25 talking points for better conversation at cocktails from news of the past week.
1. Russia has more than 320,000 soldiers in Ukraine.
2. The head of the Wagner group is known as a "general without epaulets."
3. US opens embassy in Solomon Islands amid China threat.
4. The US government has 18 intelligence agencies.
5. QOTW: "Who is this Tucker Carlson? All these wonderful Republicans seem somehow terrified of his perspective." -- Boris Johnson speaking at the Atlantic Council
6. US Senate Election 2024: All four border states that touch Mexico – Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas – have Senate races next year.
7. On average, White House chiefs of staff last eighteen months.
8. Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will deliver the GOP response to Biden's SOTU.
9. Nikki Haley plans to announce her presidential run in Charleston on February 15 officially.
10. According to the The Canadian Automobile Association, the prices of EVs currently available in Canada can range from $39,498 to $189,000.
11. Canada moves to make one-fifth of all vehicle sales electric starting in 2026.
12. General Motors will invest $650 million in a US lithium mine to secure EV battery materials.
13. TravelCenters of America will partner with Electrify America to install 1,000 EV chargers at truck stops.
14. Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft broke their lobbying spending records last year as they fended off heightened scrutiny.
15. Apple's advertising unit generates about $4 billion annually.
16. Boeing delivers its last 747 after producing more than 1,500 planes.
17. ExxonMobil notched a record $59 billion in 2022 profit.
18. China's tourists are back: Gaming revenue in Macau jumped 82.5%.
19. More than 50% of employees in major cities are now working in person, according to building-security company Kastle Systems.
20. Scent-a Fe: New Mexico could be the first state with an official aroma.
21. The Sierra Nevada snowpack has been at its highest since 1995.
22. Nike's Jordan Brand brought in $5.1 billion in fiscal 2022.
23. The Seattle Sounders FC will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, making them the oldest American club in MLS.
24. Marty Walsh, the labor secretary, has reportedly been approached to run the National Hockey League (NHL) players' union.
25. Trump courses will host three tournaments for Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for senior executives with global ambition.
ITK Daily curates news @ the intersection of globalization, disruption, politics, culture, + sport and provides actionable insights and sharp commentary.
