Good morning, Quartz readers!
Today, we’re releasing What Happens Next—our video guide to the future. To make five documentaries, each under 15 minutes long, our team traveled from tiny Pacific islands and South Dakota farms to Oregon forests, Canadian cities, and Central American backlands. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of human life poised to see large changes in the years to come—money, work, food, fact, and home.
What to watch for today
Kenyans head to the polls, again. The previous presidential election was nullified over hacking claims by the opposition party, whose candidate, Raila Odinga, has since withdrawn. Odinga is calling for a boycott of the contest, which was allowed to proceed after not enough justices showed up to rule on a potential challenge.
Catalonia’s parliament meets. At a plenary session, the regional Junts pel Si party will state its response to Madrid’s decision to impose direct rule over Catalonia under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution. Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras said the region has “no choice” but to declare independence and will “work toward building a republic.”
The ECB holds an important meeting in Frankfurt. European Central Bank president Mario Draghi is expected to announce (paywall) plans to scale back its bond purchases as part of its €2.3 trillion ($2.72 trillion) quantitative-easing program.
Thailand bids farewell to its king. The body of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died last year at age 88, will be cremated in front of Bangkok’s Grand Palace in a $90 million, five-day ceremony that’s expected to draw about 250,000 mourners. US defense secretary James Mattis will attend the ceremony.
US-bound airlines roll out new security rules. The measures could include “short security interviews” at departure airports. About 325,000 passengers on some 2,000 commercial flights will be affected every day.
While you were sleeping
South Korea’s economy grew at the fastest pace in seven years. GDP rose 1.4% in the third quarter from the previous quarter, marking the best quarterly economic performance since 2010. Exports, which make up some 40% of the economy, jumped 6.1% after a decline in the previous quarter.
New Zealand’s new prime minister was sworn in. Jacinda Ardern promised a government that would be “focused, empathetic, and strong,” and would take seriously issues such as climate change and poverty. Some members of her cabinet made their oaths in the Māori language.
More men were named in sexual harassment allegations. Five women said Game Change co-author and journalist Mark Halperin sexually harassed them while he was working at ABC News; Halperin apologized for his “inappropriate” behavior in a statement. Former US president George H.W. Bush also issued an apology after an actress said he groped her in 2014 during a photo op.
Cambridge Analytica sought Assange’s help against Clinton. Following a report earlier that the data analytics firm, used by the Trump campaign during last year’s election, had approached WikiLeaks to release thousands of Hillary Clinton’s emails, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange confirmed the approach took place. Assange said WikiLeaks rejected the request.
Brazil’s president survived a corruption vote. Michel Temer won enough votes in the lower house of Brazil’s congress to avoid facing trial on corruption charges in a case involving meatpacking giant JBS. Temer is safe from further investigation until he steps down at the end of next year.
Quartz obsession interlude
Molly Rubin on the true cost of the iPhone X. “Are the new bells and whistles and bigger screen worth, for example, 50% of your monthly salary? That’s a decision consumers in Spain will have to reckon with when the iPhone X goes on sale next month. In India and China, smartphone markets poised for massive growth and where Apple is trying to expand, the iPhone X costs far more than the typical monthly income in each country; in India, the new model will cost almost as much as the average citizen makes in a year.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Hurricane victims are getting too much stuff and not enough money. Aid experts say that donations rarely match up with needs on the ground.
Facebook thinks too little of us. Its new Explore feed uses an algorithm to predict what we’ll like, but it’s actually a distillation of the worst parts of the internet.
Corporate insistence on four-year degrees is a costly mistake. It’s one reason US employers can’t fill 6.1 million openings.
Surprising discoveries
A Japanese company is tackling “noodle harassment.” Food maker Nissin is selling an electric fork that emits noises to mask the noise of slurping, a Japanese habit Nissin says is an annoyance to foreigners.
You should wash your apples with baking soda. The mild bleach used by growers doesn’t remove much pesticide residue.
The island Bangladesh is planning to put Rohingya refugees on is hardly an island. Thengar Char appeared only recently as Himalayan sediments carried to the sea collected and settled, forming a flimsy land mass.
A German photographer is giving voice to sad office plants. German Business Plants is an attempt to document the lonely cacti and wilting succulents in offices in a coffee-table book.
The 74-year-old “Ninja of Heisei” has been unmasked. Police were surprised at the age of the nimble Japanese thief.
Singapore now has the world’s most powerful passport. Holders can now access 159 countries, narrowly edging out Germany.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, neglected potted plants, and baking soda to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android.