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What to watch for today
Wisconsin holds Democratic and Republican primaries. Bernie Sanders is coming off the back of five out of six wins, but will struggle to beat Hillary Clintonâs lead. Polls show Republican Ted Cruz leading Donald Trump in the state, but [he still lags the frontrunner] by 250 delegates.
Jacob Zuma faces an impeachment vote. The South African president [could face proceedings] for constitutional abuses if the parliamentary vote succeeds, but the ruling ANC partyâwhich has a large majorityâhas thrown its support behind him.
Chinaâs ZTE shakes up its management. The leadership changeâwhich includes the CEOâis part of a deal the telecom-equipment giant struck with the US, sources [told the Wall Street Journal] (paywall). The US sanctioned the company due to illicit sales allegedly made to Iran.
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While you were sleeping
The US imposed fresh curbs on corporate inversions. The new rules will make it more difficult for companies to move out of the US to countries with lower taxes. This is [a major blow] (paywall) to the pending $160-billion merger of New York-based Pfizer and Allergan, which is headquartered in Dublin.
A former New Zealand prime minister wants the top UN job. Helen Clark, who [announced her candidacy] for UN secretary general, will attempt to take over from Ban Ki-moon as the first woman to hold the office and the eighth secretary general in the UNâs 70-year history.
India dropped its interest rate to a five-year low… The Reserve Bank of India [cut its benchmark lending rate] for the first time this year, from 6.75% to 6.5%. The central bank governor said the cut was caused by a fall in retail prices, mainly on vegetables.
…and launched a new lending scheme to the poor. âStand Up Indiaâ [will provide loans] and debit cards to historically disadvantaged borrowersâincluding women and certain castes and tribes.
Disneyâs heir apparent resigned. Chief operating officer Thomas Staggs was expected to take over from current CEO Robert Iger in 2018. According to [the New York Times] (paywall), the board felt he lacked âthe skills required to maintain Disneyâs creative momentum.â
The conservatives won a sweeping victory in Saskatchewan. The rural province is one of the [last conservative strongholds] in Canada after the Liberals’ overwhelming election victory, and Saskatchewan Party head Brad Wall has become a prominent national figure.
Quartz obsession interlude
Mike Murphy on the ability to 3D print anything. “3D printing has not yet lived up to the hype heaped upon it, which we can mostly chalk up to the technical challenge of consistently printing multiple materials, and in multiple colors at once. But Stratasys, the largest 3D-printing company in the world, says its newest industrial printer does both.” [Read more].
Matters of debate
America isnât 100% safe from terrorism, and thatâs a good thing. A country that could prevent every suicide bombing [wouldnât be free].
An apocalypse is about to hit the restaurant business. Chefs are fleeing, antiquated tipping practices need to go, and [foodâs too cheap].
The Bernie Sanders movement isnât going away. His chances of victory are slim, but his message will [continue to shape liberal politics].
Surprising discoveries
Defense budgets rose all over the world. [Global][military spending] is up 1% to $1.68 trillion, according to the Stockholm Peace Institute.
Bostonâs subway is telling riders not to wear VR headsets. Detachment from reality [makes you a âsoft target].â
Moncler down jackets will now be trackable. Each $1,000 coat will contain [an identification chip].
Muslim boys don’t have to shake hands with female teachers in Switzerland. The students said it was [counter to their religious beliefs]; the school has backed their wishes.
The worldâs first driverless taxis are launching this year in Singapore. They are based on an MIT project that [built autonomous golf carts].
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