Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
China talks 2019 economic plans… State-run media will likely begin reporting on the decisions made in this week’s Central Economic Work Conference, which ends today. The world will be watching to see how the government plans to handle the country’s economic slowdown during a tense trade climate with the US.
…As the US and Canada release GDP figures. Canada’s expected to have grown just 0.2% in October, from a 0.1% decline the previous month. The US will release its final estimate for third quarter GDP, which is projected to show annual growth of 3.5%. The US Commerce Department will also publish data (subscription) on factory goods, personal income, spending, and inflation.
More travel disruptions in London. After drones grounded more than 100,000 passengers at Gatwick Airport this week, police are considering a “tactical option” to shoot down the unauthorized flying vehicles. Gatwick is advising passengers to check their flight statuses before heading to the airport.
The US government could shut down. If the House and Senate can’t agree on a stopgap funding bill that Donald Trump is willing to sign off on by midnight, nine federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, will close, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be forced to work over the holidays without pay (subscription).
While you were sleeping
Carlos Ghosn was rearrested. A day after a Japanese court rejected a request to extend Ghosn’s detainment, prosecutors served a new arrest warrant to the former Nissan chairman for allegedly shifting his personal losses of about 1.85 billion yen ($16.6 million) to the carmaker. It’s unclear if Nissan board member Greg Kelly will be released on bail.
Jim Mattis abruptly resigned after clashing with Trump… In his resignation letter, the US defense secretary criticized Trump for failing to value the US’s closest allies after the president decided this week to pull troops from Syria and Afghanistan. An official said yesterday that Trump plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
…While the US House passed a stopgap funding bill with $5 billion for Trump’s border wall. The Senate, which on Wednesday passed its own bill without funding for the US-Mexico wall, is expected to reject the House’s version, making a government shutdown on Saturday more likely. Trump had said he wouldn’t sign a short-term spending bill that did not include a provision for his wall.
Chile’s president told his police chief to resign. Hermes Soto and 10 other police commanders were asked to resign to make way for new leadership as pressure mounted over the death of an indigenous man last month. The country has been engulfed in protests after Camilo Catrillanca, the grandson of a Mapuche indigenous leader, was shot in the head while driving a tractor.
The US indicted two Chinese hackers. The Justice Department accused two Chinese nationals (subscription) linked to China’s civilian spy agency for infiltrating the computer systems of the US government and commercial enterprises. Beijing has responded by saying it does not support stealing trade secrets.
Obsession interlude
MSG’s bad rap comes from shoddy science plus more than a dash of racism. The ionic compound occurs naturally in tons of foods, especially those that have been fermented or aged. When it was synthesized a century ago, it started a food revolution—and also a controversy. Read all about it in today’s Quartz Obsession.
Membership
Cannabis could change the way we grow everything. The energy-saving challenges weed farmers face by growing light-loving marijuana plants indoors could lead to innovations in agriculture. Cannabis growers have a pricier crop per pound, and are more likely to invest in new technologies that farmers tending cheaper produce could pick up in the future. Read more here.
Matters of debate
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Elon Musk’s new tunnel is idiotic. It’s just a slow subway for Teslas–a really expensive one at that.
Oxford University is churning out less-than-stellar politicians. The degree in philosophy, politics, and economics that so many prime ministers have encourages networking and shallow learning.
All brands on Instagram look the same. The trend of “blanding”—the design of minimal products with minimal logos—appeals to users’ desire for authenticity.
Surprising discoveries
An Alexa user was able to eavesdrop on another home. A man who requested to listen to his own recordings got 1,700 audio files from another household.
Hershey’s Kisses are missing their signature tips. The company said it’s investigating why the tips have broken off after consumers complained on social media.
The far right is furious Toblerone is halal. Mondelez says nothing about the candy bar’s recipe or production process has changed since receiving its halal certification in April.
An escaped inmate got picked up by a cop when he tried to hitchhike. The Kentucky man tipped off the officer with the handcuffs hanging off his wrist.
A Canadian was charged with fraudulent witchcraft days before the country repealed the archaic law. The 33-year-old woman insists she’s a psychic, not a witch.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, bland brands, and politically correct chocolate to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Alice Truong and edited by Isabella Steger.