Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Baidu releases earnings. The Chinese search giant will disclose fourth-quarter and fiscal-year earnings after the bell, following a jump in profit last quarter. Investors are on the lookout for impacts from regulatory changes and new investments, as well as an update on Baidu’s artificial intelligence efforts.
The Bank of Korea puts out a policy statement. The country’s central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady as it continues to combat inflation risks and soaring household debt.
Rex Tillerson is in Mexico. The US secretary of state, along with Homeland Security chief John Kelly, is meeting with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto to discuss border security, law enforcement, and trade during a two-day visit. The duo will aim to smooth tensions between the two countries.
While you were sleeping
NASA discovered seven “ultracool” exoplanets. The Earth-sized, rocky planets are orbiting Trappist-1, a star just 39 light years away. The discovery will change the way scientists search for signs of life across the galaxy.
Waze went full speed ahead on carpooling. The Google-owned navigation app announced plans to expand carpool service in several US and Latin American cities over the next few months. The move pits Waze more directly (paywall) against ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft.
Tesla beat expectations. The electric car company posted a smaller-than-expected loss for the fourth quarter, and $2.28 billion in revenue (versus a forecast of $2.13 billion). Tesla is still bleeding money—it lost $448 million from operating activities in the quarter—but says deliveries of its Tesla X and Model 3 cars are on track.
The Fed feels good about rate hikes. Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s Jan. 31-Feb. 1 meeting showed many officials expressing confidence in raising interest rates again “fairly soon.” The Fed last raised rates in December, only the second increase in a decade.
Tax hikes hit South Africans. Finance minister Pravin Gordha announced a new top personal income tax rate of 45% for those making more than R1.5m ($115,750). The move is an effort to combat weak tax receipts and ballooning government debt.
Quartz obsession interlude
Marc Bain on China’s love of Ivanka Trump. “Companies in the US are grappling with how to handle Ivanka Trump’s fashion brand, which has become heavily politicized and faces ongoing boycotts over the policies of Trump’s father, US president Donald Trump. But among Chinese firms, a race is on to cash in on the US first daughter’s rising profile.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Selfies are modern art. The photos offer insight into our efforts to create and present an authentic self.
Workers should get breaks for sex. A Swedish politician is advocating for the ultimate office perk.
Pakistan is on the up and up. Improved security, relative political stability, and a growing middle class are driving an economic awakening.
Surprising discoveries
The broccoli of the future knows no season. Scientists are developing a new line of the vegetable that can grow year-round.
There is a US national standard for dry martinis. They must be made of 86-proof (at least) English or American gin, and dry vermouth, preferably French.
It’s illegal to be a rhesus macaque in Japan. A zoo killed 57 of its snow monkeys after discovering they had been cross-bred with the banned species.
Sweden’s government would like to collect fewer taxes. Since the central bank lowered interest rates, the country has seen (paywall) a spate of overpayments.
There’s a school for adulting. Would-be grownups can learn how to manage their finances and fold their fitted sheets.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, artistic selfies, and dry martinis to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android.