Good morning!

1. International banks are keeping rates on hold with an announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB) to extend the hold into Summer (June-August) 2019 flowing on to the Swiss National Bank and Central Bank of Norway. ECB’s central policy meeting was held yesterday.

2. Major Chinese economic data is due to be released today, at 1pm AEDT. PBoC Governor Yi has made the first admission that the trade tensions are affecting the Chinese economy. The Aussie dollar has risen after opening at AUD/USD .7219, with European trade and some optimism around the US and China. Iron ore prices have made a neat jump, with the Metal Bulletin index sitting at $67.65.

3. The greatest fear for economists in 2019 is the US-China Trade War. The two powerhouses have imposed tariffs on $US360 billion worth of goods. Trump’s rogue tweeting is getting in the way of diplomacy, with both US officials and Chinese officials giving signs of agreement.

4. You think Sydney property prices are still too expensive? Then you haven’t considered the US$191 million mansion Alibaba founder Jack Ma is rumoured to have bought. Here are the most expensive real estate markets in the world.

5. Two Canadians have been detained in China. Michael Spavor, a high-profile entrepreneur and Michael Kovrig, a senior analyst for International Crisis Group who previously served as a Canadian diplomat have been confirmed missing in China. It is speculated their disappearance has ties to Canada’s detainment of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.

6. Australia’s shark numbers are dwindling with large apex sharks numbers falling 72-94% along the Queensland coast. A recent report released by Communications Biology dives into the data behind the falling shark population. Some species are internationally recognised as endangered.

7. Former Australian politician and Queensland businessman Clive Palmer has spent $500 million so far on creating a replica of the Titanic. The project is on track to be finished in 2022, after financial setbacks in 2013. Palmer’s company Blue Star Line have not yet release tickets for the cruise liner, but have created rendering of what the suites would look like.

8. Cat poo might help make you an entrepreneur – it’s about time there was good use for cats in general. An octopus on ecstasy, wombat poo and more weird and wonderful science stories from the year.

9. ICYMI: A recent PwC study has found that 80% of the workforce wants cultural change in order to succeed. We’ve also collected a list the best company cultures around. From Salesforce to Facebook – we give you a peek behind some of Australia’s greatest companies.

10. Apple is building a new campus in Austin, TX. Despite indication of struggling iPhone sales, Apple is spending US$1 billion on a 133-acre campus that will be 100% powered by renewable energy and grow to over 15,000 staff.

BONUS ITEM: Merry Christmas – here’s a gift for the “little terrors”.

Yellies are a new line of fuzzy, spider-like toys and the louder you yell, the faster they go! Buy them as gifts and then stay far away from the pure hatred parents will feel for you for encouraging their kids to scream all day long.

This kid learned the hard way that that yelling at the evil things just makes them chase you. Much like real spiders.

I think they’re kinda cute.

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