Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
US lawmakers gather for a classified briefing on Iran tensions. Ahead of the meeting, politicians have clashed on how intelligence is being interpreted, with Democrats accusing Republicans of twisting facts in order to portray Iran as being provocative.
A wave of abortion protests take place across the US. Demonstrators using the slogan #StopTheBans will flood statehouses, town squares, and courthouses in an attempt to stop anti-abortion laws, after Alabama last week banned abortion under almost all circumstances, including in cases of rape and incest.
The OECD publishes its latest economic outlook. The research arm for the world’s richest countries recently cut 2019 and 2020 forecasts, blaming trade tensions and political uncertainty. Secretary-general Angel Gurria yesterday called US-China trade tensions the “enemy of growth.”
Major retailers kick off a big earnings week. Hardware giant Home Depot reports fourth-quarter earnings, alongside AutoZone, JC Penney, Urban Outfitters, and Nordstrom. Clothing retailer Kohl’s, which recently announced an expanded partnership with Amazon, will also be reporting quarterly numbers.
While you were sleeping
A judge ordered Trump to turn over his financial records. The US president lost a lawsuit challenging a House subpoena for the files, dealing an early setback to his legal battle with Congress and his strategy of stonewalling all oversight demands for information. Trump’s lawyers will appeal the ruling.
The US temporarily eased restrictions on Huawei. The Chinese telecoms giant will be allowed to buy American-made goods in order to maintain its existing phone networks and handsets, but it is still barred from purchasing American wares to manufacture new products. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media that the US underestimates the company.
The Christchurch shooter was charged with terrorism. New Zealand police added “engaging in a terrorist attack” to the charges of murder and attempted murder faced by the man accused of killing 51 people in attacks on two mosques in March. He will next appear in court in June.
Malawians began voting on a second term for their president… President Peter Mutharika is seeking re-election and to ward off a challenge from his own deputy as well as a former pastor. The race is expected to be tight and unpredictable.
…while Indonesia’s Joko Widodo won one. Final results were released a day early amid fears of unrest, confirming the president’s victory over retired general Prabowo Subianto. The opposition will file a legal challenge amidst claims of voting fraud.
Quartz Obsession
Relativity is how we understand the universe… to a point. In 1905, Albert Einstein demonstrated the relativity of time. A decade later, he showed us how time and space are one. His findings illuminate black holes and the big bang, and they keep the maps on our phones accurate, but they don’t explain quantum mechanics—in fact, they conflict with the fuzzy foundations of matter. Get a good frame of reference at the Quartz Obsession.
Membership
Even small changes might address some of the biggest failings of traditional hiring methods. We continue our deep dive into the new world of management with the five questions everyone should be asking about their company’s hiring process. Over at Private Key, we look at the viability of initial exchange offerings, a twist on initial coin offerings.
Matters of debate
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IPOs flop because nobody’s making money. Industry disruptors are are exciting to watch, but have no clear path to profitability.
The problem with fraternities isn’t the partying. It’s the toxic masculinity.
Splashy philanthropy distracts us from systemic problems. Billionaires may volunteer to pay off student debt, but their businesses still exacerbate inequality.
Surprising discoveries
The Game of Thrones finale was blocked in China. Streaming platform Tencent Video blamed the trade war (paywall).
A Dutch doctor has been mailing abortion pills to women in the US. Regulators said she is violating federal law by selling “misbranded and unapproved new drugs.”
A climber scaled the Eiffel Tower with no ropes. Authorities closed off access after a man spent seven hours making the free ascent of 528 feet (161 meters).
Green jobs pay well. Most US jobs related to environmental protection pay better than the national median.
Bonobo mothers are nature’s best wingwomen. The monkey moms help their sons find sexual partners and ward off competitors.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, climbing ropes, and green job listings 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 Rosie Spinks and edited by Jackie Bischof.