Good morning, Quartz readers!
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Softbank is wooing Donald Trump with a plan to invest $100 billion in AI. The money will reportedly be invested before the end of the president-elect’s second term.
Tech CEOs can’t get enough of Trump, Trump says. “Everybody wants to be my friend,” he said about the leaders of Apple, Amazon, and other firms.
Trump also says that RFK Jr. is going to be “much less radical than you think.” The polio vaccine is safe, at the very least.
DHS says all the drone sightings are partially the FAA’s fault. Maybe it comes down to a relaxation of drone flight rules last year.
Starbucks is tripling its parental leave for U.S. baristas. The company announced it will offer 18 weeks of paid leave.
What’s ahead in 2025?
If you have been wondering about what the future has in store next year, Quartz has your back. Presenting: Quartz What’s Ahead 2025.
Quartz journalists reached out to executive and industry figures throughout the business world to get their predictions for the next 12 months. That includes the fields of AI, Bitcoin, weight loss drugs, autos, and more.
What will happen in business in 2025? Take a look through our (Quartz) crystal ball to find out.
How much should you give?
Towards the end of the year, many people start trying to figure out how to thank all the service workers who make their lives easier. Sometimes that looks like a little cash, but how much to give can be a point of confusion.
Some people, like mail carriers, might get $20. Others, like teachers or child care workers, might get $50. It varies role by role.
How much money should you expect to tip the service workers in your life? Quartz’s Madeline Fitzgerald provides some helpful tips
MORE FROM QUARTZ
📱 Apple is working on a foldable iPhone
🇨🇳 Starbucks is trying something new to fix its China problem
🔌 Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt wants a “hand on the plug” if AI starts to “self-improve”
🤕 Bernie Sanders: Amazon ignored warnings about workplace injuries and manipulated data
🆔 The states where people are the most — and least — vulnerable to identity fraud
💳 These are the best credit cards for holiday shopping
SURPRISING DISCOVERIES
The Trump White House’s billionaires have a $450 billion net worth so far. A lot of that is Elon Musk, but there are other contributors as well.
A Chicago man tried to turn in a library book that was 50 years overdue. The library said it was no big deal and let him keep the book.
Big businesses try to turn their financial clout into political clout when they get bigger. Researchers found that corporate mergers resulted in “large and persistent increases in lobbying activity.”
An empty Waymo taxi went around a traffic circle 37 times in a row. The company was eventually able to get the vehicle to go somewhere else.
The plastic surgery world is dealing with a wave of “filler fatigue.” Clients have begun going for stealthier “biostimulator” treatments instead. (paywall)
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Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news or comments to talk@qz.com. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Melvin Backman and Kevin Ryan.