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What to watch for today and over the weekend
Shinzo Abe tours North America. Japan’s prime minister will have another round of trade negotiations with Donald Trump at the White House, before heading north to discuss stronger military cohesion with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau.
Naruhito’s coronation. The lavish, high-security event will see 59-year-old Japanese crown prince Naruhito inherit the throne from 85-year-old Emperor Akihito—the first to cede his title in 217 years. Akihito’s exit, which required a special law, may even set up changes in Japan’s order of succession.
Trump bails on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Saturday will mark the third-straight absence for the US president, who is counterprogramming with a campaign rally in Wisconsin at Green Bay’s Resch Center.
Better-than-expected US GDP numbers. Despite lingering recession concerns and crushing middle-class tax penalties, a strong job market could push America anywhere from 2.1% to 2.8% annualized growth for the quarter.
While you were sleeping
A report said US-led forces killed 1,600 civilians in Raqqa. The coalition effort to expel ISIS from the Syrian city in 2017 was freshly quantified by Amnesty International and transparency organization Airwars. Roughly 3,000 volunteers, 2 million images, and nearly 140,000 data points were cited in the investigation.
Chipotle revealed another food-safety scandal. Solid quarterly numbers were tainted after investors learned about a Ohio location poisoning more than 600 customers in April, resulting in a California district court issuing a subpoena. Chipotle shares fell more than 7% (paywall).
Amazon delivered somewhat more than expected. The company’s first-quarter earnings showed a record-high net income and higher profit margins, but growth in revenue and ad sales has slowed. Amazon’s stock stayed put after the announcement.
Northern Ireland is investigating up to 200 former British security officers. Strained relations between the region and the British Ministry of Defence have only become more brittle over how to handle widespread allegations of illegal actions during the Troubles, which included the violent attacks of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
Emmanuel Macron promised tax cuts. In a response to “yellow vest” protesters, France’s president expressed interest in relieving the tax burden for citizens—but warned that they’d have to work longer hours.
Joe Biden officially threw his hat in the ring. The former US vice president will make his third bid for the US presidency as a candidate in a crowded Democratic field. The centrist 76-year-old has been criticized for inappropriate behavior towards women, but promises to be “mindful about respecting personal space.”
Membership
The first-ever entire sequencing of the human genome in 2000 proved that all humans are, in the big picture, identical. But reporters Katherine Ellen Foley and Daniel Wolfe argue the recent rise of direct-to-consumer genetic tests are distorting our view of race and humanity. Over in Private Key, Matthew De Silva looks at the dizzying pace of theft by the “blockchain bandit.”
Quartz Obsession
Tom’s Restaurant: The Seinfeld coffee shop that begot the MP3. The stand-in for the sitcom’s café is the subject of Suzanne Vega’s hit “Tom’s Diner,” which was used to tune the music compression algorithm for the human voice. Just above the shop, the term “black holes” was coined. That’s a lot of history for a humble eatery. Join us for a cup at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Automation and globalization exacerbates inequality. Social tensions could become strained to the breaking point if governments don’t take action soon.
Thanos isn’t good at math. Physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson questions the Marvel supervillain’s universe-devastating logic.
Student debt isn’t a pressing problem. A bail-out would mostly benefit high earners—but reconfiguring tuition could be a far better idea.
Surprising discoveries
The world’s second-largest diamond is kind of a letdown. The 1,758-carat stone’s lack of luster (paywall) proves that quality is truly more valuable than quantity.
North Korea sent the US a bill for Otto Warmbier’s care. The American student died after suffering brain damage in a North Korean prison, and the hermit kingdom wants the US to foot hospital expenses.
The royal baby gets its own cheese. The “vibrant orange” Westminster Royal Mark red cheddar celebrates Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s forthcoming bundle of joy.
A Clockwork Orange may have a sequel. The 200-page manuscript of A Clockwork Condition was discovered in author Anthony Burgess’s archives.
The best day to get married is a Tuesday in January. Pricey weddings set marriages up for failure, so consider the least popular day-month combination.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, personalized cheeses, and ugly diamonds to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by Susan Howson and McKinley Noble.