Caracal Daily | September 24
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 Tuesday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Trump looms over Climate Week as UN returns: Politico reports discussions about the US election are expected to shape the environmental mega-gathering.
CNN: Foreign leaders jostle for meetings with Trump and Harris, even as Biden ramps up his diplomacy
The stakes behind Ukraine's surprise attack inside Russian territory CBS News
Ukrainian President Zelensky begins US visit with ammunition factory to thank workers: Le Monde reports Zelensky will speak at the UN General Assembly annual gathering in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday and then travel to Washington for talks on Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Times Tribune : Ukrainian leader thanks workers at Scranton ammo factory
+ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday thanked the employees at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant who produce 155mm artillery shells for his country's military.
China calls for more support for its Ukraine peace plan created with Brazil: AP reports China called on Tuesday for more countries to endorse its peace plan for Ukraine, after a round of diplomacy with Indonesia, Brazil and South Africa to support its plan. Envoy Li Hui called the three countries representative of the Global South and “important forces in promoting world peace” who share similar positions with China.
‘Genuine desire’: Putin backs China peace plan to end Ukraine war: Al Jazeera reports an isolated Putin is to meet Xi to rally support for war, but cautious China is wary of punitive measures from the West.
China unveils new measures to aid ailing economy: WSJ reports but economists say the moves are unlikely to be enough to repair a broken housing market or pull the economy out of a deflationary rut.
China’s central bank unleashed an unprecedented blitz of policy support for the economy, as authorities made their boldest swing so far to hit this year’s annual growth target of about 5%, after a flurry of Wall Street banks downgraded their forecasts.
Top economist in China vanishes after private WeChat comments: WSJ reports a government adviser was detained and removed from his posts after he allegedly criticized the Chinese leader’s management of the economy.
China is striking deals to cement its role as Asia’s trade hub: Beijing’s leaders are working with regional neighbors on the country’s western, northern, and southern borders to develop new rail and sea links. NYT
At the world’s largest shipyard, US courts an ally to face up to China: WSJ reports South Korea offers shipbuilding capacity, know-how and talent that rivals China, but American ships by law must be built in the US.
Japan warns Russia over violating airspace, fires flares for first time: WSJ reports Japanese jet fighters fired warning flares at a Russian military reconnaissance plane that violated Japan’s airspace, the first time Tokyo has taken such an aggressive stance against incursions of its airspace.
Reuters: Iran's Guards ban communications devices after strike on Hezbollah
The vast Hezbollah arsenal awaiting Israel in Lebanon: WSJ reports if a full-scale war comes to Lebanon, Israel will be fighting on Hezbollah’s turf and its advantages in technology and intelligence won’t be as decisive.
WSJ: Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets kill nearly 500
Biden works against the clock as violence escalates in the Middle East: NYT reports President Biden is beginning to acknowledge that he is simply running out of time to help forge a cease-fire and hostage deal with Hamas, his aides say. And the risk of a wider war has never looked greater.
Sadness and dread as the next Lebanon war looms: The law of unintended consequences has always played a role in conflicts in the Middle East. David Ignatius
Pentagon to send more US troops to Middle East as tensions rise: WP reports Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, declined to say exactly how many troops were deploying, citing operational security.
Meta’s Nick Clegg tears into Rishi Sunak’s AI doomerism: The Meta exec and former deputy PM said Britain had “wasted a huge amount of time” focusing on the gloomy risks of artificial intelligence. Politico
Tech giants push to dilute Europe's AI Act: Reuters reports the world's biggest technology companies have embarked on a final push to persuade the European Union to take a light-touch approach to regulating artificial intelligence as they seek to fend off the risk of billions of dollars in fines.
Italy’s UniCredit trades blows with Berlin over Commerzbank: WSJ reports Germany’s chancellor decried “unfriendly attacks” on banks after UniCredit moved to raise its stake in the lender.
Satellite footage suggests Russia ICBM launch test was a disaster: WP reports the apparent launch failure raised questions about Russia’s military capabilities and put in a dent in the Kremlin’s nuclear saber-rattling.
López Obrador changed Mexico — but not in the ways he promised: The president’s support for the working poor was wildly popular. But he left much of his predecessors’ policies in place, and corruption, violence and impunity remain rampant. WP
G+M: Trudeau to be guest on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ during New York visit
The US Commerce Department is planning to reveal proposed rules that would ban Chinese- and Russian-made hardware and software for connected vehicles as soon as Monday, said people familiar with the matter. The Biden Administration’s primary concern is preventing China or Russia from hacking vehicles or tracking cars by intercepting communication with software systems that their domestic companies have created.
Russia, Iran use AI to boost anti-US influence campaigns, officials say: American intelligence officials say Moscow’s efforts, aimed mostly at undermining Harris, are the most aggressive. WP
America’s crisis of deterrence: How to adapt an old theory to new realities. Carter Malkasian
What was the Biden Doctrine? Leadership without hegemony. Jessica T. Mathews
Biden’s foreign policy goals slip as clock ticks: Biden’s top foreign policy priority right now is a Gaza cease-fire deal. That’s not looking likely. Politico
Today: Biden will deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.
Wednesday: Biden will participate in a meeting with Tô Lâm, president of Vietnam and general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Thursday: Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The US lost the battery race to China. Can it make a comeback? Peter Coy
US pitches ban on Chinese tech in driverless and connected vehicles: WP reports officials also flag Russia, cite risk of spying and sabotage.
Electronic warfare spooks airlines, pilots, and air-safety officials: Hundreds of daily flights around the world are running into GPS spoofing, a hazard that poses new risks for pilots and passengers. WSJ
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Trump shows signs of strength in Sun Belt battlegrounds, polls find: New polls from The New York Times and Siena College showed Donald J. Trump ahead in Arizona and leading in tight races in Georgia and North Carolina. NYT
+ Trump 50%, Harris 45% in Arizona … Trump 49%, Harris 45% in Georgia … Trump 49%, Harris 47% in North Carolina.
WI-POTUS: A new Wisconsin Watch/MassINC poll in Wisconsin finds Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump, 53% to 46%.
+ Three former chairs of the Maine Republican Party “enthusiastically” endorsed Kamala Harris for president in the Bangor Daily News.
Mapping 8 paths to victory for Harris and Trump in the 2024 election: Five likely scenarios based on the candidates’ current standing in the polls and three less likely scenarios, including a tie in the electoral college. WP
AJC: Georgia is key to the Southern strategies of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to help grow investment in artificial intelligence and crypto if elected, pitching her economic agenda to donors in New York City on Sunday as one that would bolster innovation and focus regulations on protecting consumers and investors.
Why every campaign needs a Tim Walz: Finding someone who can reassure important voter blocs is a key part of any successful election bid. Stephen Bush
Trump and his campaign enter turbulent phase in final weeks: Whatever control and self-restraint helped launch Trump’s third presidential campaign have largely disappeared. WP
Trump issues fresh trade threats, targeting Deere: WSJ reports the Republican presidential nominee called for a 200% tariff on goods made in Mexico that were previously made in the US.
Bloomberg: Trump dangles so many tax breaks even some advisers are confused
+ GOP nominee’s tax pledged are direct appeals to voting blocs
+ Former president’s tax wish list has ballooned to $11 trillion
Vance preps for VP debate with help from his wife, advisers and a Minnesota stand-in for Walz: Rep. Tom Emmer and Usha Vance are among those helping the Ohio senator prepare for the vice presidential debate, a source involved with the process told NBC News.
JD Vance has turned to a Minnesota Republican to help him prepare for the debate: NYT reports Donald J. Trump’s running mate invited Representative Tom Emmer to stand in for his fellow Minnesotan, Gov. Tim Walz, ahead of the vice-presidential debate next month.
CNN: Melania Trump was paid for a rare appearance at a political event. It’s not clear who cut the unusual six-figure check
US election merchandise sellers hit by flood of cheap Chinese competition: US manufacturers say wrongly-labelled online goods are eroding their election-year hopes. FT
TX-SEN: A new Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation poll in Texas finds Ted Cruz (R) just ahead of Colin Allred (D) in the US Senate race, 48% to 45%.
In critical Ohio Senate race, crypto cash looks to tip the scales: The industry has spent over $38 million on ads touting Bernie Moreno, the GOP candidate, as it looks to send new allies to Washington in 2024. WP
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is making moves to be the next leader of the Senate Democratic campaign arm following the November elections, Axios has learned.
FTC head Lina Khan fighting Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Groceries as trustbuster 60 Minutes
Google emails show unease over advertising dominance: At antitrust trial, Justice Department argues internal company communications support its claims of illegal monopolization. WSJ
Lobbying for unfettered innovation is bad for democracy: Lawmakers should resist the efforts of Big Tech to protect its own interests. Marietje Schaake
US inquiry into NYC mayor’s foreign ties said to include 6 countries: NYT reports federal prosecutors investigating Mayor Eric Adams and his campaign’s ties to Turkey issued subpoenas in July for records related to 5 other countries.
WUNC: Nearly all of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's campaign staff quits after CNN report
Mark Robinson’s porn site scandal greeted with shrugs by some Trump backers: WP reports the revelations surrounding the NC gubernatorial candidate mark a test of voters’ tolerance for disturbing allegations in the Trump era.
LAT: Newsom signs California bill to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids
California sues Exxon, alleges plastics deception: WSJ reports the state’s attorney general accused the oil company of misleading consumers about the recyclability of plastic products. It’s seeking civil penalties.
How Tim Miller and The Bulwark became 2024’s unlikely YouTube stars Semafor
Duel of the TikTok boys: MAGA’s John McEntee vs. comic Walter Masterson: They argue, while eating, without ever meeting. John and Walter needle each other — and need each other. WP
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
World’s biggest banks pledge support for nuclear power: FT reports financial institutions including BofA, Morgan Stanley and Goldman back COP28 goal of tripling capacity by 2050.
For now, there’s only one good way to power AI: Chatbots are saving America’s nuclear industry. Matteo Wong
LinkedIn is training AI on you — unless you opt out with this setting: The professional network now by default grants itself permission to use anything you post to train its artificial intelligence. WP
Speaking Saturday at the UN Summit of the Future, Google CEO Sundar Pichai described AI as “the most transformative technology yet” and announced a new fund for AI education and training around the world.
Jony Ive confirms he’s working on a new device with OpenAI: The Verge reports the confirmation comes in a major New York Times profile about what Ive’s been up to since leaving Apple.
After Apple, Jony Ive is building an empire of his own: Five years after leaving Apple, the iPhone designer is forging a new life in San Francisco, one imaginative building at a time. NYT
Lionsgate, studio behind ‘John Wick,’ signs deal with AI startup Runway: Hollywood studio will give the tech company access to its library of movies and shows in exchange for a custom-built AI model. WSJ
An outsider critiqued Meta’s smart glasses. Now she’s in charge of them: Li-Chen Miller is helping lead the social network’s push toward Zuckerberg’s augmented reality ambitions. Bloomberg
Huawei laptop reveals China’s progress towards tech self-sufficiency: A look inside the bestselling Qingyun L540 shows how the campaign to use locally made components is progressing. FT
Microsoft CEO to cyber team: Don’t tell me how great everything is: Nadella is holding weekly meetings to assess efforts to shore up software resilience after a series of embarrassing hacks. Bloomberg
How to keep Uber and Lyft rides affordable and make drivers happy: In the absence of federal legislation for app-based drivers, US cities and states have turned into gig-economy battlegrounds. Is there a better way? Bloomberg
BMW's sales in China took a 42% dip in August, with only 34,800 units sold compared to last year.
AP: Motel 6 sold to Indian hotel operator Oyo for $525 million
*** Culture ***
A day inside Delta’s new ultra-exclusive lounge: Our travel columnist plunked down $1,300 for a business class plane ticket to try out the Delta One Lounge at JFK. WSJ
Rick Astley: ‘I’m not oblivious to how amazing all this is’: He’s the ‘one-hit wonder’ who made so much money he could retire at 27. Now, thanks to a freak moment in internet history, Rick Astley has found a whole new generation of fans who are never gonna give him up. He tells Hadley Freeman about Smiths covers and surviving a violent childhood. The Times
*** Sport ***
Coach Prime doesn’t have the best college football team. He does have the best college football player. Colorado two-way sensation and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter saves an overtime victory. Boulder is rocking for its Buffaloes once again. Jason Gay
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | September 23
Caracal Daily | September 23
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 Monday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
WP: Hezbollah enters ‘new phase’ against Israel; Netanyahu vows to do ‘whatever it takes’
US warns Israel against full-scale war with Hizbollah: FT reports exchanges of fire between Lebanese militant group and Israel are some of the most fierce since October 7.
Bloomberg: Israelis fear attack from restive West Bank will spark wider war
+ Communities wary of falling victim to Oct. 7-style attacks
+ Jewish settler violence stokes animosity in West Bank
Israel and Hizbullah creep closer to all-out war: But Israel does not yet have the forces in place to invade. Economist
Israel and Hezbollah slide toward full-scale war in night of intense strikes: WSJ reports the militant group said it targeted an air base and a developer of Israel's Iron Dome system, while dozens of Israeli warplanes struck southern Lebanon.
Israel’s new Hezbollah strategy: Israel shows the damage the Iran-backed militia will suffer in a full-scale war. WSJ - Editorial
What is Hezbollah’s strategy — and can Israel force a truce? If audacity alone could nudge a sworn enemy towards Netanyahu’s strategic ends, he would be well on the way. The reality is much tougher. Mark Urban
Israel raided the offices of Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based news outlet, in the West Bank, and ordered it to close down for an initial period of 45 days.
On Ukraine’s Snake Island, the heart of the battle for the Black Sea: The Wall Street Journal was granted rare access to the patch of land that Ukraine recaptured in summer 2022. WSJ
WP: Zelensky to appeal to Biden’s legacy in plea to lift Ukraine weapons limits
WP: With nuclear option unlikely, Putin struggles to defend his red lines
How to beat online poker: Russian group won big with AI: How a card-playing Siberian AI outsmarted the world’s brightest researchers and raked in millions. Bloomberg
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist MP, won Sri Lanka’s presidential election after a second round of counting. He defeated Sajith Premadasa, the opposition leader, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, the incumbent.
Neo-Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka election: FT reports outsider rides anti-establishment wave with pledge to root out dynastic corruption while abiding by $3bn IMF bailout.
Marxist leader to become Sri Lanka's next president: Le Monde reports Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the 55-year-old leader of the People's Liberation Front, was declared the winner of the weekend's election with nearly 1.3 million more votes than his nearest rival.
Modi calls India's diaspora its 'strongest ambassadors' in NY speech: Nikkei reports the Indian PM announces 2 new US consulates ahead of UN General Assembly.
Vietnam leader's first US visit: Vietnam's new top leader To Lam is scheduled to speak at Columbia University when he visits the US for the UN General Assembly. The New York trip marks his debut on the global stage since becoming the fast-growing country's Communist Party general secretary in July.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) releases its flagship Asian Development Outlook, providing a crucial forecast for the region's economic trajectory and shedding light on potential growth drivers and challenges.
Roche CEO calls industrial subsides a ‘waste of money’: Severin Schwan criticized the subsidies that the US and European governments are using to boost their manufacturing industries against competition from China and other nations. WSJ
Why Europe needs a foreign economic policy: Current EU structures discourage joined-up thinking in pursuing geostrategic goals. Martin Sandbu
Wednesday: EU vote on China EV tariffs: The European Union's 27 members are due to vote on proposed final tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as the bloc aims to counter Beijing's subsidization of its EV industry.
Angela Rayner: I don’t believe I broke rules over Lord Alli holiday: The Times reports the deputy prime minister didn’t declare that Sam Tarry, then MP for Ilford South, accompanied her at Manhattan apartment but tells the BBC she has been “transparent.”
London’s ultra-rich flee the threat of rising taxes: Labour’s looming triple-whammy to the rich has sped up emigration plans among some of the UK’s well-heeled residents. Bloomberg
Will AI solve the UK’s growth problem? Don’t be so sure: AI might one day follow earlier technological innovations in boosting productivity, including in public services, but it could be agonisingly slow. Diane Coyle
Belfast’s Grand Central Station creates new era for Northern Ireland’s public transport: Bloomberg repotts the new facility expands capacity and integrates train and bus travel.
The revelation of Ireland by Diarmaid Ferriter review — a nation reborn: The Celtic tiger boom years, a debt crisis and a reckoning with industrial-scale child abuse — the past three decades have brought dramatic change. The Times
Barnier government confirms Macron's shift to the right: Le Monde reports the team put together by the new prime minister combines Macron loyalists with a dozen elected representatives from the most conservative right. It's a far cry from the social-democratic roots of Emmanuel Macron's early supporters.
Duo of Macron loyalists at helm of France's Economy and Finance Ministry will ensure continuity: Le Monde reports the hirty-three-year-old Antoine Armand will be in charge of the economy, while 39-year-old Laurent Saint-Martin will try to pass a budget.
Bloomberg: Lula seeks to lead push for global AI rules during Brazil’s G20
+ Brazilian president sees need for Global South voice in debate
+ Consensus remains elusive on how to regulate the technology
Looming US ports strike threatens fresh supply chain crisis: FT reports business groups warn of ‘devastating impact’ on economy if dockworkers walk off the job.
AFP: 'Convergence' growing on global plastics treaty: UN environment chief
The path to global carbon pricing: To tackle climate change, the polluter pays principle needs to spread further and wider. FT - Editorial
The Biden administration is fighting smugglers of a potent greenhouse gas: Since the start of this fiscal year alone, Customs and Border Protection agents have confiscated 211,000 metric tons of planet-warming chemicals. Bloomberg
US worries deepen as adversaries team up to challenge dominance Bloomberg
+ Tighter ties among Russia, China, Iran, North Korea alarm US
+ US global leverage under pressure as rivals push for influence
Trump and Harris have no plans for a world on fire: The foreign policies of the last eight years aren’t sufficient for dealing with two hot wars and a cold one. Hal Brands
US and Taiwan seek to strengthen drone supply chain to keep out China: FT reports co-operation would be part of wider western ‘de-risking’ because of security fears over Chinese products.
The Chinese chipmaker at the heart of the US-China tech war: Efforts by the Beijing-backed Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, or SMIC, to break through innovation barriers have landed it in a geopolitical tech battle. NYT
War in the age of AI demands new weaponry: We must develop now what we need to be ready to fight in the future. Eric Schmidt
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Kamala Harris + Donald Trump are both considering “60 Minutes” interviews that would air back-to-back on Oct. 7 as a campaign grand finale, Axios reports.
WP: Harris campaign accepts Oct. 23 CNN debate, but Trump calls date ‘too late’
Bloomberg: Harris shows momentum in two polls while swing states stay tight
+ Gap closing among voters who care most about the economy
+ Vice President’s favorability skyrockets from July in NBC poll
In Michigan, Democrats hope to benefit from a post-Biden surge of youth energy: NYT reports Democrats in the battleground state are counting on a sea change in the mood of young voters that could bolster their candidates in critical races that will determine who controls Congress.
+ “He’s just deranged.” -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), talking about Donald Trump on CNN.
The Hill: More than 700 high-ranking national security officials endorse Harris
Harris makes undercover push to win over corporate America: WSJ reports Vice President Kamala Harris has campaigned on holding big business accountable but has privately sought advice from CEOs and investors.
Georgia Democrats fear for democracy under Trump. Republicans say Harris threatens prosperity. WSJ reports election-interference charges against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta, after his claims of fraud in 2020, make the issue of “democracy” more salient—and more divisive.
Controversies erupt as Trump and GOP make critical push to voters: A Republican who reportedly called himself a “Black Nazi,” a false story about migrants eating cats and dogs, and a feud with Taylor Swift bring back a sense of chaos. NYT
Springfield, its cats and Haitian migrants reflect the deep polarization of the US: This Ohio town has been the center of attention ever since Donald Trump, during his debate against Kamala Harris, peddled his running mate's false accusations against the Haitian community and local pets. Le Monde
Trump’s pet-eating rant was an effective act of misdirection: The former US president knows how to get everybody talking—for better or worse. Bloomberg
NYT: Mark Robinson’s top aides resign after his reported online remarks
Republican Party kamikazes: In North Carolina and DC, the party’s suicidal impulses are on display. WSJ - Editorial
Republicans boost Jill Stein as potential Harris spoiler: WSJ reports Green Party candidate says she is challenging the two-party system. She also hired a consulting firm that has worked with Republicans.
It’s still the economy, stupid, says Clinton’s mastermind: Americans are struggling with soaring prices. James Carville, the so-called Ragin’ Cajun, warns that Kamala Harris needs to convince people they will be better off. The Times
A changed Montana may decide control of the US Senate: Republicans are trying to seize control of the US Senate by ousting Jon Tester, the last Democrat holding statewide office in a state that not long ago had many of them. NYT
Election day is already here for some US voters as states open the polls early: FT reports Tens of millions of Americans will have cast their ballots before polling day on November 5.
Lobbyists exploit massive loophole to wine and dine lawmakers, aides at fancy getaways: Leading the way is the nonprofit Congressional Institute, which is run by veteran Republican staffers and funded by $3 million in annual dues from private interest groups. Politico
Google to present defense in antitrust trial: WSJ reports the company will lay out its defense in the civil case against its ad business, after the Justice Department argued that Google’s internal communications support its claims of illegal monopolization.
The American Economic Association snubs Hayek: But a Marxist and DEI get plenty of attention at the annual scholarly conference. Mark Skousen
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Electricity that costs nothing—or even less? It’s happening more and more: A big increase in wind and solar power has pushed wholesale prices to zero or below for many hours of the year, spurring a sea change in the way people use power in some parts of the world. WSJ
WP: Microsoft deal would reopen Three Mile Island nuclear plant to power AI
Microsoft AI needs so much power it's tapping site of US nuclear meltdown: Bloomberg reports Constellation to invest $1.6 billion to restart dormant reactor as data-center power demand surges.
Salesforce Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff said his company’s newly introduced artificial intelligence software is a complete package for business customers seeking to take advantage of the emerging technology.
The joys of talking to ChatGPT: Among the ways I find it useful: It helps me cure writer’s block, prepare for meetings in the car and sightsee. Oh, and hang curtains. WSJ
Bloomberg: OpenAI to decide which backers to let into $6.5 billion funding
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing + Samsung have discussed building major new factories in the United Arab Emirates in coming years amid the rise of artificial intelligence, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Qualcomm approached Intel about takeover bid in recent days: FT reports no formal offer has been made in deal which would be biggest tech acquisition in history.
Bloomberg: Apollo to offer multibillion-dollar investment in Intel
+ Investment firm offered equity-like investment in chipmaker
+ Move comes as rival Qualcomm makes approach about takeover
China’s BYD raises car export hopes in Pakistan after being spurned by India: FT reports the planned assembly plant in the country would mark carmaker’s first venture into south Asia as it expands globally.
Nissan to bet on plug-in hybrid technology as EVs lose steam: Nikkei reports Japanese companies scramble to catch up with China in vital 'bridge' vehicle tech.
What does ‘slow news’ startup Tortoise have in store for The Observer? Tortoise Media is on the verge of buying the 233-year-old paper — but rivals and analysts are baffled about the rationale for splashing out on a loss-making venture. The Times
YouTubers like MrBeast are coming for Hollywood: Scandals will not be enough to stop a new generation from taking over. Economist
Paris department stores launch charm offensive: New brands, store exclusives, vintage sections... Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marché are making changes to lure back French customers. Le Monde
*** Culture ***
‘A Very Royal Scandal’: Bumbling onto the BBC: Michael Sheen stars in Prime Video’s gripping miniseries about Prince Andrew’s disastrous TV interview concerning allegations of illicit sex and his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. WSJ
I really can't tell if you're serious: The latest style of engagement-bait video is designed to be confusing—but why? Kaitlyn Tiffany
*** Sport ***
NFL makes historic debut in Brazil—cheers, confusion ensue: Fans yell at wrong times, merrily curse refs in Portuguese and wonder why ‘astronauts’ keep huddling. WSJ
How college football in Florida fell apart: In one of the surprises of the new season, Florida State has crashed back to Earth, while the Gators are on course for another disappointing year. WSJ
F1 has gone crazy again—and it’s completely unmissable: The whole sport was bracing for another season of Max Verstappen dominance. Instead, the field is deeper than it has been in years with seven different race winners this season. WSJ
The International Chess Federation, the game’s governing body, voted to uphold a ban on the national teams of Russia and Belarus in competitions.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal