploying 12,500 troops in a three-month drill designed to prepare for high-intensity warfare in Europe. The Orion 26 exercise, which runs until 30 April, will involve 25 ships, including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, 140 aircraft, 1,200 drones, and forces from 24 countries.
Finland’s Stubb sees US seeking transatlantic reset in Munich: Bloomberg reports Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said he expects the US will use the Munich Security Conference this week as an opportunity to reset the strained transatlantic relationship. “I hope the Munich conference will help improve relations, and I believe the United States will come with that mindset,” Stubb told reporters in Helsinki on Tuesday.
+ Vice President JD Vance will forgo attending the Munich Security Conference this year. Vance's decision comes one year after he delivered a combative speech at the summit, criticizing European leaders for regulating online speech and accusing them of suppressing conservative voices.
Trump’s new start on nuclear weapons: The collapse of 1980s treaties shows the limits of arms control. WSJ-Editorial
Meloni tightens security policy as political tensions grip Italy: Le Monde reports the heavy atmosphere since the summer of 2025 has been exacerbated by footage of a police officer being violently assaulted by protesters in Turin at the end of January.
Emmanuel Macron: 'Now is the time for the EU to launch a joint borrowing capacity, through eurobonds': Le Monde reports two days ahead of a meeting of European Union heads of state and government in Brussels, the French president calls on the 27 member states, in an interview with Le Monde and several other European newspapers, to make joint investments in protecting the environment, as well.
AFP: Macron visits steel mill as ArcelorMital confirms €1.3 bn low-carbon furnace project
US remains top export market for French wines and spirits, despite 21% drop: Le Monde reports the French Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters reported that exports of wine, champagne, and cognac fell by 8% in value year-on-year in 2025, to €14.3 billion.
Starmer too ‘weak’ to sack Streeting, prime minister’s allies admit: FT reports health secretary forced to put ambitions on hold as uneasy truce settles over Labour ahead of electoral tests.
Why MAGA loathes London: Trump and his supporters see the UK capital as the symbol of a Europe facing ‘civilisational erasure.’ Edward Luce
Investigation into Mandelson’s Epstein links will go back to Blair era: The Times reports UK civil servants will trawl records going back more than 25 years for evidence of inappropriate contact between the disgraced peer and Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles tries to limit the fallout from Andrew’s Epstein mess: How much did palace servants know and when did they know it? Economist
Moscow restricts Telegram as it pushes rival state-backed messaging app: Le Monde reports that, on February 9, Russian users of the messaging and calling app Telegram began reporting access issues. Russian authorities have denounced Telegram for allegedly failing to take action against its use for 'criminal and terrorist purposes.'
The $108 oil war: Can the Middle East crash the world economy? Bloomberg
US weighs seizing tankers carrying Iranian oil to pressure Tehran: WSJ reports, but using the same strategy the White House directed at Venezuela is seen as likely to spark retaliation by Tehran and a surge in oil prices.
WP: Trump mulls second aircraft carrier off Iran, as Netanyahu flies to DC for talks
The Times: Trump weighs bolstering ‘armada’ near Iran before Netanyahu visit
Why Saudis feel squeezed even as the economy booms: Young people grousing about service jobs and high rents sound like their peers in the West. Economist
Indonesia prepares to deploy thousands of troops to Gaza: FT reports Jakarta makes biggest commitment yet to Donald Trump’s international peacekeeping force.
Why are Taiwan's Nvidia suppliers investing billions in the US? Jensen Huang lauds island's supply chain, but AI boom and geopolitics spur American expansions. Nikkei
US to send 200 troops to help Nigeria fight Islamist insurgents: WSJ reports Americans will train local forces, but won’t see combat, officials say.
Colombian senator kidnapped, president targeted in election run-up: AFP reports a Colombian senator was kidnapped and held hostage for hours Tuesday as the country's president reported an attempt on his own life in the run-up to elections that observers have warned could be marred by violence.
Amid US pressure, Nicaragua blocks a once-popular route from Cuba: NYT reports the Trump administration has criticized Nicaragua for serving as an illegal immigration pathway to the United States.
Bloomberg: Cuba is in an energy crisis with no oil imports for the first time in a decade
Life in Cuba is grinding to a halt under the US oil blockade: WSJ reports the island is in crisis as airlines cancel flights, hotels close, and authorities furlough workers.
No oil, no lights, few flights. Cuba is in a very dark place: The Times reports Trump believes the island will be the next to fall to American dominance — but it is not clear just how the blockade will lead to regime change.
WestJet, Air Transat join Air Canada in cancelling flights to Cuba: G+M reports both airlines will send empty planes to the island to bring home customers in the coming days.
Bloomberg: JD Vance removes Armenian ‘genocide’ post after visit to memorial
+ Vice President JD Vance’s office said a now-deleted post that recognized the 1915 mass killings of Armenians as a genocide was sent in error.
+ The post was about a wreath-laying ceremony at the Armenian Genocide memorial that Vance and the second lady attended during a trip to Armenia.
+ A White House Press Secretary said “there’s been no change of policy at this time” regarding the recognition of the conflict as genocide.
Vance acknowledges Armenian genocide, then deletes post, igniting outrage: WSJ reports that by deleting the social-media post, Vice President JD Vance upset Armenians after a historic visit.
Chinese cars are coming to the US — like it or not: In a world being conquered by China’s auto companies, one redoubt stands out: The US. It deters Chinese companies with sky-high tariffs and a ban on auto software systems developed or controlled by them. It is also the biggest auto market in the world by revenue and one of the most profitable — China’s auto giants would love to find a way in. Liam Denning
Detroit News: President Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe International Bridge from opening
Trump threatens to block opening of bridge between US and Canada: WP reports as the Gordie Howe Bridge nears completion, Trump, in his latest salvo against Canada, suggested he would “not allow” it to open, saying Canada had treated the US “very unfairly.”
BBC: Trump threatens to block opening of US-Canada bridge
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge to Canada: NYT reports the Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open early this year, was built by Canada to ease cargo transport between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Trump threatens to block opening of bridge between US and Canada: As the bridge connecting Michigan and Ontario nears completion, the president suggested he wouldn’t allow it to open, saying Canada had treated the US “very unfairly.” WP
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge between Detroit and Canada: WSJ reports Canada funded the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is nearly complete.
Canada’s Carney tries to resolve Trump demands over new bridge: WSJ reports the US president has threatened hold up the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Michigan and Ontario, which is set to open this year.
Carney tells Trump Canada paid full cost of building Gordie Howe bridge: G+M reports the prime minister points out the bridge’s ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and Canada.
Toronto Star: Mark Carney says Donald Trump bridge threat will be ‘settled’ following call with US president
Trump’s bridge threat heralds pain and turmoil for USMCA talks Lawrence Herman
Trump’s gunboat diplomacy hands China a $55 trillion economic edge: Donald Trump has anchored his security initiatives in the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East. Asia remains a far more valuable sphere of influence. Bloomberg
The Mirror: Trump's tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year
+ New analysis shows Trump’s tariffs have pushed up US living costs, with consumers bearing most of the burden as the Supreme Court weighs the legality of the policy.
Ford discloses additional $900 million tariff hit: WSJ reports the Detroit automaker reported its largest-ever quarterly loss on EV-related charges.
AFP: Ford results dented by tariffs, supplier outage
House Republicans again seek to stop time to avoid vote on Trump’s tariffs: For the third time this Congress, GOP leaders are seeking to effectively nullify a law that requires a quick House vote on a measure demanding an end to President Trump’s tariffs. NYT
Rule vote postponed amid tariff backlash: Politico reports GOP leaders face significant internal opposition from a band of tariff-skeptical Republicans.
Who wrangled the best trade deal from Donald Trump? The agreements look one-sided. Their consequences may not be. Economist
$2 trillion: The amount the global crypto market has shed in value since hitting its peak last October.
US slips to 29th place in global corruption perception index: UPI reports that the United States is at its worst ranking ever on a global corruption perception list released Tuesday, which measures how independent experts and businesspeople perceive countries' corruption. The country slipped one step to 29th place among 182 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. It's the lowest rank for the United States since the index changed its methodology in 2012.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
American optimism slumps to record low: The percentage of US adults who anticipate a high-quality life in five years declined to 59.2% in 2025, the lowest level since measurement began nearly two decades ago. Since 2020, future life ratings have declined by 9.1 percentage points, projecting an estimated 24.5 million fewer people who are optimistic about the future now than then. Most of that decline occurred between 2021 and 2023, but the ratings dropped 3.5 points between 2024 and 2025. Gallup
Ahead of jobs report, White House seeks to downplay any slowdown: NYT reports President Trump’s top aides have argued in recent days that the economy is strong, even if new data on Wednesday show sluggish hiring.
Even Trump can’t go back to the future: To MAGA, the 1950s were a better time. But the White House can’t bring it back. William A. Galston
Howard Lutnick says he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island in 2012: FT reports US commerce secretary grilled in Congress over his relationship with late sex offender.
Lutnick says he visited Epstein’s private island with his wife and children: WSJ reports Trump’s commerce secretary appeared to contradict previous comments that he avoided the sex offender after visiting his New York home in 2005.
Politico: Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls to resign over latest Epstein revelations
The Epstein files are creating headaches for the Sununus and Shaheens in New Hampshire: Politico reports the founder of Segway has longstanding ties with the Sununu and Shaheen families — and, we now know, Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein directed aide to obtain hidden video cameras: NYT reports: “I’m installing them into Kleenex boxes now,” the aide replied in the 2014 email exchange.
How Jeffrey Epstein — and an NYC dentist — got his girlfriend into Columbia: Bloomberg reports using donations and his network of contacts, the disgraced financier touted and sought influence at many top educational institutions across the US.
Bloomberg: Tesla’s Kimbal Musk linked to Epstein’s ‘girls’ in latest emails
How ICE defies judges’ orders to release detainees, step by step: A Politico review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
Trump to repeal landmark climate finding in huge regulatory rollback: WSJ reports move would reverse legal determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health.
US Labor Board gives up oversight of SpaceX in victory for Musk: Bloomberg reports agency drops yearslong case over firing of Musk critics.
‘He was the antidote’: Samuel Alito speaks out on Antonin Scalia and the drafting of Dobbs: In an exclusive interview, the Supreme Court justice remembers a friend and conservative icon’s legacy. Politico
NYT: Republican cash edge threatens to swamp Democrats in the midterms
+ “Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms. But money ain’t one.” -- Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson, quoted by the New York Times.
Republicans are pushing to drastically change the way you cast ballots: WP reports explaining the SAVE Act, which Republicans in Congress are voting on this week.
ME-SEN: Republican Sen. Susan Collins today formally announced her reelection bid.
TX-SEN: Turning Point Action, the political arm of Turning Point USA, has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in his bid to unseat longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a race that could determine whether the GOP maintains its Senate majority.
Democrats gain an edge as poll show doubts on Trump energy strategy: Politico reports energy affordability is expected to play a role in the midterm elections this year.
The NY congressional race on the frontlines of an AI industry civil war: Top artificial intelligence executives are spending big against Democratic House candidate Alex Bores. But his campaign is also raking in donations from AI experts and tech employees. Politico
Georgia Republicans allow RNC to break party neutrality to support Burt Jones: Politico reports that any move to intervene in Georgia could reshape a crowded race for an open governor’s seat in a premier battleground state.
Eric Swalwell (D) picks up steam in California gov's race, adds Schiff endorsement: Politico reports the former House colleagues built their profiles working together on impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.
Conservative media titan set to back Ted Cruz 2028 presidential campaign in shock blow to JD Vance: Daily Mail reports Senator Ted Cruz (TX-R) told donors that he expects Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy to back his 2028 presidential bid, the Daily Mail can reveal, handing the Texan a significant conservative megaphone in his likely challenge to Vice President JD Vance.
The left needs a sharper AI politics Ross Douthat
The US is awash in natural gas, but American factories still can’t get enough: Pipelines curtailed or otherwise restricted the flow of gas to manufacturers more than 40 times last year, a trade group says. WSJ
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
CNBC: Disappointing holiday season: December retail sales were flat, falling well short of estimate
+ Retail sales were flat in December following a 0.6% increase in November. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected an increase of 0.4%.
+ On an annual basis, sales rose 2.4%, failing to keep up with inflation, as the consumer price index for December posted a 2.7% increase.
Paramount Skydance Corp. made enhancements to its hostile offer for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., addressing some of the company’s concerns in an effort to thwart a rival deal with Netflix Inc.
TSMC turns Japan into 3rd advanced chip base as AI demand soars: Nikkei reports leading contract chipmaker unable to keep pace using Taiwan, US plants alone.
Inside OpenAI’s decision to kill the AI model that people loved too much: WSJ reports ChatGPT’s 4o model was beloved by many users, but controversial for its sycophancy and real-world harms linked to some conversations.
Google turns to century-long debt to build AI: AFP reports Google-parent Alphabet will issue bonds maturing in 100 years as it continues to invest massively in infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
Bloomberg: Jack Ma-backed Ant bets on AI health in $69 billion sector race
+ Ant Group Co. is betting on health care powered by artificial intelligence to fuel its next phase of growth, after reining in its ambitions following a derailed initial public offering.
+ The company plans to reach most of China's people with its AI-powered health services within three years, and has elevated its health unit to the same level as operations, including Alipay and its lending businesses.
+ Ant's health care strategy includes AI Doctor Agents, digital avatars trained by physicians to handle routine patient inquiries, and an AI health app called AQ that aggregates health data and answers general questions.
AI is giving you a personalized internet, but you have no say in it: The relentless addition of artificial intelligence in popular apps raises questions about what’s at stake. The answer: the future of the internet and its lifeblood, digital advertising. NYT
Daniel Ek and Peter Thiel-backed start-ups win German military drone contracts: FT reports Helsing and Stark contracts to supply unmanned weapons to Bundeswehr worth up to €4.3bn in total.
Elon Musk’s go-to banker is back in action for the SpaceX IPO: WSJ reports Michael Grimes is leaving government to return to Morgan Stanley and work on possibly the biggest initial public offering ever.
‘The race is on’: Will Elon Musk be the first to put a data centre in space? Tech billionaire’s desire to put computer infrastructure into orbit is central to $1.25tn plan to merge SpaceX with xAI. FT
Don’t let Elon Musk monopolize space compute: A case for more antitrust enforcement. Matthew Yglesias
Ford says EV woes will continue to plague company despite writedown: FT reports the carmaker posts full-year net loss of $8.2bn owing to $19.5bn charge it disclosed last month.
The booming business of luxury grocery stores: A new crop of gourmet grocers has hit the city, drawing lines of trendy TikTokers, MAHA-curious health fiends, and Instacart devotees who want to pop in for a treat. WSJ
What fast food’s downturn says about the US economy: Restaurants have raised prices to offset rising labour and ingredient costs, leading low-income customers to visit less often. FT
WSJ: Red Lobster CEO says seafood chain needs to get smaller
Britney Spears sells rights to her music catalog: US media: AFP reports Britney Spears has become the latest musician to sell the rights to her catalog that includes hits like "...Baby One More Time" and "Oops!...I Did It Again," US media reported Tuesday.
Become an octopus organization: How your company can adapt to a complex world. Jana Werner + Phil Le-Brun
*** Culture ***
40m: The number of Spanish speakers in America, making it the fifth-biggest Hispanophone country in the world.
*** Sport ***
Justin Verlander is back where it all began, signing a 1-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic nightmare continues with slalom collapse: WSJ handed the chance to win a gold medal in the team combined event, the American delivered one of the worst slalom races of her career, and finished off the podium.
What’s up with Mikaela Shiffrin? A startlingly poor slalom costs her team a medal. WP reports that after a rough performance four years ago in the Olympics, Shiffrin can’t close in the new team combined competition. Paula Moltzan and Jackie Wiles take bronze.
Toronto Star: US blows out Canada in women’s hockey in preliminary round win
1,300: The pounds of pasta being served, each day, to Olympic athletes at cafeterias at the Winter Games in Italy.
How one prediction-market trader played the Super Bowl—and lost $100,000: For Liam Kane and others like him, the NFL title game was an opportunity to bet against new and often inexperienced bettors. WSJ
Bloomberg: Super Bowl gives prediction bets record $1.2 billion trading day
+ Kalshi Inc. said it registered over $1 billion in trades related to the Super Bowl, a record surge that underscored the threat that booming prediction markets pose to traditional gambling companies.
+ The New York-based startup hosted $871 million in trading on Sunday alone, topping its previous busiest single day by 60%, according to estimates by Bank of America Corp.
+ Analysts have grown increasingly bearish on gambling companies in recent months as prediction markets have presented a formidable competitive threat much more quickly than many anticipated.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Global Daily | February 11
