Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
China’s trade update. Analysts expect a rise in November exports due to improved demand in the US and Europe. As concerns grow about trade friction with the US, China’s trade surplus is forecast to fall to $46.3 billion, from $49.06 billion the previous month.
The European Central Bank decides the fate of its stimulus efforts. Most investors are expecting the bank to announce at least a six-month extension of its extensive bond-buying program. If the bank has a surprise, the sell-off in bonds could be severe.
A trial begins for a high-profile Pakistan “honor killing.” A local court has indicted three men in the murder of Qandeel Baloch, a controversial Pakistani social media star, including her brother and cousin.
While you were sleeping
Shell signed a deal with Iran’s state oil company. The preliminary agreement flies in the face of US president-elect Trump’s vow to reverse or renegotiate the deal to end sanctions against Iran. France’s Total SA has also signed a deal to develop a natural-gas field.
A Pakistani plane crashed with 48 onboard. The plane went down in a hilly region of northern Pakistan due to unspecified engine problems. Passengers included Junaid Jamshed, a popular Pakistani pop singer turned Muslim televangelist.
Donald Trump named an ambassador to China. The US president-elect selected Terry Branstad, the governor of Iowa and a longtime acquaintance of Chinese president Xi Jinping, as Washington’s envoy to Beijing. Trump also picked Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general and an ally of the fossil fuel industry, to run the Environmental Protection Agency.
Starbucks plans to open 12,000 more stores. The coffee chain unveiled its five-year plan, which included plans to open more stores in China and a revenue growth target of 10%. Howard Schultz, presiding over his last investor day as CEO, assured investors he would remain “deeply engaged” as chairman.
The Pope denounced fake news as a sin. The pontiff used strong language in his criticism, comparing the spread of misinformation to “coprophilia,” or sexual arousal from excrement, to describe scandal-mongering media outlets.
Quartz obsession interlude
Anne Quito on the millions of 100-lb. gift boxes Filipinos send their relatives every Christmas: “The word “balikbayan” is a Tagalog compound word that translates to “return [to] country.” As the most iconic symbol of the Filipino diaspora, the balikbayan box serves as an emotional bridge between parents and siblings who part with their families to earn a higher wage abroad collectively known as ‘Overseas Filipino Workers.’” Read more here.
Quartz haiku interlude
Winter winds blow cold
for the disfavored. Today
Pharma feels the chill.
Matters of debate
“Seasteading” could blur the boundaries of business. Autonomous ocean platforms might sell healthcare and finance services to the rest of the world.
Identity politics is the politics of survival. For years, marginalized Americans have been repressed into silence.
If you give the poor cash, they don’t waste it. Direct transfers lead to more spending on children’s food and health—especially when women are in charge.
Surprising discoveries
Cheerleading and Muay Thai may be Olympic sports in Tokyo 2020. They were both provisionally recognized by a key committee this week.
Strobe lighting could fight Alzheimer’s disease. Flashing lights stimulate immune cells to absorb the sticky amyloid proteins that are a hallmark of the disease.
A robot is guarding the world’s biggest physics experiment. “TIM” is patrolling the 27 km tunnel that houses the Large Hadron Collider,
Burger King is selling a jelly donut burger in Israel. It has been christened “Sufagni Burger” for the Hebrew word for donuts—a Hanukkah staple.
Japan loves it when the First Lady criticizes the president. Aki Abe describes her role as “a bit like an opposition party.”
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