Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Taiwan’s legislature votes on same-sex marriage. Two years after a court ruled that defining marriage as only between a man and a woman was unconstitutional, lawmakers will today debate three draft bills on recognizing same-sex marriages. That would make Taiwan the first place in Asia to enshrine marriage equality into law—although the fight has been bruising and divisive.
The EU discusses moonshine. Finance ministers from the bloc will meet in Brussels to discuss the right to distill alcohol at home, which is currently banned in EU countries. Romania and Hungary want to make it easier for orchard owners to make their own brandy.
The Eurovision final. Over two dozen countries, including Australia, will take part in Saturday’s singing extravaganza in Tel Aviv. The annual competition has been mired in political controversy in the past, but possibly none more so than this year, as critics have called for a boycott over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
Australia elects a new prime minister… Voters head to the polls tomorrow 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 gargantuan general election. The seven-phase election comes to a close amid reports of violence that led the election commission to curtail campaign time in the eastern state of West Bengal. Tens of millions have cast their ballots for a new Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament.
While you were sleeping
I.M. Pei died at 102. The Chinese-born architect, whose most famous works include the pyramid at the Louvre, Hong Kong’s Bank of China building, and Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, passed away at his home in New York.
China’s answer to Starbucks priced its IPO. Beijing-based Luckin Coffee raised $561 million after pricing its shares at $17, the top end of an indicative price range. It begins trading on the Nasdaq today.
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.
The US sanctioned Russian and Chechen officials over the deaths of two whistleblowers. In a move expected to heighten tensions with Russia, the Trump administration targeted those it alleges were involved in the deaths of Sergei Magnitsky and opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, among other alleged human rights abuses.
Quartz Obsession
All about the Benjamins. In the past 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 that the lessons to be learned are strictly about software, aerodynamics, or engineering. However, 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.
“Angry Birds” marked the beginning of the end of privacy. The free mobile game made people comfortable with giving away their information online.
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 took an almost unparalleled nosedive. Only the final season of House of Cards fell harder in 1MDb ratings.
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 revealed 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.
Timor-Leste wants to be the world’s first “plastic-neutral” country. It is securing funding for a new chemical recycling plant that breaks down plastic waste and allows it to be used again.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Benjamins, and fruit brandy 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 Isabella Steger and edited by Harish Chander.