Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Unrest in Egypt. Police have warned that they’ll use force when necessary on protesters in Cairo today, who are demonstrating against president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Nearly 1,900 have already been arrested at protests that broke out last weekend.
UK’s Tories host their annual conference. The gathering in Manchester, which kicks off on Sunday, may be scaled back after MPs broke with tradition and rejected a request by the government for a three-day parliamentary recess next week.
Austrians head to the polls. Snap elections on Sunday are expected to return anti-immigration ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz to power, less than four months after his coalition government collapsed from a cash-for-contracts scandal.
Hong Kong rallies. Police have given the green light to a major demonstration tomorrow outside the government headquarters to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement. On Sunday, protesters will host a “Global Anti-Totalitarianism March” in conjunction with dozens of cities around the world.
While you were sleeping
The US committed troops and missiles to Saudi Arabia… An air-defense missile battery, several radar systems, and around 200 troops will be deployed to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon announced, in order to strengthen the kingdom’s defenses after attacks on its oil facilities earlier this month.
…while the kingdom announced its first-ever tourist visa program. The move is part of the ultra-conservative country’s efforts to diversify its economy away from oil, with the goal of increasing the tourism industry’s economic contribution from a current 3% to 10% of GDP by 2030.
Tens of thousands took part in climate strikes in New Zealand. School children and adults alike in dozens of towns across the country marched to demand the government declare a climate emergency. The protests are part of a wave of global youth-led climate strikes that continue on from similar actions last weekend.
WeWork took steps to slim down. The office-sharing startup—whose CEO Adam Neumann resigned under pressure this week—has halted all new lease agreements and cut thousands of staff (paywall), after delaying its IPO plans this month amid increased investor scrutiny.
The US slashed its refugee limits to a historic low. The White House announced that it will allow only 18,000 people to resettle in the country over the next 12 months, almost half its current level of 30,000. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order allowing state and local governments to opt out of accepting refugees.
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Who’s winning the race to 5G? Even if you’ve absorbed nothing else about 5G, you almost certainly know these three things: There’s a race to build it. China is winning. And that should make you afraid. (Or if you’re in China, thrilled.) But if past technological leaps tell us anything, it’s that it will take a lot of trial and error—and, above all, time—to start reaping genuine, self-sustaining returns from 5G technology. Either way, it’s time to get up to speed.
Quartz Obsession
Can bird watching save the world? Our feathered friends are in free fall, victims of habitat loss, climate change, and other risks. And we know this because of bird watchers—citizen scientists whose passion plays a critical role in how researchers keep track of species. It’s also easier than ever thanks to new technology and thriving online communities. Look to the horizon at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Humans are as resilient as cockroaches. We’ll outlive climate change and nuclear war, no matter how bad it gets.
We should do better than “do your best.” Telling employees to just try hard actually sets them up for workplace mediocrity.
Facebook’s latest competitor is authoritarian governments. They’re throwing money at creating state-backed social networks.
Surprising discoveries
Prehistoric babies drank animal milk from bottles… Recently discovered 5,000-year-old clay objects contained the residue of cow, sheep, or goat milk.
…and Japan Airlines has a new tool to deal with screaming babies. Its new online booking tool shows where toddlers will be seated.
Blame your bad decisions on too much exercise. Overtrained athletes exhibit poor decision-making and a diminished capacity for long-term thinking.
Boaty McBoatface has a new name. The polar exploration ship will not carry the name, but some of its subs will keep the moniker.
Facebook is hiding like counts from some users. It’s part of a test to see if it can help end the online popularity contest.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, cheeky submarines, and your very best efforts 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 Isabella Steger.