US jobs data, Samsung’s big hurrah, Australia’s cat infestation

[Quartz - qz.com] Daily Brief sponsored by Good morning, Quartz readers! What to watch for today and over the weekend US jobs day. Employment data for December will be out [at 8:30am ET]. The economy is expected to have added 175,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate is poised to rise slightly, from 4.6% to 4.7%. Canada will [also release jobs data] (paywall). India takes stock. Quarterly GDP figures will show how much the government’s shock move to scrap high-denomination banknotes may have [harmed the economy]. Economists have slashed GDP estimates for October to December by about two percentage points. Boeing reveals 2016 orders. Analysts expect the US plane maker [fell short of its targets], despite last-minute orders from GE Capital Aviation Services and Czech airline Travel Service. On the bright side, the manufacturer [is poised to close] a $10 billion deal with Indian budget airline SpiceJet, according to Bloomberg. SpaceX fires up its jets. Elon Musk’s space company will resume launches on Sunday, Jan. 8, after a September launchpad explosion destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX [traced the problem] to a flaw in the special tanks known as “composite over-wrapped pressure vessels.” Sponsor content by Conduent Many everyday interactions are expected to be modern, personalized, and secure. With increased digital and regulatory guidelines, businesses and governments rely on Conduent to develop customized solutions for consumers and citizens. From technology to transportation, healthcare to customer care, see how Conduent is [modernizing millions of interactions] for clients. While you were sleeping What recall? Samsung saw it strongest quarterly profit in three years. Just three months after Samsung was forced to globally recall and scrap its exploding Galaxy Note 7, the world’s biggest smartphone maker said it’s expecting to [post a $7.2 billion operating profit] for the fourth quarter of 2016—twice the profit it made in Q4 the year before. Recovery was powered by sales of chips and its other smartphones. Joe Biden told Donald Trump to “grow up.” In a [PBS interview], the US vice president criticized the president-elect’s [recent attacks] on the intelligence community, saying it was “worrisome” that Trump had no faith in the agencies. Biden expressed his concern about Trump’s foreign policies, urging him to “be an adult,” and adding, “You’re president…Show us what you have.” Britain’s high-street retailers had a lame Christmas. Sales declined for the[fourth December in a row] as consumers opted to rather shop online. While sales at over 70 high-street retailers dipped 0.1% in the final month of 2016, online retailers celebrated a 19% leap in sales for the month. Protests in Mexico turned deadly. Four people were reportedly killed in a week of riots, looting and blockades over the government’s [20% hike in gas prices]. The price increase is part of the government’s efforts to deregulate the energy sector. President Enrique Peña Nieto said he would press on with abolishing fuel subsidies and allow gas prices to be dictated by international prices. LG booked its first quarterly loss in six years. In the quarter ending December, the South Korean electronics giant said it was looking at[a loss of 35 billion won] ($30 million), caused by its struggling smartphone arm, weakness in its appliance business, and marketing expenses ahead of the holiday season. Quartz obsession interlude Steve LeVine on the imminent frustrations of Trump secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson: “A meticulous preparer in the tradition of every Exxon executive before him, Tillerson would likely find the shoot-from-the-hip Trump disrupting the works with very unExxon-like, hunch-based tweets… One wonders how long Tillerson will be contented working for the notoriously unruly, unread, and uncouth president-elect.” [Read more here]. Matters of debate Ford scrapping a plant in Mexico doesn’t help US workers. Robots are [the main beneficiaries]. Intelligence services shouldn’t be immune from a shakeup. The inability of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate information across the CIA, FBI, and NSA, proves that [layers of bureaucracy] (paywall) hamper accountability. Making fun weekend plans can ruin your weekend. Strict [scheduling is at odds] with how people think about leisure and relaxation. Surprising discoveries A feminist music video has gone viral in Saudi Arabia. It shows women [playing basketball in burkas] and singing, “if only God would rid us of men.” Australia’s feral cat infestation is an environmental nightmare. Conservationists are considering [using wild dogs] as a countermeasure. The media’s favorite millennial is 55 years old. Comedian Dan Nainan has been bamboozling news outlets with [his outlandish tales]. German doctors want people to walk like penguins. Maintaining a low center of gravity [prevents accidents on icy streets]. Gun violence spreads just like the flu. A contagion model, including an incubation period, can [predict deaths with uncanny accuracy]. Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, walking strategies, and feral cat countermeasures to hi@qz.com. You can follow us [on Twitter] for updates throughout the day or download [our apps for iPhone] and [Android]. Want to receive the Daily Brief at a different time? [Click here] to change your edition. To unsubscribe entirely, [click here]. Like us on [Facebook] and follow us on [Twitter]. Quartz | 675 Avenue of the Americas, 4th Fl | New York, NY 10011 | United States