Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
The US government faces another possible shutdown. It’s once again on the verge of exhausting its funds. The House passed a stopgap spending bill yesterday, but the Senate might block it, with Democrats upset about the lack of progress on a broader budget and immigration deal. If no compromise is reached, the government will partially close down after today.
North Korea’s participation in the Winter Games will be discussed in Switzerland. Along with delegations from the two Koreas, the International Olympic Committee will address questions related to uniforms, ceremonies, and flags, as well as how many and which athletes the North will send to the event, being hosted by the South next month.
The US Pentagon unveils its National Defense Strategy. Authored primarily by defense secretary Jim Mattis, the policy document will influence how his department’s resources are allocated in the years ahead. It could include details on swarm drones, artificial intelligence programs, and other new initiatives.
While you were sleeping
The US said Chinese ships violated UN sanctions against North Korean exports. According to satellite photos and other evidence gathered by US intelligence officials, at least six Chinese-owned or -operated cargo ships covertly transported illicit cargo (paywall) from North Korea to Russia and Vietnam, despite UN bans on exports of coal, iron ore, and other resources.
New Zealand’s prime minister revealed she is pregnant. Jacinda Ardern plans to work until the end of her pregnancy in June and then take six weeks of leave, with deputy prime minister Winston Peters filling in. The 37-year-old Adern said she discovered she was pregnant on Oct. 13, six days before being propelled into the country’s top job.
Google and Tencent agreed to share patents. The cross-licensing deal comes with an understanding that the search giant and China’s largest corporation will team up on developing future technologies. Google has a similar arrangement—designed to minimize patent infringements—with Samsung and others. The deal could help Google in China and Tencent abroad.
Police detained one of China’s most outspoken human rights lawyers. Yu Wensheng was apprehended in Beijing while walking his son to school. Earlier this week authorities revoked his license, three months after he wrote an open letter criticizing the ruling Communist Party.
Quartz obsession interlude
Harnidh Kaur on how Aziz Ansari’s bad date shows he isn’t the feminist people believed him to be. ”Ansari’s quick, quiet apology sounded more like the words people wanted him to say than the product of actual introspection. Here, it would be easy to forgive him—the desi woke bro—but it’s important to remember that representation doesn’t excuse sexual aggression, and nor is does performative activism.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Donald Trump should fear Joe Biden. The former US vice president is a more realistic opponent (paywall) than Oprah Winfrey and a safer one than Bernie Sanders.
The biggest threat to China’s long-term growth is its own government. Private companies increasingly find themselves pitted against state-owned firms in the scramble for scarcer resources—like financing.
Apple should make a less addictive iPhone. Dramatically improved notification controls would be a good start (paywall), along with an indicator of how long you’ve been staring at your screen.
Surprising discoveries
Earth just had its second-hottest year since 1880. NASA scientists say 2017’s heat patterns were only surpassed by 2016, and it wasn’t even an El Niño year.
Japan is getting the world’s first ruby chocolate KitKat. The “Sublime Ruby KitKat” spent 10 years getting its berry-like taste perfected just in time for a Valentine’s Day debut.
Singapore’s government hired Instagram influencers to promote its budget. The finance minister wanted to reach younger constituents.
Concussions aren’t the only trigger for chronic brain damage. Repeated blows to the head can cause the problem all on their own.
One of Saturn’s moons has a sea level. The Cassini orbiter helped researchers build a topographic map of Titan’s hydrocarbon ocean.
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