Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Uber’s appeal in London. The troubled ride-hailing firm gets a hearing over the city transport regulator’s refusal to renew its license. Next week, the European Court of Justice decides whether Uber is a technology or a transport company, which will determine whether it is bound by strict local taxi regulations.
The women who publicly accused Trump of sexual harassment speak out. They will call on Congress to investigate the president for sexual misconduct at a 10:30am ET press conference, organized by Brave New Films.
A huge day for online shopping. Ebay is credited with coining the phrase “Green Monday” more than 10 years ago, marking the day when people rush to make orders to ensure delivery by Christmas. Last year, online sales on Green Monday reached a record $1.6 billion.
Over the weekend
Bitcoin futures had a wild debut. They officially began trading at 6pm ET Sunday in Chicago, opening at $15,460 before surging past $18,000 as Asia came online, twice triggering circuit breakers. The futures are tied to the digital currency’s auction price on the Gemini Exchange run by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Cue the skeptics.
California’s massive wildfire scorched another 50,000 acres. It is now the fifth-largest wildfire in the state’s history. The blaze had consumed a total of 230,000 acres by Sunday night, and authorities said it was only 10% contained. More than 35,000 residents in Santa Barbara County have received evacuation orders.
Nikki Haley said women who accused Trump of sexual harassment “should be heard.” Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told CBS that the women have a right to speak up, including against the president. As sexual misconduct allegations have piled up against powerful men, many are wondering why Trump hasn’t suffered any consequences after around 16 women last year accused him of inappropriate behavior.
Jerusalem and Beirut experienced more violence. On Sunday, a Palestinian man stabbed an Israeli security guard in Jerusalem, while in Beirut security forces fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters near the US embassy. Violent protests have raged in the Middle East since Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last week.
Nicolás Maduro tightened his grip on Venezuela. The autocratic president said his Socialist Party won more than 300 of the country’s 335 counties in mayoral elections. Sunday’s voting had low turnout after a boycott by opposition parties, which have now been banned from participating in next year’s presidential election.
JPMorgan Chase landed a new leader for its Sapphire Reserve card. It recruited Matthew Massaua from Barclays’s credit-card division (paywall). Sapphire cards have caught on with millennials, who pay a steep annual fee for the perks, even though there are better deals out there.
Quartz obsession interlude
Preeti Varathan and Dan Kopf on the many languages of India spoken in America. “As of last week, the US Census Bureau is taking stock of just how many people in the US speak Tamil—along with Punjabi, Telugu, and Bengali. Historically, the way the US census tracked South Asians was messy and often inaccurate—not tracking them at all or confusing them for white.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Professional managers are “bozos.” So argued a young Steve Jobs when he laid out the difference between leading and managing.
Student loans should be scrapped. Brown University decided to replace them with scholarships, sending a message to other top schools.
Intellectuals are failing to explain today’s world. They disdainfully blame social upheaval on “stupid people,” rather than examining why millions feel anxious and insecure.
Surprising discoveries
Google was born partly out of CIA and NSA research grants for mass surveillance. It’s not usually part of the search giant’s origin story.
Stoneless avocados are here to banish hand injuries. Marks & Spencer is selling a mini version, with edible skin and no stone.
Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year ban on cinemas. Movie theaters, long shuttered in the strict fundamentalist society, will reopen in March next year.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics mascot will be chosen by children. A raccoon, a cat, two foxes, and a pair of amiable aliens are in a heated race for their favor.
The woman who wrote the screenplay for the 1980 hit film 9 to 5 didn’t always get credit for it. Patricia Resnick was overshadowed by a man.
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