Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un meet… The Hanoi talks could result in a deal to lift US sanctions in return for Kim making good on his earlier promise to shut down North Korea’s most prominent nuclear facility. But few experts expect Kim to give up his nuclear weapons easily. Ahead of the summit, Trump and Vietnamese president Nguyen Phu Trong presided over the signing of $15.7 billion worth of deals (paywall) between Boeing and Vietnam’s airlines.
Another day of Brexit votes. Lawmakers will hold non-binding votes on a series of potential amendments to prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, likely including one by opposition Labour MP Yvette Cooper that would delay Brexit if May can’t win support for a deal by March 12. May will also update parliament on her efforts to secure concessions from the EU on the deal.
Michael Cohen testifies before Congress. Trump’s former attorney has signaled he will publicly accuse the president of criminal conduct while in office (paywall), related to hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Also testifying today are Fed chairman Jerome Powell, who will present on monetary policy to the House Financial Services Committee, and trade representative Robert Lighthizer, who will update the House on US-China negotiations.
US lawmakers consider healthcare and guns. More than 100 Democrats will unveil a Medicare plan (paywall) to provide public healthcare to every American. The proposed legislation has almost no chance of passing, but signals a shift in the healthcare reform debate. Lawmakers will also consider legislation today that would require background checks for all firearm buyers.
US retail takes stock of the holiday quarter. Bargain hunters are likely to have boosted (pdf) discount store-owner TJX Companies’ fourth-quarter sales; while concerns over an economic growth slowdown may have impacted tech retailer Best Buy. Home improvement store Lowe’s is also expected to have built some momentum last quarter, although competitor Home Depot yesterday posted a slowdown in sales, blaming bad weather (paywall).
While you were sleeping
India-Pakistan tensions ramped up. Islamabad said it shot down two Indian fighter jets over Pakistani airspace today, a day after New Delhi launched air strikes following a blast in Indian-administered Kashmir earlier this month that left at least 42 soldiers dead. The events are expected to be the focus of an annual summit between Russia, China, and India taking place today.
US lawmakers blocked Trump’s border emergency. As expected, the House of Representatives easily passed a resolution to overturn Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the Mexican border, which would have allowed him to tap $5.7 billion in spending for his border wall. The measure now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where passage will be more difficult.
Chinese electric-car maker BYD reported another drop in profit. The company blamed intensifying competition in the Chinese auto market for the more than 30% drop in its preliminary net profit for 2018. A reduction in government subsidies and weak demand is also putting a squeeze on the sector.
Nigeria’s president was re-elected. Muhammadu Buhari defeated his main rival, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, who called the vote a “sham.” Pockets of violence and claims of vote rigging have marred the election in Africa’s largest economy.
China clamped down on rogue scientists. Beijing announced new rules on biotechnology research, including fines and penalties for unauthorized research. The measures follow a controversial claim by a Chinese scientist that he had created gene-edited twins.
Lego looked sturdy. The colorful plastic bricks-maker posted a healthy bump in sales for 2018, reversing a slump that saw sales drop in 2017 for the first time in a decade. Healthy demand in China, Harry Potter and Star Wars-themed building sets, and AR integration drove the boost.
Quartz Obsession
Pickup trucks: They’re right up there with apple pie on the list of things that signify America. But now their rugged, flat-bed utility makes them increasingly desired all over the world—despite the heavy environmental costs. Roll up here for today’s Quartz Obsession.
Membership
As pension liabilities grow and populations age, the payments governments owe employees threaten to crowd out other spending for things like schools and roads, and could make even reasonable debt levels unsustainable. In today’s Tipping Points feature, Allison Schrager examines the looming $78 trillion pension crisis.
Matters of debate
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We need a new word to describe female militants. The tabloid “jihadi bride” masks a complicated debate about the agency of women.
Apple sees you when you’re sleeping. The company’s rumored Apple Watch sleep tracking app is spotlighting its privacy policies.
Cutting your personal carbon footprint won’t end climate change. A global political solution is the only possible answer.
Surprising discoveries
A whale carcass was found in the Amazon jungle. The juvenile humpback may have been pulled into the mangroves by the tide.
Pet gadgets are the new smartphones. As phone sales lag, companies are rolling out canine exercise trackers and smart litter boxes.
Internet vigilantes are taking down psychics who snoop on social media. The group Guerrilla Skeptics sets up fake Facebook profiles (paywall) to ensnare huckster mediums.
Rotten Tomatoes is under siege from “Captain Marvel” haters. The site deleted a category of user reviews after an organized campaign by sexist trolls.
The US wants to turn tanks into AI-powered killing machines. A proposed weapons system would be able to autonomously target and fire weapons.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, lost whales, and cat apps 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 Adam Rasmi and edited by Jackie Bischof.