Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
CES kicks off. The tech trade show opens to the public in Las Vegas, and you can sign up for a special CES edition of the Daily Brief. Our reporters are particularly looking forward to Apple’s first appearance at the event for nearly three decades.
Britain edges closer to Brexit. The UK parliament reconvenes today after its winter recess, and prime minister Boris Johnson, armed with a huge parliamentary majority, looks to push Britain’s departure from the EU through as quickly as possible.
The US publishes an update on trade. The Commerce Department releases figures for November. It announced a drop in both exports and imports in October.
While you were sleeping
Dozens were killed in a stampede at the funeral of Qassem Soleimani. 35 people died and 48 were injured, according to preliminary figures released by Iranian state TV, at the general’s funeral procession in his hometown of Kerman. The burial has been postponed.
Investors sued Daimler for hiding its emissions cheating strategy. They say the German firm should have told them it was using devices to make its cars look greener in tests, and they want $1 billion, which is what Daimler has already paid in fines.
Ikea agreed to pay $46 million to the parents of a child killed by falling drawers. The two-year-old suffocated under the items at his California home. The company recalled almost 30 million units of the drawers in 2016, following the deaths of three other children.
Japan asked for Lebanon’s help on the Ghosn case. It is seeking the extradition of the former Renault-Nissan chief, who recently staged a dramatic escape to Lebanon. Japanese authorities have also filed charges against Ghosn’s wife, who is not in the country.
A bomb attack killed dozens at the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. About 30 people died after a bomb exploded at a crowded market on a bridge that connects the two countries. No group has claimed responsibility yet.
Quartz membership
What’s the difference between nursing homes, assisted living, and “life plan communities”? Quartz’s glossary to senior housing sets the record straight and includes all the resources readers need to understand the industry.
Quartz obsession
Formula One races into a greener future. The world’s classiest racing event is dominated by elite automakers, picturesque locations, and gas-guzzling cars. But with changing times and a warming earth, F1 has vowed to become carbon neutral by 2030. Take a lap with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Finland’s prime minister wants a four-day week. Each working day would be six hours long.
The demand for caregivers for older adults is going to skyrocket. It’s because the US has slow population growth.
Netflix is doing better than Hollywood. At least in terms of hiring more female directors.
Surprising discoveries
Despite Chinese sabotage, tourism in Taiwan has hit a record high. There’s even been an increase in visitors from the mainland.
There’s a new magazine about bathrooms. “Facility” thinks restroom culture has not been thoroughly plumbed.
Someone planted bedbugs in a Walmart fitting room. Police are investigating after the parasites were found.
There could be a mass-produced “plant-based” chicken sandwich soon. KFC is testing it in the UK.
A walrus shortage may have done for Greenland’s medieval Norse communities. Without tusks to trade, they vanished in the 15th century.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, walruses, and six-hour working days 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.