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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is hiring at breakneck speed. The world’s biggest chipmaker wants to grow its global workforce from 77,000 to 100,000 in just a few years. Meanwhile, key Nvidia partner SK Hynix is investing $4 billion in a new chip facility in Indiana.
Tesla is breaking its Facebook and Instagram ad hiatus. Elon Musk’s company will advertise with Meta’s sites for the first time ever. In other Tesla news, Musk is pushing Full Self-Driving trials on drivers, and in other Facebook news, Meta is trying to woo AI talent from competitors.
Bitcoin is heading to record-breaking territory. The cryptocurrency eclipsed $71,000 yesterday, about $2,000 below its all-time high, before sliding back down.
Novo Nordisk isn’t breaking anything, but is digesting new data on a weight loss pill from a growing competitor. Stock of the tablet’s maker, Viking Therapeutics, jumped as much as 25% yesterday.
The Baltimore bridge collapse could devastate supply chains
The Port of Baltimore is expected to be closed indefinitely as federal and state officials in Maryland deal with the aftermath of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, one of the world’s busiest ports.
The East Coast port is a significant link in the global supply chain, especially for automakers and energy companies.
847,000: Vehicles that moved through the port last year, more than any other U.S. port
11 million: Vehicles that use the bridge on a yearly basis
52.3 million: Total tons of foreign cargo that passed through the port in 2023
$80 billion: What that cargo was worth
Here’s what automotive and energy executives are warning could happen next.
High cocoa prices are creating Easter candy chaos
The Easter Bunny might want to deliver its baskets with an armored truck this year.
Cocoa, the bean that acts as the foundational ingredient for Easter’s most popular candy, is nearing $10,000 per metric ton thanks to plant disease and droughts in West Africa.
Candy companies have been on a wild egg hunt to find solutions, but are quickly running out of ways to deal with it.
How smart can jewelry get?
We can’t speak for your necklaces, earrings, or the rest of your bling, but you might want to consider a ring upgrade. Some tech experts, like Gizmodo’s Florence Ion, for one, believe smart rings could ultimately take the place of their bulkier, too expensive cousins: smartwatches.
Think about it: Smart rings collect more accurate data and, frankly, they’re a lot easier on the eyes. But once you’ve got a treasure trove of bio data at your fingertips, what will you even do with it all? Join Flo and our host Gabriella Riccardi in episode 2 of the latest season of the Quartz Obsession podcast, Smart rings: digital digits.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify | Apple | Google | Pandora
👓 Read the full transcript here.
More from Quartz
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💉 Even a new and improved COVID vaccine isn’t budging Moderna stock
🪿 Canada Goose is laying off 17% of its corporate staff
👴🏼 BlackRock’s Larry Fink wants to take America’s retirement system out of the Ottoman Empire
Surprising discoveries
Renting starter homes is now cheaper than buying in every major U.S. metro area. Time to re-evaluate that van down by the river.
The first woman completed one of the world’s hardest ultramarathons. Jasmin Paris crossed the finish line with just under two minutes left of the allotted 60 hours!!!
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet terminals are reportedly being used and traded on the black market. They’re showing up in Yemen, Sudan, and Venezuela.
Big Macs are getting a side of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The pastry maker’s U.S. footprint is about to more than double under a new McDonald’s partnership.
Outgoing Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has 51 million reasons to hope his successor turns things around. He may be exiting the company, but his fortune depends on its success.
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Our best wishes for a productive day. Send any news, comments, river lots, and doughnut buns to talk@qz.com. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Melvin Backman, Will Gavin, Susan Howson, and Morgan Haefner.