Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Madrid clamps down on Catalonia. After the Spanish government said Thursday that it will revoke Catalonia’s autonomy, the cabinet will meet in Madrid on Saturday to decide on specific measures to impose direct rule on the independent-minded region. The move deepens a dangerous constitutional crisis in the country.
Japan goes to the polls. Prime minister Shinzo Abe looks set for victory on Sunday despite a strong challenge from Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. Typhoon Lan could hinder voting in the south of the country.
A right-wing billionaire may become the Czech Republic’s next leader. The expected victory by anti-immigration hardliner Andrej Babiš would shift the country to the right; voting starts today and ends tomorrow. Dubbed the “Czech Trump,” the country’s second-richest man has been charged with fraud and accused of previous links to Communist-era secret police.
While you were sleeping
Diesel woes dragged down Daimler’s profit. The German automaker suffered a 14% slump in profit in the third quarter after a €453 million ($534 million) charge for repairing emission systems in old diesel Mercedes-Benz cars. Daimler this week announced a major restructuring that will split up its car and truck divisions.
Former presidents blasted the state of US politics. At a rally backing a Democratic candidate in Virginia, Barack Obama issued a veiled criticism of Trump, saying: “If you have to win a campaign by dividing people, you’re not going to be able to govern them.” At a speech in New York, George W. Bush slammed the bigoted political culture blighting the US.
Earthquakes and hurricanes hammered Swiss Re. The world’s second-largest reinsurer said claims from the recent Mexican earthquakes and big Atlantic hurricanes cost it $3.6 billion. The bulk of the claims are from Harvey, Irma, and Maria (paywall). Reinsurance prices are expected to rise as a result, and could surge by 50% in affected areas.
Singapore Airlines is ready to finalize a huge Boeing order. The $13.8 billion deal is for nearly 40 aircraft and will be signed during a visit by Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong to Washington, DC next week. It’s seen as a major blow to rival Airbus.
The US Senate paved the way for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Lawmakers rejected an amendment that would have closed the vast coastal plain in northern Alaska to oil development. The refuge is one of the most pristine areas of the US, home to caribou and hundreds of other wildlife species.
Quartz obsession interlude
Leah Fessler on the men paralyzed by #MeToo. “The risk that men perceive about potential backlash for writing or saying something insensitive—women experience that risk, too. We risk vicious online harassment every time we post a potentially controversial thought online, as well as the possibility that we’ll make a mistake, or that others will rightfully point out our blind spots. But it’s necessary to take that risk in order to learn and improve.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Psychopaths aren’t the best hedge-fund managers. New research suggests that manipulative narcissists make less money than their friendlier peers.
Climate change makes cities more dangerous. We underestimate the effect that floods and heat waves have on the 3 billion people living in dense urban areas.
Robots are real enough for human love. Androids are more lifelike than ever, and feeling genuine emotions for them won’t be so unusual in the near future.
Surprising discoveries
Australia’s final car rolled off the production line. GM’s closure of the Holden car plant on Friday brings 100 years of carmaking down under to a close, after Toyota and Ford quit the country earlier.
A game where you win by clapping for Xi Jinping is a viral hit in China. Tencent’s mobile game encourages frenzied screen tapping during excerpts of Xi’s marathon speech in Beijing this week.
Hedge funds are betting big on hazelnuts. A $3 billion Swiss fund is seeking returns by backing hazelnut farmers in Bhutan.
Japan discovered a moon cave big enough for a lunar base. The massive chasm could provide a natural haven for future Lunarians.
Men who harass women in France may get fined. A potential law would ban catcalls, pick-up lines, and other abuses out on the street.
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