Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Signs of how Singapore will deal with a US withdrawal from the TPP. Singapore’s parliament is due to the discuss the expected impact on trade, as US president Donald Trump throws a wrench into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Another hot issue on the parliamentary agenda for the day: the proliferation of fake news.
Tech’s rebuke to Trump’s immigration ban. The heads of Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Uber, and more than two dozen other big US technology firms have signed a letter objecting to the US president’s executive order on immigration and are ready to deliver it to the White House, Mother Jones reports. But the US court system is already doing its part to make the letter moot, first with a Seattle judge’s temporary restraining order against the ban and an appellate court’s decision not to immediately lift it.
Angela Merkel gets a key endorsement. The German chancellor’s conservative bloc is expected to throw its weight behind her upcoming run, despite divisions over the country’s refugee policy. The Christian Democrats and Christian Socialists are meeting in Munich to discuss their strategy for the September election.
Over the weekend
The new US defense secretary set the Japanese government at ease. James Mattis called for a strengthening of Japan’s defense capabilities and described Japan’s cost-sharing for US forces stationed in Japan as a “model” for other countries. Japanese officials are reportedly relieved and seem to be taking his comments as an indication that they will not be asked to shoulder more of the expenses.
The United Arab Emirates opened up. The UAE, which currently doesn’t offer permanent residency to foreign workers, approved a new, “specialized visa” system to attract medical and research talent into its borders. Prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum announced the news on Twitter.
US president Donald Trump defended his respect for Vladmir Putin. Never mind that the Russian leader is accused of being tied to a long list of murderous plots. “What? Do you think our country’s so innocent?” Trump asked rhetorically in an interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly.
A French presidential candidate campaigned by hologram. Jean-Luc Melenchon launched his presidential bid in person in Lyon, while a 3D image of him did the same in Paris. Radio station Europe 1 was duly impressed: “Melenchon killed it for innovation in political communication this year,” it tweeted (link in French).
American sports fans prepared for the big game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. Either way, the NFL’s a winner. Even in the cord-cutting era, the Super Bowl’s reach is unparalleled, not only in the world of sports, but in all of broadcast TV.
Quartz obsession interlude
Leslie Josephs on lessons for cities trying to curb air pollution with vehicle restrictions : In 2008, Mexico City expanded its Hoy No Circula program in which residents had to keep their cars off the street one weekday each week, determined by the last numeral in their license plates, to include restrictions to Saturdays. That was supposed to reduce air pollution by around 15%, but a new study published on Feb. 2 in Scientific Reports found “little evidence that the program expansion improved air quality.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Australia’s stock market is decoupling from the world. The outlook for Aussie banks is to blame.
Countries need digital ambassadors to deal with the likes of Facebook and Google. Denmark plans to appoint one.
Big telcos in Africa have the clout to fight government-ordered internet blackouts. Pity they don’t seem to use it.
The best example of leading in the free world can now be found in Canada. It’s not a perfect country, but it’s exceedingly hospitable.
Is this the end of the “good” Anthropocene? It’s too soon to say, but Donald Trump’s ascent forces the question.
Surprising discoveries
No law governs the depths of Earth’s oceans. Some marine ecologists think it should be protected from corporate interests.
Pioneers on wheels. The Middle East’s first female roller derby team is revolutionary on and off the court.
UPS drivers don’t turn left. It’s a strategic choice, and it saves 10 million gallons of gas a year.
Vaporized tobacco is huge in Japan. Japan Tobacco has been caught flat-footed by surging demand for its pen-shaped Ploom Tech device.
Bees can disrupt cricket. A swarm of bees delayed a cricket match in Johannesburg between South Africa and Sri Lanka.
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