Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Boris Johnson makes another push for Brexit. After suffering a major setback this weekend, the British PM is trying to convince parliament to approve his new Brexit deal. The government is confident, but there are likely to be problems ahead.
Canadians decide Justin Trudeau’s future. Polls suggest the Liberals, Trudeau’s party, will win more seats than the Conservatives, but lose their majority after what’s been an uncharacteristically nasty campaign.
A major opioids trial begins in Ohio. Thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic, which killed 400,000 people in 20 years, are being consolidated in front of Cleveland district judge Dan Polster. He is hearing two cases today, which will guide other litigation.
Over the weekend
Australian newspapers blacked out their front pages. The campaign is a protest against government moves to penalize whistleblowing and criminalize journalism, following raids in June of the ABC’s Sydney headquarters, and a journalist’s home.
Violent clashes in Hong Kong continued… A rally on the 20th weekend of protests turned chaotic, as protesters and police faced off amid tear gas and firebombs. Police sprayed demonstrators with a noxious blue liquid, also hitting a mosque.
…as cost-of-living protests in Chile intensified… At least seven people died over the weekend amid violent clashes and arson attacks—the first deaths since demonstrations started a week ago over a proposal to hike metro ticket prices, which was reversed on Saturday.
…and rallies spurred Lebanon to adopt reforms. The prime minister and coalition partners agreed to implement measures to deal with the country’s economic crisis after protests that erupted, in part, over a plan to tax WhatsApp calls.
Prince Harry admitted he’s on a “different path” to his brother. But he reiterated his support for Prince William, while his wife Meghan spoke about the intense pressures of being a member of the royal family.
Membership
India is trying to deal with its coal addiction, and the world has a lot to learn from its attempt. India is highly vulnerable to climate change, and yet more than half of its energy comes from burning coal. Its consumption of the dirty fuel has quintupled over the last three decades. But India is trying to balance its short-term economic needs with support for a nascent and potentially lucrative renewables industry. This is how.
Quartz Obsession
Space suits are Earth’s highest fashion. But they’re getting pretty dated. The designs go back years and they’re extremely expensive to make from scratch. NASA’s low stocks even meant that the first all-female spacewalk had to be delayed. But with a return to the moon (and maybe a trip to Mars) on the future itinerary, they’re finally getting a refresh. Slip into something more comfortable at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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How should Uber classify its drivers? That is just one of three problems that Uber has to solve to continue operating in London.
Cities should freeze rents. Berlin just agreed to do so for five years to curb a dramatic increase in real estate prices, and cities elsewhere are taking note.
Sport, like society, is still divided. The unity achieved through sports is often tactical and temporary.
Surprising discoveries
Twin birth rates are falling in the US. Experts say the sudden change could have something to do with improvements in assisted reproductive technology.
In the eye of the storm. The White House garden tour offers the best respite from politics in Washington, DC.
The Joker stairs might be the new Rocky stairs. The steps in the Bronx are quickly becoming a popular Instagram hotspot.
A treasure of death. Egyptian authorities found 30 ancient coffins containing mummies in the country’s most significant antiquities discovery in more than a century.
You can’t read Karl Ove Knausgaard’s latest work. The Norwegian writer gave it to the Future Library, which commissions works to be left unread until 2114.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Egyptian mummies, and Bronx selfies to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Luiz Romero and Hasit Shah.