Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The tech world takes its flashiest gadgets to Vegas. Tech geeks at the Consumer Electrics Show can expect to see radical new drones and self-driving cars whizzing round Sin City’s conference rooms. Quartz’s Mike Murphy and Dave Gershgorn are covering the event.
Pakistan’s prime minister is back in court over the Panama Papers. The political opposition alleges that three of Nawaz Sharif’s children used ill-gotten money to buy London real estate. The Panama Papers revealed that Sharif’s family owned at least three undeclared offshore companies.
China’s New Year smog continues at least another day. The country issued its first ever national fog red alert yesterday and 24 cities put out red alerts for pollution. Hundreds of flights, trains, and roads are affected, and videos and photos are definitely “airpocalyptic.”
While you were sleeping
Republican lawmakers made a quick retreat on an ethics revamp. Less than a day after announcing they would gut the Office of Congressional Ethics, congressmen made a hasty U-turn. Donald Trump lightly chastised the House GOP before the reversal, but his criticisms were more about appearances than substance.
Megyn Kelly defected from Fox News. Kelly, who came under a torrent of misogynistic insults from Trump during the campaign, is leaving to join NBC, where Trump still produces “The Apprentice.” She played a major role in ousting Fox News chief Roger Ailes for sexual harassment.
Ford canceled a $1.6 billion plant in Mexico. The carmaker insisted the move wasn’t due to Trump’s threats of protectionist taxes, saying its hand was forced by a drop in demand for small cars. The company will instead invest $700 million in a Michigan factory. Meanwhile, the president-elect threatened a “big border tax” on General Motors over a car made in Mexico.
Britain’s EU ambassador resigned. The departure of Sir Ivan Rogers just ahead of Brexit negotiations drew accusations that he was forced out by hardliners in prime minister Theresa May’s cabinet. Rogers is one of the UK’s leading EU experts and was expected to play a crucial role in talks.
Intel stepped up its car-making ambitions. The chip-making giant bought a 15% share in digital-mapping firm Here, which is owned by a group of German automakers. They will now have access to high-res map technology crucial for making self-driving cars.
Quartz obsession interlude
Oliver Staley on the best and worst ways to quit your job: “Quitting a job isn’t the most popular New Year’s resolution, but many of us have had fantasies about starting another year by leaving the office forever, perhaps in a blaze of glory … The folks in HR don’t generally recommend it.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
New US quarantine rules pose a serious threat to civil liberties. The CDC can now detain people without due process.
The 401(k) is a disappointment. The retirement savings account’s early backers never intended it as a replacement for pensions.
All money is dirty. The disease-carrying bacteria on cash means that there is a public health argument for a cashless economy.
Surprising discoveries
Discomfort in old age is a necessary evil. The temporary unpleasantness that comes from intense effort helps keep your brain agile.
The Disney classic “Bambi” has a racist history. Tyrus Wong’s artistic vision shaped the movie but he did not receive credit due to anti-Asian bias.
Cauliflower is not the next superfood. Despite being touted as the new kale by foodies, it didn’t make the cut on Instagram.
The Chinese government is ending a 2,000 year monopoly on salt. New regulations mean private companies can finally enter the market.
You should never, ever use cotton swabs to clean your ears. Earwax, also known as cerumen, keeps ears from getting dirty in the first place.
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