Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
NATO holds an emergency meeting on the US-Iran crisis. Ambassadors gather in Brussels to discuss the aftermath of the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
Carlos Ghosn could face the Lebanese judiciary. The former head of Renault-Nissan, who arrived in Beirut last week after an audacious escape from Japan, is expected to be heard by prosecutors.
Harvey Weinstein’s trial begins. The Hollywood producer is accused of sexually assaulting two women. The proceedings in New York City could take months, and Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted.
Over the weekend
Thousands of Iranians attended the funeral of Qassem Soleimani. Iran announced it would end its key commitments from the 2015 nuclear deal, and Iraq voted to expel US troops.
US president Donald Trump continued to issue threats on Twitter. He said the US has identified 52 Iranian sites—“representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago”—that could be the target of further US strikes. He also promised sanctions against Iraq.
Masked assailants attacked students and teachers in Delhi. An armed mob, allegedly linked to India’s governing party, tore through Jawaharlal Nehru University, sending at least 40 people to hospital. Students across India are protesting against the violence.
Australia’s fires eased, but authorities warned of more to come. Rain and low temperatures across the east coast of Australia brought some relief. But temperatures will rise again this week and fires could intensify.
And as the world burned, Hollywood took a moment to celebrate itself. Sam Mendes’ 1917 won the best drama award at the Golden Globes, while Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood got best comedy. In TV, Succession, Fleabag, and Chernobyl picked up prizes.
Quartz membership
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Matters of debate
A country’s cities should be more or less equal. If not, governments should step in to level the playing field.
Office treats bring us back to the wild. Fighting for the best snacks requires strategy and cunning.
Science conferences need a revamp. The dull, presentation-centered format doesn’t align with how people think, learn, or get inspired.
Surprising discoveries
Chinese movers confiscated a kid’s world map. They told a reporter that her son’s globe made Taiwan look like an independent country.
There’s a Gaelic boom in Scotland, thanks to Duolingo. More than 127,000 people have signed up to learn the language on the app.
The US has fought in every decade since its founding. The killing of Soleimani continues its streak into the 2020s.
Australia’s bushfires generate their own weather systems. Hot air and smoke create thunderous “fire clouds.”
Soccer fans toppled a former MLS star’s statue in his hometown. Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimović had bought shares in a rival club.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, compliments, and criticisms, preferably in Gaelic, 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 and Hasit Shah.