Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The UK could announce new sanctions on Russia. Prime minister Theresa May will chair a National Security Council meeting to discuss the fatal poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in the UK. May is under pressure to take action against Moscow.
The Bombay Stock Exchange makes it easier to buy stocks. Starting today, investors will no longer be charged transaction fees for stocks on the Sensex 30 index, which includes India’s most highly valued companies. The move was made to entice individual investors.
The Church of Scientology launches a TV channel. The Scientology Network will premiere on channels such as Apple TV and DirecTV, and launch an app. “It’s TIME for us to tell OUR story…” the church tweeted, without giving further details about the channel’s content.
Over the weekend
Five people died when their helicopter crashed into the East River in New York. The helicopter went down near Roosevelt Island on Sunday evening, killing all five passengers; the pilot was able to free himself and was rescued by a tugboat. The helicopter had been chartered for a photo shoot.
The EU and Japan pushed to be exempted from US tariffs. In Brussels, European Union and Japanese trade officials lobbied their US counterparts (paywall) for exclusion from Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The EU says it will slap $3.5 billion on products imported from the US if it does not receive a waiver.
Xi Jinping became president for life. The National People’s Congress voted to abolish the two-term, 10-year limit for presidents on Sunday, paving the way for Xi Jinping to rule China for the foreseeable future. Only two delegates, out of almost 3,000, voted against the measure.
A scandal surrounding Japan’s prime minister deepened. Japan’s finance ministry confirmed media reports that it had altered documents connected to a public land sale at the heart of a cronyism scandal. Akie Abe, wife of the prime minister, was reportedly one of the names deleted from the documents.
Elizabeth Warren ruled out running for US president. The senator from Massachusetts confirmed she would not seek the Democratic nomination in 2020. She is expected to win reelection in 2018, but has consistently tried to curb speculation on any White House aspirations. Donald Trump mocked Warren during a weekend rally, again referring to her as “Pocahontas.”
Quartz obsession interlude
Abdi Latif Dahir on what China’s growing presence in Africa might mean for the US. “China has eclipsed the US in Africa in many ways: providing loans, financing much-needed infrastructure, competing for resources like oil and minerals, increasing its trade share, and spreading its ideological influence.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Astrology is a form of escapism. In tumultuous times, there’s an increasing willingness among young people in particular to question the arranged order.
A prestigious reputation could be a liability for companies in discrimination lawsuits. Activist investors and the media are more willing to make an example of firms that have a “halo” to tarnish.
Transgender activism will lead to a backlash. Advocates must be careful to use accurate language to describe the issue.
Surprising discoveries
Tesla needs a valet. It wants a manager of “exceptional ability” to fix its California HQ parking problems.
Black Panther is now Marvel’s fifth billion-dollar movie. After a strong opening in China, the superhero blockbuster became the 33rd movie ever to gross 10 digits.
A Canadian woman will appear on the country’s banknotes for the first time. Viola Desmond, who was arrested and fined for sitting in the whites section of a cinema, will feature on the C$10 bill.
Japan’s lack of gun fatalities is about more than just laws. For gang members, it is more honorable to fight with a more difficult weapon.
North Korea will launch two slick TV dramas. One depicts farmers battling Japanese soldiers as they attempt to “steal ginseng from the people.”
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, horoscopes, and outstanding valets to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Jill Petzinger and edited by Lianna Brinded.