Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Results roll in for the European Parliament elections. In France, exit polls showed Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party coming out on top. The upstart Brexit party appeared on track to win the most votes in the UK. Meanwhile, the Green party surged in Germany. Final numbers for many other countries will be counted overnight across the continent.
Trump visits Japan’s new royalty. The US president will become the first foreign leader to officially meet Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne earlier this month. He’ll also hold a mini-summit with prime minister Shinzo Abe, though expectations are low for progress on trade talks.
South Korea conducts a new civilian-military exercise. In place of the usual joint drills with the US—canceled in the peace efforts with North Korea—an alternative exercise will train civilians and official personnel on dealing with war, natural disasters, and other dangerous scenarios.
China’s industrial profits come under pressure. Data on earnings at the country’s largest companies in April will show whether an unexpected jump in March was the start of a rebound or a blip in an otherwise downward trend.
Fiat Chrysler and Renault confirm tie-up talks. The French and Italian carmakers will reportedly make an announcement today, after news broke over the weekend of possible wide-ranging cooperation that could reshape the European auto industry (paywall).
The US and UK take the day off. It’s Memorial Day in the US and Spring Bank Holiday in the UK, so schools, businesses, and markets are closed.
Over the weekend
Trump took in some sumo wrestling. On the first full day of his state visit to Japan, the US president continued his bromance with Abe, including by playing golf and attending a big sumo tournament together. Breaking with ancient traditions, he sat on a chair rather than the floor for the latter.
Ireland voted to relax its divorce laws. Irish voters overwhelmingly approved the measure, with some 82% voting in favor of altering a four-year waiting period and moving toward approving foreign divorces.
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister resigned. The move by Peter O’Neill followed mounting pressure to step down and a series of high-level defections from the ruling coalition. A controversial gas deal with France’s Total contributed to his downfall.
Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as South Africa’s president. The businessman promised to create jobs and take on the country’s deep-rooted corruption—a tall order. He needs to boost his party, too: In elections earlier this month, the African National Congress won a 57.5% majority, down from 62% in 2014.
Quartz Obsession
7-Eleven is the global local corner store. Of its nearly 70,000 stores, 20,000 are in Japan, twice as many as in the US. Southeast Asia is a big market, and the first stores in India are scheduled to open this year. And where it’s gone, it’s adapted: think nasi lemak curry instead of Slurpees.
Matters of debate
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Taking a walk is the best self-help. The Latin phrase solvitur ambulando (“it is solved by walking”) is more useful than any mindfulness app.
There is too much product variety. The seemingly infinite options of online shopping leads to “choice anxiety.”
For kids, summer should be about sampling, not specializing. The push to get kids to focus on one thing—a particular sport or instrument, for instance—isn’t what they need.
Surprising discoveries
Blasting loved ones’ cremains into space is a burgeoning business. In some cases, it can be cheaper than a traditional funeral.
Saudi Arabia’s abortion laws are more forgiving than Alabama’s. In fact, the US state’s new law is more restrictive than the rules in about half of Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East.
The competition to determine Japan’s best pillow fighters is underway. The sport, featuring five-person teams, is “a mix between dodgeball and chess.”
Russians approve of Vladimir Putin, but don’t necessarily trust him. The latest opinion polls show trust in the Russian president falling to a record low of 31.7%, even as his overall approval rating remains in the mid-60s.
Smack talk can cost you in China. A court fined Xu Xiaodong, a mixed martial arts fighter, nearly $60,000 for insulting a tai chi grandmaster.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, recommended walks, and Chinese smack talk 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 Jenny Anderson, Jason Karaian, and Steve Mollman.