Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The UK makes a decision on Huawei. Prime minister Boris Johnson has said that he has a plan to allow limited access for the Chinese tech giant to British 5G networks without compromising security, against numerous US objections.
Apple reports earnings. One year after the company was hit by weak Chinese demand—tanking its stock—analysts now expect Apple’s first-quarter earnings to reflect healthy iPhone sales in Asia. Starbucks, Pfizer, and LVMH also present results.
Donald Trump reveals his Middle East peace plan. The US president and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference at the White House today. Palestinian leaders, who haven’t been invited, say the plan can’t succeed if it excludes their views.
While you were sleeping
The World Health Organization urged calm over coronavirus. The head of the global health body said China can contain the outbreak, and evacuations are not necessary. Several countries are flying citizens out of Wuhan, where most of the deaths took place.
Airbus said it reached a settlement in a corruption case. French, British, and American authorities have been investigating the European firm for years over alleged corruption in airplane sales.
The Taliban prevented Afghan forces from reaching a downed US military plane, local officials said. Yesterday, the US admitted an E-11A aircraft crashed in Ghazni province, but disputed Taliban claims to have brought it down.
Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew a request for immunity, opening the way for prosecution. The Israeli prime minister was indicted for fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in November.
Nike suspended sales of Kobe Bryant products. ESPN reports that the company is reevaluating its strategy for merchandise related to the late NBA star. Meanwhile, LeBron James said he’ll continue Bryant’s legacy.
Quartz membership
Will 2020 give us steady global growth—or a slump that spreads across the world economy? Of course, no one really knows. What we can do is identify the fragilities that might allow an economic shock to devolve into a recession. This week’s field guide explores a handful of the biggest threats.
Quartz daily obsession
The Wuhan coronavirus is just the latest one. It is one of seven known coronaviruses that affect humans. Four cause the common cold, and the remaining two are SARS and MERS, which caused two major epidemics. Dust off your microscopes and take a closer look with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Small companies are the real driving forces for the US economy. The next decade will be shaped by XSMBs (extra small businesses).
Social media has transformed how outbreak information spreads globally. And it’s not for the better.
Despite his overt racism, H.P. Lovecraft still looms over Hollywood. Bird Box, Stranger Things, Aquaman, and The Lighthouse all borrow from his approach.
Surprising discoveries
Kim Jong Un’s aunt wasn’t purged after all. Kim Kyong-hui, a former general and politburo member, appeared in public for the first time in six years.
A Mercedes-Benz truck broke an altitude record. The Unimog U 5023 drove to a height of 22,000 feet (6,700 m) above sea level.
Atari is getting into the hotel business. Eight themed hotels are in the works, featuring esports venues, “fully immersive” VR experiences, and a lot of Atari branding.
The Pacific Ocean is dissolving the shells of some crabs. Its waters are becoming too acidic as it absorbs more carbon dioxide.
A British cobbler had his thumb replaced with a big toe. He’d lost the digit while mending a shoe, but is now back at work with a toe grafted onto his hand.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, spare big toes, and Atari STs 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.