Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The Fed signals on 2019 interest rates. Investors generally expect the central bank to raise rates for the fourth time this year—despite Donald Trump’s warning not to “make yet another mistake”—and are focused on cues from chairman Jerome Powell that this rate-tightening cycle could be coming to an end.
Germany increases scrutiny of non-EU investors. In a move aimed at China, Germany’s cabinet will lower the maximum percentage of a strategically important company that can be bought by a non-EU buyer without review to 10% from 25%.
Theresa May talks Brexit with leaders of Scotland and Wales. The British prime minister will argue that her deal with the EU, which the UK parliament will vote on by January 21, “will deliver for the whole of the UK.” The country will also publish its post-Brexit immigration plans today, which will lay out visa rules for skilled EU migrants.
The US checks in on North Korea. US envoy Stephen Biegun is expected to spend four days in South Korea to discuss stalled talks with Pyongyang over its nuclear program. Biegun said today that the US will review a travel ban and sanctions imposed on North Korea to ensure they don’t restrict humanitarian aid.
A record-setting five rocket launches in a single day. After technical glitches and weather caused several delays, launches are now on tap from ULA, GSLV, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Arianespace.
While you were sleeping
SoftBank’s telecom unit’s stock flopped. After a $24 billion IPO, the world’s second-biggest ever, the group’s mobile-business unit saw its stock plunge more than 10% in morning trading in Tokyo over concerns about competition and a recent outage. Still, the cash raised will help SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son deploy more funds for global tech investments.
China began a big economic policy meeting. With growth slowing and a trade war with the US simmering, president Xi Jinping and Communist Party elite are having a pow-wow till Friday to set the country’s 2019 economic goals (subscription). Meanwhile, a third Canadian was detained in China amid a diplomatic feud over the recent arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer in Vancouver.
A sobering report on journalist killings was released. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 53 journalists were killed in the line of work in 2018. Of that number, 34 were murdered in direct retaliation for their reporting, nearly double the figure for 2017.
The EU’s diplomatic communications were exposed. According to a New York Times report (subscription), thousands of cables over three years were infiltrated by hackers, revealing wide-ranging concerns, including anxieties over Trump’s unpredictability, Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and Russia. The techniques used resembled those of Chinese hackers.
Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline are joining forces. The pharmaceutical companies agreed to a $12.7 billion merger (subscription) of their consumer health units, creating a global giant in over-the-counter products which will eventually be spun off. The merger will free the companies to focus on their more profitable prescription medicine units.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company unveiled a test tunnel. The transit company showed off its first tunnel outside Los Angeles, with Tesla cars on tracking wheels, as part of its ambitious plans to ease road congestion with a network of autonomous underground transport.
Obsession interlude
Love Actually: Netflix and the Hallmark Channel have made the holiday rom-com bigger than ever. But before there was a flood of formulaic flicks, there was an imperfect, complicated insta-classic. Find out why it’s still worth watching in today’s Quartz Obsession.
Membership
The cannabis industry needs to slow its roll. When companies sing the praises of marijuana or bemoan the injustices of prohibition, they’re not necessarily wrong—but they’re definitely self-interested. Most of them have so far played nice, at least partly because they are obsessed with reducing the stigma around the drug and attracting more users. That could change as their wealth and influence grows. Read more here.
Matters of debate
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Blockchain is changing the art world. The technology is good for secure transactions that preserve the anonymity favored by many art buyers and sellers.
It’s hard for pregnant women to be honest about depression. The pressure to feel joy keeps many from admitting something’s just not right.
Africa needs clean water more than electricity. Sanitation and clean water could improve many more lives for the same money that’s been spent on rural power.
Surprising discoveries
Carlton called, he wants his dance back. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is suing the video game Fortnite for appropriating his signature moves from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
A gassy, glitter-filled package catches thieves unaware. A former NASA engineer got his revenge on porch pirates and caught them purple-handed.
It’s the most heart attack-y time of the year. Cardiac events are 37% more likely to happen to Swedes on Christmas Eve, when big family get-togethers are usually held.
Diaper gel plus lasers equal nanosize technology. MIT researchers can shrink a simple structure to 1/1000th of its original size.
Instagrammers are selling influence to the highest bidder. Faking sponsored posts convinces followers—and brands who might want to sponsor real posts—that the poster is legit.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Love Actually opinions, and glitter bombs to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Rosie Spinks and edited by Jackie Bischof.