Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Donald Trump and Chinese vice premier Liu He sign a trade deal. The expected “phase one” agreement suspends a plan for more tariffs, and halves an existing levy on certain Chinese imports. However, tariffs on $360 billion of Chinese goods remain on the books.
Meanwhile, Trump finds himself a step closer to a trial. The House of Representatives votes to send two articles of impeachment to the Senate, and names the prosecution team against president Trump.
More banks report earnings. After JP Morgan announced record profits yesterday, investors have raised their expectations for Goldman Sachs and bought up Bank of America stock. BlackRock also posts earnings as it makes a strategic shift that includes divesting from coal.
While you were sleeping
Democratic presidential hopefuls had another TV debate. It was a relatively muted affair as the four candidates in a virtual dead heat in Iowa and New Hampshire focused their attacks on Donald Trump. The Iowa caucuses take place on Feb. 3.
Amazon announced a billion-dollar investment in India… At an event in New Delhi, Jeff Bezos promised to bring smaller Indian companies online, and increase exports of India-made goods. The country has launched an antitrust probe into Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart.
… While the government finally allowed limited internet access in Kashmir. The digital blockade has been in place in the troubled northern region since August, eventually prompting India’s supreme court to order a review. Mobile data and social media are still unavailable.
Maersk’s CEO warned the EU that its antitrust policies are helping other countries. The head of the shipping giant, Soren Skou, questioned the wisdom of not allowing “the creation of a European global champion. In doing so, we risk being outperformed by a Chinese company.”
The Boston Red Sox have sacked their World Series-winning manager for his role in a former team’s cheating.| Alex Cora was key to the Houston Astros’ use of cameras to record opponents’ signals in 2017, and is expected to face severe penalties from Major League Baseball.
Quartz membership
After several high-profile accounting failures, British regulators are working out how to best rein in the industry’s major firms. And they’re considering a drastic step: breaking them up by separating their consulting and auditing businesses.
Quartz daily obsession
Lisa Frank brought color to the lives of millennials—but where is she now? Her folders, backpacks, and lunch boxes took over US schools in the 1980s and 1990s. Although management turmoil, a toxic working environment, and legal battles stymied her brand’s growth, her work forms a key part of today’s ’90s nostalgia. Join the wild and colorful ride at the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Does Steph Korey deserve to be Away’s CEO? She’s back in the job just a month after stepping down over her leadership style.
Airlines must bear the costs of becoming carbon neutral. More efficient planes and better routes can only do so much.
Layoffs can be handled tactfully. They are stressful, but organizations should provide more support.
Surprising discoveries
An industry built on the suspension of disbelief is flourishing. Although building immersive shows like Sleep No More isn’t easy—or cheap—they are fantastically popular.
Jeopardy! is more popular than basketball. More viewers tuned in to Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time than the NBA finals.
Despite more rainfall, the Nile faces devastating dry spells. They will become more frequent, and some 250 million people will have less water.
Turkey’s greatest soccer player is now a US cabbie. Hakan Sukur, now 48, says political problems at home have forced him into exile.
Livers can now last a week outside the human body. A new robot can keep the organ alive for more than 24 hours.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, secret baseball signs, and Jeopardy! questions 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 Adam Rasmi and Hasit Shah.