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What to watch for today
Xi Jinping hosts some neighbors. The Chinese leader is expected to meet with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean president Moon Jae-in, both of whom are in China for trilateral talks on trade. North Korea’s latest saber-rattling will likely be discussed.
The US reports economic data. The Commerce Department will detail last month’s durable-goods orders—a key measure of the manufacturing sector’s health—with a bump of 1.2% anticipated. Data on new-homes sales will also be released.
BHP Group opens its books. The mining giant’s revenue slumped recently to the lowest level since the early 1990s thanks to China’s slowdown. Its next CEO Mike Henry, assuming the role Jan. 1, faces the challenge of diversifying away from the miner’s most important market.
Over the weekend
China said it will make life easier for companies. The government will take steps to lower financing costs for private firms while also opening up sectors ranging from railways to oil and gas. Many companies have been struggling to access capital amid a slowing economy.
North Korea took the jingoism up a notch. State media reported on a meeting focused on “the sustained and accelerated development of military capability,” while satellite images suggested the expansion of a factory linked to the making of long-range nuclear missiles.
Tesco suspended a Chinese supplier of Christmas cards. The move followed reports of a child in London finding a plea for help in a card, apparently written by foreign prisoner subjected to forced labor in China. Tesco said it was withdrawing the cards and investigating the matter.
New Zealand’s ban on semiautomatic weapons took effect. The legislation passed in April, less than a month after a gunman killed over 50 people in a Christchurch mosque. In the months since residents have been voluntarily handing over tens of thousands of such firearms.
Boeing’s new spacecraft nailed the landing, at least. The CST-100 Starliner safely touched down in New Mexico, giving an upbeat ending to an otherwise disappointing mission involving an abbreviated time in orbit and a canceled docking with the International Space Station.
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Matters of debate
A scientist winning Miss America is not a breakthrough. It does more to burnish the contest’s image than promote equality.
Being “in the pizza category” makes you a weirdo. We’re ready for our day of reckoning for teasing pizza CEOs like “Papa” John Schnatter.
Toddlers don’t need to learn to code. Programming is a skill, not a language kids need to learn early to maximize fluency.
Surprising discoveries
Seasteading is moving onto land. Tired of the pirate life, investors are now aiming to set up semi-autonomous cities in developing countries.
Hong Kong’s protests prop up Mongolia’s luxury market. As Chinese tourists seek alternative shopping destinations, Gucci, Versace, and others have set up shop in Ulaanbaatar.
Nearly 80% of internet porn is now viewed on mobile. That cuts against a wider trend of mobile’s share of web traffic stagnating around the world.
The US military bought “American-made” military gear from China. A contractor tricked the feds into buying cut-rate ballistic vests, helmets, and riot gear.
Impeachment reignited the “irregardless” debate. Merriam-Webster stepped into the breach to confirm that yes, it is a word, and no, you shouldn’t use it.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, hacker babies, and hot grammar takes to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android, and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Steve Mollman and Nicolás Rivero.