Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Artificial intelligence on display in Shanghai. Heavy tech hitters Jack Ma and Elon Musk will appear at the World AI Conference, perhaps indicating that China’s pulling ahead in the race to become the world’s AI leader. Musk may be introducing the first Chinese-made Model 3, and has said he’ll be opening the Chinese division of his Boring Company.
North Korea’s parliament convenes. The Supreme People’s Assembly will hold an unusual August meeting, and the agenda is unclear. The body has blamed recent US–South Korea military drills for delaying any progress towards denuclearization, so a policy change that sends a message to those nations could be on the docket.
Ukraine could get a new PM. The nation’s newly elected parliament is anxious to make a splash by introducing as many as 100 laws on its first day, and filling top government posts, including the office of prime minister.
While you were sleeping
The UK’s parliament was suspended… Queen Elizabeth II ordered prorogation after being advised to do so by prime minister Boris Johnson—it’s the official procedure, and a frequent occurrence before a Queen’s Speech, which is scheduled for Oct. 14. Johnson’s critics insist that the timing of the suspension make a clear case that the PM is only making the move to curtail debate so his Brexit plan can be forced through by the Oct. 31 deadline.
…While Italy formed a new government. The Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party (PD) reached a deal to install a coalition government, thwarting a snap election that could result in favor of their now-common opponent, the far-right League Party. Recently-resigned prime minister Giuseppe Conte, who the new coalition recommends for retaking the office, is due to meet with Italian president Sergio Mattarella Thursday morning.
Canada deported a Chinese dissident. Yang Wei, who had previously spent three years in a labor camp, originally defected into Thailand, then Canada, where he obtained residency but was arrested multiple times, including on assault charges. A Canadian court ruled he was a danger to the public, but his attorney argued that he was deported in a political move to show a tougher stance on immigration.
The US had advance warning about the East Timor massacres. Newly declassified documents reveal that the US knew that Indonesia was arming the militias that killed thousands. Their publication will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the region’s independence referendum.
Google is shifting smartphone production from China to Vietnam. Higher labor costs and looming tariffs are reportedly behind the move, with the Pixel 3a reported to be among the first new phones to roll off the line.
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Matters of debate
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YouTube shouldn’t take down offensive videos. CEO Susan Wojcicki used her quarterly letter to creators as an opportunity to defend the openness of the platform.
The trade war with China is a carbon tax. Environmentalists should recognize that tariffs on Chinese goods are slowing down carbon-intensive manufacturing.
Take your shoes off at home. Dirty shoes won’t make your family sick, but you should still leave them at the door.
Surprising discoveries
Money-free Burning Man is more expensive than ever. Almost a third of attendees spent over $2,500 (excluding tickets) for an anarchic week in the dessert.
Invisible-ink stamps could fix Japan’s subway groping. The “anti-groping” stamps—which allow victims to secretly mark their assailants—sold out in minutes.
A crowdsourced koala app is saving marsupials. The new app encourages Australian users to post koala sightings so authorities can track and assist the dwindling population.
Scientists have given us the whitest lizard… The pair of albino lizards is the first-ever successful use of CRISPR on reptiles.
…And BMW has given us the blackest car. The limited edition X6 coupé is the world’s first car to feature Vantablack, “the world’s blackest black” that absorbs 99% of light.
Visiting random places could reveal new realities. Randonauts are using quantum theory to journey to truly random locations in search of enlightenment.
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