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What to watch for today
Joe Biden is set to celebrate another super Tuesday. With results from two more states still being counted, the former vice president won Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, and Idaho in yesterday’s Democratic primaries.
Harvey Weinstein is sentenced. The Hollywood mogul faces between five and 29 years in prison in New York after he was found guilty by a jury last month on two counts of sexual assault.
Wall Street executives meet at the White House. President Trump is expected to attend the gathering to discuss the US response to the coronavirus epidemic. At least seven of the country’s largest banks have been invited.
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Coronavirus cases soared in the US. The number of confirmed infections topped 1,000, with New York state deploying the national guard to contain the outbreak in an hard-hit suburb. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Italy spiked to at least 631.
Businesses looked increasingly unwell around the globe. German sports giant Adidas warned the outbreak could cost it $500 million. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific also issued a profit warning, while an industry group said the air travel sector could lose $820 billion.
The UK cut interest rates, and unveils its first post-Brexit budget. The Bank of England lowered the rate from 0.75% to 0.25% to support the economy, and plans to free up loans to help businesses. Promises for major investments are expected in today’s budget.
Uber drove into healthcare policy. The ride sharing giant said it could suspend accounts of drivers and passengers who have tested positive for coronavirus, or have potentially been exposed to it. It is not clear how it can enforce the policy.
The beat dropped out at Coachella and Stagecoach. The two music festivals were postponed until October over concerns about coronavirus. The events typically draw hundreds of thousands of fans—with each catering to wildly different tastes.
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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 get 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
Stock market turmoil is now the “biggest,” “largest,” and “worst.” These are the most favored superlatives in financial news stories, a Quartz analysis reveals.
Coronavirus is bad news for climate change. Electric vehicle sales would be higher if it weren’t for the outbreak.
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
A conference on coronavirus is cancelled due to coronavirus. Virologists wanted to set a good example at the Nidovirus Symposium.
Tinder has become a coronavirus news service. Whoever said young people only care about hooking up?
Some people still think cruise ships are a good idea. People really like deals.
Lasers can help keep planes ice-free. Instead of using chemicals, multiple beams can be blasted onto an aircraft.
An invasive snail could be coffee’s saving grace. Researchers found that the Asian tramp snail can eat large amounts of coffee rust.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, rustic coffee, and irreverent laser beams 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 Adam Rasmi and Hasit Shah.