Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The EU talks green economy and minimum wage. The European Commission unveils details on how it will finance the region’s shift to being carbon-zero by 2050. Brussels will also launch its consultation on plans to introduce a EU-wide minimum wage.
Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7. Millions of computers will stop getting software updates, including patches that help prevent malware and viruses. Computers less than three years old can upgrade to Windows 10, starting at $139 per computer.
Democrats head for a final debate before the Iowa caucuses. Six top contenders will take the stage and make their cases for the party’s nomination in the last televised face-off ahead of primary season. Meanwhile, Cory Booker became the latest candidate to drop out of the race.
Boeing releases catastrophic delivery numbers. The 2019 figures are expected to show plummeting orders and deliveries as Boeing loses its place as the world’s top planemaker. Delta, which does not fly the 737-Max, will likely post solid earnings.
While you were sleeping
Russians hacked a Ukrainian firm at the center of the impeachment inquiry. Burisma, a gas company on whose board former US vice president Joe Biden’s son served, was infiltrated by hackers likely looking for embarrassing material on the Bidens, according to researchers.
Satya Nadella shredded India’s citizenship act. The Indian-born Microsoft CEO publicly criticized the controversial law, calling it “sad” and “bad” and saying he hoped to see “a Bangladeshi immigrant…[create] the next unicorn in India.”
US troops in Iraq got hours of forewarning before Iran’s attack. American and Iraqi soldiers at the Ain al-Asad air base were told to move personnel and weaponry to fortified bunkers well before the missile barrage began on Jan. 8.
The US lifted its “currency manipulator” label against China. Ahead of tomorrow’s expected trade deal, Washington said it was making the change because Beijing has agreed to stop devaluing its currency to make its exports cheaper.
The Panama Canal introduced a surcharge after years of dryness. After experiencing its fifth driest year in seven decades, the waterway’s authority said a $10,000 fee for ships over 125 feet (38 meters) will start mid-February.
Quartz membership
Accounting is at a crossroads. The Big Four accounting firms “are under more scrutiny than at any time since the Enron scandal,” writes Quartz contributor Michael Rapoport. This week’s state of play explains what’s wrong with how public companies are audited and how the industry is trying to course correct.
Quartz daily obsession
Are you doing something else while you’re reading this? Researchers say that’s probably a bad idea. Even though many of us believe we’re exceptional multitaskers, only about 2-3% of us can actually do two things at once without bungling them both. Still, toggling our attention between tasks is a crucial survival skill hardwired into our brains. Focus for a moment with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Hong Kong’s protesters are right accept “uncivil disobedience.” Demanding that they passively absorb police brutality makes little sense.
Never demolish another building. To make construction more sustainable, adapt, reuse, and preserve every existing building.
Don’t do the easy stuff first. Putting off hard tasks hurts your long-term productivity.
Surprising discoveries
The UK government secretly funded Reuters in the 60s and 70s. An anti-Soviet propaganda unit paid the wire agency to expand its Middle East and Latin America coverage.
Six tourists were arrested after poop was found at Machu Picchu. They’re accused of damaging Peru’s cultural heritage and could face four years in prison if found guilty.
China is selling quantum underwear. Online marketers appear to be slapping the word “quantum” on all sorts of products, including socks and alcohol.
Model Gigi Hadid is a potential juror in Harvey Weinstein’s trial. She has met the defendant and knows one of his accusers, but said she can “keep an open mind on the facts.”
Researchers are scrambling to preserve smells. Olfactory archivists say they’re an important part of our cultural heritage.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, celebrity jurors, and archival odors 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 edited by Mary Hui and edited by Isabella Steger.