Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
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 will mark the first time Trump has sat down with leaders from both parties since a partial government shutdown began on Dec. 22. The Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are poised to close from today because of it.
UK, US markets kick off 2019. Increased volatility, slowing economic growth, rising interest rates, trade tensions, and a host of other worries loom over trading in London and New York, after the Dow closed out its fourth-worst December since 1900. Asian stocks slipped on the first day of trading this year after losing about $5 trillion in market value (subscription) in 2018. Japan’s stock markets were closed today for a public holiday.
Germany’s money vans decline to deliver. New Year’s shopping in Europe’s biggest economy might be dented after a union urged drivers of vans that deliver cash to ATMs and stores to go on strike today. In the cash-loving country, roughly 80% of transactions involve the paper stuff.
Over the holiday
NASA visited the farthest object ever explored. Just after midnight Eastern time 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.” After the address, Trump tweeted he looks forward to meeting with Kim.
Xi sent Trump—and Taiwan—messages. In a statement to mark 40 years since the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations, Xi Jinping on Tuesday 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. In a speech today to mark 40 years since China made an overture to Taiwan after decades of hostility, Xi said China “must and will be united” (subscription), by force if necessary.
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.
Tens of thousands of Indian women formed a “wall” of equality. Women in Kerala formed a series of chains extending 620 km (385 miles) to protest being barred from a revered place of worship for Hindus in the south Indian state. India’s Supreme Court ruled last year that it is unconstitutional to stop women of menstrual age from entering the Sabarimala Temple, but religious protesters won’t let them in.
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 mainly an exercise in mind training. Taking a break from booze has some physical benefits, but its biggest payoff is the skill of breaking a habit.
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. The body of Jeanne Calment, who died in France in 1997 at 122 years old, may have been her daughter’s, 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 Tripti Lahiri and edited by Isabella Steger.