Happy new year, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The US monitors its Baghdad embassy. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo canceled a diplomatic trip, after supporters of Iran-backed militias tried to storm the US embassy on Tuesday to protest recent US airstrikes in Iraqi territory, before retreating on Wednesday. The US has made substantial cuts to spending on diplomatic security.
Australians prepare for even worse wildfires. Cooler weather this week has allowed Australians to restock supplies and fill gas tanks, but bushfires are expected to worsen as temperatures rise and winds intensify this weekend.
Turkey’s parliament votes on deploying troops to Libya. The government is seeking approval to send soldiers to help authorities defend the Libyan capital against rebel forces, arguing that a civil war in the north African country threatens Ankara’s interests.
While you were sleeping
Japanese prosecutors raided the Tokyo residence of Carlos Ghosn. The search came days after the former Renault-Nissan chief jumped bail and made a surprise escape from Japan to Lebanon. He was allowed to keep a passport while out on bail, and his move came after months of planning.
Former NBA commissioner David Stern died. He is credited with reviving the sport, with the help of superstars like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, in the 1980s, when it was lagging behind football and baseball in terms of popularity and revenue. He was 77.
A new deal with Apple revived a UK chipmaker. Imagination Technologies said it closed a multi-year license agreement that grants the US giant access to its chip designs. Its stock plunged after it lost its contract with Apple in 2017, and it was later sold to a Chinese buyout firm.
Taiwan’s top military official died in a helicopter crash. Shen Yi-ming, an air force general, was among the eight people killed after his Black Hawk helicopter failed to make an emergency landing near Taipei. Five people survived.
Austria’s conservatives formed a coalition with the Greens. Sebastian Kurz, leader of the People’s Party, struck an unprecedented deal with the left-wing party after months of negotiations. Kurz’s previous coalition was with the far-right Freedom Party.
Benjamin Netanyahu asked for parliamentary immunity from prosecution. The Israeli prime minister, who has denied wrongdoing, faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His request for immunity will likely delay any trial until after the March elections.
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Quartz obsession
An Italian cuisine as American as apple pie. From giant portions of spaghetti and meatballs to chicken parmigiana to cheese melted onto garlic bread, the style of cooking known as red sauce Italian shows how a culture changed as millions of Italian immigrants adapted to American life. Dig in with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Does a “diet” food imply weight loss? A US court says no.
The first Sunday in January is the best time to be active on dating apps. There are new year resolutions to fulfil, and Valentine’s Day is coming up.
“Flight shame” doesn’t work. So far, we haven’t flown less, despite the guilt foisted upon us.
Surprising discoveries
$100,000 in suspicious iPhones were seized on their way to Moscow. It’s part of a large black market in the coveted devices.
The fake Nike business is worth nearly half a billion dollars in the US. Worldwide sales of knockoff goods exceeded $520 billion last year, representing 3.3% of all global trade.
Men give young women the biggest tips on Uber. Women between ages 21 and 25 receive about 6% more than men of the same age.
The four horsemen of the techocalypse are worth a combined $4 trillion. Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet’s values have soared in the last decade.
India welcomed more babies on New Year’s Day than any other country. Around 67,385 Jan. 1 babies, 17% of the global total, are Indian, Unicef estimates.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, fake Nike shoes, contraband iPhones, and tech company shares 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 brought to you by Luiz Romero, Jason Karaian, and Hasit Shah.