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Joe Biden names key members of his administration. The president-elect is pressing ahead despite the distraction of Donald Trump’s desperate legal battles. Biden yesterday warned that “more people may die” of Covid-19 if Trump keeps refusing to cooperate.
Tesla is finally joining the S&P 500. The benchmark index will add the car maker on Monday, and it goes straight into the top ten. Tesla stock jumped more than 13% in extended trading, making Elon Musk even richer. Meanwhile, Airbnb filed to go public.
Taylor Swift’s master tapes were sold to an investment fund. The deal is reportedly worth more than $300 million. Swift has been involved in a lengthy dispute with Scooter Braun, who bought the recordings of her first six albums in 2019, and has now sold them off.
easyJet made its first-ever annual loss. The European budget airline lost nearly $1.7 billion in the year till Sept. 30, with revenues halving because of the pandemic. “We know that people want to travel,” said easjJet CEO Jonah Lundgren.
Peru appointed yet another new president. Francisco Sagasti takes charge until next year’s presidential election. The removal of the popular Martin Vizcarra over bribery allegations, which he denies, sparked huge protests in which at least two people died.
RCEP by the digits
On Sunday, more than a dozen Asian countries signed the world’s biggest trade deal. Here’s how the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership breaks down:
15: Countries the deal covers
2.2 billion: People who live in those countries
>$26 trillion: Combined GDP of the nations included in the RCEP
8: Years the deal was under negotiation
92%: Proportion of goods traded between participating countries that could see a reduction in tariffs
Charting WHO funding
Is the World Health Organization a membership group or a global public health agency? By taking donations from nonprofits, more and more of WHO’s budget has been earmarked for specific purposes, leaving the organization with less for core operations and critical functions that aren’t as appealing to donors.
Then there are the nations who give. When member countries are misbehaving in ways that are bad for global health, should WHO push back on them as a global public health agency would, or work to appease those countries, acting more like a membership organization? Alexandra Ossola puts it under a microscope.
What’s cool?
Western consumers assess coolness on various categories, including aesthetic appeal, originality, high status, and more. But at cool’s core are a few essential features: an element of being positive or pleasing, and a willingness to deviate from the norm and choose one’s own path.
This autonomy has to follow some rules, though. It means differing from the norm in a way that isn’t too extreme, lest it risks losing its positive spin. Today, that kind of cool arguably includes fighting against old structures and advocating for racial justice, gay rights, feminism, environmentalism, and other issues.
Read more in our field guide to the new meaning of cool.
We’re obsessed with subway maps
The underground design society. At a time when satellite-powered navigation apps on our phones can tell us exactly where to get on, transfer, and get off the subway, maps still play an important part. They’re not just functional guides—they become instant icons of a metropolis, akin to the weight of a seal or a flag. The diagram depicts a city’s breadth, vitality, and local character, at a glance. No wonder introducing a new subway map is often steeped in drama. Oh yeah, the Quartz Weekly Obsession is going there.
Calling all accidental therapists
The task of supporting teams during times of turmoil falls to managers, regardless of whether they’re trained to handle it. In this workshop, experts will share the steps and practical advice you need to best communicate with your employees during a tough period.
Register today for our free virtual workshop on Nov. 19 from 11am-12pm US Eastern time to learn how you can manage your team through emotional times.
Surprising discoveries
UK-China relations got an unexpected boost. A British diplomat rescued a drowning woman in Chongqing.
Hyundai SUV owners got a different kind of “new car smell.” Imitation leather headrest coverings made the car interiors reek of rotten produce.
This should keep you busy for a while. With 9,036 pieces, Lego’s Roman Colosseum set is its largest ever.
A Russian town dishonors the dead… Sand used to de-ice a Siberian road contained human bones.
… while a French radio station honored the not-yet dead. Radio France Internationale accidentally published the pre-written obituaries of Queen Elizabeth II, Brigitte Bardot, and Pelé, among others.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, empty tourism hotspots, and industrial strength car air fresheners to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our iOS app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Hasit Shah, Liz Webber, and Susan Howson.