Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
A US appeals courts hears arguments on Trump’s refugee and travel ban. The controversial executive order is blocked for now, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will consider the legal cases for and against it. About 100 technology companies have spoken out against the order, which temporarily bans refugees and blocks citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US.
The US Senate votes on Trump’s pick for education secretary. Betsy DeVos could become the first nominee for the post to be rejected, but it will be a close call either way. The billionaire has scant experience in education policy, and she couldn’t identify basic education terms at her confirmation hearing in January. She and her family have given millions to Republicans in the Senate.
An update on the US trade deficit. Economists don’t expect much to change in December, but the $45 billion deficit will be in the spotlight as president Donald Trump tries to rework NAFTA and other trade deals. The White House has proposed narrowing the persistent gap by imposing fees on certain imports.
While you were sleeping
Brazil’s president nominated a political ally to the Supreme Court. Michel Temer put forward justice minister Alexandre Moraes, hoping to get him on a tribunal that’s ruling on a graft scandal threatening his government. Moraes would replace Teori Zavascki, who was killed in a plane crash last month that many suspect involved foul play.
The UK parliament ruled out a Trump address. House of Commons speaker John Bercow, whose approval would be needed, said he opposes any invitation to the US president to speak before parliament during a state visit. He said the body opposes racism and sexism while also pointing to Trump’s refugee ban. Nearly 2 million people in Britain have signed a petition calling for Trump’s visit to be canceled or downgraded.
Trump said journalists “have their reasons” to play down the terror threat. He made the assertion in an address to US Central Command. The White House released a list of 78 attacks that did not receive “the media attention they deserve,” including those in Paris. Right-wing news outlets have pushed the theory that the media is whitewashing terrorist attacks to protect Islam or Muslim migrants.
Australia’s central bank held rates steady. For the seventh month in a row the Reserve Bank of Australia kept rates at a record low of 1.5%. Governor Philip Lowe said the economy appears to have bounced back to “reasonable growth,” following an unexpected contraction in the third quarter of last year.
Quartz obsession interlude
David Yanofsky explores all $304.6 billion in goods that the US imports from Mexico in a year: “Trump has floated a 20% import tax on all Mexican products to finance his border wall. A blanket tax, however, may not be the best approach. Tariffs are typically applied in a much more nuanced way.” Read more here.
Quartz markets haiku
Glaciers silently
Slumber, before they crack wide
Will stocks ever wake?
Matters of debate
The IMF should leave Greece before it makes things worse. Forgiving the country’s debts to the IMF would allow Europe and Greece to work out their own solution.
The US should not use Russia to fight ISIL. Moscow’s goals have very little to do with fighting the extremist group.
Isolating China will only hurt the US. A trade war or military conflict (paywall) will make China more defensive and anti-American.
Surprising discoveries
Cubans buy their apps in brick-and-mortar stores. The internet is slow and expensive, so vendors use hardwired connections to transfer software to customers’ phones.
Trump aides are literally working in the dark. White House newcomers reportedly couldn’t figure out (paywall) how to operate some light switches.
A “Hamilton” Ponzi scheme ensnared some prominent billionaires. Michael Dell and hedge fund boss Paul Tudor Jones were among the victims of the ticket resale fraud.
Apple is doubling down on dongles. Yet another iPhone connector—somewhere between the old lightning port and the new USB-C—is in the works.
Science designed a song to makes babies happy. They like upbeat, surprising tracks sung by energetic female vocalists.
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