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What to watch for today
Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot make it official. The two companies will release details of a binding agreement to combine into the world’s fourth-largest auto company. French carmaker PSA is expected to be the senior partner.
Tony Blair speaks. The former UK prime minister—and the only person to lead Labour to an electoral victory in 45 years—is expected to recommend a complete policy overhaul for the party at an event in central London following last week’s crushing electoral defeat.
India’s Supreme Court hears challenges against the citizenship bill. These include one from an opposition lawmaker, citing the “urgent situation” amid nationwide protests against new naturalization rules that discriminate against Muslims. Prime minister Narendra Modi has accused the bill’s critics of spreading falsehoods.
The US House votes on impeachment articles. Representatives will debate the two articles first—and Republicans will do all they can to slow the process. Ahead of the vote, the president released a six-page rant to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, in which he accused Democrats of waging “open war” on democracy.
While you were sleeping
A Japanese journalist who came forward about rape won her court case. Shiori Ito, who accused a senior male journalist of raping her in a Tokyo hotel room in 2015, won ¥3.3 million yen ($30,100) in damages. Ito became the face of the #MeToo movement in Japan where public discussion of sexual assault remains muted.
The UK ruled against BAT’s Instagram posts. Its advertising watchdog said that British American Tobacco must stop promoting e-cigarettes on any public Instagram account, including influencers’ accounts. Health groups raised complaints that the ads could influence minors.
Australia suffered its hottest day on record. The weather bureau said that average maximum temperatures across the nation yesterday hit 40.9°C (105.62°F), with temperatures exceeding 45°C in many inland areas. Australia is currently battling a severe drought and deadly bushfires.
WeWork got a $1.75 billion bailout. The fundraising round, led by Goldman Sachs, gives the floundering office-rental company another $800 million to burn. It’s the first of $5 billion that parent company SoftBank has vowed to raise to prop up WeWork.
Quartz membership
The world needs governments and businesses to save water. As part of our ongoing field guide on water scarcity, we bring you a Q&A with Stuart Orr, who works with the World Wildlife Fund to cajole corporate leaders and investors to become more active water managers. The fundamental problem, he says, is corporate accounting: Water is much more valuable than its price, and many firms don’t take that into account.
Quartz obsession
What even is a country anyway? The idea of a micronation challenges the definition and recognition of a nation or state—and there are dozens of self-declared micronations that boast their own passports, flags, and even stamps. Go forth and discover a new country with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Streetwear is over. There’s only so many hoodies, t-shirts, and sneakers people can own.
It’s dangerous to depict Greta Thunberg as a prophet. It risks distorting her message and giving ammunition to climate change deniers.
Ride-hailing promotes alcohol use. Research suggests that driving less leads to increased drinking in urban areas.
Surprising discoveries
A new species of flower was discovered on Facebook. Experts identified the plant after a Ukrainian snowdrop specialist spotted it in a Turkish doctor’s holiday photos.
Vladimir Putin needs a cybersecurity upgrade. The Russian president uses the obsolete and vulnerable Windows XP on his work computer.
Climate change could shorten pregnancies. Heat stress causes women to give birth earlier, and may account for 250,000 fewer days of gestation for US babies by 2100.
Costco is thriving in Venezuela. Entrepreneurs in Florida are taking advantage of lax import controls to bring bulk American cereal and other items to sell in the country.
A German woman sued a stinky cheese shop. A court ruled that she could continue to express her distaste with the odor vocally, but could no longer display complaint signs.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, giant boxes of Cheerios, and discarded hoodies 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 Isabella Steger and edited by Tripti Lahiri.