Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
NATO will hold talks with Russia. Topics on the agenda include the crisis in Ukraine and Europe’s overall security situation. European leaders are also concerned about Moscow’s relationship with US president-elect Donald Trump.
South Korea puts its president’s confidante on trial. Choi Soon-sil, a 40-year friend to disgraced president Park Geun-hye and the person at the heart of her corruption scandal, is being charged with abuse of power, extortion, and attempted fraud. While the trial is open to the public, the court—worried about overcrowding—has raffled admission tickets.
The US electoral college officially votes. America’s 538-member electoral college, usually considered something of a formality, has been urged this year to block Donald Trump as president. Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million votes.
Over the weekend
China said it will give back a seized US drone. The Pentagon complained after China obtained an American underwater drone in the South China Sea last week. Both countries announced on Saturday that the drone would be returned, but it’s possible that China might keep its data or place additional demands on the US as a consequence.
Germany threatened to punish Facebook for fake news. The chairman of Germany’s Social Democratic Party proposed a new law that would require companies like Facebook to set up round-the-clock offices specifically to deal with fake news, and be fined €500,000 for each fake post. Germany fears fake news could affect its parliamentary elections next year (paywall).
Venezuela extended the lifespan of its 100-bolívar bill. After sparking panic by pulling the country’s largest denomination note from circulation last week, president Nicolas Maduro said the measure will not take effect until January. Venezuela’s chaotic situation echoes that of India, where prime minister Narendra Modi implemented demonetization policies last month to curb illegal dealings.
Evacuations in Aleppo proceeded under a “people-swap” deal. The safe removal of thousands of civilians and rebels began in government-controlled eastern Aleppo and four other cities, under a complex deal between pro-government forces and rebels. The evacuations stalled briefly when rebel forces set six buses aflame, but resumed shortly afterwards.
Star Wars brought a jolt to the box office. Disney’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story had the second-biggest December opening on record. The film raked in $155 million at North American theaters—despite winter storms blanketing most of the continent —and an additional $135.5 million internationally.
Quartz obsession interlude
Olivia Goldhill on Silicon Valley’s embrace of Stoicism. “But there’s also something a little, well, eye-rollingly predictable about Silicon Valley elites latching onto a philosophy that teaches them how to accept the things they cannot change. This is a world that’s already seen as doing far too little to address real world concerns, is largely populated by privileged white men who are less affected by such issues, and is notorious for being a closed bubble.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
The female orgasm is a form of social control. The latest theory about the purpose of the female orgasm is that it allows men to leverage control over their partners.
Saying you’re “busy” gets you respect. A study found “busyness” confers higher social status in the US.
Neuroscience can predict which kids grow up to be criminals. Examining the brain health of three-year-olds in this way is helpful, not deterministic, researchers argue.
Surprising discoveries
Anne Frank’s family may not have been betrayed. Their hiding place could have been discovered by mere coincidence, Amsterdam’s Anne Frank House revealed in a paper.
UPS delivered an assault rifle instead of a child’s Christmas gift. In lieu of a toy plane, a Long Island couple received a “semi-automatic rifle along with a scope, a stand, an ammo clip and copies of an Arizona man’s driver’s license and concealed-weapons permit.”
Whipped cream is facing a shortage. A fatal explosion at a nitrous oxide plant earlier this year has stunted the US’s supply of the frothy topping this holiday season.
The biggest glacier in East Antarctica is melting. Warm ocean waters are chipping at the largest ice sheet in the world, suggesting mounting global climate instability.
A Pagan priest is allowed to wear goat horns in his driver’s license photo. The horns count as “religious attire.”
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, goat horns, and whipped cream alternatives to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android.