Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Donald Trump heads to the southern border. He will visit southern Texas, meeting with two Republican lawmakers and border patrol agents. Accompanying him is White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who’s expected to offer legal advice to the US president in his quest to free up billions for a proposed border wall.
Nicolás Maduro is inaugurated. The start of a second term for the president of Venezuela represents a deepening of the South American nation’s isolation (subscription) from the rest of Latin America and the world. Maduro faces a substantial humanitarian and economic crisis at home, as well as charges that his re-election was illegitimate.
Shinzō Abe meets Theresa May. Japan’s prime minister visits the UK (subscription) to meet with his counterpart—days before the British parliament votes on Brexit—after stopping off first in the Netherlands, where some Japanese companies like Panasonic have moved their UK base of operations amid concerns over the deal falling through.
While you were sleeping
The US deputy attorney general will leave the Justice Department. Rod Rosenstein, who has overseen special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, reportedly plans to quit once the Senate confirms William Barr (who has opposed the Mueller inquiry) as the new US attorney general.
Someone sent suspicious packages to at least 19 embassies and consulates in Australia. They reportedly contained bags of concrete and asbestos, but haven’t caused any injuries. The targeted embassies included those of the US, South Korea, India, and Pakistan.
The UN determined that a fleeing Saudi teen qualifies as a “refugee.” Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who hid in a Bangkok airport hotel hoping for an offer of asylum, will likely get her wish from Australia. The 18-year-old says she renounced Islam, which is punishable by death in her home country.
Iran confirmed it’s holding a US Navy veteran. Michael R. White, 46, who is being held in an Iranian prison, is the first American to be detained during the Trump administration. The situation could further complicate the increasingly tense relationship between the two countries.
Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos are separating, prompting what could well be the most expensive divorce in history. With a net worth around $137 billion, the Amazon founder is the world’s richest person. The law in Washington, his home state, says that any wealth produced during a marriage must be evenly divided in case of divorce, though a couple can opt for a different arrangement.
Quartz obsession interlude
The 1MDB heist was one of the largest kleptocracy scandals in history. Complete with heads of governments, leading banks, a 300-foot (91-meter) super-luxury yacht, and Britney Spears jumping out of a cake, it was also one of the most readymade for Hollywood. Read all about it in today’s Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Don’t reply to every email. It’s more effective to stay in touch with those who matter in your life than to strive for inbox zero.
US Democrats say they want fresh faces but aren’t elevating new candidates. Older, white male politicians are still front and center as challengers against Donald Trump.
iMessage should be available on all devices. Apple could put its belief in privacy as a human right into practice by allowing wider use of its proprietary messaging service.
Quartz Membership
What does the future hold for Goldman Sachs? Clues can be found in the bank’s 19 letters to shareholders since it went public in 1999 and in data points like its revenue, number of employees, and stock price over time. Read more of the new Quartz membership report on what’s next for Goldman, which marks its 150th anniversary this year. You can sign up here for a 30-day free trial.
Surprising discoveries
The New York Times selected Puerto Rico as its number one place to visit in 2019. The Times called the island a representation “of so many fragile places around the globe,” and encouraged visitors to embrace conscious tourism (subscription).
Japan has the world’s top passport. Holders of this document can travel to 190 countries either without a visa or with the ability to obtain one upon arrival.
Mona Lisa isn’t looking at you, after all—but at your right ear, or somewhere above your shoulder. German researchers found that the painting’s gaze is 10 degrees off from looking at viewers head on.
Gamblers made $270,000 off Donald Trump’s border wall address. Those who bet the US president’s speech would include 11 falsehoods were rewarded handsomely.
Scientists are creating super healthy, gene-edited spicy tomatoes. The fruit contains nutrients that promote weight loss and provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Inspections of domestic food-processing facilities are on hold amid the US government’s partial shutdown. The FDA has been unable to conduct its usual 160 weekly audits, putting American consumers at risk (subscription) of developing foodborne illnesses.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Mona Lisa smiles, and tasty tomatoes 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 April Siese and edited by Holly Ojalvo.