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Here’s what you need to know
India has no concerns about AstraZeneca’s vaccine. The country has ordered 10 million more doses, despite South Africa delaying its rollout over worries about protection against new variants.
The WHO presented its findings from China. The team said its investigation didn’t “dramatically” change the picture it had of SARS-Cov-2, but uncovered new details about its spread.
US senators debated moving forward with Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. The former US president’s defense focused on the constitutionality of trying an ex-president.
Toyota and Aurora are teaming up on self-driving cars. They hope to have a fleet on the road by the end of 2021. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is testing flying cars in China.
North Korea used cyberattacks to finance upgrades to its nuclear arsenal. A report by a United Nations panel also found that Pyongyang violated sanctions to purchase materials and technology from countries like Iran.
Huawei challenged its designation as a national security threat to the US. The Chinese tech company filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission.
What to watch for
In the war over who will power the world’s vehicles, the battle between South Korean rivals LG Chem and SK Innovation will be decided by the US International Trade Commission today, nearly three years after proceedings began.
LG, the world’s fourth largest electric battery maker, is accusing SK of stealing trade secrets and wants to block production of battery cells in SK’s US factory. SK says LG Chem’s batteries spark fires and explosions. Whatever the verdict, we can expect more tussles between battery makers anxious to supply the massive—and growing—electric vehicle (EV) market.
A snapshot of the electric battery situation, by the digits:
4: Number of top players in the battery market (China’s CATL, Japan’s Panasonic, China’s BYD, and LG Chem)
$570 billion: Amount the global EV market will be worth by 2025, with China enjoying a market share of 60% or more
$17.9 billion: SK’s estimated order backlog for automakers, about half the value of its global battery deals between 2017-2019
Charting China’s birth rate problem
For all the complex problems facing the world’s superpowers, China has one that’s very simple yet very serious: its citizens aren’t having enough children.
Around 10 million newborns were entered into the Hukou, China’s household registration system, this past year. Down 1.8 million from 2019, the 15% drop is seen by many as a sign of China’s failure to handle its impending population crisis. If one online booking service’s prediction is correct, China’s 2020 birth rate will be its lowest in 20 years.
The phone trade trap
Did you gain a pretty penny on GameStop’s rise, only to lose it during dogecoin’s brief moment in the spotlight?
Chances are, you made those trades on your phone.
According to a new paper by German and American business school professors, retail investors trading on their phones tend to buy riskier assets than they would if they traded on computers, chasing hot streaks and exhibiting riskier habits that persisted even when they returned to their laptops.
The paper states that immediate market access gives investors more opportunity to observe stocks and invest in streaking companies, with individual apps being less to blame than our mood shift when we’re holding a phone. This is particularly so in after-hours trading, the paper states—mix this happy-go-lucky attitude with a relaxed mood, and the result is a wild ride for your stock portfolio.
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Surprising discoveries
New US Coca-Cola bottles will be made from 100% recycled plastic. The company said the move will reduce its use of new plastic by 20% in North America.
Another monolith appeared (and disappeared) in Turkey. This one was surrounded by armed guards.
Snapchat wants you to have fewer friends. A new feature helps users delete contacts they don’t actually know.
Olympians won’t be able to high-five in Tokyo. The athlete rulebook also discourages hugs.
Welcome to the People’s Republic of Google. A Nevada bill aims to lure tech companies by letting them form their own local governments.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Olympic elbow bumps, and tiresome monoliths 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 Samanth Subramanian, Jordan Lebeau, Michael Coren, Liz Webber, and Susan Howson.