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What to watch for today
The next batch of US primary results trickle in. Will Bernie Sanders take the crucial Michigan delegates? Or will Joe Biden’s victories extend into the midwest? Polls will close across six states over the next two to five hours, with results expected during the evening in the US. But don’t expect rallies from Biden or Sanders: Both have canceled events over coronavirus fears.
Cathay Pacific’s earnings take the aviation industry’s temperature. The Hong Kong-based global airline is expected to be a guinea pig for how an airline fares after spending several weeks near the center of an epidemic that’s caused worldwide anxiety over travel.
Japan observes the anniversary of the Fukushima disaster. Prime minister Shinzo Abe pledged to fund more reconstruction projects in the area, which is still recovering after a 2011 earthquake caused the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. Meanwhile, the area’s agricultural industry is trying for a clean bill of food health before the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer.
While you were sleeping
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Markets perked up after Monday’s crash. As investors evaluated the White House’s promise of fiscal stimulus, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq each rose 4.9%, shaving off half of the previous day’s losses.
American universities braced for disaster. More than 45 schools announced that classes were going virtual, with Harvard going so far as to close dorms entirely. Meanwhile, the Italian luxury industry started to slow, and Coachella was delayed until October.
British MPs rebelled over Huawei’s 5G network. Prime minister Boris Johnson was able to put down the revolt from senior members of his own Conservative party who claim the telecom company is a cybersecurity threat, but their insurrection foreshadows trouble for the government’s attempt to work with Huawei.
A second patient has been cured of HIV. The London man remains virus-free 30 months after he stopped taking antiretroviral medicine. He was treated with a stem cell treatment for an aggressive cancer, which is too risky for widespread use but may inspire other cures.
Vladimir Putin supported extending his own rule. Allies of the Russian president, who has ruled for two decades, proposed a constitutional amendment that would reset his political clock and allow him to stay in power until 2036. The measure, which Putin decided to back, would go to a public referendum vote next month.
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Fighting bias in AI means examining power structures in the real world. Quartz contributor Helen Edwards explains why “the most dangerous AI bias is the bias of the more powerful over the less powerful.” She also tells us what developers can do about it.
Quartz daily obsession
Student debt continues to rise, topping $1.65 trillion in the US. A high school diploma used to be a ticket into the middle class. Now you need a college degree to access to the global economy, let alone homeownership, a good marriage, and a steady career. Study—and pay up—with today’s Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Kids are the biggest problem for parents when schools are closed. But there are ways to give them stability.
Low oil prices won’t help airlines. It’s because they take “hedging positions,” which protect them from sudden price hikes.
Pop culture fandom is a lot like being in a cult. It’s dismayingly difficult to resist joining leader-centered tribes that milk you for every penny.
Surprising discoveries
We’ve been taking out insurance policies for 30,000 years. Prehistoric people may have used ostrich eggshell beads to protect their assets.
The 500 richest people lost a combined $239 billion on Monday. The markets were unkind to billionaires.
The UN selected chimpanzee nut-cracking for conservation. It’s the first time an animal activity has been considered for this status.
Countries have their own favorite coronavirus-fighting songs. A memorable chorus can help people wash their hands for 20 seconds.
DingTalk, Alibaba’s answer to Slack, “is like hell.” So say reviewers of the messaging app, which combines work and digital surveillance.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, insurance beads, and ape-cracked nuts 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 brought to you by Susan Howson and Nicolás Rivero.