SpaceX launch, Beijing billionaires, terrified raccoons
Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
SpaceX tests its ability to deliver cargo. In its second launch this year, Elon Musk’s space firm will try to send a broadcast satellite into high-earth orbit for SES, the European satellite giant, and then land the rocket on a floating droneship platform in the Atlantic ocean.
Sharp looks for a savior. The board of the struggling Japanese electronics producer is meeting to weigh takeover offers it’s received. The bidders are a state-backed investment fund and Taiwan’s Foxconn, which offered $5.9 billion.
Earnings galore. Campbell Soup, Kraft Heinz, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Kohl’s, Gap, British American Tobacco, Baidu, and Henkel AG all report their quarterly results.
While you were sleeping
Beijing beat New York as “billionaire capital of the world.” The Chinese capital is now home to 100 billionaires compared to New York’s 95, according to Shanghai firm Hurun—and that’s after the 40% slide in China’s stock market in the latter part of last year.
Target outpaced Amazon in online sales last quarter. The retailer’s online sales grew 34% over the holiday season compared to Amazon’s 25%. Looks like its bet on free shipping paid off.
Chesapeake Energy pleased investors. The oil and natural gas company’s share price went up 23% after it promised to pay off the rest of its $500 million debt. To get there, it will sell more of its assets, and close at least half of its drilling rigs.
Facebook went beyond the “like” button. After years of fielding complaints about the limits of ‘liking’ posts, users can now respond with five emojis to show love, amusement, surprise, sadness and anger.
“El Chapo” could be headed to Brooklyn. The New York Daily News reported that the New York borough could end up hosting the trial of Joaquín Guzmán, who is facing charges in seven US jurisdictions—but only if the Mexican government agrees to hand over the drug cartel leader first.
Quartz obsession interlude
Hanna Kozlowska on why young women are rejecting Hillary Clinton. “This election’s Democratic nomination process is showing that women cannot be treated as a distinct voting block, as Hillary Clinton’s candidacy brings an intergenerational feminist schism into public view. While many older women are thrilled to see a woman having a shot at the presidency during their lifetime, for many younger women, gender matters less.” Read more here.
Quartz markets haiku
Cat, stay off the ledge
Matters of debate
Workplace socializing shouldn’t be mandatory. Not all employees have the time or money to spend on lavish lunches and happy hours outside the office.
Apple is right about the scope of its fight with the FBI. The Federal Bureau of Investigation really wants to unlock numerous phones, not just one.
The WHO has recovered from its mishandling of Ebola. The organization’s work on the Zika virus epidemic shows that it’s clearly learned from past mistakes.
Surprising discoveries
Egypt accidentally sentenced a toddler to life in prison. The country’s military admitted it was a case of mistaken identity.
The US relied more on electricity from renewable sources in 1950 than it does today. Demand for power was lower back then, and hydroelectric dams provided one third of it.
A new Danish supermarket only stocks expired food. It’s the world’s first such grocery store, and boasts 50% cheaper prices.
Rats are better at detecting tuberculosis than lab tests. The rodents can smell the illness 70% of the time.
Fear can reshape ecosystems. Researchers terrorized raccoons in the name of science to show that the sound of predators is as effective as actual predators in reducing prey populations.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, smart rats, and plump cushions to [email protected]. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day.