Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The EU strengthens ties with Cuba. Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who arrived in the island nation yesterday, will meet with Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and others. While relations between the US and Cuba have regressed under Trump, the EU—already Cuba’s biggest investor—is forging ahead with efforts to deepen economic cooperation.
A “bomb cyclone” hits the US east coast. The snowstorm will “resemble a hurricane” and bring some of the region’s coldest temperatures in over a century, with warnings extending from Florida to Maine. The storm follows an “arctic outbreak” that’s caused record-shattering cold in North America.
Myanmar celebrates its 70th Independence Day. Formerly known as Burma, the country has witnessed decades of conflict since its independence from Britain, and it’s currently facing international criticism for the Rohingya crisis.
While you were sleeping
North Korea and South Korea talked on the phone again. Though little of substance was discussed, for the second day in a row the countries continued their major diplomatic breakthrough by chatting on a special hotline located in the Demilitarized Zone. The South had been calling twice daily since February 2016, but until yesterday the North had never picked up.
Tesla missed its Model 3 production targets for a second time. In the fourth quarter it delivered just 1,550 vehicles, versus analyst expectations of over 2,900. That followed a third quarter in which only 222 were delivered, versus Tesla’s own estimate of 1,500. The car’s highly automated assembly line means any glitches slow production dramatically.
The Fed debated the frequency of rate hikes in its December 12-13 meeting. Minutes shared yesterday show that officials at the US central bank were split over how fast they’ll need to raise interest rates this year. While three rate hikes still look likely, some predicted there’d be more, while others felt three might prove too aggressive.
General Motors reported strong numbers in China again. Its sales in the country rose 13.1% last month from a year ago to 491,702 vehicles, having jumped 13% in November. The company sells far more cars in China than in the US, where its sales slipped 3.3% last month (paywall) compared to a year ago.
Quartz obsession interlude
Ida C. Benedetto on how astrology isn’t fake, it’s just been ruined by modern psychology. “In the past 20 years, traditional astrological texts have been translated into modern languages for the first time. These texts come from the same scientists who produced the first analog computer and principles of geometry that we still use today. Modern astrology may be overrun with mushy hocus-pocus thanks to conflations with psychology, but newly accessible ancient astrological methods could produce a revival in the power and credibility of the craft.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Facebook indirectly contributes to the Rohingya genocide. For many Myanmarese, the only portion of the internet they know is packed with hateful propaganda.
Solar energy won’t go mainstream without a boost. Among other help it needs policy changes and research into new materials for solar cells.
Silicon Valley’s sex parties are at the expense of women. They embody the toxic power dynamics at play throughout the tech industry.
Surprising discoveries
A “blended reality” mirror will help you stay fashionable. Amazon filed a patent for the device, which creates a virtual dressing room for users.
Turkmenistan’s president banned black cars. To satisfy Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s latest whim, drivers must repaint their black vehicles at their own expense.
Cadbury is taking a page from Willy Wonka. Anyone who finds one of its rare white chocolate eggs by April 1 will receive £100 ($130).
A dentist must reimburse his mother for raising him. Taiwan’s supreme court ordered the 41-year-old to uphold an agreement he made with his mother at age 20.
Russian trolls are coming for Mitt Romney. It took only 48 hours to get #neverromney trending once the longtime Trump critic seemed poised for a US senate seat.
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