Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Can Apple maintain its quarterly mojo? After a blockbuster first quarter that sent its stock to new heights, the iPhone maker may tout emerging technologies like self-driving cars, augmented reality, and machine learning. Investors will be closely watching results from China and India.
The EU releases its unemployment rate for March. The rate fell to 9.5% in February, still high but the lowest since May 2009. Economists are expecting a reading of 9.4% for March. By way of perspective, unemployment peaked at 12.1% at the height of the financial crisis.
The US Senate grills Trump’s chosen ambassador to China. Iowa governor Terry Branstad will face questions on foreign trade, human rights, and his long-standing friendship with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
While you were sleeping
THAAD passed a key test in South Korea… Despite Beijing’s opposition, US officials said that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system reached an initial operating capability to defend against North Korean missiles. The $1 billion system has become a key issue in South Korea’s presidential election.
…And Trump said he would be “honored” to meet with Kim Jong-un. The US president said he would meet with the North Korean despot “under the right circumstances,” in a sharp departure from previous US policy. The White House quickly walked back his remarks, saying “many conditions” would need to be met.
Nicolas Maduro called for a new constitution. After weeks of anti-government protests, Venezuela’s socialist president signed an order (paywall) to convene a special assembly to redraft the constitution. His predecessor Hugo Chavez made a similar move in 1999 soon after winning office. “Every day it is clearer that we’re in a dictatorship,” said a local law professor.
Infosys said it will hire 10,000 American workers and open four US tech centers. The India-based IT services firm said the hires will be made over two years, and that the centers will focus on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, with the first to open in Indiana this year. Trump has accused tech companies of taking jobs away from US workers.
Quartz obsession interlude
Chase Purdy on Guinness going vegan. ”Brewers often use fish bladders, more formally known as isinglass, for the filtering of cask beers… Because of the use of an animal product, hardline vegetarians and vegans don’t permit themselves to drink the Guinness beer. [The company] announced that it has eliminated fish guts from its filtration process for kegs.” Read more here.
Markets haiku
“Let’s break up the banks!” / The crowd cheers on May Day. Huh? / Wall Street likes it, too?
Matters of debate
Almost every speed limit is too low. Traffic engineers say they should be set so that 85% of drivers obey the posted limit.
Wasting time is the secret to happiness. Slacking off is more rewarding than frantically chasing “productivity.”
Standing desks are distracting. In many offices, the higher vantage point gives our brains access to more human faces that we unconsciously have to interpret.
Surprising discoveries
Switzerland wants to rebuild its glaciers with snow machines. A thin coating of flakes should reflect more sunlight, protecting the ice below.
An Indian politician is handing out bats to prevent domestic violence. “If your alcoholic husband is physically abusive, thrash him,” suggests Madhya Pradesh minister Gopal Bhargava.
Drug-abusing nerds are hiding their stashes in graphic calculators. At least that’s what the US anti-drug agency claims (paywall).
A delicious Indian berry contains a crucial ingredient for creating cheap solar cells. A pigment found in jamun (Syzygium cumini) absorbs large amounts of sunlight.
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