Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Consumers (and retailers) rejoice. The US holiday shopping season was shorter this year—Thanksgiving being nearly a week later than usual—so retailers are eager for an after-Christmas bounty. Today is one of the top shopping days, when consumers browse physical and digital bargain bins for deals.
Iran braces for a tense day. The government cut mobile internet access in parts of the country and increased security in the capital Tehran, as mourners gather to mark the death of hundreds during nationwide anti-government protests in November.
Typhoon Phanfone heads west after battling the Philippines. The storm, with winds that approached 200 km/h (125 mph), hit the country on Christmas Day, killing 16 people. Telephone and internet networks are down, and ferry services remain suspended to the holiday island of Boracay. It tracked a similar path to Super Typhoon Haiyan—the country’s deadliest storm.
While you were sleeping
A Republican senator voiced concern about the party’s approach to impeachment. Lisa Murkowski said she felt “disturbed” over Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s plan to coordinate impeachment strategy with the White House. It could be a crack in the party’s unity on Donald Trump’s trial in the Senate.
A top Syrian official warned the US to stay away from its oil. Bouthaina Shaaban, an adviser to president Bashar al-Assad, said the US has “absolutely no right” to Syria’s oil, and warned of “popular opposition and operations.” Last month, Trump said US troops remained in Syria “only for the oil.”
Benjamin Netanyahu faced a leadership challenge. Likud rival Gideon Saar claims he is better placed to lead the party into the March election, Israel’s third in roughly a year. Netanyahu, who has led Likud since 2005, is weakened by corruption indictments, and his inability to form a coalition government.
Japan’s prime minister asked business leaders to raise wages to help the economy. Shinzo Abe said wages grew at 12% when Japan hosted the 1964 Olympics. Now, as it hosts the Games again, wages are growing at 2%.
Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in a Chilean port city. The authorities in Valparaiso believe arson caused the fire, which started in a nearby forest. President Sebastián Piñera tweeted his “regret” and said a working group had been set up to help the affected families.
Quartz obsession
It’s an annual event. The holiday season arrives and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” shoots to the top of the holiday charts. The Quartz Obsession offers its yearly check-in on the song that won’t stop playing—or breaking records.
Matters of debate
Barack Obama is a pretty good music critic. His annual geeky catalog of favorite pop songs can truly sing.
And now, for a new holiday classic. Quartz analyzed data that suggests it might just be Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree.”
“Hinglish” has its limits in the Indian ad market. After all, millions speak regional languages and know only a smattering of Hindi.
Surprising discoveries
There is a science to Christmas cheer. And the lack of it—”bah humbug“—is a legitimate syndrome too.
It’s better to give friends sloppily wrapped gifts. That’s the finding of a paper by a University of Nevada marketing professor.
Quokkas are a tourism promotion tool. A $15 million Australian campaign aimed at Brexit-weary Britain features Kylie Minogue and the cat-sized marsupials.
Words of the year tell a global story. “Wen,” “rei,” “they,” and “climate emergency,” capture the way 2019 unfolded.
“Little Woman” is woke. The latest film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s tale about four New England sisters in the mid-19th century has a deep generosity.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, music lists, and gifts—sloppy or slickly parcelled—to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android, and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Luiz Romero and Rashmee Roshan Lall.