20,000 attend NZ memorial service
New Zealand held a national commemorative service to honour the 50 people who were killed in terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch earlier this month. The country’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said: “Racism exists, but it is not welcome here. An assault on the freedom of any one of us who practices their faith or religion, is not welcome here. Violence, and extremism in all its forms, is not welcome here. And over the last two weeks we have shown that, you have shown that, in your actions.” Reported by the BBC, France 24, Guardian, Radio New Zealand and Stuff.
Lyft IPO raises $2.3bn
The ride hailing firm Lyft, which competes with Uber in the US, priced its shares at $72, valuing the company at $24.3bn. It starts trading later today. Reported by the BBC, CNBC and Financial Times.
Satellite firm bought out by private equity & pension investors
Inmarsat, the British rival of Luxembourg satellite operator SES, is going private in a $3.4bn deal. Reported by the Financial Times, Guardian and Register.
Wow Air grounded
The low cost Icelandic carrier Wow Air abruptly ceased operations, stranding thousands of passengers. Reported by the BBC, Financial Times and New York Times.
US swipes left on Grindr’s Chinese owner
The Chinese company that owns Grindr will sell the gay dating app after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States said that Beijing Kunlun Tech Co’s ownership was a “national security risk”. The story was broken by Reuters and also reported by the BBC and South China Morning Post.
Would you like fries with that, Dave?
McDonald’s is buying an artificial intelligence startup to help it offer personalised menus to customers. The fast food chain will reportedly offer recommendations based on what customers have already ordered, the weather and the popularity of other menu items. The story was broken by Wired magazine and also reported by the Associated Press and Chicago Tribune.
UK buys $16m luxury flat in New York City
The UK foreign office has bought a £12m penthouse overlooking UN headquarters, which will be used as the official residence of the British trade commissioner for North America. Reported by the BBC, Guardian and Mansion Global magazine.
Later today: Brexit
British PM Theresa May will ask MPs to vote on her withdrawal agreement--for the third time--but not on the political declaration on the UK’s future relationship with the EU. Details from the BBC, DW and Guardian.
Looking ahead: Earthship
The environmental group Cell holds an informational meeting about its Äerdschëff (Earthship) self-sufficient building to be constructed in Redange/Attert. Here’s the event on Facebook and Delano published this briefing last autumn.
Telecommuting that is out of this world
Japan’s space agency aims to send robot astronauts into orbit by 2020, reported IEEE Spectrum.
Worker saves cat, gets suspended without pay
The US telecom firm Verizon suspended an employee in Philadelphia, for breaking its safety rules, after he rescued a stranded cat using company equipment. Reported by Bored Panda, CBS News and Newsweek.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald