World Economic Forum, EU, Kamala Harris, Philip Morris, Oscar Nominations

Caracal Global Daily
January 22, 2019
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia 

Caracal Global Daily  = News + Analysis at the Intersection of Globalization + Disruption + Politics

TOP FIVE

✔️ World Economic Forum annual meeting opens in Davos

✔️ Merkel and Macron sign new treaty to revive EU

✔️ Kamala Harris is running for president

✔️ Philip Morris keeps powder dry on cannabis

✔️ Roma and The Favourite lead Oscar nominations
 

GLOBALIZATION

Switzerland: The World Economic Forum annual meeting opens in Davos.

The world braces for slower growth: WSJ reports, China’s trade dispute with the US, Brexit, Italian fiscal troubles and a fall in German industrial production are all signs of the sweep of a brewing synchronized global slowdown.

Trump, Macron, and May skip Davos.

The International Monetary Fund trimmed its global growth forecasts on Monday and a survey showed increasing pessimism among business chiefs.

A survey by PwC of nearly 1,400 chief executives found that 29 percent believe global economic growth will decline over the next 12 months, the highest percentage since 2012.

Dozens of ministers ready to quit over no‑deal Brexit: The Times reports, up to 40 members of the government will resign next week if Conservative MPs are banned from voting for a plan to stop a no-deal Brexit, No 10 has been told. Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, has demanded that all Tory MPs are allowed a free vote on plans.

Merkel and Macron sign new treaty to revive EU: DW reports, a follow-up pact to the Elysee Treaty marks the latest gesture of friendship between France and Germany. The new bilateral pact pledges deeper cooperation between the two nations and paves the way for EU reforms.

Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou: The US will proceed with the formal extradition from Canada of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, Canada’s ambassador to the United States told the Globe and Mail, as Beijing vowed to respond to Washington’s actions. The deadline for filing is Jan. 30, or 60 days after Meng was arrested on Dec. 1 in Vancouver.

Reuters: Canada should ban Huawei from 5G networks, says former spy chief

China’s plan for tech dominance is advancing, business groups say: WSJ reports, in a joint report to the US Trade Representative, the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in China say Beijing’s ambitious plan to become a global technology leader is being widely implemented, casting doubt on efforts by Chinese officials to play down its significance.

Taiwan draws up China tech blacklist to elevate ban on Huawei: Nikkei reports, security concerns also prompt ban on use of Hikvision and Dahua products.

Nikkei: Xi plans talks with Modi to counter US on trade and Indo-Pacific

How Huawei wooed Europe with sponsorships, investments, and promises: NYT reports, as the Chinese telecommunications giant faces scrutiny over its security, its careful cultivation of European governments and customers is at risk of unraveling.

Brussels fines Mastercard €570m for restricting competition: FT reports, credit card group limited banks’ ability to ‘shop around’, EU says.

AFP: Ex-PM Tymoshenko launches bid for Ukraine presidency

US, North Korean spies have held secret talks for a decade: WSJ reports, years of covert contacts with America’s bitter adversary helped pave the way for President Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un. A comprehensive description of how the channel worked adds texture to the public picture of mutual threats and stymied talks.

DISRUPTION

Tokyo airport tests driverless bus to shuttle visitors.

POLITICS

Election 2020: Kamala Harris (D-CA) is running for president

South Carolina already looms large for Democrats in 2020: NYT reports, in an increasingly diverse Democratic Party, South Carolina will be the first presidential primary in which a majority of voters will be African-American.

Democrats seek changes to revamped NAFTA deal: FT reports, Demands raise prospect of stand-off or even new negotiations over trade pact.

FT: Five books that explain the US government shutdown

It’s even worse than it looks: How the American constitutional system collided with the new politics of extremism - Norm Ornstein and Thomas Mann
White trash: The 400-year untold history of class in America - Nancy Isenberg
The unwinding: An inner history of the new America - George Packer
Dark money: The hidden history of the billionaires behind the rise of the radical right - Jane Mayer
Devil’s bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump and the storming of the presidency - Joshua Green

OTD: In 1946 President Truman signed a directive establishing the Central Intelligence Group, from which the CIA was later created.

COMMERCE

Philip Morris keeps powder dry on cannabis: FT reports, tobacco group wary of large investment amid differing regulatory policies worldwide.

Foxconn is considering producing the devices in India.

CNBC: Shares of eBay surge as Elliott Management reveals $1.4 billion stake, recommends portfolio review

Elliott said eBay should off StubHub, as well was its "portfolio of Classifieds properties."

Toyota + Panasonic announce electric car battery tie-up

CULTURE

Roma and The Favourite lead Oscar nominations: WSJ reports, Roma and The Favourite took the lead in the Oscar race, receiving 10 nominations each, including best picture and best lead actress, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its nominees on Tuesday.

Best picture nominees: 

Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book 
Roma
A Star Is Born
Vice

Actor in a leading role:

Christian Bale, Vice
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity's Gate
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book

Actress in a leading role:

Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Glenn Close, The Wife
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

NYT: Green Book wins PGA award and has best picture in sight 

SPORT

AO Semis:

Men's:

#1 Tsitsipas v Nadal
#2 TBD

Women's:

#1 Kvitova v Collins
#2 TBD