What to watch for today
Hilton hits the road. The hotel chain, expected to go public before the end of the year, could kick off its IPO roadshow this week. Blackstone, the private equity group that bought Hilton for $26.7 billion six years ago, reportedly hopes to raise $2.25 billion in a deal valuing the company at $30 billion.
Biden heads to Asia. The US vice president is on a trip to Japan, China, and South Korea amid rising tensions over a territorial dispute in the East China Sea. His first stop is Tokyo, where he is expected to express his support for the longstanding US-Japan military alliance.
Krispy Kreme’s sweet earnings. The doughnut company is set to report its 20th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, and analysts expect third-quarter earnings growth of 25%, to 15 cents per share.
Cyber Monday in the US. The Monday following Thanksgiving, when many Americans return to their offices after the holiday weekend, is typically the biggest day of the year for US online sales. This year $2 billion of purchases are expected, up from $1.5 billion last year, in contrast to in-person Thanksgiving weekend shopping, which fell 3% from last year.
Europe’s manufacturing growth. Research firm Markit Economics releases PMI data about manufacturing industries in the euro zone and several of its member countries, which will shed light on Europe’s economic recovery. Preliminary data shows Germany’s manufacturing index hitting a 29-month high of 52.5 (numbers above 50 indicate expansion).
Cameron is in China to talk trade. The UK’s prime minister, David Cameron, wants to increase exports to China, and will discuss trade with premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.
Over the weekend
Amazon is testing drone delivery. CEO Jeff Bezos said on “60 Minutes” the company could deliver packages via small, unmanned aircraft in as few as four years. Federal Aviation Administration regulations currently prohibit drone use in return for payment, however.
Protests turned deadly in Thailand. Four people died and dozens have been hurt in unrest as anti-government demonstrators try to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he’d met with the PM and has given her two days to step down.
Riots in Ukraine, too. More than 100,000 people marched in Kiev, defying a national ban on protests in Independence Square, after the Ukrainian government rejected a deal to establish closer trade and political ties with the EU.
A New York train derailed. Four were killed and more than 60 injured when a Metro-North railroad train ran off the tracks in the Bronx, New York, marking the third time this year its service to Manhattan has been disrupted because of an accident.
China set off for space. China launched its first lunar rover mission, a rocket that is expected to reach the moon in mid-December. The rover is called Jade Rabbit, after an ancient Chinese myth about the lunar goddess’ pet rabbit.
Quartz obsession interlude
Todd Woody on Japan’s plan to supply the world with solar energy from a giant plant on the moon. “Unlike terrestrial solar power plants, orbiting solar panels can generate energy around the clock. The part-time nature of earthbound solar power means it can’t currently supply the minimum or ‘baseload’ demand without backup from fossil-fuel plants. However, the cost of lifting the solar panels into orbit would be far higher than for building a photovoltaic power plant on earth.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
It should be legal to pay bone marrow donors. Allowing compensation would enlarge the donor pool and save lives in the US, where up to 3,000 people die every year while waiting for a match.
Vladimir Putin’s chronic lateness is a deliberate tactic. It’s part of his desire to be seen as a tsar among world leaders.
Good riddance to Movember. The grow-a-mustache-for-charity month is self-indulgent, misguided, and doesn’t even do much to promote men’s health.
It’s not enough just to translate video games. Bringing out an Arabic version of an English-language game means taking account of cultural differences too.
Surprising discoveries
How the other half thinks. Computer scientists developed a recommendation engine so Twitter users can more easily be exposed to those with opposing views.
Hospice services for pets. In a growing “end of life movement” for dogs and cats, veterinarians are offering palliative care so pets can be put down comfortably at home.
Our brains have not one but two internal clocks. And they compete with each other.
Parents of daughters lean Republican. Having only daughters, or a first-born girl, makes parents more likely to vote conservative.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, cast-off mustaches and lunar rabbit myths to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter here for updates during the day.