Global Macro/Markets/Investing
- A Princeton economist has a theory for why there are so few women in economics – Quartz
- Bitcoin ransom of $1m paid for cryptocurrency boss – FT
- A year in charts: From bitcoin to Trump and chess playing robots – FT
- Exmo Bitcoin exchange manager kidnapped in Kiev – Mr Lerner is a prominent Russian blockchain expert and the news of his kidnapping has stunned many in the international cryptocurrency community. – BBC
Americas
- Trump: Even if there was collusion with Russia, ‘it’s not a crime’ – The Hill (he really doesn’t understand how impeachment works does he?)
- The Most Expensive Mile of Subway Track on Earth – NYT
- White House intern flashes ’white power’ sign while posing with Trump – Mail Online
- Trump unchained: staff leaves, hardline ideas rise – Axios (clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right…the far right)
- Parts of Canada colder than Mars and Antarctica – CTVnews
Europe/Middle East
Advertisement
- Merkel’s Efforts to Teach Trump About Diplomacy Didn’t Go Well – It reportedly ended with the chancellor repeatedly explaining that Germany can’t negotiate trade deals separately from the E.U. – NYMag
- Tehran Police Say Women Will No Longer Be Arrested For Violating ‘Islamic’ Dress Code – HuffPo
- Facebook and Twitter face sanctions if they fail to help ‘fake news’ inquiry – Telegraph
- Conservative billionaire and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi launched his election campaign in Italy on Thursday by promising a universal basic “dignity income” for all Italians of 1,000 euros per month – Telegraph
- Israel confirms withdrawal from UN cultural body UNESCO over resolutions critical of the Jewish state. – France24
- For the second day, demonstrations are spreading in Iran. – BBC
Asia
- South Korea has revealed it seized a Hong Kong-registered ship last month suspected of supplying oil to the North in breach of international sanctions. – BBC
- China says “this is not how a U.S. president should behave” after Trump tweet – Newsweek
- Taiwan president says island’s defence budget to grow, given China pressures – Channel News Asia
- North Korean Nuke Scientist Caught Defecting Killed Himself – Dailybeast
Sony going after Asian mobile game market in 2018 – Nikkei - Asia closes mixed on the last trading day of the year; dollar softens – CNBC
- China won’t cut its debts or fix its industries — but that’s OK, says PIMCO – CNBC
Straya/Unzud/Pacific
- Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was issued a A$250 ticket (US$193) on Friday for not wearing a lifejacket on Sydney Harbour – Mashable
Counter-terrorism crackdown at airports could threaten regional flights – ABCNews - IKEA’s tax bill shows it’s time to put screws on beancounters – The Age
- Bob Hawke’s advice for ‘ashamed’ Malcolm Turnbull: ‘resign’ – The Age
…and some more stuff
Advertisement
- Alarming link between fungicides and bee declines revealed: Fungicides are found to be the strongest factor linked to steep bumblebee declines, surprising scientists and adding to the threats to vital pollinators. – The Guardian
- Rare White rhino born at the Toronto Zoo for first time in 27 years – Globe and Mail
- Method to age whisky in just hours was axed over Scotch industry fears – Scotsman
- 4chan: The skeleton key to the rise of Trump – Medium
- Scientists Have Found Where Nicotine Addiction Can Be Blocked in The Brain – Sciencealert
Good news you probably missed while worrying about nuclear war – ABC