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What to watch for today
The leaders of South Korea and Japan meet. Talks between president Moon Jae-in and prime minister Shinzo Abe in China, on the sidelines of a trilateral summit, mark their first formal meeting in 15 months. Finding a lasting resolution to their bitter 20th century history, which has poisoned trade ties this year, won’t be easy.
The UN could vote on a controversial internet resolution. The Russia-backed resolution, which is on the general assembly’s agenda today, would take a step toward a global “cybercrime” treaty. The US fears it could be used to stifle online dissent.
The US military is tracking Santa—and a possible “Christmas gift” from Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang warned this month that its actions will depend on how naughty or nice Washington is—raising concerns that the isolated country could “gift” the world a weapons test over the holidays.
While you were sleeping
The Queen’s Christmas Day message will recall a “quite bumpy” year. Buckingham Palace released excerpts of the message to be broadcast tomorrow, in which the UK monarch will urge people to overcome their differences, in a possible reference to the national rifts over Brexit.
The IMF warned India must take “urgent action” on its economy. Declining consumption and investment, and falling tax revenue, have driven India into a significant slowdown, it said. Prime minister Narendra Modi has spent the first months of his second term focused on his Hindu nationalist agenda.
Argentina’s wine region protested over water rights. Thousands gathered outside the office of Mendoza’s provincial governor after the surprise overturning of a 2007 law that banned water-intensive mining. Though the demonstration started peacefully, protesters threw stones, and police fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
New Zealand suspended its search for missing White Island victims. Police said they had given up searching for the bodies of an Australian teen and a New Zealand man, the last two missing after a volcanic eruption this month killed 19, including those presumed dead.
The US investigates BMW. The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into allegations the German auto maker juiced its US sales numbers by telling dealers to register cars as sold when they were still on car lots.
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Quartz obsession
Hot chocolate is global history in a mug. Wherever you go (almost), you’ll find a version of it. Colombians add cheese. Filipinos may include peanut butter. The Viennese top it with a thick slug of whipped cream. In Mexico, where it originated, it is minimally grainy and maximally invigorating. But where did it come from, and how did we all fall in love with it? Take a sip on the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
“Statistical significance” is no longer significant. Academics say it’s time to abandon the popular concept.
One-day delivery is a disaster for cities. Sorting packages outside city centers, pooling data, and creating universal lockers would go a long way to help.
Boeing missed an opportunity. Ousting a CEO just before the holidays telegraphs hastiness, not serious and careful decision-making.
Surprising discoveries
Australia depends on a largely unpaid force to tackle its massive bushfires. Nearly 90% of the firefighters battling the blazes are volunteers.
American sniffer dogs won’t be sent to Egypt and Jordan. A report said that trained dogs sent to those countries weren’t properly cared for.
Movies get software updates now. After a dismal opening weekend, Cats is receiving “improved visual effects.”
A solution to Delhi’s apocalyptic winters might be in sight. New technology could mean farmers don’t need to burn their crops.
If you can make it here, you won’t go anywhere. The New York metropolitan area has the lowest rate of population turnover of any large US city.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, firefighting gear, and chili-spiked hot chocolate 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 written by Tripti Lahiri and edited by Isabella Steger.