Good morning, Quartz readers!
We’re excited to announce the launch of Quartzy, our new weekly email newsletter about living well in the global economy. Each Friday, our global lifestyle correspondent Jenni Avins explores topics that range from pop culture and politics to parenting, food, fashion, and travel.
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What to watch for today
EU trade ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss CETA. The “EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement” would eliminate 98% of the tariffs between Canada and the EU. But the deal took a hit on Oct. 14 when the Walloon and Brussels-Capital regions voted against (paywall) Belgium approving it.
Rodrigo Duterte begins his visit to China. The Philippine president has threatened to weaken his country’s military ties with the United States and align more with China. A big hurdle: Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea that China seized from the Philippines in 2012.
UK inflation data show the effects of Brexit. Analysts expect producer and consumer prices rose last month (paywall). After the pound’s recent crash, inflation is likely to climb in the coming months, curbing consumer spending.
While you were sleeping
Netflix found new places to grow. It added 400,000 subscribers in the US and 3.2 million internationally, sending shares soaring by 20%, thanks in part to hit shows like Stranger Things. The company also announced plans to license its shows in China due to difficulties in setting up its own streaming service there.
US police chiefs apologized for the “historical mistreatment” of minorities. The head of the country’s largest police organization said officers had become “the face of oppression” for many Americans.
Orbital ATK successfully launched a rocket to the International Space Station. Its Antares rocket will deliver supplies, hardware for space walks, and science experiments to the station. The Virginia-based company’s previous attempt resulted in a massive explosion two years ago.
Russia announced an eight-hour “humanitarian pause” in its offensive on Aleppo. It said the purpose was to let civilians and rebels leave the Syrian city, after news that one airstrike, allegedly Russian, killed 14 people from the same family. Having pushed for a 48-hour ceasefire, UN agencies said it was not enough time.
Iraqi forces took back some of Mosul. The government’s joint operation with Kurdish Peshmerga troops liberated a 200 sq km area in the country’s second-largest city, home to millions of civilians. ISIL, which has occupied the city for years, responded with suicide car bomb attacks.
Quartz obsession interlude
Jenny Anderson on a company with 100% retention of working moms: “For 33 years Patagonia has had an on-site child care center… Parents often eat lunch with their kids, take them to the farmer’s market, or pick vegetables with them in the ‘secret’ garden. ‘It lets you be the kind of parent you want to be,’ said one manager.” Read more here.
Quartz markets haiku
Better to give up
on its car than for Apple
to build a lemon.
Matters of debate
The smart money suggests that Italy will leave the EU. The country’s outflows are accelerating—up €118 billion ($130 billion) from just a year ago.
Duterte’s embrace of China is a risky gamble. He’s betting that pulling away from the US will scramble relations in his favor.
Populist movements are losing momentum. Growing resistance to toxic leaders and policies suggests the global tide is shifting.
Surprising discoveries
The death of Thailand’s king caused a price spike in black clothing. Thais who don’t follow the mourning dress code are subject to harassment.
Your favorite TV characters could be reborn as AIs. The digital recreations might appear in new episodes or take over for Siri on your smartphone.
There are 10 times more galaxies than previously thought. The new estimate is at least 2 trillion.
Anthropologists discovered the first evidence of murder by boomerang. An aboriginal Australian was killed (paywall) between 1260 and 1280.
The milk of Tasmanian devils could help kill deadly bacteria. But good luck collecting it.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, mourning clothes, and devil milk to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our iPhone app.