What to watch for today
The Singapore Airshow gets underway. Expect airplane makers to announce big orders at Asia’s largest such event, which runs until Sunday. But while increased air traffic in Asia is driving industry growth, many companies are bracing for a potential slowdown.
Oil ministers meet in Doha. Saudi Arabia’s minister is expected to speak with reps from Russia, Venezuela, and Qatar, amid an oil glut that is sending prices down. Oil rose almost 2% yesterday on the news.
Burger King opens its books. Restaurant Brands International, the owner of the fast-food chain, is expected to show lower fourth-quarter revenue, due in part to the recent success of McDonald’s. But lower costs should keep profits in line.
While you were sleeping
France said EU industries shouldn’t have to pay for carbon. Until other blocs set a carbon price, heavy industries that want to leave the EU because of energy costs should get EU Emissions Trading System permits free of charge, said economic minister Emmanuel Macron.
The Bank of Japan’s negative interest rates went into effect. Other institutions will now be charged 0.1% for keeping cash with the central bank, to encourage them to lend the money instead. Stock markets rose briefly on the news, but quickly reversed.
Vodafone announced a joint venture with Liberty… The UK network operator and the US cable company will combine their Dutch businesses to create an all-in-one cellphone and cable company. Vodafone will pay Liberty €1 billion ($1.2 billion); the company will be owned 50-50 between the businesses.
…while it faced a tax threat in India. The government said it would seize the company’s assets in the nation if Vodafone refuses to pay a $2.1 billion tax bill. It claims the fee is for Vodafone’s 2007 purchase of a stake in another telecom; Vodafone says the purchase was made abroad, and isn’t taxable in India.
Angela Merkel supported a no-fly zone in Syria. The German chancellor said she favors a safe zone to allow refugees to stay in the country but remain free from attack. Some worry that supporting such a zone could mean opposing government forces.
Quartz obsession interlude
Jenni Avins on the small-business practices of fashion designer Mona Kowalska. “In a culture where the pressure to produce bigger! faster! more! is relentless, Kowalska purposefully keeps her business at a size that’s manageable for her—and her management style is one many of us could learn from.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
What comes after Moore’s law. The end of processor acceleration is nigh, so chipmakers are turning to—uh-oh—the cloud.
It’s time to talk about period pain. Medical support for women with period-related cramps is terribly lacking, and a culture of silence is making it worse.
Dear Brits, please don’t leave the EU. You’re difficult partners, but Europe loves and admires you all the same.
Surprising discoveries
There’s no such thing as SAD. New research suggests Seasonal Affective Disorder is simply a “well-entrenched folk theory.”
Kanye West is $53 million in debt. Or so he tweets. The musician also asked Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for a $1 billion investment.
Scientists have printed bone, muscle, and ear tissue. They used a 3D printer to lay down water-based solutions that contain human cells.
McDonald’s in South Korea will soon serve draft beer. The first branch in Asia to do so will open this month.
Australian police seized liquid meth worth almost $1 billion. Much of it was smuggled in bra padding.
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