Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Facebook, Microsoft, and Boeing check in. Facebook is expected to show growth, thanks to Instagram’s stable user base, and Microsoft’s investment in cloud computing is likely to have helped boost its numbers. As Boeing struggles to get the 737 Max back into the sky, the aircraft manufacturer’s sales are projected to be unimpressive, and investors will want to know new CEO Dave Calhoun’s plan for the future.
The European Parliament votes to approve the UK’s Brexit plan. The agreement passed the first test in Brussels-based chamber last week, when a key committee recommended that the EP approve the terms. A simple majority vote will move the deal along to the European Council, which is made up of EU heads of state, for a vote on Friday. And then, finally, mercifully, Brexit becomes official.
The US and Japan evacuate nationals from China. Both countries are leading a growing push to extract citizens from Wuhan, where the coronavirus originated, via chartered flights. South Korea intends to follow suit later in the week. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong market reopens.
While you were sleeping
The White House backed a Palestinian state and settlement freeze. The Trump administration’s Middle East peace plan reportedly doubles the amount of land under Palestinian control while recognizing Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the West Bank.
Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew his immunity plea. Israel’s prime minister said he would not have been treated fairly by parliament, and instead opted to weather his upcoming election as a defendant facing criminal corruption charges.
The UK granted Huawei a limited role in its 5G network. Despite warnings about the Chinese firm from the US, prime minister Boris Johnson decided that “high-risk vendors” would be allowed into the “non-sensitive” parts of 5G networks.
The US Senate considered doing some group reading. As Donald Trump’s lawyers wrapped up their arguments in the president’s impeachment trial, Republican senators floated proposals to read a manuscript of former national security advisor John Bolton’s new book rather than hear his direct testimony alleging that Trump personally linked Ukrainian aid with an investigation into political rivals.
Apple blossomed last quarter. The tech giant soundly beat analysts’ expectations on revenue and earnings, thanks to strong sales of its newest line of iPhones. The company’s China revenues reversed their recent downturn, but face uncertainty during the coronavirus outbreak.
Quartz membership
Will this be the year the next recession hits? We asked the world’s “superforecasters” to weigh in. In our field guide to the global economy in 2020, Quartz’s Walter Frick reports their predictions—and reminds us that even some of the gloomier forecasts in 2008 failed to anticipate the Great Recession.
Quartz Daily Obsession
Treadmills were once prison torture devices. But we’ve come a long way from the days when prisoners walked the “treadwheel” for 10 hours a day as punishment. Now, people pay $30 to run in a group treadmill class, even though they could run outside for free. Run, don’t walk, to read the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Social media has transformed how outbreak information spreads. And it’s not for the better.
It’s never okay to be barefoot on a plane. If you must take your shoes off, keep your socks on and your feet in your own seat.
Your succulent is contributing to climate change. Before ordering houseplants online, consider the “plant miles” they’ll have to travel to reach your door.
Surprising discoveries
A Mercedes-Benz truck broke an altitude record. The Unimog U 5023 drove to a height of 22,000 feet above sea level.
The Pacific Ocean is dissolving crab shells. Its waters are becoming too acidic as it absorbs more carbon dioxide.
A startup won a contract to build a hotel in the space station. It’s the first step in NASA’s plan to usher in a new era of commercial space colonization.
Russians have a new route to becoming a billionaire. Just inherit $1 billion from your oligarch parents—it’s happening for the first time since the Bolshevik revolution.
No one knows how platypuses are faring in Australia’s bushfires. The finicky creatures are hard enough to track when there isn’t a major disaster going on.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, platypus sightings, and space room service 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 Nicolás Rivero, Susan Howson, and Jason Karaian.