ITK Daily | March 30
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
Global declines in democracy may be slowing, Freedom House says in a new report NPR
Biden’s awkward democracy summit: America still lacks an effective approach to the global south. Edward Luce
UN adopts landmark resolution to define global legal obligations on climate change: AFP reports the UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted by consensus and to cheer a resolution calling for the world body's top court to outline legal obligations related to climate change.
AP: Russia stops sharing missile test info with US, opens drills
He came to DC as a Brazilian student. The US says he was a Russian spy. Johns Hopkins graduate Victor Ferreira was unmasked as GRU operative Sergey Cherkasov, according to a federal indictment and Western security officials. WP
UK cleared to join Indo-Pacific trade bloc: Politico reports the UK will be the first new nation to join the CPTPP since it was set up in 2018.
Taiwan-China: What's behind ex-leader Ma Ying-jeou's visit? Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is breaking new ground by visiting mainland China. Experts say his Kuomintang party would like to be seen as playing a peacemaking role, as Taiwan prepares for elections. DW
Taiwan’s president heads to the US, bracing for China’s retaliation: NYT reports President Tsai Ing-wen is expected to meet Speaker Kevin McCarthy next week, risking a show of force from Beijing, which opposes any such exchanges.
Taiwan’s president lands in the US amid threats from China: WSJ reports Beijing warns that Tsai Ing-wen’s planned meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy could provoke retaliation.
WP: US says Taiwan president is just passing through. China’s not amused.
Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, starts a sensitive visit to America: Can America and China avoid another diplomatic crisis? Economist
AP: China threatens to retaliate if McCarthy meets Taiwan leader
Bloomberg: Taiwan is pushing Biden for a tax deal that could infuriate China
+ Yellen says the US looking at ways to end double-taxation of firms.
+ China may see any treaty-type accord with Taiwan as an escalation.
Bloomberg: Biden aide speaks with China counterpart as tension spikes
+ Discussion takes place ahead of the Taiwan leader’s stops in the US.
+ Jake Sullivan held an undisclosed call with Wang Yi on Friday.
China deploys its corruption hunters abroad: G20 nations among first destinations in a move that risks intensifying alarm over the expansion of Beijing’s overseas activities. WSJ
Xi intends to rely on the Global South to bypass a hostile North and establish China as an indispensable power: The Chinese leader is beginning his new term by prioritizing his country's role on the international scene and highlighting his model in the face of the declining role of the West. Frédéric Lemaître
All talk, no action on China Derek Scissors
+ Rep. Rand Paul (R-KY) announced in the Louisville Courier Journal that he opposes a ban on TikTok, calling it a form of censorship that would “emulate China’s speech bans.”
A US ban on TikTok could damage the idea of the global internet: Push to block platform reflects rising distrust of China and limited understanding of tech world. Kenneth Rogoff
What the fight over TikTok really means: The tussle over the viral app shows just how entwined American and Chinese business has become. Gillian Tett
TikTok’s owner pushes a new app, while under Washington’s glare: NYT reports ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, is trying to woo popular social media creators to Lemon8 before it is officially introduced this year.
US pushes for business investment in Africa to counter China’s reach: WSJ reports Vice President Kamala Harris is the latest American official to pledge more investment in the continent.
AFP: French grassroots movement challenges executive power in name of 'democracy' and 'freedom of speech'
The pension crisis signals the end of 'original Macronism': Some of the French president's voters are beginning to doubt his ability to emerge from the current situation. They lament the disappearance of the Macron of 2017, and his reformist spirit and ability to overcome divisions. Le Monde
Top French court to rule April 14 on constitutionality of Macron's pension reform: AFP reports France's highest constitutional authority will rule on President Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reform on April 14, it said Wednesday, a verdict decisive for the future of the changes.
Bolivia’s big bet on lithium is a long shot: It has the world’s biggest reserves of a mineral crucial to reducing carbon emissions — and a history of commodity booms and busts that have failed to yield lasting economic development. Eduardo Porter
AP: Israeli PM, Biden exchange frosty words over legal overhaul
Biden says Israel ‘cannot continue down this road,’ says he won’t invite Netanyahu soon: Forward reports a Biden administration official fired back at Netanyahu’s reaction, accusing him of a ‘gross miscalculation.’
GOP donors open to other Trump challengers as DeSantis tries to find footing: WP reports interviews show the desire for a backup option in 2024 has intensified amid questions about the Florida governor.
Trump makes a big move in the Granite State: Politico reports the hiring gives the former president a staff foothold in New Hampshire, a state that propelled him to the nomination in 2016. Trevor Naglieri will serve as Trump’s New Hampshire state director, according to two GOP operatives familiar with the move.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Michigan Democrats rise, and try to turn a battleground blue: With a strong governor, a Legislature passing a raft of liberal measures, and a looming early presidential primary, Democrats are testing the promise and pitfalls of complete control of the state. NYT
AP: Starbucks leader grilled by Senate over anti-union actions
White House to call for new midsize bank rules after SVB, Signature failures: WSJ reports the Fed is already rethinking a number of its rules related to midsize lenders.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., facing almost $23 billion in costs from recent bank failures, is said to be considering steering a larger-than-usual portion of that burden to the nation’s biggest banks.
America just has way, way too many banks: Competition can turn unhealthy when it encourages too much risk-taking. Jessica Karl
Why banks are waging a digital-wallet war with Apple: Apple Pay is the only digital wallet that has charged banks a fee on transactions. WSJ
Elon Musk and top AI researchers call for pause on ‘giant AI experiments’: An open letter says the current race dynamic in AI is dangerous, and calls for the creation of independent regulators to ensure future systems are safe to deploy. The Verge
Surrender your desk job to the AI productivity miracle, says Goldman Sachs: Legal assistants and office administrators, prepare for displacement. FT
Existential risk, AI, and the inevitable turn in human history Tyler Cowen
Big tech companies cut AI ethics staff, raising safety concerns: Microsoft, Amazon, and Google among those to cut ‘responsible AI’ teams as part of broader reductions. FT
AMC stock price surges on rumors that Amazon is exploring a takeover of the theater chain: FC reports neither company confirmed or denied the rumor as shares of AMC Entertainment Holdings rose more than 13%.
The metaverse is quickly turning into the meh-taverse: WSJ reports Disney and Microsoft both closed projects tied to the digital realm this month.
Well, that was fun.
Bloomberg: The metaverse is still the next big thing, Meta insists
+ ‘We’re going to stick with it,’ social media executive says.
+ Meta, Disney, and Microsoft recently cut metaverse-focused jobs.
TST: New Disney cruise ship to set sail from Singapore from 2025
DIY motorbikes are lifesavers for delivery drivers — and a nightmare for everyone else: These makeshift motorbikes pollute 100 times more than cars and are poisoning cities across Latin America. ROW
To rebrand or not to rebrand? When is the right time to rebrand? Almost never. But if you must, these rebranding efforts might provide some useful hints. Rei Inamoto
He wanted to unclog cities. Now he’s ‘public enemy No. 1.’: Researchers like Carlos Moreno, the professor behind a popular urban planning concept, are struggling with conspiracy theories and death threats. NYT
What I learned about America at 3 miles per hour Neil King Jr.
These are the James Beard Foundation restaurant and chef awards finalists, 2023: Winners of the prestigious awards, which debuted a new Outstanding Bakery category this year, will be announced June 5. BA
Variety: Disney’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ planning Cannes Festival premiere
Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” is set for a limited theatrical release on June 16, with a wider expansion on June 23. The film is expected to world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Watch the trailer here.
Yes, please.
Get set for the most open Premier League finale ever: The storylines, twists, turns and intrigue keep coming in a season like no other. The Times
The youngest head coach in European soccer is 30 years old—and nearly undefeated: Stade de Reims boss Will Still has lost just once in the French league this season. His lack of pro certifications mean the club pays a €25,000 fine every match. WSJ
Man U: Offers for the English soccer club Manchester United are reportedly lower than the Glazer family’s valuation.
From coaches to pushy parents, US men’s soccer is married to mediocrity: A recent debacle at the top of the game in America caused uproar. But the same patterns are repeated through the sport in the US. Eric Wynalda
The Carolina blues: How UNC’s made-for-championship season turned disastrous Brendan Marks
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
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