Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Protesters call for a second Brexit referendum. Hundreds of thousands of people will march from London’s Park Lane to Parliament Square in an attempt to force a “People’s Vote,” as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit draws dangerously close.
Thailand holds its first democratic election in eight years. Voting takes place on Sunday under a revamped system that is heavily tilted in favor of the ruling junta and against the populist Pheu Thai party, which has repeatedly been ousted from power after winning previous elections.
Italy signs a Belt and Road deal with China. The debt-laden country will be the first major democracy to join China’s global infrastructure plan, giving the initiative legitimacy despite US opposition and concerns from other EU nations about growing Chinese clout in the region.
Donald Trump meets with Caribbean leaders… The US president will host heads of state from the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Chinese investment and the political crisis in Venezuela are expected to top the agenda.
…while British royals visit Cuba. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will arrive in the Communist-run island nation on Sunday as the UK seeks to boost commercial ties and political influence, even as the US works to isolate the country.
While you were sleeping
New Zealand broadcast the Islamic call to prayer. It was followed by a two-minute silence to mark a week since terrorist attacks at two Christchurch mosques killed 50 people. Addressing the Muslim community, prime minister Jacinda Ardern said, “New Zealand mourns with you, we are one.”
The EU approved a Brexit delay. European leaders agreed to a two-part plan to extend the March 29 deadline for Britain’s departure. The UK will have until May 22 if parliament approves prime minister Theresa May’s withdrawal deal next week. If her deal fails, the EU will back a shorter delay until April 12.
The US sanctioned two Chinese firms doing business with North Korea. They are the first targeted actions against Pyongyang since the collapse of the summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump in Vietnam last month.
The death toll from a chemical blast in China soared. A huge explosion Thursday afternoon at a chemical plant in eastern China has killed 47 people and injured 90.
Trump said the US will recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The announcement regarding the disputed territory, which Israel captured from Syria in a 1967 war and formally annexed in 1981, overturns decades of US policy and gives Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a major foreign policy boost less than three weeks before general elections.
Quartz Obsession
Beto O’Rourke was once a 1337 hacker. In high school the US presidential hopeful was a member of the Cult of the Dead Cow, one of the oldest and most influential hacker groups. The group’s activist vibes rubbed off on Beto, who began his path to politics with web design and an online news startup. Dial up the info at the Quartz Obsession.
Membership
The secret of diversifying corporate boards? Set a retirement age. A “typical company board” is still a group of old men. Last year the average board of a S&P 500 company had 11 members with an average age of 63, only two of whom were women. Boards are actually hiring more women, but the current board directors are not retiring fast enough to make a difference. Read more here.
Matters of debate
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Shoplifters deserve privacy too. Facial recognition security tools could mean a lifetime of being blackballed.
Serving is skilled labor. We need to confront the cultural stigma against service industry workers.
Instagram has become a toxic stew of conspiracy theories. As other networks fight against extremism, Facebook’s youth-centric app is slipping toward the dark side.
Surprising discoveries
Birding is a fantasy sport now. Competitors don’t actually spot exotic birds, but the fervor is just as real.
There’s no screamer in “The Scream.” Edvard Munch’s masterwork actually depicts someone hearing a scream that’s a lot more disturbing.
The iPhone is not blender-proof. Scientists pulverized one to show how our electronics rely on conflict minerals.
Texas kids can soon legally sell lemonade. The era of the criminalized sugar-water stands is almost at an end.
China cloned the “Sherlock Holmes of police dogs.” It was easier than training a replacement for a decorated seven-year-old female named Huahuangma.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, puppy gumshoes, and iPhone smoothies to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Mary Hui edited by Isabella Steger.