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.”
The European Parliament votes on overhauling copyright rules. The changes would make tech companies like Google and Twitter responsible for copyright infringements committed by their users. Tens of thousands across Europe have protested the bill, arguing that it would lead to censorship.
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.
The US Senate holds a procedural vote on the Green New Deal. Majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, is pushing for a quick vote to force Democrats to take a stand on the broad climate-change bill. Democrats have decried the move as a political ploy and are expected to block it by voting “present” instead of for or against.
A federal ban on bump stocks starts in the US. In December, the justice department gave owners a 90-day period—ending today—to destroy or turn in bump stocks, attachments that essentially allow shooters to fire semiautomatic rifles continuously with one pull of the trigger.
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
UK lawmakers seized control of Brexit. In an unprecedented move, members of parliament voted to take over the parliamentary timetable, giving them a series of votes on Wednesday on alternatives to prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal. It was another humiliating defeat for May as 30 Conservative lawmakers voted against the government, including three ministers who resigned from their posts.
Lawyer Michael Avenatti was arrested for extorting millions of dollars from Nike. The controversial attorney, who previously represented adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, 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.
The Pentagon authorized $1 billion for Donald Trump’s wall. The funding will go toward new wall construction along the US-Mexico border. The US president had declared a national emergency in February, directing other funds to be made available for the wall and related infrastructure.
Australia’s far-right One Nation Party was caught seeking millions from the NRA. An undercover investigation by al-Jazeera revealed senior figures from the party lobbying for $20 million in political donations from US gun rights group National Rifle Association.
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 creators like Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. It also launched a no-fee credit card, with the promise not to share customer data with advertisers.
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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Trump’s Golan Heights move should worry India and Taiwan. It undermines international law and puts the future of other long-disputed territories in jeopardy.
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. Incorrect flight paperwork caused a British Airways plane to land in Edinburgh instead of Düsseldorf.
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 heavy censorship.
Couples are starting to take separate honeymoons. Different interests, inflexible work schedules, and other relationship quirks (paywall) are leading to non-traditional post-wedding trips.
A 30-million-page library is headed to the moon. Known as the Lunar Library, the archive traveling aboard Israel’s Beresheet spacecraft is meant to preserve humanity’s collective wisdom.
NASA cancelled an all-female spacewalk because of suit sizing issues. The first-of-its-kind mission was scrapped partly due to the lack of an extra medium-sized suit.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, well-fitting spacesuits, and civilization backups 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 and edited by Isabella Steger.