House Dems vs. Trump, Kraft Heinz squeezed, Olympic breakdancing

House Democrats push back. With the backing of speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democrats will file a “resolution of disapproval” today over president Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to divert billions in funds for his US-Mexico border wall. Sixteen states, led by California, have already filed a lawsuit challenging the declaration. [Quartz Daily Brief: America]( Good morning, Quartz readers! What to watch for today and over the weekend House Democrats push back. With the backing of speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democrats [will file a “resolution of disapproval”]( today over president Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to divert billions in funds for his US-Mexico border wall. Sixteen states, led by California, have already [filed a lawsuit]( challenging the declaration. China’s Liu He sits down with Trump. The vice premier and US president will discuss multiple documents on agriculture, trade barriers, services, technology transfers, and intellectual property today, which could form the basis of a lasting [US-China trade pact]( (paywall) ahead of a March 1 deadline. The Venezuela-Colombia border hosts opposing concerts. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has organized a [benefit concert]( today in the border town of Cúcuta, Colombia, while Nicolás Maduro has promised a rival “Hands off Venezuela” weekend concert in response. Maduro has barred aid convoys from entering the country. The Saudi crown prince meets with Xi Jinping. Mohammed bin Salman and the Chinese president [will discuss]( sales of oil and military drones today, along with Saudi participation in Beijing’s overarching Belt and Road trade initiative. Nigeria and Senegal vote. Nigeria’s presidential election is set for Saturday after a [last-minute postponement]( with incumbent Muhammadu Buhari and vice president Atiku Abubakar facing off amid tightening polls. Five contenders are [vying for the top office]( in Senegal’s elections on Sunday, with incumbent Macky Sall a strong favorite to win a second term, despite [calls for a boycott]( over the jailing of rivals. The struggling Oscars try to impress. [Morbid curiosity]( might draw some viewers to Sunday night’s Academy Awards, which will be hostless for the first time in 30 years. Viewership for last year’s broadcast hit a [record low of 26 million]( down 19% from the year before, and over 50% from 20 years ago, when Titanic won best picture. While you were sleeping Kraft Heinz was squeezed. The company’s stock plunged more than 20% in after-hours trading after it announced a staggering [$12.6 billion loss]( thanks to a massive writedown in the value of some key brands, and also issued a gloomy 2019 forecast. The packaged food giant is struggling to keep up with consumers as they turn away from processed foods to healthier options. Apple teamed up with Ant Financial. Reuters reports that the tech giant is partnering with the Chinese payment firm to [offer zero-interest financing]( for Apple goods in the country. As iPhones sales flag, Apple is looking to boost its [recurring services revenue]( to $50 billion by 2020, with news yesterday that it will launch a credit card linked to its digital wallet with Goldman Sachs. A Japanese spacecraft touched down on an asteroid… The Hayabusa2 craft will [collect samples from Ryugu]( which is about 900 meters (3,000 feet) in diameter. …while SpaceX launched the first private Moon mission. A rocket carrying a spacecraft [named Beresheet]( built by the Israeli non-profit organization SpaceIL, [launched into orbit]( from Florida. It will spend two months traveling before attempting to land on the lunar surface and transmit video and photography back to Earth. Kenya pushed back a landmark anti-gay law ruling. The east African country’s high court [cited a large case load]( for delaying its decision on colonial-era laws criminalizing homosexuality. The country’s LGBT-community first filed a petition on the laws three years ago. Membership Today we have an [exclusive video interview]( with IBM’s chief executive, Ginni Rometty, who spoke to Quartz editor in chief Kevin Delaney at the company’s annual Think event in San Francisco. And we close out this week’s field guide on Microsoft with a [rich directory of resources]( for anyone who wants to stay on top of the tech giant. Quartz Obsession Neurostimulation: Our brains are sophisticated computers that can be turned on and off again, which doctors have long used to treat OCD and Parkinson’s disease. Now new over-the-counter devices are promising to boost motor skills and memory—is that a good thing? [Expand your mind with today’s Quartz Obsession.]( Matters of debate [Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!]( Parents are oversharing their kids’ lives. Posting pictures of your children gives them [an online identity]( whether they want one or not. Getting lost can free the mind. Losing our bearings can spark panic, but [also liberate us](. The 22nd century will belong to Africa. Chinese infrastructure investment will [lay the groundwork for a cultural and financial renaissance](. Quartz announcement The podcast that’s bringing humanity back to tech. Should This Exist? asks founders who are moments away from funding to defend the human case for their radical new inventions. [Subscribe]( to Quartz and WaitWhat’s new podcast to get to the bottom of how tech can be used for good. Surprising discoveries Scientists discovered a tiny T. rex… They’ve given the [meter-high tyrannosaurus ancestor]( the jaunty name Moros intrepidus, or “harbinger of doom.” …and a colossal bee. [Wallace’s giant bee]( as long as a human thumb, was presumed extinct before a single female was found in Indonesia. Amazon’s Lord of the Rings has wizard-level security. The [writer’s room]( of the new series features taped windows, fingerprint access, and a security guard. The mighty moose is no match for the mightier tick. Herds are being sucked dry by the [vociferous blood-sucking pests]( driven to new habitats by climate change. Breakdancing may become an Olympic sport. Paris has nominated the pop-and-lock dance discipline [as an event for the 2024 games](. Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, little dinosaurs, and breakdancing routines to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by [downloading our app]( and [becoming a member](. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Adam Rasmi and edited by Jackie Bischof. Enjoying the Daily Brief? Forward it to a friend! They can [click here to sign up.]( If you click a link to an e-commerce site and make a purchase, we may receive a small cut of the revenue, which helps support our ambitious journalism. See [here]( for more information. To unsubscribe from the Quartz Daily Brief, [click here](.