Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The Council of Europe votes on Russia. Delegates from Ukraine and several other countries are urging the body not to reinstate Russia’s voting rights, stripped after it annexed Crimea in 2014. Critics say bringing Russia back from the cold would undermine European ideals.
The US hits Iran with new sanctions. President Donald Trump announced the move on Saturday amid increased tensions after Iran shot down an American military drone. The US is expected to present evidence to the UN Security Council today showing that the drone was in international airspace at the time. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates today to shore up support from two of Iran’s fiercest enemies.
The IOC elects a host of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Either Stockholm or Milan will win the job, after other cities, spooked by the project’s expense and scale, opted out of the contest. Should Sweden prevail, sliding sports will be held in nearby Latvia.
Over the weekend
Australian broadcaster ABC challenged a raid. The federal police search of its offices was connected with the news outlet’s 2017 reporting on unlawful killings by the country’s military in Afghanistan.
Jeremy Hunt pressed Boris Johnson to explain a domestic row. The UK foreign secretary joined a growing chorus demanding that the Tory frontrunner—Hunt’s rival to become prime minister—explain a police visit to his home, after a neighbor reported hearing a heated exchange between Johnson and his girlfriend.
Turkey’s opposition won the Istanbul mayoral re-run. In a serious blow to president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, opposition candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu clinched a landslide victory in the country’s largest city. İmamoğlu’s first win, in March, was annulled after the ruling party complained of irregularities.
Thousands marched against pro-China “red media” in Taiwan. Protesters demanded that the legislature do more to prevent Beijing from using media outlets to spread propaganda and disinformation in Taiwan.
Jared Kushner unveiled a Palestinian peace plan. Trump’s son-in-law shared “Peace to Prosperity,” a long-awaited document that drew quick criticism for not addressing the fundamental political issues that have put Israelis and Palestinians at odds for decades.
Ethiopia weathered a regional coup attempt. A renegade brigadier and his followers tried to seize power in the Amhara region, killing top officials, including the country’s army chief, in the process. Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed called those behind the attacks “mercenaries.”
Quartz Obsession
Meet the hard side of soft serve. Ice cream trucks have been a magnet for mayhem since the Chicago mob destroyed a bunch of Good Humor vehicles. The decades that followed saw arson, bombs, and plenty of illicit goods—plus a scam that brought in millions from bootlegging the trucks themselves. Here’s a taste at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Food poisoning is the worst excuse for missing work. It’s the “dog ate my homework” of office excuses.
The value of expertise is in decline. Changes in the world of work have favored the “jack of all trades.”
Libra is a centralized wolf in decentralized sheep’s clothing. Facebook’s cryptocurrency has a long way to go to earn our trust.
Surprising discoveries
A slug was blamed for chaos on Japanese railways. The slimy mollusc may have short-circuited electrical equipment.
A property auction in Mexico featured homes with unique amenities. The luxury properties, seized from drug traffickers, came with swimming pools and escape tunnels.
Scientists discovered a sea of fresh water under the ocean. Located off the US Atlantic coast, it rivals the size of even the largest terrestrial aquifers.
Sidewalk chalk drawing goes back 500 years. Beggars in 16th-century Italy drew pictures of the Madonna outside cathedrals, earning coins from pilgrims and the nickname madonnari.
A tiny electric plane stole the Paris Air Show. It might have limited range and seating, but Alice just won orders from a major short-flight airline.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, chalk sets, and errant slugs 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 Mary Hui and edited by Tripti Lahiri.