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Here’s what you need to know
The World Health Organization warns rich countries not to hoard vaccines. A report set for publication today warns that stalled vaccine rollouts in poorer countries could cost richer ones $2.4 trillion in economic loss.
100 million doses in 100 days. The US administration says its ambitious goal is just the start.
US senate Republicans aren’t sold on Joe Biden’s stimulus. Moderate Republicans say it’s too soon for US president Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, which includes additional $1,400 stimulus checks.
China makes a not-so-subtle statement. Chinese warplanes flew over the Taiwan Strait just days after Biden took office, drawing criticism from American officials.
Brazil is rolling out Indian-made vaccines. The AstraZeneca jabs will fill in while the country awaits key raw materials. India, meanwhile, is getting Covaxin to more states.
What to watch for
This year’s iteration of the World Economic Forum in Davos won’t look or feel like any of the years before it. Here’s a quick primer on the 51st annual meeting:
🤝 This year’s theme of rebuilding trust couldn’t be more timely
🍊 Donald Trump’s Davos days are probably over…
👀 …But China, Japan, Germany, and India leaders will have a presence
🏚 We’ll all be tuning in online…
🌍 …But there are events planned in 430 cities worldwide
👻 Davos (the place) is as sleepy as ever
Charting AI’s impact on corporatespeak
A new corporate principle is: Never say you’re restating anything. The machines will hold it against you.
Companies are phasing out “restatement” along with a long list of words deemed to have negative connotations by financial algorithms as more investors deploy AI to analyze corporate statements.
Machine downloads of firms’ SEC filings quickened in this century: from fewer than half a million downloads daily in 2005, to just under 10 million in 2011, to 165 million in 2016.
Our living spaces can affect our moods, our psychological well being, and our work performance. We know this intuitively because we’ve experienced it. Maybe you work more creatively in a coffee shop than in a silent room, or favor a particularly sunny desk in the library, even if you couldn’t explain why. Now that we’re all home a lot more than we used to be, we’re paying attention to how we can better make our space work for us.
Our latest field guide explores the science-backed ways to make our home and gardens into the warm, relaxed, and productive places we all want them to be, especially when so much of the world seems like it’s anything but.
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Surprising discoveries
Most bitcoin-related crime fell last year. Except for ransomware attacks—which rose dramatically.
“Covid sucks :)” A patron of a Colorado bakery left a simple note with a $1,400 tip on his $20 bill for the entire staff.
Tse Chi Lop was detained. Nicknamed Asia’s El Chapo, the leader of the Sam Gor Syndicate had alleged ties to billions of dollars of trafficked drugs.
Sony’s Cyberpunk 2077 had the most successful launch of all time. Despite technical difficulties, it sold more than 10.2 million copies over the holidays.
Whoopsie. An error led the Chilean government to text the entire country’s residents to evacuate coastal regions due to a tsunami risk after an earthquake. Only research stations in Antarctica were at risk.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, massive tips, and Cyberpunk 2077 spoilers to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our iOS app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Ana Campoy, Katherine Ellen Foley, Alex Ossola, Samanth Subramanian, and Jordan Lebeau.