Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Trade ministers meet in Bratislava. The US and EU are planning to seal their Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TIPP) before president Obama’s term comes to an end in January. However, French business lobbies are asking to extend the negotiations—an issue to be addressed during Friday’s talks.
India and France sign a deal for fighter jets. India will pay €7.8 billion for the 36 warplanes, and France has agreed to invest 30% of the payment in India’s military aeronautics research programs. The deal is intended to strengthen Indo-French strategic relations.
While you were sleeping
Yahoo confirmed a massive data breach. The company reported that it suffered a hack in 2014, possibly by a “state-sponsored actor,” in which information was stolen from at least 500 million users. Shareholders and regulators will be watching to see if this affects Yahoo’s $4.8 billion sale to Verizon.
The UN called antibiotics in the food system a crisis. The concern is that some of the miracles of modern medicine, like penicillin and tetracyclines, are at risk of becoming ineffective. It’s the fourth time in its history that the United Nations has elevated a health issue to crisis level.
A shakeup at the Great British Bake Off. Mary Berry has refused to stay on the show when the show moves to Channel 4, out of loyalty to the BBC. However, fellow judge Paul Hollywood has committed to the program for another three seasons.
Airbnb raised $850 in its latest funding round. Google Capital, Alphabet Inc.’s investment arm, and Technology Crossover Ventures co-led the round, valuing the home-rental company at $30 billion.
Brazil’s former finance minister was arrested. Guido Mantega, a longtime associate of the recently impeached Dilma Rousseff, has been accused of soliciting bribes. The arrest is part of the ongoing investigation into the Petrobas corruption scandal.
Quartz obsession interlude
Hanna Kozlowska on the hidden perils of debating Hillary Clinton. “Clinton’s history shows that it’s extremely easy for men–men who often have far better track records with women than Trump–to fall into the trap of looking condescending, aggressive or sexist. And once they stumble, the advantage often goes to Clinton.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
The US food regulator is forcing journalists to abandon their objectivity. The FDA is using the promise of timely access to control the people who are meant to hold the institution accountable.
People opposed Galileo for scientific, not just religious, reasons. Some thought that the idea that the earth circles the sun did not make technical sense.
If you’re going to make it in politics, you gotta have girlfriends. As women reach for the upper ranks of public office, their network of female friends and mentors is vital.
Surprising discoveries
Greenland is melting much faster than we thought. The country is losing an extra 20 million tons of ice each year, a miscalculation that impacts climate change predictions.
Chinese wine producers are attempting to grow wine in space. China’s newest space lab is loaded with a selection of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot noir vines.
Trips to the bank are costing developing nations big bucks. They could earn $3.7 trillion more with access to mobile banking.
Scientists can digitally unwrap a scroll once burnt to a “lump of charcoal.” 3D x-ray scans of the scorched remains of a manuscript revealed a biblical text.
Munching carrots does not help you see. This widely known home remedy doesn’t work, unless a lack of nutrition was the reason your eyesight was terrible in the first place.
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