Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
The US government faces another possible shutdown. It’s on the verge of exhausting its funds, again. The House passed a stopgap spending bill yesterday, but the Senate might block it. If no compromise is reached, the government will partially close down after today.
The IOC discusses North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics. Along with delegations from the two Koreas, the International Olympic Committee will address questions related to uniforms, ceremonies, and flags. It’ll also discuss how many and which athletes the North will send to the event, 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 the 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
Google and Tencent agreed to share patents. The cross-licensing deal comes with an understanding that the search giant and China’s largest firm will team up on developing future tech. Google has a similar arrangement—designed to minimize patent infringements—with Samsung and others. The deal could help Google in China and Tencent abroad.
Audemars Piguet jumped on the second-hand watch trend. The Swiss luxury watchmaker is the first big brand to enter the burgeoning market for pre-owned watches. It plans to sell second-hand watches in Switzerland first, then expand to the US and Japan.
The US spotted Chinese ships violating UN sanctions against North Korea. 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 various exports.
New Zealand’s prime minister revealed she’s pregnant. Jacinda Ardern will be the first leader to give birth in office in almost 30 years, and plans to work until the end of her pregnancy in June and take six weeks leave. The 37-year-old said she discovered she was pregnant on Oct. 13, six days before taking the country’s top job.
The International Energy agency predicted “explosive” growth in US oil output. It said huge growth in the US and gains in Canada and Brazil will offset Venezuela’s collapsing production. As oil prices hit three-year highs, OPEC and its partners are meeting in Oman this week to discuss clearing the global oil glut.
Quartz obsession interlude
Lynsey Chutel on how South Africans are teaching fashion retailer H&M a tough lesson on diversity. “H&M learned the hard way that an apology was not enough in South Africa, a country where race-based controversies often hog the headlines. South Africa’s fraught, but brutally honest and very public conversations on race offer a lesson to global brands on the importance of diversity.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Donald Trump should fear Joe Biden. The former 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 financing.
Apple should make a less addictive iPhone. Improved notification controls and an indicator of how long you’ve been staring at your screen would be a good start (paywall).
Surprising discoveries
Earth just had its second-hottest year since 1880. NASA says 2017’s heat patterns were only surpassed by 2016, and it wasn’t even an El Niño year.
South Korean is suffering from a trading “kimchi deficit.” The Korean staple been battered by low-cost imports from China.
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 also cause the problem 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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