Good morning, Quartz readers!
The Daily Brief team is taking Friday, Jan. 1 off. See you in 2021!
Here’s what you need to know
The post-Brexit EU trade deal takes effect at 11pm. The agreement, which allows the EU and the UK to continue to trade without extra tariffs, was signed into law by the queen early today.
China approved its first Covid-19 vaccine for wide use… Regulators gave Sinopharm’s vaccine conditional approval after the Chinese state-run firm said the shot had a nearly 80% efficacy rate.
…and questions arose over Britain’s plan to get jabs to more people. After approving the Oxford/Astra Zeneca jab, the UK plans prioritize covering more people with a first shot, and delay second jabs by up to 12 weeks. Pfizer said it hasn’t tested its vaccine on this dosing schedule.
France dispatches 100,000 police to stop New Year’s Eve gatherings. The force will enforce the country’s 8pm to 6am curfew rules and ban on public gatherings, while governments globally also urge people to stay at home.
Explosions hit the Aden airport. The attack in Yemen, which killed at least 22, took place just after the war-torn country’s new Saudi-backed government arrived by plane.
What to watch for
After a year like 2020, you might not have much use for predictions. Still, projections from major economic institutions suggest we could see a few important statistical records broken in the year ahead.
Longer lifespans and falling fertility rates will continue to age the global population, Dan Kopf writes. In 2021, the global median is expected to hit 31 for the first time in recorded history, according to projections from the United Nations.
And a brief setback will do little to slow the growing global economy. The International Monetary Fund projects that global GDP is set to hit $90 trillion next year. Though not adjusted for inflation, the IMF’s projection is still a useful number for putting economic metrics in perspective.
Charting Snapchat’s growth in the ‘Rest of World’
Snapchat’s stock price briefly hit an all-time high this week after its buy rating from Goldman Sachs. After losing users in 2018, the app’s user base has grown by 75% in the past two years. Most of the growth has come from the “Rest of World,” the company’s nebulous distinction for regions beyond North America and Europe.
Though Snap doesn’t officially report country-by-country data, it did report a 150% jump in Indian users between the third quarter of 2019 and this year. A revamped Android app and India-specific content have guided growth, though Snap has yet to cash in.
Skip the resolutions, achieve your goals
All it will take to live a healthy, productive, creative, and focused life this year are a few resolutions. Or goals. What’s the difference anyway?
Resolutions are statements of intention, while goals are statements of commitment. To achieve your goals, you should commit to the following:
1️⃣ Clarify vague resolutions into specific goals.
2️⃣ Broaden binary resolutions into thematic goals.
3️⃣ Pair your goal with a simple but comprehensive plan.
4️⃣ Design a strategy around small, sustainable changes.
5️⃣ Create a contingency plan that helps you stay on track.
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Surprising discoveries
A new US Air Force satellite could send solar power to Earth. The Helios project will test beaming solar energy to other spacecraft, and maybe terrestrial receivers.
An American football player will get part of his salary in bitcoin. Russell Okung’s arrangement could inspire other athletes to follow suit.
Apple killed the Vybe. An app that promoted private parties was removed from the app store.
US rivers are less blue. The country’s waterways have become more green and yellow over time, likely due to changing levels of sediment and algae.
Oil companies aren’t bidding on oil leases in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. So far, it looks like the only serious contender is the state of Alaska itself.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, bitcoin salaries, and unwanted oil leases 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 Jane Li, Tripti Lahiri, Jordan Lebeau, and Liz Webber.