Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Ready. Set. Apply to publish your online games in China. Regulators issued new rules for doing so after about a year of halted and delayed approvals. New applications under the updated guidelines, said to be more transparent, will be accepted as of today, in a promising sign for gaming firms.
Tokyo prosecutors indict Carlos Ghosn on a new charge. They’ll reportedly accuse the former Nissan chairman of using company funds for personal investments in various firms. His detention period over suspected financial misconduct expires today.
Tesla holds an “investor day” ahead of earnings. At the company’s California headquarters, CEO Elon Musk will drum up excitement about driverless vehicles. The electric-car maker is expected to announce losses (paywall) in a quarterly report on April 24.
Major European stock exchanges will be closed due to the Easter Monday holiday.
Over the weekend
Easter Sunday bombings killed more than 200 people in Sri Lanka. The attacks targeted churches throughout the country and three popular hotels in the capital, Colombo. It was the deadliest violence in Sri Lanka since the end of its civil war 10 years ago. Arrests were made, but no groups immediately claimed responsibility.
Ukraine’s newly elected president already plays the role on TV. Volodymyr Zelensky, whose wildly popular comedy Servant of the People has skewered Ukranian politics since 2015, defeated the incumbent Petro Poroshenko with 73% of the vote. His election reflects continued frustration with corruption in Ukraine and the tide of populism in Europe.
Democrats are mulling impeachment. The Mueller report has Democrats considering impeachment proceedings against Trump. House Oversight Committee chairman Elijah Cummings told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that he can “foresee the possibility,” while senator Elizabeth Warren became the first 2020 contender to demand action (paywall).
Thai authorities seized a “seasteading” cabin. They are now seeking the couple who briefly inhabited the tax-free home in international waters off Phuket island. If convicted, the fleeing duo—US citizen Chad Elwartowski and partner Supranee Thepdet—could face a death penalty for violating Thailand’s sovereignty.
Thomas Cook is reportedly up for sale. One of the oldest names in the British travel industry is being circled by potential bidders interested in parts or all of the struggling company, according to Sky News. Chinese partner Fosun is among those interested in buying the tour-operating side of the business.
Quartz Obsession
Maslow’s pyramid: The popular framework for explaining human motivation has for decades been represented by a colorful diagram. But recent research suggests the hierarchy of needs not only fails to describe motivation accurately—it doesn’t even capture the complete thinking of the psychologist it’s named for. Read more in our Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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On Earth Day, sit still. If you’re looking for a way to mark the occasion today, try meditation—because doing nothing is also a way to do something.
Your laptop-holding position is revealing. Carrying it like a yearbook looks a tad defensive while dangling it by your side seems careless.
Print is the future of luxury. High-end brands have been struggling to define “luxury” of late. Is it freedom? Does it apply only to pricey items? Can the old-timey printed book qualify?
Surprising discoveries
The man responsible for restoring Notre Dame’s art is an insurance agent. He has assembled a team of 30 specialists for the job.
A welder in Kentucky made a Game of Thrones throne. Crafted of aluminum and weighing 200 lbs (91 kg), the life-size “iron throne” took more than two months to complete.
The sweet potato takeover. US farmers are increasingly abandoning classic crops like corn and green beans (paywall) in favor of kale, spinach, and, especially, sweet potatoes.
HPV vaccine could hold the secrets to longer-lasting immunity. Researchers are finding clues about how to conquer diseases in the concoction that prevents human papillomavirus.
A huge alligator invaded a Florida neighborhood. Measuring 11 ft and weighing 600 lbs (3.3 m, 272 kg), the creature plowed through a chain-link fence before authorities had to euthanize it.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, gator repellent, and GoT-inspired art 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 Steve Mollman, Ephrat Livni, and Zachary M. Seward.