Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Boris Johnson makes a final push. With three days to go before the general election, the UK prime minister will visit four Leave-voting Labour-held seats and make his pitch to “get Brexit done,” while shadow chancellor John McDonnell will pledge to “end austerity” if Labour wins the election.
Ukraine and Russia talk peace… At a summit in Paris, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will try to negotiate an end to the conflict in his nation’s east. Meanwhile, Ukraine will argue before the UK’s Supreme Court that it should not be forced to pay billions of dollars in debt to Russia without a trial.
…and Russia could be hit with a four-year Olympic ban. The World Anti-Doping Agency meets today in Lausanne, Switzerland, to decide whether to suspend Moscow from international sporting competitions as punishment for state-sponsored doping cover-ups.
Strikes continue in France. The country is bracing for more travel chaos, as unions called on people to continue the nationwide work stoppage to protest against the government’s proposed pension reform.
Over the weekend
New Zealand’s most active cone volcano erupted. At least 20 people were injured when the White Island, or Whakaari, volcano spewed plumes of ash and debris into the air today. Around 100 people are believed to have been on or around the island at the time of eruption.
Finland’s Sanna Marin became the world’s youngest sitting prime minister. The 34-year-old transportation minister was selected yesterday for the post, taking over from Antii Rinne, who resigned last week over his handling of a postal strike.
North Korea conducted a launch-site test. State media said the operation was “of great significance” but gave few details, leaving analysts to speculate it was a static engine test. On Saturday the nation’s UN ambassador said denuclearization was now off the negotiating table.
Hong Kong saw the biggest protest since last month’s elections. Organizers estimated the turnout at 800,000 in a rare demonstration granted approval by authorities.
A factory fire in New Delhi killed over 40 people. The blaze tore through a five-story building as workers slept inside. Officials said the fire was sparked by a short circuit, and that fire engines struggled to reach the site in the city’s cramped old quarter.
Quartz obsession
Aviation’s most mysterious figure knew exactly what she was doing. Before her disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937, Amelia Earhart did just what she planned to do—open up the world of air travel to an audience that trusted her to show them it could be done. She ended up victorious, in that matter at least. Stow your personal belongings and fasten your seatbelt, the Quartz Obsession is taking off.
Matters of debate
There can only be one winner. When awards like literature’s Booker Prize are divided, their validity is questioned.
Cities weren’t built for women cyclists. But with some basic bike infrastructure, they can achieve cycling gender parity.
Sex ed is too straight. Leaving out LGBTQ lessons contributes to higher rates of unintended pregnancy, sexual violence, and STDs.
Surprising discoveries
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are depicted as refugees in cages in a nativity scene. A California church cast them as a family separated at the border.
An artist ate a $120,000 banana. David Datuna devoured an installation at Miami’s Art Basel that consisted of a banana duct-taped to a wall.
A bone marrow transplant transformed a man’s DNA. The episode calls into question the reliability of DNA evidence.
Indonesia’s airline suspended its CEO for smuggling a motorbike. Ari Askhara allegedly tried to dodge taxes by sneaking his new Harley-Davidson onto a plane from France.
Avocados are the most dangerous fruit. Mexican growers are hiring private guards to fend off cartel encroachment.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, avocado guards, and political nativity scenes to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android, and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Mary Hui and edited by Isabella Steger.