What to watch for today
The UK treasury will publish its Brexit analysis. A long-awaited report calculating the costs and benefits of the UK’s membership in the European Union is due to be released. The UK will hold a referendum on whether to leave the EU on June 23.
Syrian peace talks will resume. A second round of talks will start in Geneva as UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura has returned from a last-minute trip to Damascus and Tehran, where he was consulting with officials. In contrast to the talks concluded on March 24, the next round is expected to be “quite concrete” about a political transition process.
Alcoa reports earnings. US aluminum giant Alcoa is expected to report a third consecutive quarter of declines in earnings and revenue, although estimates of increased global aluminum demand this year might be a bright spot. Alcoa’s earnings are traditionally viewed as the opening of the US corporate earnings season.
Over the weekend
Yahoo extended a deadline to bid for its core assets. The company pushed it back from today to April 18, according to Re/code. Verizon is said to be the main contender amid a field of 40 potential buyers that includes sensationalist British tabloid the Daily Mail.
Singapore’s premier was attacked on Facebook—by his sister. The daughter of Lee Kuan Yew, the late prime minister, has accused her brother, the current PM, of abuse of power (paywall) and of trying to start a “dynasty.” She decried the more than 100 activities marking the anniversary of Lee Sr.’s death, which she called “hero worship.”
China asked G7 foreign ministers to not focus on maritime security. Ahead of next month’s G7 summit in Japan, foreign ministers are meeting there to discuss anti-terrorism measures and maritime security. China, which isn’t part of the group, called on them to not “hype up” concerns over security in the South China Sea, a source of rising tension in the region.
David Cameron published a summary of tax returns, triggered by the “Panama papers.” The UK prime minister published information on his tax returns, after his late father’s name appeared in the leaked documents with linkages to offshore funds. He’s not been accused of wrongdoing, but opposition politicians want him questioned in parliament.
More than 100 were killed in a fire in Kerala, India. More than 100 people died in a fire at an annual temple festival caused by illegal pyrotechnics. The building storing the fireworks caught fire, causing a massive explosion, local police said. Some 300 people were also injured in the incident.
Quartz obsession interlude
Kevin Delaney on the price of the world becoming less open. “The benefits of more open borders are significant when you consider the reduction of poverty in countries like Vietnam and China. If managed properly, the free movement of goods should be positive even for high-wage nations, making them more efficient and richer. And research suggests that immigrants provide net benefits to the economies of those welcoming them.” Read more.
Matters of debate
We work so hard because jobs now provide our identity, community, and purpose. And besides, life off the treadmill isn’t as fun as it once was.
Secret tax havens threaten the global financial system. Unless governments start to seriously sanction those who misbehave, the problem will not be resolved, argues Thomas Piketty.
Sanders supporters don’t care that the senator’s details are fuzzy. His campaign is rooted in a narrative of protest, and Clinton will have to reveal her own inner protester to win over his fans.
Surprising discoveries
There’s an ecological push to put lionfish on the menu. The invasive species causes environmental havoc, and eating them could be the best way to control the threat.
Gullible employees have wired $2.3 billion of company funds to criminals. More than 17,000 victims have fallen victims to scams such as an apparent email from the CEO asking for an immediate and secret wire.
“IP mapping” makes life hell for an unlucky few. After a Kansas farm was set as the default for unidentifiable US IP address, residents were harassed for a decade, without knowing why.
Denmark’s intelligence services are looking for hackers who can attack hostile networks. But they want to train them, as part of a “hacker academy,” so that the government can protect against cyber threats.
The archbishop of Canterbury has discovered he’s the illegitimate son of Winston Churchill’s private secretary. The revelation comes courtesy of a DNA test.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, lionfish recipes, and surprising DNA discoveries to hi@qz.com. And download our new iPhone app for news throughout the day.qz_email_list_425047646_post_message