Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Japan’s emperor abdicates. Akihito will be the first monarch to voluntarily step down since constitutional rule began in the 19th century. Crown prince Naruhito’s ascension will take place on May 1.
The US and China resume trade talks in Beijing. US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, said the countries are “close to done” (paywall) with negotiations over enforcement mechanisms. Outstanding topics include intellectual property, technology transfers, agriculture, and services.
The release of tepid eurozone GDP figures. Analysts expect economic growth of just over 1% for February, as political uncertainty weighs on industrial production. Unemployment figures and growth statistics for France and Italy are also due.
While you were sleeping
Alphabet’s earnings spelled disaster. The Google parent company’s shares fell more than 5% after every major operating unit performed worse than expected, as increased competition weighed on growth in its core advertising business. Losses at the company’s “Other Bets” division, which includes Waymo driverless cars, ballooned by more than 50% to $868 million.
Boeing’s CEO vowed to redouble safety efforts. As protestors picketed outside, Dennis Muilenburg said he would be among the first passengers on the revamped 737 Max, grounded after two fatal crashes. He also said pilots did not “completely” follow Boeing’s procedures to prevent a malfunction of its anti-stall systems.
The head of ISIS surfaced in a rare video. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, appearing on camera for the first time in five years, praised the bombers who carried out deadly attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter, saying their actions were retribution for the loss of ISIS’s so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
WeWork filed for an IPO. The firm officially known as We Company, did not disclose financial figures or other information in the confidential filing, but its public offering is expected to trail only Uber among recent tech companies. The company reportedly lost $1.9 billion on $1.8 billion in revenue in 2018.
Spotify’s paid subscriber numbers exceeded 100 million. The streaming music giant extended its global lead over Apple Music with a 32% gain over the same period a year ago. It also trimmed its quarterly loss to €142 million ($158.3 million) from €169 million in the year-ago quarter.
Membership
Silicon Valley goes to Washington. Despite attracting disfavor from both the left and the right, the US tech industry is treating its political headaches as a problem to be methodically solved. This week we’re looking at all the ways tech companies are influencing governmental affairs, with a field guide on the political workings of Silicon Valley.
Quartz Obsession
The clique of mechanical keyboards. As laptop keyboards get ever thinner (and in Apple’s butterfly case, buggier), many heavy typers have been drawn back to the stout, chunky, spring-loaded technology of computing’s early era, with tactile and sonic feedback that reduces typos and increases happiness. Click to learn more at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
TikTok is the first consumer-grade AI app. It removes the ability of users to choose what they see—and people love it.
The US and China’s trade dispute is a battle in a larger war. Strained relations could make technology, politics, or ideology a flashpoint even if the trade war ends.
Journalists could change the way people think about vaccines. It could be as simple as using photos that depict happy, healthy kids.
Surprising discoveries
Nobody lives in 14% of Japanese homes. Builders keep building for a population that keeps shrinking.
A Chinese company took out billboards to complain about faulty Teslas. iUNICORN, also known as Shenma Zhuanche, spent $1 million on a Times Square smear campaign.
A Russia-trained whale showed up in Norway. The beluga was wearing a harness imprinted with “Equipment of St. Petersburg.”
The pope warned hair stylists not to gossip. Instead they should emulate the patron saint of beauticians—a man who cut hair, amputated limbs, and performed bloodletting.
New Zealand has a slushie fund. In a controversial move, the country spent NK$700,000 on frozen drink machines to keep prison guards cool.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, trained belugas, and free slushies 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 Adam Pasick and Susan Howson.