Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

(1) Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, which killed at least 94 people and injured 76, has intensified scrutiny of the city’s safety-inspection system and whether officials responded forcefully enough to warning signs.

(2) The UK government dropped a key measure from its flagship workers’ rights package in a bid to quell concerns of businesses who had warned the legislation would damage growth and employment.

(3) US President Donald Trump’s proposals for ending the war in Ukraine could be the basis for future agreements, but no final version exists yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, while signaling an openness to talks.

(4) Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi used a call with his French counterpart to say the two sides needed to support each other, underscoring Beijing’s push to win diplomatic backing during a spat with Japan.

(5) Coffee lovers hoping for quick relief from historically high prices may have to wait longer as the expected pullback from a reduction in US tariffs has yet to materialize, according to Italian roaster Illycaffe.

Podcast Conversation: Sorry Mom. The Shopping Bots Suggested a Bathrobe for Christmas