Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Theresa May meets with her new Cabinet after the “Brexodus.” Beset by a revolt over her “soft” Brexit plans—in the form of a slew of high-profile resignations—May chose new Cabinet members overnight. She could still face a leadership challenge, and the UK may well have to brace for yet another general election.
Donald Trump arrives in Brussels. Bars, clubs, and public areas will be packed with fans—of the Belgian national soccer team. Its World Cup semi-final battle with France takes place the same day the US president lands in the Belgian capital, ahead of the NATO summit on Wednesday.
India’s Supreme Court hears a case crucial to gay rights. A five-member constitutional bench will listen to petitions challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which forbids any sex “against the order of nature.” Arguments against the colonial-era statute, which has mostly been used against gay people, will cite legal precedent—and the Kamasutra.
While you were sleeping
Trump chose his second Supreme Court nominee. Washington DC Circuit Court of Appeals judge Brett Kavanaugh has had a role in some of America’s most partisan legal battles. As a young attorney in prosecutor Kenneth Starr’s office, Kavanaugh was the lead author of the salacious Starr Report calling for president Bill Clinton’s impeachment, and also represented George W. Bush in the 2000 Florida vote recount.
Liu Xia, widow of Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, may finally be free. BBC Chinese, citing anonymous sources, said Liu Xia, under house arrest for years, was flown to Germany, where Chinese premier Li Keqiang is wrapping up a visit. Imprisoned Nobel peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo died in custody in China nearly a year ago of liver cancer.
A federal judge extended the deadline for reuniting immigrant families. Judge Dana Sabraw, who earlier ordered the US government to reconnect children under the age of five with their families by Tuesday, allowed an extension. An attorney representing the government told the judge that only 54 kids of 102 were back with parents or guardians.
Elon Musk tweeted from the Thai cave rescue zone. SpaceX is mum on his whereabouts, but Musk, who had offered to help with the rescue of a kids’ soccer team and their coach from a flooded cave, appears to be tweeting photos and videos from Thailand. Eight boys have been rescued so far, while four more and the coach are still trapped inside.
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 a broader audience.
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 Tripti Lahiri, and edited by Josh Horwitz.