Iran and FIFA elections, Apple fights back, Korean hologram protesters
Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Republicans butt heads in Houston. With Jeb Bush gone, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are expected to tear into each other at the latest GOP debate, even though Donald Trump is way ahead in the polls.
FIFA votes on its next president. Candidates are vowing to restore the international soccer body’s tarnished reputation, but their campaigns are promising more money and travel for FIFA members—a move right out of Sepp Blatter’s playbook.
Japan restarts a leaky nuclear reactor. Osaka’s Kansai Electric announced the leak at the Takahama power plant earlier this week, but said it is unsure what environmental impact it might have.
Iran holds elections. Voters will choose legislators and a clerical council that will help to elect the country’s next supreme leader. President Hassan Rouhani hopes to put more moderates in power.
Warren Buffett sums up a terrible year. His annual letter to shareholders may contain hints about who will take over at Berkshire Hathaway when its legendary 85-year-old CEO retires.
While you were sleeping
Apple pushed back in court. The company filed a motion to overturn an order forcing it to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. Apple argued that the US government’s request would violate US free speech laws and create a “dangerous power” to violate civil liberties.
Halliburton cut even more jobs. The oilfield services giant is laying off another 5,000 workers, following the slashing of 4,000 jobs in the last quarter of 2015. Since late 2014, the company had to nix more than a quarter of its workforce to make up for plummeting oil prices.
ISIL released a video threatening Mark Zuckerberg. The militant group targeted the Facebook founder along with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey for blocking its members from social networks. A 25-minute video on the Telegram app features their bullet-ridden bodies engulfed in flames.
The US finally banned imported goods made by slaves and children. President Barack Obama signed a law banning products made by forced labor. The wide-ranging bill closes a legal loophole that has existed since the 1930s.
Europe’s migrant crisis triggered a diplomatic row. Greece recalled its ambassador to Vienna after Austria and the Balkan states imposed more obstacles on migrants and refugees on their way to northern Europe. A Greek minister vowed that his country would not be ”a warehouse of souls.”
Quartz obsession interlude
Michael Erard on why people distrust foreign accents. “‘We’re less likely to believe something if it’s said with a foreign accent,’ one expert explained. In her view, negative judgments are the result of the additional effort that our brains must make to process foreign speech. Our brains then shift the blame for this effort onto the veracity of the speaker.” Read more here.
Quartz markets haiku
Matters of debate
America doesn’t like women who seek power. Hillary Clinton’s approval ratings plummet when she’s campaigning, and soar when she’s on the job.
It’s a myth that mental illness enhances creativity. The link between psychiatric instability and artistic brilliance is unsupported by any evidence.
“-splaining” has become a meaningless suffix. A once-useful term to criticize sexism has become nothing more than a lazy joke.
Surprising discoveries
Homesickness was once considered a fatal medical condition. Luckily it was easily curable.
South Koreans are protesting via hologram. A “ghost protest” was held in Seoul because live rallies were not allowed.
Sperm are a virus’s best friend. Their free pass from the body’s defenses helps them spread Zika and HIV.
Mexico City is shaming litterers on Periscope. The social media app broadcasts their misdeeds in real time.
Michigan’s potholes could be an asset for testing driverless cars. The US state is competing with California for $4 billion in federal funding.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, holographic protests, and homesickness cures to [email protected]. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day.