*** Ross Rant ***
What happens when seven people gather with no agenda
Posted on Saturday, November 15
Seven people.
One Scottish estate.
Zero PowerPoints.
Brigadoon Scotland concluded on Friday at Carphin House in Fife, and I spent the weekend in Edinburgh letting it all settle before flying home Sunday.
The mantra I used when curating this gathering was "Less logic. More magic."
And I can tell you from firsthand experience, there is a specific magic that happens when you gather the right people in the right place with no agenda beyond authentic conversation.
I've organized Brigadoon gatherings in different formats and sizes for years, and I'm still surprised by what emerges when you trust the format: no PowerPoints, no name tags, and Chatham House Rule.
People arrived as strangers and became friends.
They left noticeably smarter, myself included, all while sharing challenges and opportunities in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Getting out of your typical routine is key, even for just a few days.
A fire burning constantly.
Hikes that start the moment you walk out the front door.
The Scottish November light casting a glorious hue across the landscape.
Nooks for reading and strategic planning.
Chef-prepared meals that let someone else make decisions and pamper you.
Nightly conversations that stretched for hours because no one wanted to leave.
All Brigadoon gatherings operate under Chatham House Rule, so what was said and what was shared stays private, but the impact doesn't.
Everyone left different than they arrived, especially me.
Some call these multi-day Brigadoon gatherings anti-conferences, but nothing I have ever attended creates this quality of dialogue and connection.
Nothing else makes you noticeably smarter and more energized in just five days.
I'm already thinking about the next one, and I'm so excited.
-Marc
*** Caracal Daily ***
The world ahead: How 2026 will shape the next decade: This year, President Donald Trump has demolished long-standing norms and upended decades-old institutions at breathtaking speed. The old world order is finished—and in 2026, the contours of what will replace it will emerge. In the week we publish our new edition of The World Ahead, our future-gazing guide to the coming year, our top editors consider what 2026 will reveal about the future of Western liberal democracies, the reshaping of global power structures, the outlook for the world economy, and the impact of new technologies. Economist (Video)
China rapidly expands nuclear test site as Trump revives Cold War tension: WP reports the quiet expansion of Beijing’s remote nuclear complex points to years of preparation for a potential return to Cold War-era weapons testing.
White House memo claims Alibaba is helping Chinese military target US: National security document outlines intelligence on tech support given to PLA ‘operations.’ FT
Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been: Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back. Economist
Japan shows off warships to Indonesia defense chief with eye on exports: Nikkei reports Koizumi and Sjafrie affirm cooperation on maritime security at 2+2 meeting.
Taiwan plans to spend $3bn to pursue 'AI island' ambitions: Nikkei reports initiative to focus on photonics, quantum computing, and AI robotics.
Taiwan’s amazing economic achievements are yielding alarming strains: It has the world’s most undervalued currency and one of its biggest trade surpluses. Economist
Security Council backs Trump’s plan for postwar Gaza: NYT reports the resolution, which passed with 13 votes in favor and Russia and China abstaining, forms the central plank of the Trump administration’s next steps to implement a lasting peace in Gaza.
In major breakthrough, UN Security Council adopts US peace plan for Gaza: NYT reports the vote, in which Russia and China abstained, provides a legal mandate for the Trump administration’s vision of how to move past the cease-fire and rebuild.
320,000: The UN’s estimate of the number of homes destroyed or damaged in Gaza during the war.
CNN: Trump pulling out all the stops to welcome Saudi crown prince for first White House visit since Khashoggi killing
MBS in DC: Top lawmakers from both parties are trying to schedule a Capitol Hill visit for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his upcoming trip to Washington, according to multiple sources.
+ The crown prince will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House later this morning. The president will later host a White House dinner for the Saudi leader.
Trump says he will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia: Politico reports the president's comments, which could antagonize Israel, come a day before he welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House.
Trump says US will sell F-35s to Saudis, despite Pentagon concerns: NYT reports the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday that he planned to sell the advanced fighter jets to Riyadh.
Trump family and Saudi partner unveil tokenised Maldives resort: FT reports project announced on eve of Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to White House.
Courtroom erupts in cheers as ousted Bangladesh PM sentenced to death: USA Today reports a courtroom in Dhaka erupted in cheers on Monday, November 17, as a special tribunal sentenced Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to death.
The scramble for Europe is just beginning: As the EU struggles to defend its interests, outside powers play divide and rule. Gideon Rachman
Ukraine faces manpower crisis as most recruits flee training, MP says: The fervour of the war’s first volunteers is largely spent, and Kyiv is struggling to plug gaps on the front line as Russia comes close to capturing Pokrovsk. The Times
A huge corruption scandal threatens Ukraine’s government: Volodymyr Zelensky faces his biggest challenge since the invasion. Economist
Poland says rail explosion was ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’: Politico reports Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the goal of the sabotage was to blow up a train and that additional damage had been identified elsewhere on the route.
Polish PM confirms 'act of sabotage' on key Ukraine supply train line: Le Monde reports investigators suspect that the explosion on Sunday on the rail link running from Warsaw to the Polish city of Lublin was committed 'on behalf of a foreign intelligence service,' Poland's National Prosecutor's office said.
France pledges to sell Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine, but funding remains uncertain: Le Monde reports that, as with all letters of intent, the one signed by Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday was not a formal contract, but simply an official acknowledgment of ongoing negotiations.
Ukraine plans to buy 100 French Rafale jets: FT reports Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs letter of intent to purchase aircraft and other weapons during visit to France.
France wants to build jet fighters for Ukraine. Neither has the cash. WSJ reports French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to supply Kyiv with up to 100 Rafale jets and other advanced weaponry.
UK follows Europe and US in crackdown on asylum seekers: WSJ reports moves include threatening visa restrictions on countries that don’t take back failed asylum seekers, something President Trump has done.
Why Britain is embracing ‘negative nation branding’: Prime Minister Keir Starmer, trying to get a grip on a feverish immigration debate, is introducing a hard-line, contentious policy on refugees. NYT
Nearly half of Labour voters want Keir Starmer to step down: Polling for The Times has found that the prime minister’s popularity is waning after a chaotic briefing row and build-up to the budget.
Pope Leo is following in Francis’s footsteps: The new pope refuses to discipline bishops who move against traditionalists. Joseph D’Hippolito
UBS chair talked to Scott Bessent about moving bank to US: FT reports discussions came as Colm Kelleher tries to pressure Swiss government to back down over proposed capital rules.
Number of new foreign students in US falls 17% over visa worries: FT reports Trump’s tough policies against universities lead to sharp fall in international enrolments.
AP: US may have discussions with Maduro as aircraft carrier arrives in Caribbean, Trump says
CNN: Trump hasn’t made decision on striking Venezuela, officials say
Bloomberg: Trump threatens Latin America but leaves US strategy unclear
Trump makes a sharp pivot on Venezuela: The Times reports that as Operation Southern Spear gathers pace in the Caribbean, President Trump has indicated he is willing to speak to the Venezuelan leader.
Trump’s armada off Venezuela’s coast is a hint to President Maduro: The US naval build-up gives the Venezuelan president a choice: do a deal or do a runner. The Times-Editorial
The case for overthrowing Maduro Bret Stephens
If we’re going to do tariffs, let’s do them right: The White House’s chaotic tariff strategy is making everything more expensive. Gretchen Whitmer
Bloomberg: World’s top aluminum producer adds markups as Trump tariffs drive up consumer costs
Epstein files: The House will vote Tuesday on the discharge petition calling on the Justice Department to release the complete Epstein files.
‘He got tired of me winning’: How Thomas Massie outmaneuvered Trump on Epstein: Politico reports the president’s Sunday capitulation handed his biggest GOP foe in Congress a major victory.
+ “I think I’ve just demonstrated I can get something done with the Speaker against me, the President against me, the Vice President against me, and the FBI director against me. If you can get something done in the face of all that, then I think my prospects are pretty good.” -- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)
Trump says he would sign bill to release Epstein files if it reaches his desk: ABC News reports: "I'm all for it," he said in the Oval Office on Monday.
Trump bows to reality in Epstein reversal, beating a rare retreat: NYT reports faced with a mass defection on a bill to demand the release of the Epstein files, the president rushed to avoid an embarrassing loss, suggesting a slip in his iron grip on the GOP.
As Trump looks for distraction on Epstein, Justice Dept. rushes to his aid: NYT reports the department was deployed, in effect, as an arm of the president’s rapid-response operation to help him muscle through a damaging news cycle over Jeffrey Epstein, former and current officials said.
CNN: Elizabeth Warren calls on Harvard to sever ties with Larry Summers after new Jeffrey Epstein emails
The first glimpse of post-Trump MAGA has arrived: With a push from Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump acquiesces over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Jim Geraghty
Can the American right find its way back? Under the influence of Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, the American right has become unrecognizable to those who remain committed to the values espoused by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. The question now is whether the Republican Party can still recover its brand of dignified conservatism. Michael R. Strain
A conservative vision for America after Trump: Can the right find its way back to small government? Sarah Isgur thinks so. NYT
Here's an example of what I call "politics is the art of what's possible": Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) told CNN’s Dana Bash that she wanted to end the “toxic fighting in politics” and regrets her own heated rhetoric. Punchbowl called this "remarkable" and went on to write, "because that’s what MTG’s entire career and public persona was built on."
+ The White House chalks Marjorie Taylor Greene’s newfound persona up to sour grapes that Trump didn’t back her to run for Senate or governor.
Trump to back primary against Indiana Republican who opposes redistricting: Politico reports the White House plans to challenge Republican state Sen. Jim Buck of Kokomo.
Why Curtis Sliwa stayed in the race—and the billionaires who tried to buy him out Time
Why Trump gets away with it: The institutional checks that got the country through Watergate are far weaker now. Clark Hoyt
The Trump era is one of GOP decline Timothy P. Carney
Federal judge blasts potential ‘government misconduct’ in Comey case: WP reports the judge excoriated the Justice Department for its investigation and prosecution of former FBI director James B. Comey, citing a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” that could threaten the viability of the case.
FAA to lift flight restrictions: WSJ reports a cut in flight traffic implemented last week in response to the government shutdown would end Monday morning.
Bloomberg: US airlines may see weaker holiday traffic amid shutdown fallout
Shut up, or suck up? How CEOs are dealing with Donald Trump: Chief executives are learning to live with a unique commander-in-chief. Economist
The American Petroleum Institute is backing a seven-figure ad campaign featuring real landmen during Paramount+ and CBS broadcasts of "Landman."
The State of AI: The new rules of war: Military commanders hope for a digitally enhanced force, but will autonomous weapons mean they risk losing control? FT
When AI hype meets AI reality: A reckoning in 6 charts: Record capital expenditures and data-center planning run up against the ground truths of physical infrastructure. WSJ
Paul McCartney joins music industry protest against AI with silent track: Guardian reports the former Beatle and artists including Sam Fender, Kate Bush, and Hans Zimmer record silent LP Is This What We Want.
Jeff Bezos creates AI start-up where he will be co-chief executive: Called Project Prometheus, the company is focusing on artificial intelligence for the engineering and manufacturing of computers, automobiles, and spacecraft. NYT
Chatbots are surprisingly effective at debunking conspiracy theories: Turns out many believers do respond positively when presented with the right evidence and arguments. MIT TR
Grok, Elon Musk's AI, spreads far-right falsehoods about 2015 Paris attacks: Le Monde reports a false rumor that acts of torture were committed during the attack on the Bataclan hall venue was revived by the French far right and confirmed by Grok, which invented victim testimonies.
Libellous chatbots could be AI’s next big legal headache: Companies from Google and Meta to OpenAI are getting sued for defamation. Economist
Now tech moguls want to build data centers in outer space: Energy constraints in the artificial-intelligence race are causing tech companies to think out of this world. Tim Higgins
‘I’m nervous’: Klarna founder challenges trillion-dollar spending on AI: OpenAI backer Sebastian Siemiatkowski says tech industry is committing too much money to huge computing infrastructure. FT
How Italy’s mafia uses social media to recruit new blood: TikTok is struggling to contain it. Economist
The global internet is pulling apart: The rise of the national messaging app. NY Mag
Screen-time worries send parents in increasingly desperate directions: Parents are turning to $8,000 ‘detox’ camps to rein in on kids’ tech usage. WP
Amazon joins Big Tech bond rush with $12bn debt sale: FT reports e-commerce giant’s first US bond in three years comes as it cranks up spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Bloomberg: Fear engulfs Bitcoin traders betting on free fall to $80,000
The crypto industry’s $28 billion in ‘dirty money’: As President Trump has championed crypto and the industry has gone mainstream, funds from scammers and other criminal groups have flowed onto major crypto exchanges. NYT
Cryptocurrencies, a fast lane for money laundering: An international journalistic investigation of which Le Monde is a partner highlights the glaring weaknesses in cryptocurrency exchange platforms, used by criminals to launder money. Le Monde
Apple intensifies succession planning for CEO Tim Cook: FT reports the iPhone maker’s board is preparing for its longtime leader to step down as early as next year.
The world’s most-watched YouTube video hasn’t made its creator rich: Company behind ubiquitous song is hampered by ad restrictions on children’s content, wants to raise funds for expansion via an IPO. WSJ
Bloomberg: ‘Baby Shark’ creator Pinkfong set for Seoul debut after popular IPO
The surprising new use for GLP-1s: Alcohol and drug addiction: WP reports some doctors are prescribing weight-loss drugs such as Zepbound and Ozempic to help reduce cravings for illicit drugs and alcohol. But research on the benefits is limited.
J&J buys cancer drugmaker Halda for $3bn in latest biotech deal: FT reports pharma group hopes acquisition will help to offset losses from expiring patents on blockbuster drugs.
China wants electric cars to feed power back to the grid: The world’s largest EV fleet could become a giant battery network if economic and technical hurdles are overcome. ROW
Reuters: Electric vehicle sales are booming in South America — without Tesla
Will superfast, super-expensive electric vehicles catch on? This could be the make-or-break year. Economist
Ford has reached a deal with Amazon to sell certified used cars directly on Amazon's website.
Eat, pay, love: Dining with strangers is China’s new social fix: Algorithm-matched dinners with strangers have proliferated in some of China’s biggest cities, as participants pay to make friends, explore their surroundings, and try to escape the mundanity of daily life. Sixth Tone
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos to fund Met Gala: The Times reports New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced that ‘costume art’ will be the theme of next year’s A-list event.
The NFL has a new comeback king: With a last-gasp victory on Sunday, the Chicago Bears notched a fourth-quarter comeback for the fifth time this season. It’s a remarkable record—but is it sustainable? WSJ
The Kansas City Chiefs are wobbling out of the playoffs: Inconsistent and searching for answers, the Super Bowl perennials lose more ground to Denver as AFC power resets. Jason Gay
6 ski clinics to up your on-mountain game: Multiday clinics offer focused instruction and camaraderie on the slopes and at après-ski. Here, a half dozen that will improve your skills. NYT
Mbappé and PSG trade countersuits worth hundreds of millions: Le Monde reports the captain of France claims his former club mistreated him after he refused to sign a new contract. PSG, in return, claims their former star striker botched a €300 million transfer deal.
Bloomberg: Trump says US is creating priority visa system for World Cup
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | November 10
*** Ross Rant ***
OpenAI's federal funding trial balloon reveals structural fragility
Sam Altman rarely miscalculates. His unassuming St. Louis demeanor belies a strategist who understands how to navigate Washington, Silicon Valley, and global capital markets simultaneously. Which makes OpenAI's recent fumble over federal loan guarantees particularly revealing.
When Sarah Friar, OpenAI's chief financial officer, floated the idea of government-backed financing at the WSJ's Tech Live event in California, the swift backlash prompted Altman to engage in damage control. His subsequent insistence that OpenAI neither has nor wants federal guarantees can't erase what the initial request disclosed: a financing model under severe strain.
The CapEx challenge
Three dynamics converge to create OpenAI's precarious cash position:
Margin compression in a CapEx-intensive business. The real story of AI right now is an infrastructure story. Generative AI requires massive computing infrastructure that operates more like a capital-intensive utility than a high-margin software company. Reports suggest OpenAI is burning significant cash, with projections reaching into the hundreds of billions—possibly even $1 trillion—for the infrastructure needed to maintain a competitive advantage. This inversion of the traditional software economics model raises fundamental questions about sustainable profitability.
Market signals of excessive risk—that is, a bubble. When a company valued at potentially $500 billion seeks taxpayer guarantees for private investment, it signals that sophisticated capital markets view the risk-return profile as inadequate. The implicit message is that private financing at market rates would be prohibitively expensive or unavailable at the required scale, suggesting that investors fear these assets may never generate returns commensurate with their investment.
The "too big to fail" gambit. Altman's messaging whiplash—from entertaining federal backing to categorically rejecting it within days—reveals a company testing multiple financing strategies simultaneously. This isn't confidence; it's contingency planning. The pattern suggests OpenAI is attempting to embed itself so deeply in critical infrastructure that U.S. government support becomes inevitable, effectively creating a private-sector moral hazard.
Strategic implications
For corporate decision-makers, board members, and communications professionals, three considerations emerge:
Evaluate AI vendor stability through a credit lens, not just a technology lens. The sustainability of your AI partnerships depends on whether providers can finance infrastructure buildout without extraordinary measures—vendors requiring government intervention to maintain operations present concentration risk.
Prepare for market correction. When industry leaders signal financing stress, it typically precedes broader sectoral repricing. Companies that have heavily invested in AI infrastructure or are dependent on aggressive AI roadmaps should stress-test their assumptions and build contingency plans.
Monitor regulatory capture risk. OpenAI's willingness to pursue federal guarantees demonstrates how quickly the "move fast and break things" mantra can become "too important to let fail." This dynamic creates regulatory and competitive distortions that disadvantage market participants unwilling to pursue similar strategies.
The most sophisticated companies understand that breakthrough technology doesn't exempt you from financial gravity. OpenAI's trial balloon exposed that even AI's most prominent player is discovering this truth.
For executives making multi-year AI investment decisions, that's the signal worth hearing.
—Marc
*** Caracal Daily ***
The new malaise of civilization: When words, truth and reality fall apart: The proliferation of wars, increase in mental health disorders, devaluation of speech, and loss of connection to reality are troubling signs of the tipping point our societies are facing. Nearly a century ago, Freud identified a malaise that resonates with what we are going through today. Nicolas Truong
Trump's attorney concedes: His legal theory would let a president tax foreign cars to combat climate change: Justice Neil Gorsuch got Solicitor General D. John Sauer to admit one "likely" outcome, if the Supreme Court upholds Trump's tariffs. Reason
Trump suggests $2,000 payouts to Americans as he defends tariffs: WSJ reports the president praises benefits of the levies after Supreme Court appears skeptical of his justification for many of them.
Trump’s tariff rebate contradictions: He’s floating a $2,000 rebate to blunt the harm from his border taxes. WSJ-Editorial
US politics are a mystery, Britain’s are a mess: It’s unclear what message Democrats should take from Tuesday’s victories. In the UK, the clear message is that things are about to get worse. Tobin Harshaw
Britain’s new ambassador to France: ‘You all play the game of influence’: Mere weeks into the job, ‘securocrat’ Sir Thomas Drew has positioned Paris’s 18th-century Hôtel de Charost as ‘an informal annex to formal discussions at the Élysée’. It’s no small feat. FT
German far-right activist seeks asylum in US as Trump ties deepen: WP reports social media influencer Naomi Seibt, a supporter of the nationalist AfD party, said she is being persecuted in Germany for her political views.
French lawmakers vote to tax American retirees who freely benefit from social security: Le Monde reports members of the Assemblée Nationale backed an amendment to the social security that would create a 'minimum contribution' on foreign retirees who receive free healthcare.
The rise of 'crypto bros' and neoliberalism in France's business schools: Student societies, blockchain clubs, and crypto and Web3 conferences are bringing together a young generation of fintech fanatics, pushing ideas inspired by radical neoliberalism. Le Monde
Greece deepens US energy ties with first gas exploration deal in 40 years: FT reports ExxonMobil leads drilling agreement targeting reserves in Ionian Sea.
Wealthy Chinese sidestep Singapore for Dubai: FT reports private bankers and advisers report rise in interest in the Gulf as Asian city-state tightens scrutiny of applicants.
The mystery of China’s slumping investment: Its leaders don’t seem concerned. Should they be? Economist
South Korea’s new president is fixing relations with America, Japan, and China: A refreshing burst of pragmatism after a turbulent time. Economist
‘Wolfpack’ and ‘Running Deep’: The battlefield below: The German U-boat force maintained a fearsome reputation. But American submariners fought more effectively. WSJ
‘The Last 600 Meters’ review: The Iraq War’s realities on PBS: A documentary revisits the battles of Fallujah and Najaf in on-the-ground detail. WSJ
Gang violence deepens Haiti's educational crisis: Le Monde reports a lack of electricity, no cafeterias and overcrowded classrooms: Haitian schools have long suffered from structural weaknesses, exacerbated by the proliferation of criminal gangs. More than 1,600 schools have been forced to close across the country, deepening poverty among families.
Alaska’s new mining rush chases something more coveted than gold: Miners are racing to extract antimony, an obscure element used by defense companies, which China cut off as retaliation in the trade war. WSJ
WP: Flight cancellations ‘only going to get worse,’ transportation secretary says
Bloomberg: Duffy warns Thanksgiving holiday travel to slow to a trickle
Bloomberg: Air travel woes grow as Chicago storm adds to shutdown mess
Officials warn of big hit to air travel and GDP as US government shutdown drags on: FT reports Trump administration says flights will slow to a ‘trickle’ with no end in sight to budget impasse.
Bloomberg: US shutdown nears end as Senate Democrats agree to funding deal
Senate closes in on vote on ending government shutdown: WSJ reports a proposal by GOP senators to send money directly to consumers’ health accounts rather than to insurance companies showed signs of breaking a stalemate on negotiations.
Senate moves toward deal to end shutdown, but hurdles remain: WP reports the proposal under discussion doesn’t include more funding for Affordable Care Act subsidies. If a bill passes the Senate, it needs the House’s approval and President Donald Trump’s support.
US senators strike deal in first step to ending government shutdown: FT reports a small group of Democrats joins Republicans in advancing bill to reopen government after record budget impasse.
Democratic defectors relent on shutdown, backing bill to reopen: NYT reports two Democratic negotiators said a group of Senate Democrats was ready to fund the government through January without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Trump says US 'getting close to the shutdown ending': Le Monde reports top Republicans have been working with Democrats to potentially reopen the government into January. Over the course of the 40-day shutdown, Democrats have voted 14 times not to reopen as they demand extension of subsidies for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act.
Americans see a government that can’t solve their problems: WSJ reports decisive Democratic wins just a year after Trump’s GOP sweep signal voters are impatient for change.
Bloomberg: Data fog intensifying for Fed as shutdown delays US inflation numbers
The trouble with America’s shutdown economy: Gridlock in Washington prevents official data releases. And unofficial ones disagree. Economist
The lessons Democrats need to learn to win again: Continued success depends on properly understanding this week’s victories. Fareed Zakaria
What Mamdani and Martha Stewart tell us about the vibe shift: An election win and a politically incorrect cookbook show that Americans are embracing candour over caution. Jemima Kelly
How New York’s affordability crisis reshaped its politics: Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral upset reflects growing frustration with soaring living costs. FT
American politics is all about affordability now: Democrats are seizing on rising costs to turn Donald Trump’s campaign messaging against him — and it’s working. Bloomberg
Mamdani isn’t the future of the Democrats. This guy is. Binyamin Appelbaum
‘I want to win’: Inside Gavin Newsom’s plan for taking on Trump: Armed with a podcast, a ballot measure and tweets, California’s governor is spoiling for a fight with the president. Bloomberg
This sweary ‘wine mom’ is the Democrats’ answer to Joe Rogan: Former reality TV star from Oklahoma is emerging as one of Left’s most powerful podcasters. Telegraph
Trump’s spin on the economy won’t work Nia-Malika Henderson
Four charts explain why Donald Trump is in trouble: America’s last elections before next year’s midterms have given Democrats hope. Economist
Trump’s MAGA coalition fractures over far-right interview: Heritage Foundation in turmoil after head defends airing of exchange with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. FT
Bloomberg: Greg Abbott unveils bid for record fourth term as Texas governor
BBC director general and news chief resign: WSJ reports Tim Davie and Deborah Turness are leaving the news organization following criticism over the editing of remarks by President Trump that were included in a documentary program.
BBC’s top leaders resign over Trump speech editing controversy: WP reports the British broadcaster’s top officials, Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, stepped down amid allegations that a documentary misleadingly edited Trump’s Jan. 6 speech.
Tim Davie quits as BBC chief, taking ‘ultimate responsibility’ for errors: The Times reports the corporation is expected to apologise for broadcasting a doctored clip of a speech by President Trump — who welcomed the resignation.
Two top BBC leaders quit over editing of Trump documentary: NYT reports the abrupt moves followed furor over claims that a documentary had misleadingly edited footage of President Trump’s speech before the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Xu Yangtian, Shein’s mysterious founder under fire: China’s fast fashion giant, dealing with outrage in France, was created by a man who is unrecognisable even to his own employees. FT
AI is on its way to something even more remarkable than intelligence Barbara Gail Montero
The AI spending frenzy is so huge that it makes no sense: For $360 billion, the country could fund SNAP benefits for four years. Big Tech spent that much on AI data centers in one year. WP
The boss has a message: Use AI or you’re fired: At companies big and small, employees have feared being replaced by AI. The new threat: Being replaced by someone who knows AI. WSJ
One in six employers expect job cuts from AI in next year: Survey by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reveals the extent of the threat to white-collar workers from artificial intelligence. The Times
Voice phishing is AI fraud in real time: Just as we learnt to treat emails with caution, we must now learn to doubt a human-sounding voice. FT
Chatbots are sparking a new era of student surveillance: As US educators embrace AI in the classroom, firms are selling software to flag mentions of self-harm, raising concerns over privacy and control. Bloomberg
OpenAI confronts signs of delusions among ChatGPT users Bloomberg
What happened when small-town America became Data Center, USA: Residents, politicians, and local agencies are making the most of the tech boom, but prosperity comes with costs; ‘What’s going to happen once they stop building?’ WSJ
The AI boom comes to America’s loneliest place: Plans for a 230-mile transmission line threaten Nevada’s wilderness and have united hunters and wildlife groups. FT
Should facial analysis help determine whom companies hire? A new paper suggests a photo can tell a recruiter much about an applicant’s personality. Economist
Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show: Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’ Reuters
+ Meta's fraud problem: The social media giant projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show
+ @mulvihill79: Incredible reporting by @Reuters. Meta makes more money from ad fraud - as much as $16 billion - than all the NFL TV partners put together make on NFL ad sales. Theft on an epic scale.
AP: Denmark’s government aims to ban access to social media for children aged under 15
The men who shaped the internet won’t be able to fix it: Tim Berners-Lee dreamed of a World Wide Web for everyone. Nick Clegg and Meta had different ideas. In new books, both ignore how profit undermined the internet. Bloomberg
Elon Musk has one trillion reasons to finish his robot story: The Tesla chief faces intense competition from rivals like Uber, even in the automaker’s hometown. Tim Higgins
Elon Musk’s $1trn pay deal is a troubling display of corporate capture: He has Tesla and its board wrapped around his finger. Economist
Riding in a Chinese robotaxi is pretty smooth—That’s a problem for Waymo: While US companies dominate their home market, other countries look to China for driverless technology. WSJ
Why commercial space stations are the next frontier: The retirement of the International Space Station ends an era of geopolitical co-operation in orbit. Private operators are racing to fill the gap. The Times
Jamaicans have been turning to solar power. It paid off after the storm. NYT reports people with panels got their power back almost immediately after Hurricane Melissa passed. The “entire neighborhood benefits,” one resident said.
Visa, Mastercard near deal with merchants that would change rewards landscape: WSJ reports the deal under discussion would lower credit-card interchange fees for merchants, but could make it harder for consumers to use rewards cards at the register.
First, grinning Labubu dolls. Now, a TV show and theme parks: Pop Mart, maker of the wildly popular toys, wants to be China’s Disney. Economist
The hidden costs of living alone: In ways both large and small, American society still assumes that the default adult has a partner and that the default household contains multiple people. Joe Pinsker
How the Pompidou took over the world: The Paris institution has closed for a major five-year renovation — but its tentacles span the globe, from Saudi Arabia to South Korea. FT
I tried the track where rich people drive 150 miles an hour to unwind WSJ
The 6-Foot-5 Viking warrior who’s terrorizing European soccer: Even by his own prolific standards, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is on an unprecedented tear this season, topping the scoring charts despite hardly ever touching the ball. WSJ
The Big Ten, SEC, and the battle over the future of college football: The two athletic conferences effectively rule the sport. But they disagree on critical points about its future. WSJ
Indiana’s perfect season saved by catch of the year Jason Gay
MLB pitchers charged in gambling investigation: WSJ reports Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase are accused of manipulating pitches for sports betting purposes. Both had already been suspended by the league.
MLB pitchers charged with taking bribes to rig pitches: WP reports Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are alleged to have thrown certain pitches in exchange for money from bettors. Each could face up to 65 years in prison.
Lando Norris takes grip of title race as Max Verstappen falls short: The Times reports Briton delivers perfect drive in Brazil to open up 24-point gap over McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen finishing third after starting from pitlane.
WSJ: Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue dies at 84
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | November 7
The three technologies disrupting the global order: The great Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter argued that you could spot a fundamental economic transition by the arrival of new types of goods, new production methods, and new forms of industrial organization. The spread of cheap drones, phones, and solar checks all of these boxes. Mark Blyth + Daniel Driscoll
Trump’s tariffs are a massive money grab. That’s why they are in trouble. The president has exercised tax and spending powers that belong to Congress. The Supreme Court might be ready to say “enough.” WSJ
Trump’s tariffs may not please the court: The government’s claims in defense of the emergency border taxes don’t stand ‘major questions’ scrutiny. WSJ-Editorial
White House tells Supreme Court it doesn’t care about the tariff money raised: President Donald Trump has repeatedly boasted that the government is making a “fortune.” WP
Why manufacturing’s last boom will be hard to repeat: The industrial golden age in the middle of the last century resulted from a convergence of factors unique to that time. WSJ
China bans foreign AI chips from state-funded data centres, sources say: The Chinese government has issued guidance requiring new data centre projects that have received any state funds to only use domestically-made artificial intelligence chips, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war: The Gaza of maps and memories is gone, replaced by a monochrome landscape of rubble stretching flat and still for 180 degrees, from Beit Hanoun on one side to Gaza City on the other. BBC
AP: Israeli jets strike southern Lebanon towns, escalating near-daily attacks
Syria: The White House is preparing to deploy the United States military to an air base in the Syrian capital of Damascus to help shore up a potential security pact between Syria and Israel that US President Donald Trump is currently brokering, according to a new report.
AP: Sudan’s paramilitary group agrees on truce proposed by US-led mediator group
Donald Trump steps up military threats against Nigeria over attacks on Christians: Nigerians say claims of religious persecution are false but blame government for inaction over violence. FT
Russia close to its biggest capture of a Ukrainian city since 2023: NYT reports the Kremlin is focusing its fire on Pokrovsk, a gateway to the Donetsk region, which Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, has long coveted.
Russian forces in Ukraine near first major conquest in more than two years: WSJ reports Russia is betting that its military machine will eventually overwhelm its western neighbor, and that battle is playing out in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
As Pokrovsk is set to fall, Ukraine must choose to fight or save troops: WP reports Pokrovsk has been a bastion of resistance, and Russia taking it would be a propaganda win, but experts say it is time to withdraw and save lives for future battles.
AFP: With war next door, Poland seeks to train 500,000 volunteers to reinforce defense
+ @sebs_tweets: 2032 will be the 200 year anniversary of the Great Reform Bill - when Britain, on the verge of revolution and collapse, was forced to finally address systemic issues in the way the country was run. I wonder if we are going to see history repeat itself.
Swiss plan to cap population at 10m by halting immigration: The Times reports:‘Our little country’ is being overrun, say the proposal’s advocates — while critics warn of damage to the economy and national security.
Macron is France’s ‘worst’ president. Just ask his old mentor. The French leader is a narcissist who is in denial of reality, argues Alain Minc. Politico
Japan’s Iron Lady: Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, presents herself as a leader who can be tougher than the men. This, combined with her hawkish views on immigration and defense, suggests that Takaichi will not use her position to help other women crack the glass ceiling. Ian Buruma
China-US deal to ease rare-earth controls hits snag over scope: Nikkei reports regional authorities contradict claims that measures from April will be halted.
American soybean farmers 'cautiously optimistic' after US-China truce: Nikkei reports despite Beijing's removal of tariffs, US crop still costlier than South American grains.
Milei halts decade-long Chinese radio-telescope project in Argentina’s west: BAT reports US-leaning administration of President Javier Milei ends a decade-long scientific cooperation project; Cancellation of the China-Argentina Radio Telescope in San Juan seen as part of foreign policy shift.
Sexual assault of the president exposes Mexico’s endemic machismo: NYT reports President Claudia Sheinbaum was groped on the street this week, in an episode that set off a national conversation about what has and has not changed since Mexico elected its first female leader.
Russia ramps up rhetoric over US threats to Venezuela: A senior offical has suggested deploying hypersonic missiles to support President Maduro’s regime, as the Kremlin warns Washington over it’s naval build-up. The Times
WP: Senate readies war powers vote to oppose Trump’s Venezuela threats
CNN: Trump admin tells Congress it currently lacks legal justification to strike Venezuela
Trump has the legal power to bomb drug boats: But Congress can stop it by constitutional means—namely by employing the power of the purse. Nicholas B. Creel
+ Three-quarters of Americans oppose presidential use of military force overseas without approval from Congress, according to a new poll conducted by the Institute for Global Affairs at the Eurasia Group. That includes some 94 percent of Democrats and half of Republicans.
Nobel Peace Prize winner: US escalation is ‘only way’ to free Venezuela: Opposition leader María Corina Machado talks about life in hiding, the fight for democracy, and unconventional regime change. Bloomberg
America’s plans for a Golden Dome are dangerously obscure: Without clarity, the missile shield risks becoming a costly, destabilising white elephant. Economist
Flight-cancellation plans prompt scramble across travel industry: WSJ reports US transportation officials revealed plans to cut air traffic at 40 airports by as much as 10% starting Friday.'
Nation’s busiest airports face FAA’s cut in flights, initial list shows: WP reports the preliminary list of flight reductions will affect 40 high-traffic airports. The Trump administration says the order is aimed at easing pressure on air traffic controllers as the government shutdown drags on.
Trump administration must fully fund SNAP benefits for November, judge rules: WSJ reports the order directs the government to deliver the money by Friday for federal food-assistance benefits that have been delayed by the shutdown.
Senate considers revised plan to end government shutdown: WSJ reports apparent progress toward resolving the impasse comes as airport woes grow.
Bloomberg: Lilly, Novo to lower obesity drug prices in deal with Trump
Congressional Budget Office believed to be hacked by foreign actor: WP reports the nonpartisan office makes economic projections for lawmakers and evaluates legislation for how much it would add or subtract from the national debt. The breach potentially exposes key financial data.
BBC: Nancy Pelosi announces retirement after decades in US Congress
Guardian: ‘Iconic, heroic, trailblazing’: Democrats praise Pelosi’s work after she announces plan to retire
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to retire from Congress: Democratic lawmaker won’t run for re-election for her House seat representing San Francisco. WSJ
Pelosi plans to retire in 2027 after 39 years in Congress: NYT reports Representative Nancy Pelosi, the only female House speaker, said she will not run for re-election. She wielded immense power and became a Democratic icon, while she was demonized by conservatives.
Nancy Pelosi is an American political giant John A. Lawrence
Spanberger’s unlikely journey from the CIA to VA’s first female governor: The former House member ran a centrist campaign focused on affordability, health care, and education, providing a potential road map for other Democrats. WP
Democrats take the night: The party swept the three big races, notched major ballot initiatives, and even broke a state GOP supermajority in Mississippi. There’s a message here for Donald Trump and Republicans. Kimberley A. Strassel
How Gavin Newsom struck the year’s heaviest blow against Trump Ed Kilgore
Trump’s GOP is losing independents: The 2025 election results spell doom for Republicans in 2026 if they don’t get serious about the economy. Matthew Continetti
Ranking the 2028 Democratic presidential contenders: There already are a few standouts among Democrats’ potential 2028 candidates, but the long road to the next presidential contest features plenty of dark horses. WP
Stefanik to launch campaign to challenge Gov. Hochul in New York: NYT reports Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman, is a leading ally of President Trump who has gone to great lengths to criticize Ms. Hochul and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
America’s future is being sacrificed for short-term “wins”: Despite a tumultuous year, markets continue to bet on American liquidity and growth. But while the outlook looks promising, the United States is systematically trading strategic advantages for tactical gains, and the costs are accumulating in ways that won’t become apparent until it’s too late. Ian Bremmer
Holiday spending will surpass $1 trillion this year and set a record despite consumer caution, according to a forecast by the National Retail Federation. Consumers plan to spend nearly $900 per person on average this year, while retail sales are expected to increase in a range of 3.7% to 4.2% from a year earlier, according to the group.
A pill is raising hope for one of the deadliest cancers. WP reports the question is how fast patients should get it. Revolution Medicines received an unconventional FDA fast-track designation for its experimental drug based on early clinical trial results.
Bloomberg: Sweetgreen sells robotics unit to Wonder for $186 million
Airbnb issued a better-than-expected outlook for the holiday quarter, citing strong demand as US travelers used its "reserve now, pay later" feature to book trips in advance.
Bloomberg: Washington Post says it was impacted by Oracle product breach
The age of anti-social media is here: The social-media era is over. What’s coming will be much worse. Damon Beres
How AI and social media contribute to ‘brain rot’: AI search tools, chatbots, and social media are associated with lower cognitive performance, studies say. What to do? NYT
AI pioneers claim human-level general intelligence is already here: Tech leaders say systems now rival human intelligence in key tasks, further fuelling the superintelligence debate. FT
Are AI therapy chatbots safe to use? Psychologists and technologists see them as the future of therapy. The Food and Drug Administration is exploring whether to regulate them as medical devices. NYT
These AI power users are impressing bosses and leaving co-workers in the dust: Rank-and-file employees are jockeying to become leading adopters of artificial intelligence. WSJ
Don’t blame AI for your job woes: The white-collar chill has more to do with the economy than with tech. Economist
Who’s right about AI: Economists or technologists? Forecasting the impact of artificial intelligence has become fraught, with evangelists pitched against sceptics. John Thornhill
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman pushed back at the idea that the company would seek federal guarantees to reduce the risk of its AI infrastructure spending spree, one day after a top executive at the ChatGPT maker suggested there may be a role for the government to help finance the technology.
OpenAI CEO says US shouldn’t bail out AI companies: WSJ reports comments come after OpenAI’s CFO discussed the role of government in potentially backstopping industry growth, at the WSJ Tech Live conference.
OpenAI races to quell concerns over its finances: NYT reports the AI company faced pushback after a top executive raised the idea of government aid, amid concerns that the AI industry is headed toward a dangerous bubble.
+ @pmddomingos: Sam Altman's core competencies are manipulating investors and manipulating tech nerds.
What the US government can do to help win the AI race: Michael Kratsios on how the Trump administration views the government’s role in promoting AI—and where regulation fits into that vision. WSJ
IBM to cut thousands of workers amid AI boom: NYT reports the technology supplier said it was shifting its focus to higher-growth businesses, including AI consulting and software.
Bloomberg: IBM to cut thousands of roles in focus on software growth
Zuckerberg, Chan charity pivots from social causes to AI cures for diseases: WP reports that, after backing away from its criminal justice, education, and affordable housing programs, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative said it will aim to prevent and cure diseases by capitalizing on advances in artificial intelligence.
Bloomberg: Global AI bubble burst may aid flows into Indian equities
AI wants our water: While much of the AI debate focuses on its economic potential, its expanding physical footprint tells a different story. The machines driving this revolution depend on a resource far older – and far more contested – than data or electricity. Friederike Rohde + Paz Peña
Bloomberg: UK grid overwhelmed by data-center requests for connections
British Airways has signed a deal with SpaceX to make Starlink internet available to every passenger at no cost, starting in 2026.
Taco Bell customers can now pay with Venmo.
Ford considers scrapping electric version of F-150 truck: WSJ reports once hyped as a ‘smartphone that can tow,’ production of the money-losing EV pickup may be shut down for good.
Tesla shareholders approve Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package: WSJ reports the new package, which includes 12 chunks of stock, could give Musk control over as much as 25% of Tesla if he hits a series of milestones.
Elon Musk wins $1 trillion pay package tying him to Tesla for a decade: WP reports in an era of skyrocketing CEO pay, the award is unprecedented. The deal sets up Elon Musk to become the world’s first trillionaire.
Orvis, an outdoor retailer that’s been in business for 169 years, is closing dozens of stores as it deals with economic pressures caused by tariffs. The company says it will close 31 locations, along with five outlet stores by early 2026, Fox Business reports.
WP: Peloton recalls 833,000 bikes due to a risk of broken seats
ESPN + Penn Entertainment are ending their sports betting partnership.
Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland dies in apparent suicide after police chase: WSJ reports the second-year defensive end was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. He was 24 years old.
The dark arts behind the NFL’s record-shattering kicking season: This offseason, the NFL made a small tweak to the rules governing so-called “K-Balls.” It’s led to a year of supercharged kicking. WSJ
Toronto Star: Prince Harry apologizes to Canada for wearing Dodgers hat during World Series
Hamilton dismisses Ferrari exit claims: AFP reports Lewis Hamilton on Thursday dismissed claims that he may not be racing for Ferrari beyond next year after a hugely disappointing 2025 season following his move from Mercedes.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal