Caracal Daily | September 11

Caracal Daily | September 11

Caracal Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for comms pros.

Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. Caracal is here to help.

Always Be Communicating.

Happy Wednesday.

Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:

*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***

Ukrainian drones bring distant war to Moscow suburb: Russian authorities have long pushed message that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is far away from everyday life. FT

Wave of drone attacks hits targets near Moscow: WSJ reports strikes on Russian territory come as the US says it will sanction Iran over ballistic missile deliveries to Moscow.

US could allow Ukraine to fire missiles into Russia ‘within weeks’: The Times reports that British sources say that the American position on use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles is shifting.

Ukraine to press top US and UK officials on striking deeper inside Russia: Politico reports a top GOP lawmaker says the US is ready to loosen restrictions. The Biden administration says no decision has been made.

Politico: US accuses China of giving ‘very substantial’ help to Russia’s war machine

+ In exchange, China is getting top secret Russian military technology.

US says Russia helping China develop military technologies: FT reports Washington concerned by Moscow’s sharing of knowhow on submarines, aeronautics and missiles.

China to make military training mandatory at universities: Nikkei reports that marching, marksmanship among subjects students will take.

US curbs on China tech investments in final push as election looms: Nikkei reports new administration could throw wrench in rules that focus on chips and AI.

In China, retiring as early as 50 has been the norm. That is about to change. WSJ reports Beijing finally tackles a 1950s policy that lets women retire in their 50s and men at 60 amid economic gloom and a rapidly aging population.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, dipped below $70 a barrel for the first time since December 2021 amid slowing Chinese imports and lowered forecasts by OPEC, a cartel of oil exporters.

India edges warily toward accepting more Chinese investment: Despite security concerns, FDI seen as key to Modi's manufacturing drive. Nikkei

Nippon Steel flies to Washington for last-gasp push to save US Steel deal: FT reports the Biden administration opposes Japanese company’s proposed $15bn takeover, which has become an election issue.

The harmony between Labour and Britain’s trade unions: They agree on the labour market above all. Economist

Boost for Badenoch as Mel Stride knocked out of Tory leadership race: The Times reports Kemi Badenoch claims she has ‘star power’ as she narrows Robert Jenrick’s lead with just four candidates remaining in the contest.

The King won’t be using the sensitive term ‘walkabout’ Down Under: The Times reports the royal couple still plan to meet and greet well-wishers but will no longer use the word due to cultural sensitivities.

Germany’s move to curb migration ripples across EU: The decision to introduce emergency border checks has the backing of almost three quarters of voters, after a period in which more than two million asylum seekers were admitted. The Times

Italian ex-minister accused of giving mistress secrets of G7 summit: Gennaro Sangiuliano is also said to have used ministry cash to put the woman up at hotels and a ministry car to take her to a Coldplay concert. The Times

France's politicians all say they want to 'break with the past.' But do they really? At a time when French political mistrust is at its highest and everyone is declaring a break with the past, continuity is what is prevailing. The paradox reflects the extreme confusion on the political scene. Françoise Fressoz

How Sudan’s devastating civil war became a global battleground: With 150,000 dead and millions displaced, Russia, Iran and the UAE are jockeying for influence. FT

Bloomberg: Israel offers Hamas leader safe exit from Gaza in bid to end war

***  US Politics + Elections ***

The billionaire backers: The richest Americans have so far given more to Trump than to Harris in the 2024 presidential election campaign. Bloomberg

WSJ: Trump and Harris trade barbs in fiery debate

WP: Harris forces Trump to defend record during contentious debate

NYT: Fierce exchanges over country’s future dominate debate

FT: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump clash over economy and abortion

Bloomberg: Harris, Trump teams say they want another debate

BBC: Trump and Harris clash on key issues in fiery presidential debate

AP: Harris presses forceful case in debate with Trump

+ @JuliaManch: NEWS: Harris campaign is calling for a second debate

Taylor Swift has endorsed Kamala Harris for President.

JD Vance escalates xenophobic rhetoric in appeal to Republican base: FT reports Donald Trump’s running mate recycles conspiracy theories about Haitians and pets in Ohio.

White House denounces 'dangerous' false claims about Haitian immigrants spread by JD Vance: NBC News reports Vance said Tuesday that people in Springfield had contacted his office about their neighbors’ pets and that he wouldn’t be dissuaded by debunkings in the news media. 

Elon Musk’s misleading election claims reach millions and alarm election officials: WP reports the X billionaire’s false posts about noncitizen voting spur officials to fact-check him, lead to requests to purge voter rolls, and add to worries about threats.

Donald Trump's call to mandate free IVF coverage baffles Republicans in Congress: NBC News reports Trump’s plan drew a mix of confusion, skepticism and opposition from his GOP allies on Capitol Hill. It even surprised his own advisers, a source said.

Johnson’s spending plan falters, facing resistance from both parties: NYT reports Speaker Mike Johnson’s first effort to avert a government shutdown ran into a buzz saw of opposition from both far-right and mainstream Republicans.

The Hill: Trump: GOP shouldn’t fund government without ‘assurances on Election Security’

Trump calls for government shutdown if voting laws aren’t changed: WSJ reports House Speaker Mike Johnson’s measure designed to pressure Democrats over voter IDs faces GOP defections.

Axios: Trump backs Mike Johnson into a corner on shutdown

Politico: Vance would have asked for new electors instead of certifying 2020 election results

+ Trump’s current running mate said Pence “could have done more.”

Firm run by brother of top NYC officials is focus of bribery inquiry: NYT reports Terence Banks opened a consulting firm and soon found work with companies that do business with the city agencies overseen by his older brothers.

*** Disruption + Innovation ***

Starbucks’s new CEO targets hectic stores, overwhelming menus: WSJ reports Brian Niccol says the chain must improve filling orders on time and make its cafes more welcoming.

US regulator signals doubts about proposed Circle K and 7-Eleven deal: FT reports the merger of convenience store and petrol station chains would create one of the largest retail groups in America.

Have we finally reached ‘Peak Aldi’? Despite continued store openings, the discount chain’s focus seems to be shifting to profitability. FT

Bobbi Brown is en route to her second billion-dollar company: Jones Road is another business miracle (balm) in the making. FT

The rise and fall of a green-energy superstar: Enviva cashed in on a boom in wood pellets, then a disastrous trade led to bankruptcy; questions about environmental claims. WSJ

The college dropout who invested billions to cozy up with Elon Musk: Venture capitalist John Hering bet his career, time and money on Musk enterprises, seeking a favored seat beside the world’s richest man. WSJ

WP: Apple, Google must pay billions in back taxes and fines, EU court rules

Apple loses landmark tax case with the EU: The Times reports that the European Court of Justice finds that Ireland granted Apple €13 billion in unlawful state aid.

Apple must pay €13bn in back taxes, top EU court rules: FT reports the European Court of Justice confirms Ireland provided ‘unlawful aid’ via tax deal and overturns a lower court decision.

Who’s paying for Apple Intelligence in new iPhones? Probably you. WP

Apple’s strategy to stay on top: A large part of the company’s revenue now comes from digital services. That has radically reshaped the company’s culture — and its appetite for risk. Bloomberg

China’s Huawei shows the world its $2,800 ‘trifold’ phone: NYT reports the latest announcement from Apple’s China rival came just hours after the unveiling of iPhone 16.

Not everyone needs to have an opinion on AI: Too many organisations feel compelled to speak out on matters outside their control. Stephen Bush

Bloomberg: Amazon to invest £8 billion in UK, continuing AWS expansion

+ Move follows similar investments announced in Spain, Germany

+ Chancellor Reeves says decision is ‘start of economic revival’

Bloomberg: TSMC’s August revenue climbs 33% as AI chip demand holds up

+ Growth is robust though down slightly from July’s pace

+ Investors have been concerned about the pace of AI spending

VW ends three-decade job security pact in Germany: FT reports the trade union responds by threatening strike action at Europe’s largest carmaker.

Bloomberg: BMW brake recall and VW job threat deepen German industry crisis

+ Luxury car-maker finds faulty brakes in 1.5 million vehicles

+ VW confirms plan to end three decades of German job guarantees

Polaris Dawn astronauts launch on ambitious private mission: NYT reports the mission is taking people farther from Earth than anyone has traveled since the end of NASA’s Apollo moon missions.

*** Culture ***

Ralph Fiennes ushers in a new pope to open Toronto International Film Festival: Also showing: Mike Leigh’s latest family drama and stirring 1950s romance ‘On Swift Horses.’ FT

‘Billionaire Island’: ‘Succession’ meets seafood on Netflix: A series follows the cutthroat corporate intrigue surrounding a Norwegian family’s salmon business. WSJ

France's first lady Brigitte Macron makes cameo in new 'Emily in Paris' episode: Le Monde reports the idea of the cameo emerged after the series' creator Darren Star and the show's star Lily Collins met Emmanuel Macron's wife at the Elysée Palace in December 2022, Elle magazine revealed. The second half of the fourth season is being released Thursday on Netflix.

*** Sport ***

Mauricio Pochettino hired as US men’s national soccer team coach: WP reports known for nurturing young players and deploying proactive tactics, Pochettino will take over a US team that has less than two years to prepare for the World Cup.

ESPN has a plan to survive cable’s demise. It won’t be easy. As millions flee cable, ESPN admits, “We have to be everywhere.” But the pivot to streaming comes with financial challenges. WP

Women's soccer wants to be more like the NFL: National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman is presiding over a pivotal moment for women’s soccer. Can she help turn astronomical growth into a sustained business? Bloomberg


Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc 

Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal