Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The Philippines and China hammer out $15 billion in investment deals. A Filipino delegation—including the heads of the finance, transportation, and public works ministries—is in Beijing to finalize the details of agreements reached during president Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China last October, in which he announced an “economic and political separation” from the US. Rail projects are a top priority.
Donald Trump begins his first workday in the White House… The new US president did do some work over the weekend, including signing an executive order to weaken Obamacare and visiting the CIA to try to convince agency veterans he wasn’t actually critical of them. But he has said the real Day One is Jan. 23.
…And his pick for secretary of state faces a confirmation vote. Several high-ranking lawmakers have indicated they’ll approve Rex Tillerson, though influential senator Marco Rubio hasn’t weighed in yet. If appointed Tillerson could face a number of awkward situations around the world, including butting heads with Beijing over South China Sea gas projects he steered as ExxonMobil CEO.
Over the weekend
Samsung explained its Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. The company finally announced why its ill-fated smartphone kept exploding, identifying separate problems in batteries from two different suppliers. One involved inadequate room between a protective pouch and the battery, another missing insulation tape and other problems. Samsung said it’s overhauled its safety testing process.
Millions of Americans joined the Women’s March. On the day after Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the US, millions across the country took to the streets in protest, carrying creative signs rebuking the new leader of the executive branch. Protestors around the world also marched to show their solidarity.
Gambia’s ousted ruler went into exile, but not quietly. After 22 years of rule, Yahya Jammeh, who lost the presidential election two months ago, finally stepped down from power after it looked like he might not. Jammeh flew out of Gambia on Saturday night—but stole millions of dollars and luxury cars on his way out.
China announced a $14.6 billion internet investment fund. According to official news agency Xinhua, the massive reserve will be used to support internet companies in the country, as well as its “Internet Plus” action plan, designed to improve tech in the manufacturing sector. About $4.4 billion of the fund has already been raised.
Israel approved hundreds of settlement homes. The planned construction of 566 new homes in East Jerusalem settlements is considered illegal under international law. Jerusalem deputy mayor Meir Turgeman said the project has been on hold until Trump—seen as friendlier than Obama to Israel’s settlement policy—took office.
A train derailed in India, killing at least 39. A passenger train jumped the tracks near the Kuneru station in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in southeast India. At least 60 were injured and 39 died. The tragedy was the latest in a string of train system disasters in India; a crash last November killed 109 people, while 24 died in another derailment in August 2015.
Quartz obsession interlude
Gwynn Guilford on the bizarre reason salmon prices are at historic highs: “Sea lice are the farmed Atlantic salmon industry’s most expensive problem, costing around $550 million in lost output each year. The tiny crustaceans latch onto salmon, feasting on their blood, mucus, and fins. Adult fish can live with sea lice, but it only takes a few to wear down a young salmon’s immune system, leaving them vulnerable to other infections. A dozen can kill it.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Trump’s war isn’t with the media. The new US president’s strategy isn’t to undermine the media, but to undermine the idea of an objective fact.
College degrees should be priced by subject. Right now, philosophy (and other liberal arts) majors are essentially subsidizing engineering students.
We have a solution for teen substance abuse. From 1998 to 2016, teen drinking rates in Iceland dropped from 42% to 5% in 2016; cigarettes use went from 23% to 3%. But other countries refuse to follow Iceland’s lead.
Surprising discoveries
Viruses leave messages for each other. The discovery could lead to new ways to attack devastating viruses like HIV and herpes.
US climate data is being stashed in Europe. While Trump was getting inaugurated, hackers were downloading scientific data from government websites and putting copies on European servers.
The UK accidentally fired a missile at the US. A submarine misfired during a test of Britain’s nuclear missile system off the coast of Florida last June.
Ötzi the Iceman made fancy charcuterie 5,000 years ago. New research shows that the ancient, preserved human ate speck, a high-end cured meat.
Movies rated PG-13 have more gun violence than those rated R. In the past 10 years, the rate of gun violence in PG-13 films has skyrocketed.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, cured meat recipes, and virus language dictionaries to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android.