Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for
Apple hosts its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.The tech giant is expected to unveil software updates and perhaps some new hardware, with rumors swirling that iPads will get a refresh and iOS will get a new “Digital Health” feature.
Benjamin Netanyahu travels to Europe to discuss Iran. The Israeli prime minister says Iran is his top priority when meeting French president Emmanuel Macron, UK PM Theresa May, and German chancellor Angela Merkel, one of his harshest critics and his first stop.
Hong Kong marks the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests. Organizers are using the slogan “Resist Authoritarianism” to mark the wide-sweeping event, which will also pay tribute to Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo. As many as 150,000 people are expected to attend.
Over the weekend
A new study revealed many women with early-stage breast cancer don’t need chemotherapy. Researchers zeroed in on gene tests, analyzing tumors for markers that show breast cancer recurrence. They found that early-stage patients with tumors showing intermediate activity can safely opt for hormone-blocking treatment (paywall) without requiring chemo.
Donald Trump’s lawyers prepared for an obstruction of justice battle. A Trump attorney argued in a 20-page letter (paywall) to the special counsel investigating Russia’s election meddling that his client could “terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon.” The move comes in anticipation of Trump facing a subpoena in the investigation.
Palestinians mourned a medic killed while trying to reach a casualty in Gaza. The 20-year-old volunteer, who was shot by Israeli forces Friday, was the 119th Palestinian killed since protests began at the Gaza-Israel border.
Lava from Mount Kilauea stranded nearly a dozen people in Hawaii. Residents chose to stay without power, cell reception, or county water as the volcano continued to threaten their community. Officials say the last holdouts will be airlifted to safety.
A fan paid $3.3 million to have lunch with Warren Buffett. For the past 19 years, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO has auctioned a meal with himself, with proceeds benefiting San Francisco charity Glide. Since 2008, the winning bid for those luncheons has exceeded $1 million.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Ephrat Livni on the debate over plant consciousness: “Because we are steeped in an ancient tradition of human-centrism, we believe that our experience of life is what defines consciousness. … But there is some evidence that other modes of existence are equally complex, which suggests that other living things have arguably intelligent or conscious experiences.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Alcohol has no place on airplanes. Letting passengers drink is a safety risk, as was smoking before it was banned by airlines.
Italy should be compensated for the migrants it takes in. The European Union must act fast before Italy’s new interior minister enacts anti-immigrant policies.
Scientists need a universal definition for when space begins. Perspectives vary on where the edge of space is, and that’s a problem for the future of astronomy.
Surprising discoveries
Private jets are hosting children’s birthday bashes. Companies like VistaJet pull out all the stops for tea parties at 30,000 feet, in hopes of nabbing future customers.
An original Winnie-the-Pooh map will reemerge at an auction.< The illustration, which hasn’t been seen publicly in nearly half a century, is expected to fetch up to $587,000.
The Golden State Warriors are obsessed with chess. Shooting guard Klay Thompson got his teammates into the game, and claims to be the best among them.
Rich people are buying up dinosaur skeletons. Fossils are the hot new item hitting the auction block, and cash-strapped museums aren’t happy.
An off-duty FBI agent busted a move, and discharged his gun. The firearm fell after the man successfully landed a backflip at a Denver club, inadvertently shooting a patron in the leg as he went to grab it.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, cartoon maps and breakdancing videos 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 April Siese and edited by Matt Quinn.