Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Foreign ministers gather in Vancouver for a North Korea summit. Officials from the US, France, Japan, and other nations (though not China) will discuss ways to pressure Pyongyang into abandoning its nukes. Notably they’ll consider intercepting ships bound for North Korea, which warned last month a naval blockade would be considered an “act of war.”
Czech lawmakers debate a no-confidence vote for Andrej Babis’s government. The prime minister looks likely to receive one, with parties abandoning him as he faces allegations of EU subsidy fraud. Complicating the situation is a tight presidential run-off on Jan. 26-27, with incumbent Milos Zeman—a Babis ally—challenged by EU-leaning Jiri Drahos.
Citigroup reports its fourth-quarter earnings. The investment bank is expected to take a $20 billion hit (paywall) stemming from the US tax overhaul, which in the long run should help it and other banks by slashing the corporate tax rate. Last week JPMorgan Chase reported a similar hit, albeit a smaller one, of $2.4 billion.
While you were sleeping
A watchdog group warned about Trump’s “unprecedented conflicts of interest.” The nonpartisan Public Citizen released a report noting that in Trump’s first year in office, 64 trade groups, foreign governments, Republican candidates, and others stayed at or held events at properties linked to the US president. It noted Trump has not divested from properties he owns or that carry his name.
Japan is investigating how to evacuate its citizens from South Korea. With the North Korea threat looming, authorities have set out plans to use Japanese and US military vessels departing from the southern city of Busan in the event of a crisis that closes airports in South Korea, reported the Yomiuri daily. There are roughly 60,000 Japanese in South Korea.
Panama’s attorney general revealed a wide-ranging corruption probe. Kenia Porcell said prosecutors are investigating a network of more than 30 people, among them high-level ex-officials, lawyers, and businesspeople. She said those involved sought bribes related to public infrastructure projects during the administration of former president Ricardo Martinelli.
Dolores O’Riordan, the lead singer of the Cranberries, died unexpectedly at 46. A statement from her publicist did not specify the cause of death. The band, known for hits like “Linger” and “Zombie,” was part of a group of prominent female-fronted rock groups in the ’90s.
Quartz obsession interlude
Ananya Bhattacharya on the unnerving uncertainty around H-1B visas. “India’s largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services is more worried about the lack of clarity over the policy than the possibility of tougher norms itself… TCS’s confidence to weather the change whenever it comes stems from the fact that India’s $160 billion IT industry has been preparing for a stricter US visa regime for nearly a decade now.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Traditional carmakers must adapt or die. Electric and self-driving cars will disrupt an industry wallowing in stagnation.
Unisex fashion doesn’t promote gender equality. Fashion is an exploiter of social movements.
Exhibitors at CES suck at advertising. The world’s largest consumer electronics show is a showcase of amazingly terrible slogans.
Surprising discoveries
Cheese is driving a wedge between Mexico and Spain. The countries are battling over the true definition of manchego.
The UAE has built the world’s largest desalinated water reserve—under a desert. It took 26 months to fill up.
Fans of South Korean president Moon Jae-in bought ads to celebrate his birthday. The video segments have been popping up in Seoul’s subway stations.
China discovered a dinosaur with rainbow feathers. The crow-sized creature dates back 161 million years to the Jurassic period.
CVS is putting warning labels on photoshopped beauty products. The drugstore giant wants to rid its branches of touched-up images by 2020.
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