Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
UK lawmakers vote on Brexit alternatives. As members of parliament attempt to wrest control of the Brexit process from prime minister Theresa May, parliament will cast so-called indicative votes on a range of options to replace her proposed deal outlining the UK’s exit from the EU. The votes carry political weight but are not legally binding.
Boeing convenes pilots and regulators for its 737 Max fix… An information session in Renton, Washington will brief stakeholders on a software patch and pilot training program to address issues with the 737 Max.
…while the US Senate grills the FAA. Lawmakers will question the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been criticized for going too far in allowing Boeing to regulate itself, about its regulatory work. The FAA is expected to overhaul its oversight approach to air safety by July, according to draft testimony for the hearing.
China’s electric-auto giant posts its annual results. BYD grew from a mobile battery maker into the world’s largest electric-vehicle manufacturer. The company is heavily subsidized by the Chinese government, and its profits may suffer as the company shifts to a quota and credit system in 2020.
A private Chinese space company launches a rocket. OneSpace, based in Beijing, will launch a solid propellant rocket into orbit. If successful, it will be the country’s first privately backed orbital rocket.
Google’s CEO meets with a top US military official. Sundar Pichai will sit down with general Joseph Dunford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, to talk about Google’s presence in China (paywall). The internet giant extended the invitation after Dunford criticized Google’s AI work in China, saying it “indirectly benefits the Chinese military.”
While you were sleeping
A Boeing 737 Max made an emergency landing in Florida. In another setback for the aircraft company, a Boeing 737 Max operated by Southwest Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff as it was being flown to California for parking. There is a global ban of the aircraft after two recent fatal crashes, but US aviation regulators have allowed airlines to conduct logistical flights without passengers.
New Zealand police investigate a possible terrorist link. Christchurch police are investigating whether a man who died from a stab wound after an hours-long standoff with armed officers had any link with the March 15 mosque attacks. Police had raided his home and found a cache of firearms after receiving a tip-off.
An airstrike on a Yemeni hospital killed seven people. A hospital supported by Save the Children was hit in a deadly airstrike that charity officials blamed on the Saudi-led coalition allied with Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, whose government was toppled in 2014 by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The attack came as the country marked the war’s fourth-year anniversary.
Cathay Pacific Airways bought Hong Kong Express for $628 million. The purchase of the budget airline from embattled Chinese conglomerate HNA makes Cathay the dominant carrier in Hong Kong. It marks the company’s first entry into the budget market.
A US judge ruled for Qualcomm in its patent battle with Apple. Trade judge MaryJoan McNamara said a power-saving feature in an Intel chip used by Apple infringed on a Qualcomm patent (paywall), and recommended limiting the US import of certain older iPhone models. Her decision is subject to review by the US International Trade Commission.
Quartz Obsession
We’ve all gotta go sometime. People used to end their lives at home. (In fact, the “living room” used to be called the “death room.”) But modern medicine and the rise of the funeral parlor have pushed death out of sight and out of mind—until the resurgence of the “death cafe.” Reconnect with your mortality in today’s Quartz Obsession.
Membership
How to get an airline upgrade without relying on luck: Air travel may be dominated by algorithms, surcharges, and a de-bundling of even the most basic of services, but there are still ways to claw your way out of steerage. The first step: Start plotting your strategy before you buy your ticket. Read more in our member exclusive.
Matters of debate
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The benefit workers want most is less work. They value unlimited paid time off far more than trendy perks like on-site Crossfit classes.
A male birth-control pill would be a milestone for gender equality. Right now, the only contraceptive product for men are condoms, while women have a range of options.
Mexico deserves an apology from Spain for the Conquest. The passing of 500 years doesn’t excuse a colonial power from making amends for conquering another land.
Surprising discoveries
Canadian scientists dug up a super-hefty T. rex. The hulking predator nicknamed “Scotty” weighed in at a record 19,500 lbs (8,845 kg).
The UK punished a soldier for shooting comrades in a computer simulation. He is the first service member to be disciplined for offenses committed in virtual reality.
New data show the extent of gender inequality at tech conferences. For example: 70% of women who’ve sat on a panel at a tech conference have been the only woman.
McDonald’s wants AI to personalize your drive-thru experience. The fast-food giant is developing menus that up-sell customers based on weather, traffic, and trending orders.
UK mobsters are using dead rats to smuggle contraband into prison. Guards found several rodents that had been tossed over prison walls with cellphones and drugs stitched into their bellies.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, AI-powered menus, and contraband-filled rats 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.