Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The European Central Bank releases its November report card. Analysts anticipate a modest increase (paywall) in bank lending to households and businesses for the month. The slow pace of growth is expected to validate calls for continued stimulus in 2017.
The US discloses preliminary trade data. Analysts expect that the US trade gap with other nations increased (paywall) in November, following the dollar’s regained strength in recent months. America’s trade deficit widened sharply in October (paywall), to $42.6 billion, as exports fell following a summer surge, and imports rose.
India chooses a successor for a political icon. Following the Dec. 5 death of Jayalalitha Jayaraman, chief minister of southern Indian state Tamil Nadu, the ruling AIDMK party is meeting to select a new general secretary. V.K. Sasikala, a close friend of Jayaraman, is the favorite to replace her as general secretary, but faces opposition in the party. Jayaraman held her post for three decades, and was one of India’s most controversial and powerful politicians.
While you were sleeping
The Obama administration prepared sanctions on Russia. US officials are close to announcing punitive measures for Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, which could include both diplomatic and economic sanctions. A representative for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “any action against Russian diplomatic missions in the US will immediately bounce back on US diplomats in Russia.” Top Democrats and Republicans have pressed for an investigation into the hacking; on Wednesday, senator Lindsey Graham said, “It is now time for Russia to understand—enough is enough.”
John Kerry called Israeli settlements a threat to peace. In a 70-minute speech, the US secretary of state said that Israel will never get “true peace” if it does not reach an accord with Palestinians based on a two-state solution. The speech came less than a week after the US declined to veto a UN security council resolution to end Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized Kerry’s speech as “skewed against Israel,” saying he “obsessively dealt with settlements” without understanding the “root of the conflict.”
Russia and Turkey agreed on a Syrian ceasefire draft. A report from Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu said the two countries would attempt to bring a ceasefire into effect as soon as midnight local time, though it was unclear whether Syria’s rebel groups were aware of the plan. Also on Wednesday, Russia’s foreign ministry said the country’s embassy in Damascus was hit by mortar fire; no one was injured.
Germany detained a Tunisian man tied to the Berlin attack. The unidentified man’s phone number was found on the mobile phone of Anis Amri, another suspect who was killed in a shootout with police on Friday. German prosecutors have until Thursday evening to determine whether the case against the 40-year-old detainee is strong enough to warrant a formal arrest.
A train derailed in India, injuring 61. The incident is the third in three months involving the country’s aging rail network, which runs more than 11,000 trains and carries over 20 million people daily. The train came off the tracks near the northern city of Kanpur, shortly after pulling out of the station. India’s railways minister has promised to upgrade the country’s tracks and system.
Quartz obsession interlude
Leslie Josephs looks at terrible tourism slogans from around the world. “While a slogan usually takes a backseat to other drivers of tourism—attractions, favorable exchange rate, Instagram cachet (I’m looking at you, Kyrgyzstan)—it can help change a country’s image. The UK travel site Family Break Finder gathered and mapped the English-language slogans from tourism boards around the world. Some could definitely use the Don Draper touch.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Small talk makes us better people. The world seems more hostile when everyone has their eyes on their gadgets.
Companies should favor teamwork over individual success. Even selfish people become more cooperative when they identify with a group.
“Adulting” is actually pretty great. Sending children the message that being a grown-up is bad leaves us with kids who refuse to grow up.
Surprising discoveries
“Moonbows” are the rainbows of the night. Only two places on earth experience them regularly: Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, and Cumberland Falls in Kentucky.
It’s pretty easy to tamper with someone else’s flight plan. Hackers are able to figure out—or even predict—six-digits flight confirmation codes.
In Japan, Christmas means KFC. The Japanese tradition of hitting up Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve stems from a 40-year-old marketing campaign.
There’s a breathalyzer that can diagnose up to 17 diseases. Many illnesses, ranging from kidney cancer to multiple sclerosis, have their own unique “breathprint.”
A New York Uber driver hit 240 green lights in a row. Noah Forman recorded the half-hour streak, which beat his previous record of 186 consecutive green lights.
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