Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and this weekend
The US and Canada release job numbers. With the US unemployment rate at a 50-year-low, economists are predicting the Bureau of Labor Statistics to report that 164,000 jobs were added in January, a decline from the average pace of the last few years. Further north, Canada watchers will be looking for any nudges toward a central bank rate cut in today’s job numbers.
Ireland heads to the polls. With issues such as housing, pensions, health care, and the future of Brexit weighing on their minds, voters will choose a new president this Saturday. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland authorities revealed a foiled “Brexit day” bombing plot planned along the island’s internal border.
A massive collection of rare whiskey goes to auction. Richard Gooding collected more than 3,900 bottles during a lifetime of business travel and now they’re all up for grabs. The online auction begins today and is expected to generate around $10 million in total.
While you were sleeping
A doctor who detected the coronavirus early has died. In the latest example of the growing confusion, disinformation and intentional opacity surrounding the Wuhan outbreak, the death of Dr. Li Wenliang was initially reported by state media and then retracted before finally being confirmed. Internationally, the outbreak comes at a crucial time for China-EU relations with Fiat Chrysler warning that a European plant may close if the disease lingers. A host of companies from Apple to Tesla and L’Oreal to Yum Brands also expressed business concerns due to the outbreak on Thursday. One prominent venture capital firm appears to have even cut out handshakes in response.
Elon Musk plans to IPO his space internet business. SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell told investors that the company could spin out Starlink, its nascent satellite internet division, in an initial public offering. To stay up to date with the business of space, subscribe to the Quartz Space Business email.
China slashed tariffs on $75 billion of US imports. The move covers some 1,700 imported US goods and represents one of the first major consequences of the “phase one” trade deal reached between the two countries last month. The US has also committed to rolling back tariffs on Chinese goods as part of the agreement.
The US attorney general proposed investments in Huawei competitors. William Barr floated the idea of having the US government invest directly in Nokia and/or Ericsson in an attempt to thwart Chinese 5G wireless internet dominance. The speech came just hours after Huawei sued Verizon over patent infringement. Elsewhere in the Justice Department, the FBI revealed that it currently has around 1,000 open investigations into attempted tech theft by China.
A host of major companies reported earnings. Twitter (up 15%), The New York Times (up 13%), and L’Oreal (up 4%) all saw their share prices rise after reporting earnings on Thursday. Meanwhile, shares of Uber, Total, and the French video game company Ubisoft went nowhere after providing their latest numbers.
Quartz membership
Venture capital has transformed since its early days in the 1960s, and the 2020s are sure to bring more change. From staggering industry growth to shifting relationships with founders, Quartz contributors Dave Edwards and Helen Edwards walk you through the eight trends that will reshape VC in the 2020s.
Quartz daily obsession
Stop calling species “living fossils.” A passing reference in Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species gave rise to an overly simplistic term that has way too many definitions to be scientifically meaningful. Some scientists also argue the concept deepens common misunderstandings about the way evolution works. The Quartz Daily Obsession digs up the dirt.
Matters of debate
The China travel ban is not necessary. The World Health Organization made it clear that traveling to China is still OK.
Cry more (at work). It’s sound advice for actors at the very least.
The Oscars still matter. But the winners do not.
Surprising discoveries
Star Wars was a documentary. Astronomers have captured a marvelous image of two stars locked in a battle to the death.
The bees are still dying at alarming rates. A scientist who checked the numbers seven times confirmed that the North American bumblebee population has been cut in half.
Researchers grew dates from 2,000-year-old seeds. They were found in ancient caves and fortresses.
OB-GYNs are using Reddit to give advice. The makeshift virtual clinics are a response to public budget cuts and anti-abortion legislation.
Penguins talk like humans. A new study found compelling evidence that African penguins have speech patterns similar to ours.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, living fossils, whiskey, and dates grown from thousand-year-old seeds 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 Patrick deHahn and Max Lockie.