Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
John Bolton has a tense meeting in Russia. The national security adviser will discuss a Cold War-era treaty banning intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Donald Trump announced Saturday that he would withdraw from the treaty as Russia has been noncompliant, a move Moscow said would be a ”very dangerous step.”
Hasbro presents its quarterly figures. A drop in revenue is expected as the Toys ‘R’ Us liquidation continues to cast a shadow. Investors will be keen to hear the toy company’s forecast for the holiday season.
Twenty-four countries debate a sanctuary in the Antarctic Ocean. Over the next two weeks, a commission will meet in Hobart, Tasmania, to discuss creating the world’s largest protected area at nearly 2 million square kilometers (770,000 square miles).
An update on the spread of a polio-like disease. Starting today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide weekly updates of new cases of acute flaccid myelitis, a disease that affects the spinal cord and can cause paralysis in children.
Over the weekend
Saudi Arabia admitted Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in its Istanbul consulate. Foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News that the journalist’s death was a “tremendous mistake,” while British, French, and German governments issued a joint statement demanding a more credible explanation. Donald Trump, however, praised Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom many deem responsible.
The caravan of Honduran migrants reached southern Mexico. Mexican authorities stopped migrants at the Guatemalan border, many of whom are now waiting to request asylum. Others managed to cross into Mexico and regroup to start walking north towards the US. An estimated 10% of the population of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras have fled violence, forced gang recruitment, and poverty.
Elon Musk said his first hyperloop test tunnel was “almost done.” The Boring Co. will open its first high-speed transit tunnel (paywall) in Hawthorne, California on Dec. 10, Musk tweeted on Sunday. Musk said the trial tunnel will hit a top speed of 155 mph.
Some 700,000 people gathered for an anti-Brexit rally in London. In one of the largest demonstrations in British history, protesters on Saturday called for a second Brexit referendum. Theresa May, who is expected to tell the Commons today that the Brexit withdrawal agreement is 95% complete, has ruled out another referendum.
Deadly attacks disrupted Afghanistan’s long-overdue elections. Voting was extended from Saturday to Sunday because of Taliban threats, and at least 28 people were killed in the country’s first parliamentary elections in eight years. Preliminary results are expected within 20 days.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Annabelle Timsit on how one community has come together to care for babies born dependent on opioids. “Because babies with NAS are the innocent bystanders of this public health crisis, they’ve often attracted people’s empathy and pity, much more so than the mothers who are blamed for their condition. Fundamentally, that’s because humans are inclined to see babies as a chance at redemption. As Clawson explained, ‘I see a baby as someone who might some day contribute something good to this world, and … who will make it a better place than it was before he or she existed.'” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Microfinance, not charity, is the way to end poverty. The world needs two separate financial systems—one for the rich and one for the poor.
Silicon Valley needs to learn about ethics. Salesforce and 23andMe are among the companies toying with hiring a chief ethics officer (paywall).
Don’t look for the perfect job right out of college. New grads should take opportunities that let them learn in the working world.
Surprising discoveries
The world’s shortest flight lasts less than two minutes. The journey between two of the Orkney Islands in northern Scotland costs £21 ($27) roundtrip.
A Girl Scout cashed in on Canada’s pot legalization. The 9-year-old sold all her cookies in 45 minutes to patrons in line at a weed shop the day marijuana was legalized.
Giant mice are killing millions of seabird chicks on Gough Island. Up to 50% bigger than a domestic mouse, their voracious appetites are threatening rare species with extinction on the South Atlantic island.
Scientists found ways to prevent crying. Pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth or pinching the skin between your thumb and index finger can keep the tears at bay (paywall).
A Jewish immigrant introduced the UK to fish and chips. Fish prepared “in the Jewish manner” became a Friday tradition for Jews and Christians alike.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Girl Scout cookies, and ethics lessons to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Jill Petzinger and edited by Sarah Todd.