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What to watch for today
Results roll in for the European Parliament elections. Center-right, pro-EU parties are expected to form the biggest bloc in the legislature, despite a surge in support for nationalist groups such as Marine Le Pen’s party in France, the League in Italy, and the Brexit party in the UK—though Greens also made big gains, particularly in Germany. Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras called for a snap election last night following heavy losses for his center-left Syriza party in the polls.
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).
France’s senate considers a Notre Dame restoration bill. Lawmakers approved a bill earlier this month to rebuild the church in five years, though it still needs approval from the upper house. France is divided over whether Notre Dame should be restored in a more modern form, or in its original form.
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
Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump kicked off their summit. After Trump met new emperor Naruhito and the empress, the two leaders began their official meeting, with the trade deficit and North Korea high on the agenda. Abe and Trump also enjoyed a weekend of bromantic activities including golf and sumo.
Myanmar freed soldiers imprisoned for killing Rohingyas. Seven soldiers who were convicted of killing 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in 2017 were released early in November, having served less than a year of their 10-year sentences, Reuters reported. The two Reuters journalists who uncovered the massacre in Rakhine state, meanwhile, served over 16 months in prison before being released earlier this month as part of an amnesty.
The race to lead the UK Conservatives heated up. Following Theresa May’s announcement that she would step down, more people have thrown their hat in the ring for the party’s top post. Foreign minister Boris Johnson, a hardline Brexiteer, is the favorite, while environment secretary Michael Gove announced his intention to run yesterday as the “unity candidate” who can attract both Leavers and Remainers.
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.
More people died on Everest. The latest casualty was a 44-year-old British man, who died minutes after reaching the summit on Saturday, after an Irish climber died the day before. With some climbers still missing, Nepal has denied that overcrowding is the sole cause for the deaths amid criticism that the government is issuing too many permits for Everest.
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.”
A black person will lead a Cambridge college for the first time. As Jesus College’s incoming master, Barbados-born entrepreneur Sonita Alleyne is also the first woman to hold the post at the 500-year-old college.
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, fluffy pillows, and Slurpees 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 Tripti Lahiri.