Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
China launches its redesigned Long March 5 rocket. The country aims to send its most powerful rocket into orbit today, after a failed launch in 2017 led to its grounding. The event, critical to the ambitious space program’s plans for 2020, follows a disastrous launch earlier this year.
China, Iran, and Russia hold joint military drills. The four-day naval exercise by the three countries in the north of the Indian Ocean is the first of its kind in the trilateral relationship, marking Tehran’s latest foray into strengthening ties with Beijing and Moscow.
The Congress Party holds “Save India” protests. The opposition party will mark its foundation by holding demonstrations tomorrow across the country against the divisive citizenship policies of prime minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
While you were sleeping
Benjamin Netanyahu retained leadership of Israel’s Likud party. Despite his corruption indictiments, the incumbent prime minister convincingly fended off an internal challenge from former protege Gideon Saar. The result sets the stage for yet another general election.
The Nasdaq hit a record high. The usual tech suspects like Apple and Microsoft have done moderately well, but the index’s rise to 9,000 points was significantly helped by companies less commonly associated with such gains, like Starbucks and Lululemon.
A shallow earthquake took place near an Iranian nuclear plant. The 5.1-magnitude quake took place about 50 km (30 miles) from the Bushehr power plant. There were no immediate reports of damage.
A plane carrying 100 people crashed in Kazahkstan. At least 14 people were killed, and dozens injured, after a domestic Bek Air flight collided with a two-story building near Almaty airport shortly after takeoff.
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Ball pits are back. With video games, anxiety about safety, and digital devices all playing their parts, children are spending less time engaged in good old-fashioned play than they had in previous generations. The colorful, bouncy, bizarre ball pit, though, is so compelling that it’s become an adult pursuit. Slide on in with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Little Women is woke. The latest film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s tale has a deep generosity.
Barack Obama is a pretty good music critic. His annual geeky catalog of favorite pop songs can truly sing.
Working nights and weekends for a company won’t help your career. Channel your ambition toward your own independent projects instead.
Surprising discoveries
Canada’s public broadcaster cut Donald Trump from Home Alone 2. CBC said the missing cameo was trimmed because of ads, not politics.
Quokkas are a tourism promotion tool. An Australian tourism campaign aimed at Brexit-weary Britain features Kylie Minogue and the cat-sized marsupials.
An Indian university is offering ghost studies. Doctors can learn how to treat patients claiming to see or be possessed by ghosts in Banaras Hindu University’s Bhoot Vidya course.
Venezuela’s currency is being made into crafts. The country’s inflation could reach 200,000% by the end of the year, making its bolivar worth more as art.
A pencil was blamed for subway delays in New York. The city’s transit department said a single pencil kept doors from closing.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, errant pencils, and currency crafts 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 Tripti Lahiri and edited by Isabella Steger.