Good morning, Quartz readers!
Here’s what you need to know
Most of California is back under lockdown. The latest stay-at-home order, with coronavirus cases surging once again, affects 85% of the state’s 40 million people, and will remain in place over Christmas. Yesterday, the US had a record number of people in hospital with Covid-19.
Mastercard is reviewing its business ties to Pornhub. Following a New York Times story about the porn site’s failure to take down and report videos that allegedly feature child rape and assault, the payments company launched an investigation into illegal activity.
More troubling reports emerged about the late US entrepreneur Tony Hsieh. The Zappos founder, who famously wanted his employees to be happy and died after a house fire, was at the end of a six-month downward spiral, the Wall Street Journal reports (paywall). Last week, Forbes detailed Hsieh’s alleged drug and alcohol abuse.
Rudy Giuliani is reportedly in hospital with Covid-19. US president Donald Trump said his 76-year-old personal lawyer, the former mayor of New York City, had tested positive. Giuliani appeared without a mask in public several times in recent weeks, and is the latest member of Trump’s inner circle to catch the virus.
A CEO quit because his wife’s “professional ambitions should take priority.” Rubin Ritter has been one of the three chief executives of Zalando, Europe’s largest online fashion retailer, since 2010. The statement announcing his departure doesn’t mention his wife’s name or what she does.
Covid-19 vaccines will be sold privately in India. Once approved and initially distributed by the government, the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine will be available in “March or April” (paywall) for $8 a shot. Separately, huge protests by Indian farmers continue, with support in the diaspora too.
What to watch for
Monday: Brexit trade talks resume; Ghana holds its presidential election; Venezuala counts the results of a poll the opposition boycotted; the US could propose a new coronavirus stimulus; and Italy’s cabinet discusses its national recovery.
Tuesday: The UK administers its first doses of the coronavirus vaccine; and the US Supreme Court holds oral arguments on unsolicited texts from Facebook.
Wednesday: DoorDash goes public; the Bank of Canada announces its interest rate target; and France holds a national day of mourning for its former president Giscard d’Estaing.
Thursday: EU leaders gather for a summit; the European Central Bank is expected to ramp up monetary support; Airbnb holds its IPO; the US considers emergency authorization of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine.
Friday: A Chinese city will give out 100,000 virtual “red packets” of 200 yuan ($31) each in the latest trial of its digital currency.
Charting Walmart’s remittances opportunity
In 2020, an estimated $40 billion in remittances will be sent to Mexico. Most of that money is sent by Mexicans working abroad through banks and transfer services like Western Union which charge high fees for moving that money.
Now Walmart wants to crack into this market. The retail giant recently announced it would be introducing remittances to Mexico inside its app in the next two years. Walmart, which operates more than 2,500 stores in Mexico, says it will charge lower fees in the hopes that the money will stay in the app and be used to pay for Walmart’s goods and services.
The great sports comeback
Sports are a tangible barometer of the wellbeing of a nation, and the return of fans to stadiums—gathering, drinking, eating, shouting, singing, and swearing together—will be a sign that all is well once again. The health of people, communities, and economies are all significantly connected to its resurrection. Our latest field guide looks at what business can learn from the return of elite sports, and the implications for those athletes sprinting to get back.
✦ Heads up! You can take a peek at this guide, and all the others, with a seven-day free membership trial.
Surprising discoveries
Australian pilot whales may trick their predators by copying their calls. Scientists found that they can mimic killer whale vocalizations.
Demand for scotch eggs is through the roof. England’s pubs must serve a “substantial meal” alongside all alcoholic drinks—helping drive up orders for the 18th-century snack.
Researchers calculated the size of Japan’s Demon Slayer economy. The manga series about a teenager’s quest to kill the demon is expected to generate ¥200 billion (US$1.92 billion) in revenues.
UK authorities found cocaine hidden in banana pulp. The Belgium-bound shipment from Columbia contained £100 million ($134 million) worth of the drug.
Roald Dahl’s family apologized for his antisemitism. The late author of acclaimed children’s titles like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had made numerous anti-Jewish statements.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, demon slayers, and spiked fruit pulp 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, Lila MacLellan, and Dan Kopf.