Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Samsung Electronics reveals its restructuring plans. The besieged South Korean tech giant will respond to a proposal by US activist fund Elliott Management to divide the company in two and give out a massive $26 billion dividend to shareholders. A conference call is scheduled for 9:30 am local time (0030 GMT).
Uber faces Europe’s top court. The ride-hailing giant will argue that it is a digital service and not a transport company—a crucial distinction that will determine how Uber is regulated. The company has been struggling to find its footing in the EU, amid opposition from local taxi operators.
An update on the US economy. The commerce department will release revised gross domestic product data. They’re expected to show a 3% increase, up from an initial estimate of 2.9%.
While you were sleeping
Ohio State students were warned to “run, hide, fight” during a violent rampage. A suspect identified as Abdul Artan sent 11 people to the hospital after driving his car into a crowd and stabbing people with a butcher knife; the 18-year-old was then shot and killed by a police officer. The “run, hide, fight” protocol is now in place at many US schools and universities.
Time Inc. spurned a billionaire’s takeover bid. Investor Edgar Bronfman Jr., a former chief executive of Warner Music Group, led a $1.78 billion offer for the magazine publisher, according to the New York Post. Time Inc’s shares surged 18% on the news.
The WTO ruled that Boeing received an illegal tax break. Washington State gave the aircraft manufacturer $8.7 billion in incentives to build the 777x, including a tax cut that was prohibited under WTO rules, according to a three-judge panel.
A new contestant entered Trump’s Secretary of State pageant. The president-elect met with David Petraeus, a former CIA director who was forced to resign after sharing classified documents during an extramarital affair. Mitt Romney, another contender, has been the target of a fierce lobbying campaign by Trump staffers opposed to his selection.
Government forces gained control in Aleppo. Syrian troops seized over a third of rebel-held land in the city’s eastern neighborhoods, following an intense aerial bombardment. As government troops advanced steadily over a weekend of heavy fighting, more than 100 rebel fighters were forced to lay down their arms and leave the city.
Quartz obsession interlude
Adam Epstein on why TV shows like Westworld cannot outsmart the internet. “In the age of social media, TV writers have to cater to the casual, socially unengaged viewer while simultaneously servicing the diehards who share theories and devour every scrap of content related to the show. From inside that kind of internet bubble, a show can look entirely predictable—even if it still offers the average viewer plenty of surprises.” Read more here (spoiler alert!).
Quartz haiku interlude
Investors calm down
and get ready to worry
about Italy.
Matters of debate
Humans should colonize Saturn’s largest moon. Titan has a protective atmosphere like Earth, though colonists would still require oxygen and a very warm jacket.
Students are more than just test scores. Successful Singaporeans are sharing their terrible results to help stressed-out kids.
Donald Trump has the best argument for a recount. He says the democracy that elected him is a sham.
Surprising discoveries
Bitcoin is a lifeline in Venezuela’s faltering economy. Locals are mining the crypto-currency with the help of state-subsidized electricity.
A Japanese skating rink froze thousands of fish under the ice. Space World in Kitakyushu shuttered the rink after a huge backlash.
A Russian TV show aired a “Holocaust on ice” routine. The reality show “Ice Age” featured an inflammatory performance by the wife of a senior aide to Vladimir Putin.
Fake news almost took down Abraham Lincoln. Misleading reports in 1864 said the president wanted to intermarry blacks and white to yield an American super-race.
Belgium and the Netherlands peacefully traded plots of land. It was easier than ironing out the jurisdictional difficulties.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, “Westworld” theories, and Abe Lincoln fact checks to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our iPhone app.