Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Xi Jinping gives a speech about Taiwan. In his first scheduled event of the year, the Chinese president will speak on the 40th anniversary of the “Message to Compatriots in Taiwan” policy statement. In her New Year’s address, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen said China must use peaceful means to resolve its differences with the island.
Markets kick off 2019. Increased volatility, slowing economic growth, rising interest rates, trade tensions, and a host of other worries loom over the start of the year. On Monday, the Dow closed out its fourth-worst December since 1900.
Donald Trump holds a border-wall briefing. The US president invited congressional leaders to a White House meeting about the wall, one day before Democrats are set to take control of the House. The briefing marks the first time Trump has sat down with leaders from both parties since a partial government shutdown began on Dec. 22.
Over the holiday
NASA visited the farthest object ever explored. Just after midnight Eastern on Tuesday, the New Horizons space probe flew by celestial object 2014 MU69, a mysterious hunk of reddish rock 4 billion miles from Earth. New Horizons will spend 20 months transmitting data and imagery on the object, nicknamed “Ultimate Thule.”
Kim Jong Un shared a warning. In a televised New Year’s address, the North Korean leader said denuclearization is his “firm will” and professed interest in another summit with Trump. But Kim cautioned that continued US insistence on sanctions could force him to “consider a new way to safeguard our sovereignty and interests.”
Xi sent Trump a message. In a statement to mark 40 years since the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations, Xi Jinping said “history has proved that cooperation is the best choice for both sides,” and expressed willingness to work with Trump on reaching “consensus.” The two countries will resume trade negotiations this month.
Elizabeth Warren signaled a run for US president. The Massachusetts senator announced an exploratory committee to assess a potential run in 2020. Warren is the first major Democratic candidate (paywall) to put her name forward for a primary field that many expect to be crowded.
Russia detained a US citizen for spying. The country’s FSB state security service detained Paul Whelan, a corporate security director and former marine, who had been in Moscow for a wedding. Russia has provided no details on the nature of Whelan’s alleged espionage activities.
Quartz obsession interlude
Ashley Rodriguez on Netflix’s ridiculous original-content pipeline. “By Quartz’s measure, the streaming-video giant put out nearly 90,000 minutes—close to 1,500 hours—of original series, movies, and other productions this year. It would have taken more than four hours of streaming per day, every day of 2018, to watch all of it.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
Dry January is mostly in your mind. Taking a break from booze has some physical benefits, but it’s really about breaking habits.
Our phones disconnect us. This is the year to start consciously managing your relationship with technology.
All 2019 predictions are nonsense. The prediction industrial complex is built on publicity, ambiguity, and never holding anyone to account.
Surprising discoveries
Earth buried the evidence of a fifth of its geological history. A missing layer of rock known as the Great Unconformity may have been wiped out by planet-wide glaciers.
The maker of the “Pooey Puitton” toy purse is suing Louis Vuitton. MGA Entertainment says its slime-filled poop-shaped purse could not reasonably be confused for a luxury handbag.
The TSA prefers employing floppy-eared dogs. Transportation Security Administration chief David Pekoske said pointy-eared dogs, such as German shepherds, tend to “scare children.”
GE was almost the worst performing stock of 2018. The company founded by Thomas Edison also had its credit rating cut and lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
The oldest woman ever might have been a fraud. A researcher claims that the body of Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at 122 years old, may have been that of her Calment’s daughter, who assumed her mother’s identity to commit tax fraud.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, space pics, and floppy-eared dogs 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 Kira Bindrim.