What to watch for today
The US presidential race rolls on. Donald Trump is expected to win the crucial state of Michigan, but analysts are scrutinizing his performance there to see if his lead is flagging. Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, and Mississippi will also hold primaries or caucuses.
High-speed internet for all Americans. The Federal Communications Commission will propose a monthly subsidy of $9.25 for poor families to gain access to broadband internet. It’s part of an overhaul of its Lifeline program, which has subsidized phone services since 1985. The broadband subsidy will be put to a vote on March 31.
What’s the cost of Brexit? Bank of England governor Mark Carney will address the British parliament on the financial implications of a British exit from the European Union. The central bank is already bracing for economic turmoil from the referendum.
A total eclipse of the sun. Most of Southeast Asia will be treated to a partial eclipse, but Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea will experience this year’s only total solar eclipse. Alaska Airlines is diverting a flight to Honolulu so that passengers can catch the eclipse. Through the magic of international date lines, the eclipse will actually end the day before it begins (paywall).
While you were sleeping
The EU and Turkey reached a tentative agreement. For every refugee Turkey takes back from Greece, the EU will take a Syrian refugee from Turkey. In return, Ankara demanded its current aid package be doubled to $6.6 billion, visa-free EU travel, and expedited talks on its EU membership—all to be discussed at the next summit on March 17.
The Israeli prime minister called off his meeting with Barack Obama. US officials found out via the media that Binyamin Netanyahu had canceled his trip to Washington later this month. Tensions have been high between the two leaders since the US’s nuclear deal with Iran.
German production had its biggest jump in six years… Industrial production in January climbed by 3.3% from the month prior, suggesting robust domestic demand is counterbalancing the effects of a slowdown in emerging markets on exports.
…while China released weak export numbers. Exports fell 25.4% year-on-year in February in US dollar terms, while economists had expected a 14.5% drop (paywall). It was an 11.2% decline from January. The Shanghai Composite Index tumbled on the news.
South Korea issued fresh sanctions against its neighbor. On top of the recent UN Security Council sanctions, Seoul laid out its own list of new measures, including banning North Korean ships from its waters, in a move expected to further antagonize North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Sponsors raced to desert Maria Sharapova. Nike and Tag Heuer dropped the world’s highest-paid female athlete, who will be suspended from the International Tennis Federation after testing positive for an endurance-boosting drug.
Quartz obsession interlude
Simina Mistreanu on China needing low-income migrant workers to buy homes and save the economy. “Estimates on just how much unsold housing inventory China has vary considerably… HSBC [says it’s] enough to house about 90 million people (more than the population of Germany). Whatever the precise amount… it now threatens to topple the national economy.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Women have made little progress in the workplace in 20 years. The International Labor Organization said the situation has only improved marginally—happy International Women’s Day!
Africans must be able to travel freely. They need visas to travel to more than half of the countries on the continent, hurting tourism and commerce.
Flying is no fun for fat people. “I am watched—and judged harshly—as I try—and fail—to fit into a space that was made for someone else.”
Surprising discoveries
In the US, there is a cost to pay if you’re not white, straight, and male. Expect a $300,000 tab if you’re a woman in the tech industry, for instance.
The US performed its first uterus transplant. The recipient will have to wait a year to see if she can carry a child.
Amazon is trying to shame workers out of stealing. Factory employees must watch a video about wayward co-workers when they clock in every morning.
The US accidentally created a $3-trillion industry. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were dreamt up by market regulators after a big stock market crash.
Leicester City fans are causing earthquakes with their celebrations. The small, underfinanced team remains top of the English Premier League.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, trillion-dollar ideas, and International Women’s Day celebrations to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day.