Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Emmanuel Macron hosts Angela Merkel and Xi Jinping. The leaders will discuss trade and climate issues in Paris, seeking “points of convergence between Europe and China.”
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu discuss China. The US president, riding high since the special counsel declined to accuse him of colluding with Russia, is expected to discuss China’s heavy investment in Israeli infrastructure during talks at the White House.
Apple and Qualcomm wait on a crucial patent ruling. The US International Trade Commission is expected to release a key decision (paywall) on a long-fought dispute over patent royalties, which could have big implications for the forthcoming 5G wireless standard and potentially limit Apple’s ability to import and sell some versions of the iPhone.
While you were sleeping
Lawyer Michael Avenatti was arrested for extorting millions of dollars from Nike. The controversial attorney was detained and charged shortly after announcing on Twitter that he intended to reveal a major scandal involving Nike and college basketball recruits. The Southern District of New York said he demanded more than $20 million from the sportswear brand, in exchange for a hush-money payment.
Apple launched subscription services—and a credit card. As the company attempts to diversify beyond the iPhone, it’s touting a news bundle including the Wall Street Journal and a TV subscription service with content from Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, and Reese Witherspoon, among others. It also launched a no-fee credit card, with the promise not to share customer data with advertisers.
Airbus inked a giant China deal to coincide with Xi’s France visit. The aircraft giant will sell 300 aircraft with a list price of about €30 billion ($33.9 billion), matching a record held by its beleaguered rival Boeing. The majority of the deal was for A320-family jets, plus 10 A350 wide-body jets.
Russia took a victory lap as it celebrated the end of Robert Mueller’s probe. Russian lawmakers and state media took turns ridiculing the special counsel (paywall), calling his investigation “useless,” a “conspiracy,” and framing its end as chance to strengthen US-Russia relations.
Israel and Hamas reached a truce after a flare-up of violence. A morning rocket attack from Gaza injured seven Israelis, followed by Israeli air strikes, before hostilities came to an end under an Egypt-brokered ceasefire.
Quartz Obsession
We want to believe… that ‘Oumuamua is an alien spaceship. The first interstellar object mankind has ever observed is oddly shaped and suspiciously fast, and resembles physicists’ ideas for solar-radiation-powered “lightsails.” But the less profound theories are pretty cool, too: It could be a space “snowflake,” skeleton, or a comet with an invisible tail. Explore strange new worlds at the Quartz Obsession.
Membership
Living forever is underrated. Even though death is inevitable, Silicon Valley is still dreaming of immortality. This week’s Quartz field guide is taking a look at the business of cheating death, and various ways scientists and tech billionaires are trying to extend our limited lifespans.
Matters of debate
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There’s no room for Apple in the crowded TV market. The company lags in hardware behind Roku, Amazon, and Google, and in content behind Netflix, Hulu, and HBO.
Forget autonomous cars, and bring back the stick shift. Technology that is meant to make driving easier instead makes us dangerously inattentive.
Human contact is becoming a luxury good. From education to eldercare, the poor are being forced to interact using screens.
Surprising discoveries
A flight leaving from London to Germany ended up in Scotland by mistake. Passengers who thought they were bound for Düsseldorf only realized they were in Edinburgh after landing.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” opened in China, with Freddie Mercury’s gayness edited out. Critics say the film’s strong box office showing is no victory amid the heavy censorship.
Billionaires can now buy a yacht for their yacht. Ultra-wealthy seafarers can get a “support yacht” for towing jet skis and some extra SUVs (paywall) to their destinations.
Couples are starting to take separate honeymoons. Separate interests, inflexible work schedules, and other relationship quirks (paywall) are leading to non-traditional post-wedding trips.
Scooters aren’t that new. The current tech boom had its first run during the early 1900s, but eventually got pushed out by the rise of cars, traffic, and higher speed limits.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, yacht support vehicles, and unimoon itineraries to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by McKinley Noble and Adam Pasick.