Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Taiwan votes on same-sex marriage. The Friday vote has been in the making since Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled in 2017 that a civil code limiting marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional. Tension surrounding the issue is high, and a referendum last November seemed to show that voters opposed the bill.
Iran’s foreign minister arrives in China. Mohammad Javad Zarif will continue his week of global visits on Friday, after stops in Turkmenistan, India, and Japan. Both Iran and China are experiencing tense relations with the US, whose recent military presence in the Gulf Zarif called “unacceptable.”
Luckin Coffee goes public. China’s answer to Starbucks will begin trading on the Nasdaq on Friday, and has boasted about its technological leg-up, namely its success with the app-focused pick-up locations that make up 90% of its stores.
Australia elects a new prime minister… Voters head to the polls on Saturday (paywall) to choose between conservative incumbent Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten. Morrison predicts a close race, while polls have shown an advantage for Shorten.
…As India wraps up its own general election. The staggered—and staggeringly massive—seven-phase election comes to a close amid reports of violence that led the election commission to curtail campaign time. Tens of millions have cast their ballots for a new Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament, and exit polls have predicted a win for BJP leader Narendra Modi.
While you were sleeping
Donald Trump announced a broad new immigration plan. Few practical details were revealed about the proposal, which would focus on clearing immigration for highly skilled and educated workers, but restrict it for extended families. Congress members and immigration experts give the idea little chance of passing.
Teresa May agreed to plan her own exit. In hopes of parliamentary approval, the UK prime minister agreed to set a timetable for her own departure from office after her latest Brexit proposal is submitted in early June. The timing gives May an opportunity to fight to remain at the helm should her proposal be accepted.
Both sides of the Venezuela crisis met in Norway. The Oslo sit-down between representatives from both Nicolás Maduro’s government and Juan Guaidó’s opposition was shrouded in secrecy. Guaidó was especially ambiguous about the nature of the talks, saying he wouldn’t enter into “false negotiations” with the ruler he’s been unable to overthrow. Meanwhile, Canada’s foreign minister traveled to Cuba to discuss the situation with her counterpart.
The US sanctioned Russian and Chechen officials over the deaths of two whistleblowers. In a move that is expected to heighten tension between the US and Russia, the Trump administration targeted people it alleges were involved in the deaths of Sergei Magnitsky and Boris Nemtsov, among other alleged human rights abuses.
Bill de Blasio joined the US presidential race. The New York City mayor, known for his “urban progressive” stance, became the 23rd candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2020 (paywall). The move isn’t a surprise, since he’s spent months visiting key states and hosting fundraisers, and it’s also not one even his own advisers have urged.
Quartz Obsession
All about the Benjamins. In the last few years, the US $100 bill overtook the more practical smaller denominations to become the most circulated US note in the world. One theory about this puzzling development is that the criminal world is fueling demand for it—along with the larger notes of other currencies—which is why some are calling for its demise.
Membership
It might be easy to look at the crisis Boeing has weathered in the wake of two 737 Max crashes and assume the lessons to be learned are strictly about software, aerodynamics, or engineering. But there are five takeaways that can benefit any company. Over in Private Key, Matthew De Silva looks into the irrational optimism at Consensus, crypto’s biggest gathering, now that bitcoin is surging again.
Matters of debate
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India needs to start talking to boys about sex. Many Indian men don’t understand what consent means or that it needs to be sought.
It’s time to resurrect the punch clock. Access to data about how workers spend their time could be good for them, and useful for management.
Creativity isn’t necessarily what drives innovation. Companies function best when they employ lots of conscientious people.
Surprising discoveries
Critical opinion for Game of Thrones has taken an almost unparalleled nosedive. Only House of Cards fell harder in IMDB ratings in its final season.
A $91 million giant steel rabbit broke art-world records. The Jeff Koons sculpture is now the most expensive artwork by a living artist.
The Chinese lunar rover located rock samples from the moon’s mantle. This is the first time a mission has un-mooned evidence of the frozen magma that lies beneath the rock.
Americans in Austria can get passport help at McDonald’s. The fast food chain has agreed to provide a 24-hour hotline to the US embassy.
A Swiss app is under fire for encouraging “cow kissing.” A popular charity challenge prompted the Austrian government to warn people that smooching livestock could be dangerous.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, rabbit sculptures, and moon rocks 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 Jessanne Collins and Susan Howson.