Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Burgers, queso, and AT&T. In another big day of earnings reports, AT&T is expected to post a slight sales dip, but investors are more interested in an update on its $85 billion takeover of Time Warner. McDonald’s, meanwhile, is forecast to report a increase (paywall) in global same-store sales. Chipotle will also reveal its first quarterly earnings since it launched its queso dish in September—some analysts fear a “worst queso scenario.”
The 120-day US ban on refugee admissions expires. The White House is expected to announce tougher vetting rules and a lower cap on the number of refugees admitted to the US. Last month, it said the figure would be 45,000 for fiscal 2018—the lowest since the refugee admissions program began in 1975.
Trump talks tax reform with fellow Republicans. The US president hopes to lobby senators by making an appearance at their weekly policy lunch for the first time since taking office. Budget and tax overhauls will top the agenda.
While you were sleeping
The US threatened Myanmar over its treatment of the Rohingya. The Trump administration warned yesterday it could impose economic measures (paywall) against those responsible for atrocities against the Muslim minority group, and said military units involved in operations against the Rohingya were ineligible for US aid.
Rihanna powered Puma sales. A popular new collection created by the singer helped boost the German sportswear company’s sales. Puma is in the midst of a revival in the US, thanks to its retro styles. Parent company Kering is expected to consider a sale next year, now that the brand is getting back on its feet.
Xi Jinping achieved Mao-like status. China’s communist party added “Xi Jinping Thought” to its constitution on the final day of the 19th National Congress. Until now, Mao Zedong was the only Communist leader to have been honored with his own political philosophy while still alive. China watchers note that challenging Xi could now be tantamount to challenging the party itself.
UniCredit accidentally released earnings two weeks early. Italy’s biggest bank jumped the gun (paywall) on European bank earnings season when it accidentally sent its third-quarter results to investors on Monday night. It was a pleasant surprise: net profit was up by 34% at the bank, which is in the middle of a big restructuring drive.
Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law were set free on bail. They were released pending an appeal against convictions for their role in the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement protests in 2014. The two were jailed in August after a court said it needed to “send out a clear message to society.”
Quartz obsession interlude
Jill Petzinger on Germany’s website for debunking the lies that traffickers tell refugees. “The site lists the seven biggest lies told by smugglers, based on what refugees told European media. The top lie: ‘The ship for the crossing is very big, it even has a pool and a cinema.’ The site explains that human traffickers use old, unseaworthy boats so they can make as much money as possible, adding that more than 5,000 people died crossing the Mediterranean in such boats last year.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
India should legalize commercial surrogacy but regulate it heavily. Surrogate mothers should be treated as full human beings who have the right to choose how they get pregnant, among other things.
The key to focus is a little loneliness. In a world overrun with distraction, it helps to build some solitude into your schedule.
Leadership training programs fail women. By focusing on a narrow set of competencies, firms fail to spot leaders (paywall) who perform well in areas like collaboration and development.
Surprising discoveries
Kodak unwittingly exposed the atomic bomb. The company’s radiosensitive film appeared foggy, and it traced the problem to a secret bomb test in New Mexico in 1945.
A 21-year-old woman spent three years sweating blood. Doctors diagnosed her with hematohidrosis, a rare condition with no discernible cause.
Stephen Hawking’s PhD thesis broke the internet. “Properties of Expanding Universes” was made public Monday, and the rush to download it crashed Cambridge University’s site.
A Quebec man was fined $149 for singing in his car. Taoufik Moalla said he was pulled over for belting out a spirited rendition of “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” by C&C Music Factory.
High-fashion brand Balenciaga is selling a sock with a sole for $700. The new “sock-sneaker” is going viral in fashion capitals around the world.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ultra-luxury socks, and ’90s R&B bangers to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android.