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What to watch for today
The EU unveils a clean hydrogen fuel partnership… The bloc-wide alliance will develop hydrogen technologies, and is designed to accelerate the region’s push towards carbon neutrality. The plan will be rolled out alongside a new industrial strategy.
…and Intel fights the EU’s antitrust ruling. The chipmaker will use the three-day hearing (paywall) to try and convince the bloc’s second-highest court to quash a 2009 decision that the company had abused its market power, for which it was fined €1.06 billion ($1.21 billion).
Boris Johnson faces a rebellion over Huawei. Senior lawmakers from the prime minister’s own party are likely to back an amendment to a bill that would end the Chinese company’s role in building out the UK’s 5G network by 2023, signaling serious discontent among Conservatives over Johnson’s Huawei decision.
US Democrats hold more primaries. Six states will go to the polls, but Michigan will get most of the attention, as Bernie Sanders won the state in 2016. He’ll need big victories to turn the tables on Joe Biden, who leads the delegate count and is favored to win the nomination.
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Italy locked down the entire country. In a drastic step, the government placed some 60 million under emergency coronavirus restrictions. It ordered people not to travel except for work and emergencies, banned all public gatherings, and suspended schools and sporting events nationwide. Separately, Israel instituted a 14-day quarantine for all arriving visitors.
Xi Jinping went to Wuhan. The Chinese leader paid a visit to the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, his first since the crisis began in January. The move is seen as part of a wider propaganda effort to signal the country’s victory in defeating the epidemic, as the number of new cases in China slows.
Donald Trump pushed for a payroll tax cut. Among other measures, the US president also said he would ensure hourly workers have access to assistance as the coronavirus epidemic roils the economy. More details of the planned economic relief are expected to be announced today.
US stocks had their worst day since the Recession era. As oil prices plunged and coronavirus spread, the Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 7.8%—the biggest drop since Oct. 15, 2008—while the S&P 500 fell 7.6%. An early morning sell-off forced markets to pause for 15 minutes right after opening.
A US court ruled that Led Zeppelin didn’t steal “Stairway to Heaven.” Judges in San Francisco reaffirmed a 2016 judgment, saying they have found no evidence that the British rockers did not rip off “Taurus,” a song by Randy Wolfe of a Los Angeles band, Spirit.
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AI can be prejudiced, just like people. Quartz contributor Helen Edwards reports on how human biases get imported into AI—and how lawmakers and the tech industry are trying to course-correct.
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The Bachelor is trashy, unrealistic, and somewhat sexist—but we can’t look away. The reality show has run for 24 seasons, entertaining audiences at home and across Twitter with the antics of attractive young people with an open bar and nothing to do but feud and fall in love. Along the way, it’s become a lucrative revenue stream for ABC and its most popular contestants. If you’re here for the right reasons, join us for the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
The UK government should extend the Brexit transition period. With the coronavirus epidemic, the country can’t deal with more uncertainty.
China’s economic miracle is a myth built on exploitation. The divide between urbanites and rural migrant workers threatens the country’s future.
We need cheap, boring transportation solutions. Instead of fancy hyperloops and autonomous vehicles, focus on basics like fixing sidewalks.
Surprising discoveries
We’ve been taking out insurance policies for 30,000 years. Ostrich eggshell beads may have been used to strengthen social networks to ensure cooperation during tough times.
Antibiotics in cows could affect how much carbon dioxide their dung releases. It would alter nutrient cycling and carbon-fixing effects.
Facebook’s ban on medical mask sales didn’t really work. Listings, some at exorbitant prices, can still be found on the platform.
Zombie companies shambles among us. Low interest rates have created a glut of companies that shuffle along on cheap financing rather than revenues.
Shell named a gas station She’ll. The temporary rebrand was done to mark International Women’s Day.
There’s chlamydia at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean. A thriving community of bacterial cousins to the world’s most popular STD lives in the sediment beneath the sea.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ancient insurance policies, and female gas stations to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Mary Hui and edited by Isabella Steger.