Good morning, Quartz readers!
Here’s what you need to know
CES 2025 upped its game. A walking vacuum, an AI gaming companion, and a see-through TV were some of this year’s standouts.
Google and Microsoft donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration. The president-elect’s record breaking fundraising continues with major corporate support.
Big Pharma’s had a banner year. A TD Cowen survey found that 27 players handled about $179 billion of U.S. drug spending in 2024, signaling potential price hikes.
TikTok has a Supreme Court battle on its hands. As a U.S. ban looms, Biden’s legislation is forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok by month’s end.
Wendy’s entered the value game, but with a twist. The fast food chain has a new offer that lets customers customize their meals with mix-and-match options.
Apple is defending Siri over eavesdropping claims
Apple has settled a class action lawsuit that accused Siri of secretly recording conversations and sharing data with advertisers. The company didn’t admit wrongdoing, insisting Siri is “the most private digital assistant.”
The tech giant agreed to pay $95 million to resolve the claims, a tiny fraction of its $94 billion net income last year. Despite privacy concerns, the company has maintained its commitment to user protection, emphasizing that it only keeps Siri audio recordings when users opt in to improve the service.
Who’s eligible to file claims? Quartz’s Rocio Fabbro has the details.
The cost of California’s wildfires
Southern California’s ongoing wildfires could become the most costly in U.S. history, with damages estimated at up to $57 billion, according to AccuWeather.
The fires have already scorched 45 square miles and threaten over 60,000 structures. So far, at least five deaths have been confirmed. If the destruction continues, it could surpass the 2018 Camp Fire, which totaled $12 billion in insured losses.
What do financial firms like JPMorgan and Morningstar predict for total insured losses? Quartz’s William Gavin breaks it down.
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Surprising Discoveries
Scientists pull a 1.2 million-year-old ice core from deep in Antarctica. The very old ice piece will give some insight into how Earth’s atmosphere and climate has shifted over time.
Morning coffee’s actually good. A new study has linked the popular beverage with lower rates of heart disease.
Prices of the top 25 Medicare Part D drugs are pricier. A new AARP report finds that prices have nearly doubled since they were first introduced.
Grizzly bears get protected. The Biden Administration said protections will remain in place for 2,000 bears in the Rocky Mountains.
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Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news, morning coffee, or grizzly bears to talk@qz.com. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Francisco Velasquez and Audrey McNamara.