Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The US trade gap grows. Analysts expect November data to show that the recently stronger dollar has increased the US trade gap with other nations (paywall). America’s trade deficit widened sharply in October (paywall), to $42.6 billion, as exports fell and imports rose.
The US prepares sanctions on Russia. Officials are close to announcing punitive measures for Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Top Democrats and Republicans have pressed for an investigation into the hacking. President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed the idea, saying, “I think we ought to get on with our lives” and suggesting that computers have made things so “complicated” that “nobody knows exactly what is going on.”
Words of caution for Canadians. The Bank of Canada releases monthly economic data, which will be closely watched after last week’s news that GDP began shrinking in October. The central bank has been warning for months of a house-price bubble that could trigger a recession, and has even taken to YouTube to try to explain the problem to Canadians.
While you were sleeping
Toshiba stumbled further. The embattled electronics conglomerate continued to count its losses three days after announcing a massive writedown in its purchase of a US nuclear business. Shares fell more than 19% and the company suffered a second ratings downgrade, this one by Moody’s. More than $6.5 billion has been wiped off its market value since Tuesday.
US retailers counted their holiday blessings. Last-minute shopping has put businesses on track for the strongest holiday season in years, according to analyst estimates (paywall). However, much of that sales growth came from deep discounts and online sales, a sign that brick-and-mortar stores are still weak.
Russia and Turkey drafted a Syrian ceasefire. A report from a Turkish state-run news agency said the two countries would try to bring a ceasefire into effect as soon as midnight, though it was unclear whether Syria’s rebel groups were aware of the plan. Russia is seeking diplomatic support (paywall) for new talks on Syria in Kazakhstan next month, which won’t include the US.
Debbie Reynolds died one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher. The 84-year-old actress had a stroke at her son Todd’s house, reportedly while discussing her daughter’s funeral arrangements. The star of Hollywood classics like Singin’ in the Rain and How the West Was Won had a sometimes troubled relationship with Fisher, the subject of an upcoming HBO documentary.
Obama cemented his environmental legacy. With three weeks left in his presidency, Barack Obama announced the creation of national monuments in Utah and the Nevada desert, protecting sacred tribal sites. Obama has been one of the most environment-friendly presidents in recent history, protecting 553 million acres (2.24 million sq km) of land and waters, often to heavy opposition from developers and conservatives.
Quartz obsession interlude
Leslie Josephs with terrible tourism slogans from around the world. “While a slogan usually takes a back seat 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. And 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 people have their eyes on their gadgets.
Companies should favor teamwork over individuals. 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 leads to kids who won’t 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 can figure out—or even predict—those six-character 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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