What to watch for today
Markets seesaw. Global investors await whether escalating violence in Ukraine will lead to tougher economic sanctions against Russia from Europe and the US.
The UN Security Council meets in New York. The Gaza crisis, currently under an extended ceasefire, and the spread of ISIL in Iraq will top the agenda.
China and Japan do economic check-ins. Asia’s two largest economies release July data on property prices in China and department store sales in Japan.
Angela Merkel visits Latvia. The Russia-bordered country, which joined the euro area this year, will receive the German president for talks with its prime minister Laimdota Straujuma on the Ukraine crisis. Latvia is facing Russian sanctions on food and agriculture products.
Wall Street addresses a fashion emergency. Urban Outfitters, owner of clothing chains Anthopologie and Free People, reports earnings after a troublesome streak for its namesake brand. The company can’t seem to figure out its target customer.
Over the weekend
Victims joined Colombia’s peace talks. Victims of violence in the country’s 50-year conflict with leftist Farc rebels met for the first time with government negotiators and Farc members in Cuba for peace talks, first launched in 2012.
US airstrikes hit on the behalf of the Kurds. Backed by American air power, local forces in northern Iraq took near-control of Mosul Dam, a crucial piece of infrastructure, from ISIL.
Thousands rallied in Hong Kong. A rally in support of the Beijing-backed government drew thousands of supporters who decried mass sit-ins planned by Hong Kong residents. The sit-ins aimed to paralyze the financial district in a debate over democracy in the city.
Racial tensions continued to flare in Missouri. A US federal autopsy will be performed on the body of shooting victim Michael Brown, amid controversy over the release of police footage apparently showing Brown stealing.
Quartz obsession interlude
Kabir Chibber on how a 22-year-old writer tried to erase her first BuzzFeed story but was foiled. “BuzzFeed’s decision to reinstate Spiegel’s article comes as BuzzFeed, which recently raised $50 million, is in the process of erasing its own past. Gawker noticed that more than 4,000 posts have been deleted from the site.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Men and women are divided on Scottish independence.
It is rare to see such a
.
Lawyers are seen as bad parents. Society is skeptical about the skills of some occupations.
Growing marijuana is environmentally unfriendly. A gram is the same as driving 17 miles in a Honda Civic.
Kids are no longer welcome in restaurants or airplanes. Blame over-parenting.
Surprising discoveries
Ralph Lauren is making all-denim suits. Bing Crosby did it better.
Cricket is an official high school sport in New York. There may be 30 million cricket fans in the US.
A pro-wrestler created his own form of yoga. Beefcakes need to stay limber, too.
Premier League teams spent $1 billion on players this summer. Soccer is becoming an even bigger business.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, fashion emergencies, and erased BuzzFeed stories to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter here for updates throughout the day.