Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The US and China hold trade talks. A US team led by deputy trade representative Jeffrey Gerrish will meet Chinese counterparts in Beijing, with both sides worried about the trade war’s effects on economic growth and market confidence.
Japan begins collecting a departure tax. Starting today all travelers leaving Japan by plane or ship must pay 1,000 yen ($9.20). The revenue will go toward improving services and infrastructure to handle an increasing number of visitors ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The UK parliament returns from break. With Britain due to leave the EU in less than 12 weeks, MPs have neither approved an exit deal nor put in place legislation to ensure a smooth departure. Meanwhile Brits are applying for passports from EU member states in record numbers.
Over the weekend
Tsai Ing-wen called upon the world to support Taiwan’s independence. Days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping said unification with China was inevitable, Taiwan’s president countered it was “impossible” for her to accept the remarks, an unusually firm posture (paywall). In the US, calls to defend Taiwan’s democracy are rising among lawmakers.
Malaysia’s king abdicated. After serving two years, King Muhammad V resigned from the largely ceremonial role, the first time a monarch has stepped down before completing the five-year term. No reason was given. Nine royal households typically take turns assuming the throne.
A bluefin tuna sold for a record amount in Tokyo. In the year’s first auction, sushi-chain owner Kiyoshi Kimura bought the immense fish, which weighed 278 kg (612 lbs), for more than $3 million. Japan consumes 80% of the world’s Pacific bluefin tuna, which is on track to become an endangered species.
India declared Vijay Mallya a “fugitive economic offender.” The move will allow authorities to seize assets of the liquor and aviation tycoon, whom they aim to charge with fraud. Mallya, who denies any wrongdoing, became the first person to get the designation under a new law.
Quartz obsession interlude
How did a group of crows become a murder? Or a group of starlings a murmuration? The truth is lost to history, but one theory is that many of the English language’s elaborate nouns of assemblage were concocted by a prioress for a 1486 gentleman’s guide called the Book of St. Albans, and mostly meant to show the user’s erudition and wit. Which is still what they do. Gather together at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Virtual reality will be much bigger than augmented reality. The latter works best in very interesting places, which isn’t where most people live.
Intellectual humility must be encouraged. Not only should people know that they might be wrong, but they should feel free to admit it when they are without fear of attack.
Blockchain will start to become boring in 2019. The technology won’t make much noise, but it will become more useful.
Surprising discoveries
Saudi women were becoming divorced with even knowing it. A new rule says they must now be notified via text message.
Baby sharks can be vicious prenatal cannibals. The first embryonic shark to hatch instinctively devours all of the other fertilized eggs on its side of the uterine wall.
A new AI can decipher the ultrasonic squeaks of mice and rats. Called DeepSqueak, the program is designed to help researchers figure out what rodents are saying.
Startup founders say age bias is rampant in tech by age 36. Nearly 40% believe that age is the strongest investor bias against founders.
China’s population could start shrinking in eight years. Despite the one-child policy ending in 2015, women haven’t been flocking to have more babies.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, rodent recordings, and divorce alerts to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by Steve Mollman and April Siese.