Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Officials from China, Pakistan, and Russia assess the threat posed by Islamic State extremists in Afghanistan. The gathering in Moscow will take place without a representative from Afghan president Ashraf Ghani’s national unity government.
A conference of Chinese Catholics meets after a six-year-long hiatus. The ninth Chinese-Catholic representative conference will begin Tuesday and run through Thursday in Beijing, the foreign ministry said during a press briefing, which is a step toward mending relations with the Vatican. The country’s 12 million Catholics are divided between the official government-run association and “underground” Catholics whose allegiance is to the Vatican.
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visits Pearl Harbor with president Barack Obama. Abe is not expected to apologize for the attack on a US military base there in 1941, which brought the US into World War II. “This will be a visit to console the souls of the victims,” Abe told reporters in Tokyo. “I would like to show to the world the resolve that horrors of war should never be repeated.”
Over the weekend
British pop star George Michael died in his home. The 53-year-old singer was widely mourned for his genius at creating catchy, ubiquitous music and for inspiring many as an openly gay celebrity. In 1985, his band Wham! also became the first Western pop act to perform in communist China.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu chided US president Barack Obama. He was upset about a Dec. 23 vote by the United Nations Security Council seeking the end of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. The resolution passed 14 to 1, which the US abstaining. “Friends don’t take friends to the Security Council,” Netanyahu retorted.
Iran says it got a sweet deal on 80 new Boeing airliners. The order for Iran Air had previously valued the planes at $16.6 billion, but Tehran said on Dec. 25 that it had negotiated to pay about half that price, closer to $8 billion.
Donald Trump had a baffling, chaotic Christmas Eve. With reporters on vacation, the president-elect said he would close his controversial foundation, but law enforcement officials said it cannot be shuttered until they complete investigations into law-breaking there. Meanwhile, days after being tapped as the next White House communications director, Jason Miller announced his resignation following allegations of an extra-marital affair with a Trump campaign surrogate.
A Russian military plane crashed in the Black Sea. Vladimir Putin’s erratic efforts to project Russian power abroad saw another setback when a military jet headed for Syria crashed in the Black Sea. The crash was likely due to mechanical or pilot error, and all 92 passengers aboard have been reported lost. The plane was carrying a Russian military choir planning to perform for Russian soldiers fighting in Syria’s bloody civil war.
Quartz obsession interlude
Michael J. Coren on a tipping point for renewable energy. “Solar and wind is now the same price or cheaper than fossil fuels in more than 30 countries, the WEF reported in December (pdf). As prices for solar and wind power continue their precipitous fall, two-thirds of all nations will reach the point known as ‘grid parity’ within a few years, even without subsidies.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
German chancellor Angela Merkel is destroying Europe. Her open-doors policy toward immigration and the national security issues stemming from it are not only damaging her party’s reputation, but the European Union’s security as a whole.
Your smartphone addiction is threatening your relationship. The average user checks their smartphone 150 times a day—and a new study suggests your partner doesn’t appreciate you doing it while they’re talking.
Many young Russians see Putin as a hero. His steadfast stoicism and promise of stability are exactly what millennials who don’t remember decades of totalitarian USSR rule are looking for.
Surprising discoveries
An ostrich-like dinosaur might explain how birds became toothless. The two-legged Limusaurus inextricabilis lost its teeth and became vegetarian in adulthood, scientists have determined.
A trial vaccine for ebola has shown a 100% protection rate. Thousands of people tested in Guinea were all confirmed as virus-free within 10 days. It could be available for mass use by 2018.
Scientists have created the world’s thinnest wires yet—and they’re made of atoms coated in diamonds. These nanometer-scale wires could help cram even more computing power into even-smaller devices.
The Gaza Strip could become the Arabic-speaking world’s up-and-coming tech hub. A Google-backed project is training tech-savvy Palestinians and hosting their digital startups.
George Michael was the original Carpool Karaoke invitee. Back when James Corden was still starring in the British sitcom Gavin & Stacey, he took a musical spin with Michael crooning in the passenger seat.
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