Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Execs from Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi meet in Tokyo. The automaker alliance is still trying to turn around its fortunes by making good on its cost-saving joint initiatives as it moves past the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Meanwhile, Nissan is expected to cut 4,300 office jobs and close two manufacturing sites after a surprising sales slowdown.
Investors eye Amazon’s slowing sales. But global growth could be a bright spot. Volvo, BT, Coca-Cola, and Eli Lilly also announce quarterly earnings, while H&M, Deutsche Bank, and Royal Dutch Shell report their annual results.
Hong Kong cuts travel with mainland China. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, from today cross-border high-speed trains and ferries are suspended, flights are cut in half, and mainland Chinese will no longer receive permits to visit Hong Kong.
While you were sleeping
The European Parliament gave Brexit the go-ahead. In a landslide 621–49 victory, the body’s members ratified prime minister Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement, following the vote with a rousing rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.” The split is due to be final this Friday.
Coronavirus unease escalated. While airlines canceled flights to China, McDonald’s closed its doors, and Google shut down its China offices, quarantined people in China are starting to get pretty bored. Alibaba’s Jack Ma has donated 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) towards the creation of a vaccine, though reports are surfacing that it could be a year before one’s readily available. And WHO is reconsidering its decision not to term it a global emergency.
Donald Trump signed the US–Mexico–Canada Agreement. The US president’s North American trade deal can be counted as a bipartisan success, though no Democrats were allowed at the ceremony. Canada must still ratify the deal.
Boeing, Facebook, Microsoft, and Tesla reported earnings. The embattled aircraft manufacturer posted its first annual loss in more than 20 years. Facebook saw gains on the back of Instagram, but investors had expected better. Microsoft enjoyed a return on its investment into cloud computing, and Tesla beat Wall Street’s projections.
Quartz Membership
“If you had to describe the state of the economy in an emoji, it’d be: 🤷,” writes Quartz’s Walter Frick. Uncertainty is everywhere, and heated political conflicts don’t help. From US-Iran relations to an ongoing Brexit, Quartz breaks down which global disputes could bring down global markets.
Quartz Daily Obsession
The sea-unicorn was an unlikely discovery. Narwhals, found in 1577 during an explorer’s expedition, have a long protrusion stemming from their heads—which can grow up to 10 feet long. It’s actually a tooth that can sense changes in water pressure, temperature, and salinity. Narwhals also use their tusks to hunt prey in the sea. Take a swim with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Younger workers need company-sponsored mental health support. Those aged 18-30 are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
How much is an ecosystem worth? There’s a whole field within economics dedicated to studying “natural capital.”
Doctors should participate in civil disobedience. A duty of care compels them to act in the interest of public health.
Surprising discoveries
A patient received the first transplant of lab-grown heart muscles. The breakthrough could limit the need for organ donors.
These moths mate for death. For the first time, scientists have released into the wild genetically modified male moths to spell the end of their species.
YouTube is Twitch’s biggest threat. The video streaming giant has ramped up its gaming presence.
US colleges are tracking students’ locations. They’re using apps to find out whether a student is attending class.
New York is considering mandatory helmets for car drivers. One study found it could save 17 times as many people from death by head injury as a helmet law for cyclists.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ominous moths, and driving helmets 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 Susan Howson and Liz Webber.