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What to watch for today
Deliberations begin on the UN’s intellectual property leader. China has accused the US of lobbying against its candidate for the head of the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization, and comments from members of the Trump administration confirm strong misgivings over China holding the office. A committee will vote behind closed doors over the next two days.
The EU finally shares its climate law. According to a leaked draft, it’s likely top European official Frans Timmermans will propose a target of 50–55% emissions reductions by 2030, which critics are already calling too little, too late.
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments on a pivotal abortion case. The Louisiana state law in question would, if enacted, reduce the number of abortion clinics in the state from three to one. A similar Texas law was struck down in 2016, but two new conservative judges on the bench means the path forward may be different for women’s health.
While you were sleeping
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The world’s financial institutions responded to coronavirus… The US Federal Reserve cut its primary interest rate by half a percentage point, while the World Bank pledged $12 billion to support low income countries’ efforts. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank opted to replace their April meetings with virtual conferences, an OPEC+ technical panel recommended a reduction in oil output, and US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed the US-China trade war is still on.
… As businesses adjusted to new realities. Cisco and Google made their respective video conferencing free as more companies ask employees to stay home. That’s not likely to help Emirates airline staff, who have been told to take a month of unpaid leave. On the plus side, electronics supplier Foxconn expects to resume normal operations in China next month. Separately, the World Health Organization asked medical supply manufacturers to ramp up production.
Honeywell stepped up the quantum computer race. The company announced it will reveal “the world’s most powerful quantum computer” in three months, surging past more visible competitors like IBM and Google.
Millions of Americans voted on Super Tuesday, but results from the primary contests for the Democratic presidential nominee are still rolling in.
Vladimir Putin floated a ban on gay marriage. Observers say the Russian president is trying to boost voter turnout for a constitutional referendum next month that would let him keep power after his term ends in 2024.
Quartz membership
Should you enroll in a coding bootcamp? They’re becoming more and more common, but the risks for students are significant. Find out if they’re worth the investment in this week’s field guide for Quartz members.
Quartz daily obsession
Hear one of the world’s weirdest musical instruments: The theremin. Skilled musicians don’t actually come into contact with the invention by Soviet scientist Léon Theremin, as hand movements create different audible frequencies. Encouraged by a cult following, its unique sounds have been heard across TV, film, and music after Theremin’s obscure and tragic life. Tune in with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Scientists should publish for the common good. Covid-19 reporting could—and should—make for-profit science publishing a relic of a past age.
Millennial style is here to stay. Clean lines, white walls, and sans serif posters may be pretty tired by now, but they’re easy for young, broke adults to pull off.
Global brands remain incapable of stopping labor abuses in their Chinese factories. At least 80,000 Uighurs are reportedly forced to make products for world-renowned firms.
Surprising discoveries
You can jam out to Covid-19. An artist used the disease’s DNA sequence to make a synth-pop song.
Most US Olympic marathon trial runners chose Nike’s Vaporfly shoes. The sneakers could have provided an edge—or they were just popular because they were free.
Indian politicians are peddling bizarre cures for Covid-19. From cow urine to yoga, top-down disinformation is an epidemic.
Covid-19 is changing the way the world says “hello.” People everywhere are replacing handshakes and cheek-kisses with foot or elbow taps, namaste greetings, and waves.
Scientists found evidence that the Earth was once completely covered in water. Some three billion years ago, our planet might not have had continents at all.
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