Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Theresa May goes to Brussels. The British prime minister will meet with top EU official Jean-Claude Juncker in an attempt to renegotiate the Irish “backstop,” the most contentious part of her proposed withdrawal agreement. The EU has reiterated that it will not reopen discussions, and Juncker doesn’t expect a “breakthrough” in talks.
The Fed releases its January minutes. Investors will be looking for more clarity from the US Federal Reserve on its 2019 monetary policy after it increased interest rates four times last year and held steady last month. They’re also seeking insight on how it plans to reduce its holdings of $4 trillion in bonds, and inflation expectations.
Samsung unveils a new lineup. The launch of models by the world’s largest smartphone maker in San Francisco today is expected to include a phone with a foldable screen. 2018 proved a dismal year for smartphone shipments, as consumers opted to use their phones for longer over expensive new iterations.
Shinzo Abe has an awkward phone call with Donald Trump. The Japanese prime minister and US president are due to have a pre-game conversation (paywall) ahead of Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un later this month—and shortly after Trump boasted that Abe nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.
While you were sleeping
The “MAGA teen” from a Catholic high school is suing the Washington Post. Nicholas Sandmann, who was captured on video during what many took to be a confrontation with a Native American elder, is suing the newspaper (paywall) for $250 million. His family allege that the Post caused damage to his reputation by failing to verify the context of the viral video, and portraying him as a racist.
Trump picked the next deputy US attorney general. A senior official said Trump plans to nominate Jeffrey Rosen, currently Department of Transportation deputy secretary, to replace Rod Rosenstein as number two at the Justice Department. Rosenstein, who plans to step down in mid-March after the arrival of new US attorney general William Barr, was overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.
Palladium shone. The rare metal, a crucial element in the catalytic converters that make car exhaust less toxic, hit a record-breaking $1,500 an ounce today as emission regulations pushed up demand. While the supply deficit is expected to widen this year, some analysts believe its record-breaking price surge may subside as car sales contract in major markets like the US and China.
Air France and KLM made peace. The airline group confirmed it had reached a deal on closer ties, an agreement it hopes will position it to defend against high fuel costs and political instability in some of the countries where the airlines operate. The group also announced a rise in annual net profits (paywall) for 2018, despite being hit by a costly strike.
Putin sought to quell discontent. In his annual State of the Nation address, the Russian president focused on domestic issues and pledged (paywall) to increase social protection measures. Putin’s approval ratings have nosedived amid an economic slowdown and protests over salary cuts and an increase in the retirement age.
Another UK Labour party member defected to a new political group. Joan Ryan became the eighth member of parliament to join the Independent Group, which launched on Monday with seven Labour lawmakers who quit due to growing anger over leader Jeremy Corby’s handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism allegations.
Membership
Microsoft’s rivals. Today we have a stunning interactive that charts the many competitors Microsoft has battled over the years, and we take a close look at Microsoft Teams, the workplace chat platform that signals a whole new way of thinking by the company about communication. And in today’s Tipping Points feature, Allison Schrager writes about how the biggest division in our country may not be political, regional, or cultural, but generational.
Quartz Obsession
Chicken Soup for the Soul: It’s still going strong, with 276 books over a quarter century, plus a podcast, a radio network, educational materials, and even pet food. The brand is publicly traded and into the streaming business as well, with the rights to Roseanne and the Ernest movies. That’s a big pot of money for a little book rejected by 33 publishers. Get inspired with today’s Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Women of color take more risks at work. Being accustomed to inequality helps encourage bold moves in the office.
Governments can be run like tech companies. Estonia is prioritizing efficiency, security, and trust.
Direct employment is a thing of the past. From Walmart to Google, businesses are trying to hire as few people as possible.
Surprising discoveries
Young blood isn’t the fountain of youth. US drug regulators say plasma injections are based on junk science.
Burberry apologized for its “noose hoodie.” The fashion house said the look was intended to be “nautical-themed” after a model complained.
Emojis are coming to Australian license plates. Drivers in Queensland will be able to choose from basic smileys for a A$500 ($350) fee.
The Grand Canyon has been irradiating tourists for nearly two decades. The US National Park Service was allegedly storing highly radioactive uranium in a museum.
How I met your mother: “We swiped right.” Meet-cute stories are getting a lot shorter thanks to online dating.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, appropriate Chicken Soup titles, and meet-cutes 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 Annabelle Timsit and edited by Jackie Bischof.