🌏 Google layoffs deepen

Plus: Bigger than a Barbie Dreamhouse.

Image for article titled 🌏 Google layoffs deepen
Image: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto (Getty Images)

Good morning, Quartz readers!


Here’s what you need to know

Google is laying off at least 200 workers as it moves “core” jobs out of the United States. Some of the California-based jobs will relocate to its offices in India and Mexico, according to CNBC. Meanwhile, Google wants immigration policies to change so it can recruit more AI talent to the U.S.

The stock market celebrated the Fed’s new interest rate plan. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said “it is unlikely the next policy move will be a hike.”

Advertisement

A key Boeing supplier is teasing a solution to its production woes. Spirit AeroSystems, the company behind the airplane maker’s door plug fiasco, said it has a plan. Meanwhile, Boeing is telling suppliers full speed ahead.

Advertisement

Separately, Boeing could face a new competitor out of Brazil. Embraer is mulling the development of a plane that could compete with 737 Max models.

Advertisement

Ozempic cost savings are shrinking in its home country. Denmark decided to cut some subsidies for Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster drug, most known for its weight loss side effects.


Airbnb wants something bigger than Barbie’s Dreamhouse

Image for article titled 🌏 Google layoffs deepen
Image: Airbnb
Advertisement

The Barbie hype boosted industries beyond entertainment. One of those industries was lodging, with Airbnb selling out Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse on its vacation rental app.

But then it got to thinking: what about Prince’s Purple Rain home? A performance in Doja Cat’s living room? Tequila tasting with Kevin Hart? The company is now launching a new category of products it has dubbed “Icons experiences,” intended to take users on singular adventures that span music, film, television, or sports.

Advertisement

Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb’s chief strategy officer, said that the company plans to add even more of the experiences — so long as they’re all one of a kind.


One big number: $50 million

Tax allegedly evaded by “Bitcoin Jesus,” a.k.a. crypto investor Roger Ver, according to the U.S. Department of Justice

Advertisement

Ver earned the nickname “Bitcoin Jesus” due to his early investments in cryptocurrency and his tendency to preach about it. But the DOJ alleges that Ver wasn’t acting saintly when it came to reporting the number of Bitcoin he owned.


More from Quartz

🌿 T-Mobile has acquired Mint Mobile for $1.35 billion

🚲 Peloton wants to turn things around by putting bikes at 800 Hyatt hotels

🛢️ Big Oil has been lying about its role in climate change for decades

🎓 An Ivy League school just announced its first AI master’s degree

💰 Johnson & Johnson wants to pay $6.5 billion to settle its talc ovarian cancer lawsuits

Advertisement

🍗 Yum Brands stock is falling as KFC and Pizza Hut fail to attract customers


Surprising discoveries

A satellite that was missing for 25 years was just found. It’s easy to get lost when so much space junk is orbiting Earth.

Advertisement

An underwater sinkhole near the border of Mexico and Belize is so deep scientists haven’t found the bottom. Good thing Nemo didn’t go down there.

A new ChatGPT rival came and… abruptly disappeared. X and Reddit users have claimed that “gpt2-chatbot” was able to do some pretty impressive stuff.

Advertisement

Tornados and trains sometimes collide with one another. And sometimes it’s caught on camera.

Roughly 60% of American households have an air fryer. Sure, they’re basically just tiny convection ovens, but people love them! Learn about the WWII technology turned kitchen staple in our latest Obsession email — and sign up to get the (free) email each week!

Advertisement

Did you know we have two premium weekend emails, too? One gives you analysis on the week’s news, and one provides the best reads from Quartz and elsewhere to get your week started right. Become a member or give membership as a gift!

Our best wishes for a productive day. Send any news, comments, satellites to put on milk cartons, and air fryer recipes to talk@qz.com. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Morgan Haefner.