Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
US lawmakers vote on health-care legislation, probably. A vote by the House of Representatives to repeal and replace Obamacare, slated for yesterday, was delayed because not enough Republicans backed the replacement bill pushed by Trump. The US president then threatened that Obamacare would stay unless the vote was held today.
Hong Kong selects a new leader. On Sunday, the 1,194 members of a Beijing-sanctioned election committee will choose the semi-autonomous territory’s new chief executive. Carrie Lam, until recently the city’s second-ranked official, is expected to win, although her main opponent, financial secretary John Tsang, is far more popular and supported by pro-democracy parties.
The EU’s bummer of a 60th birthday party. Leaders of the 27 countries will meet on Saturday in Rome under the specter of Brexit. Disgruntled members Greece and Poland are threatening not to sign a declaration designed to promote unity and solidarity.
The first test of “Schulz mania.” The regional election in Saarland will offer a glimpse of how candidate Martin Schulz will fare against Angela Merkel in the federal elections this year. His resurgent Social Democrats face off against Merkel’s Christian Democrats on Sunday in one of Germany’s smallest states.
While you were sleeping
Jean-Claude Juncker took a stab at Britain’s Brexit bill. The European Commission president told the BBC it will cost the UK “around” £50 billion ($62 billion) to leave the bloc, adding that it would be “scientifically calculated.” The EU won’t punish Britain or impose sanctions, he said, but it would be held to honor its so-far-unpaid financial commitments for things like European infrastructure projects.
A group of nations called on Venezuela to return to democracy. The US, Canada, and 12 Latin American countries collectively urged the government of president Nicolás Maduro to release political prisoners, hold elections, and bring back “democratic normality.” Maduro has led a broad crackdown against political opposition.
Credit Suisse dished out $3 billion in bonuses. Bucking the trend which saw Deutsche Bank and UBS radically slash their 2016 bonuses, Credit Suisse bumped up its bonus pool by 6%—despite suffering its second consecutive annual loss—in an effort to keep key talent. CEO Tidjane Thiam got $12 million.
Twitter said it might offer a subscription-based premium service. It’s surveying some users to gauge interest in such an offering, which would be aimed at business and power users. Twitter has struggled to grow its user base and faces a decline in advertising revenue, currently its only significant source of income.
The German juggernaut picked up speed. Falling unemployment, low inflation, and ECB stimulus powered Europe’s healthiest economy to a 70-month high (paywall) of 57 in March, according to IHS Markit’s PMI survey. However, inflation has been rising since the start of the year, and is predicted to dent consumer spending.
Quartz obsession interlude
Ilaria Maria Sala and Isabella Steger on the “election” in Hong Kong: “Campaigning has become part of Hong Kong’s political culture now, there is an expectation that you have to win the hearts and minds of the people,” said one pro-democracy lawmaker. “But in the end, it cannot sway anything. The system is rubbish, the winner is predetermined.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Monogamy is based on flawed science. Bias has been getting in the way of important research.
The next generation of feminists will feel even more frustrated. Governments worldwide should get rid of dated legislation that keeps women out of particular occupations.
The gig economy glorifies workers’ helplessness. Companies like Uber and Lyft are touting inspirational stories of contractors who work themselves to the bone.
Surprising discoveries
JFK’s diary reveals his fascination with Hitler. Touring Germany after his military service, Kennedy wrote that Hitler “had in him the stuff of which legends are made.”
The $5 male fertility test is coming. Users inject a tiny sperm sample into a 3D-printed smartphone case.
The ultra-rich paint their jets in “Matterhorn White.” The understated tone “evokes a snowy morning,” at up to $350,000 per coat.
Reality TV contestants emerged from a year’s seclusion to find their show canceled. The Eden show in the Scottish Highlands was pulled from the airwaves months ago.
A brewery in San Diego made beer from purified sewage. Stone Brewing’s Full Circle pale ale uses the same water to which it will return.
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