Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
“Avengers: Endgame” extends its record-breaking run in China. The four-day May Day holiday is expected to provide an even bigger boost to the Disney film that has already surged to a $331 million (2.22 billion yuan) opening weekend—a record for any film, domestic or foreign.
The US eliminates all waivers to its Iran oil embargo. The 180-day waivers granted to eight countries, including China and India, are set to run out. Anyone caught violating the embargo will risk exclusion from the US market and financial system.
The Bank of England stands pat ahead of Brexit talks. Analysts do not expect a move by the central bank until there is more clarity on the UK’s EU divorce—so don’t hold your breath.
While you were sleeping
Lawmakers challenged the US attorney general’s handling of the Mueller Report. William Barr was accused of misleading Congress and the public to protect president Donald Trump, after Robert Mueller released a letter accusing Barr of misrepresenting his findings. The attorney general deflected criticism from Democratic senators and dismissed Mueller’s letter as “a bit snitty.”
UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson was fired after a Huawei-related leak. Prime minister Theresa May said Williamson was responsible for disclosing information about whether the UK would use the controversial Chinese telecom to build a 5G network. He has “strenuously” denied the accusation.
SoftBank made a $1 billion bet in Latin America. The Japanese firm made the biggest-ever Latin American VC investment in Bogota-based Rappi, an on-demand delivery startup. SoftBank is planning to house the investment in its forthcoming Innovation Fund, devoted to Central and South America.
The Trump administration wants to DNA test migrant families. Buzzfeed reports the Department of Homeland Security will test the procedure at two locations next week to confirm family members are actually related; those found to be falsely posing as families risk prosecution. The saliva test provides results in roughly 90 minutes.
The Federal Reserve played it steady. Chairman Jerome Powell kept the central bank’s benchmark rate unchanged and said there was no bias to either raise or lower interest rates in the future. The Fed also said that “transitory” forces may be holding down inflation despite a tightening labor market.
Membership
Tony Blair is obsessed with the Industrial Revolution. In an interview with Quartz, the former UK prime minister outlines why politicians are hopelessly unprepared for the next big shake-up. Plus: The unavoidable reality about “luxury sustainable tourism” is that it doesn’t actually exist.
Quartz Obsession
Beige is back. The subdued neutral tone is so hot right now—heralded as the key to understated and timeless dressing, a symbol of solemnity in troubled political times, and even an antidote to our overperformative digital age. Learn more about beige’s true colors in today’s Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
Slack is undermining workplace productivity. Keeping up with conversation is a full-time job, especially as the workplace software hasn’t supplanted email.
The “silver tsunami” is the workforce the world needs right now. Older workers who want to work longer are key to boosting productivity and GDP.
Paywalls aren’t the only way to save journalism. The Guardian started asking for donations, and readers have come through.
Surprising discoveries
All perching birds originated in Australia. Passerines, distinguished by the arrangement of their toes, account for 60% of the global bird population.
Spoilers have been infuriating people since Victorian times. The concept arose with literary serials in the 19th century.
There’s now an antidote to the world’s most venomous creature. The Australian box jellyfish has enough venom to kill 60 people, but a new drug will block the symptoms if applied quickly.
US taxpayers picked up a $1,000 tab for a Mar-a-Lago drinking session. Trump’s staffers ran up the tab and his resort sent the bill to the White House, which paid it.
Sexual behavior shapes religion, not the other way around. A study finds that people are attracted or repelled from certain dogmas by their personal “reproductive strategies.”
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, monetary donations, and government-funded cocktails 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 Adam Pasick and Jessanne Collins.