Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
India’s battle to legalize all sex begins. Supreme Court chief justice Dipak Misra and four other judges will hear petitions challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which forbids any kind of non-traditional intercourse. The bench will hear 35 individuals who will draw from legal precedent, Hindu philosophy, and other references to argue their case
India and Korea enter a new economic partnership. Korean president Moon Jae-in will end his four-day trip to New Delhi by signing an expanded comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. The agreement seeks to boost Indo-Korean economic and trade relations.
Trump will make his justice pick public. The US president is deciding between four federal appellate judges to replace retiring Supreme Court justice Anthony M. Kennedy, and will reveal his choice at 9pm EST. The nominee will still need Senate approval to be confirmed.
While you were sleeping
Boris Johnson resigned as UK foreign secretary. He was the third minister to walk out in 24 hours over Theresa May’s soft Brexit plans, increasing her chances of facing a vote of no confidence if she fails to sell the plan. Recent polls reveal a public appetite for a new general election in the event that the prime minister is ousted.
Starbucks will eliminate plastic straws by 2020. The coffee behemoth announced that straws will be replaced by a lid that makes drinking the old-fashioned way easier, although customers can still request a paper or compostable straw. Critics think that the effort, while commendable, is in danger of distracting from larger environmental problems.
Pompeo surprised Afghanistan. The US Secretary of State unexpectedly visited the country to discuss local elections and peace plans. In his first trip there since April, Pompeo promised support to President Ashraf Ghani and affirmed US willingness to aid in peace talks with the Taliban.
The US is behind schedule for reuniting immigrant families. A federal judge ordered the US government to reconnect 100 children under the age of five with their families by Tuesday, with 2,000 other, older children to be reunited by July 26. An attorney representing the government told the judge on Monday that only 54 kids were back with parents or guardians.
Fox is preparing to bid on Sky. Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate attempted to buy the company in 2016, but was delayed by a government investigation and a rival offer from Comcast. With approval from the Competition Markets Authority imminent, a bidding war between the two rivals could ensue, and dramatically raise Sky’s valuation.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Jenni Avins on the marijuana industry’s high-growth opportunity: “Aside from its clinical role, and despite its dubious legal status, CBD has a growing number of casual fans: It’s weed for people who don’t actually like being stoned. Found in everything from pet-calming drops to ache-alleviating muscle rubs and lattes, these days you can drink it, drop it, smoke it, spray it, eat it, and rub it into your skin.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
The most successful activists embrace backlash. Acknowledging that progress often sparks adverse reactions can increase our odds of sustaining positive movements.
AT&T’s push for HBO to be more like Netflix signals change. The company is abandoning its “quality over quantity” approach to reach broader audiences.
The World Cup needs music. Beyond representing teams and motivating athletes, songs can also help fans celebrate their cultures (paywall).
Surprising discoveries
A fart prank helps med students learn. Foul-smelling novelty products help train doctors and nurses to brave the stenches of the human body.
A long-term effort will make a Japanese train one minute faster. JR East says reducing the Ueno to Omiya trip from 30 to 29 minutes will attract more customers.
Men and women sleep better in gender-equal societies. Sharing the worry over finances and childcare makes both sexes more rested.
Baby teeth can offer clues on autism. The effects of chemical exposure on a fetus’s developing teeth (paywall) could explain links between the disorder and pollution.
Poisoned books surfaced in a Denmark library. The medieval manuscripts were coated in arsenic, most likely in an attempt to keep pests away.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, air fresheners, and non-lethal books 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 Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz and David Wexner, and edited by Susan Howson.