Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Donald Trump delivers a speech to the UN General Assembly. The US president will likely call for tougher action against North Korea when he addresses the 193-member body for the first time. Last night he called for “truly bold reforms” of the UN during brief remarks at an event promoting changes to the organization’s governance.
Hurricane Maria strikes islands devastated by Irma. Recently upgraded to a “potentially catastrophic” category-5 storm, it’s already struck Dominica and is expected to make a direct hit in Guadeloupe on its way toward Puerto Rico, with the British and US Virgin Islands also in its path.
FedEx delivers its quarterly results. The shipping giant has warned that the impact from a cyberattack in late June on its TNT subsidiary would be “material,” leaving investors to imagine the worst. The ransomware attack, known as “NotPetya,” led to widespread delivery delays.
While you were sleeping
James Mattis hinted about military options against North Korea. Asked whether there were ways to strike North Korea without putting Seoul at grave risk, the US defense secretary said, “Yes there are. But I will not go into details.” Yesterday the US and South Korea conducted bombing drills involving B-1B bombers and F-35 fighter jets over the Korean peninsula.
Aung San Suu Kyi talked about the Rohingya crisis. Myanmar’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning de facto leader delivered a televised speech, saying, “There have been allegations and counter-allegations. We have to listen to all of them.” She has been heavily criticized for failing to stop the military’s ethnic cleansing of the repressed Muslim ethnic group.
Tencent and Guangzhou Auto agreed to collaborate. The internet giant and the carmaker, both based in China, will cooperate on developing internet-connected cars and artificial intelligence-aided driving. They’ll also explore investment in areas like car insurance and auto-related e-commerce.
Toys R Us filed for bankruptcy protection. The move by the largest US toy store chain, coming ahead of the holidays, is the latest sign of turmoil in the traditional retail sector. The company has struggled amid competition from online stores and discount chains.
Florida’s insured losses from Hurricane Irma reached nearly $2 billion. The state’s insurance regulator said policyholders had filed nearly that amount in claims so far. Shares of the various insurance companies involved fell following the statement.
Quartz obsession interlude
Annalisa Merelli and Max de Haldevang on the key issues at the 2017 United Nations Global Assembly. “With hundreds—possibly thousands!—of other official meetings, side conferences, panels, presentations, receptions, galas, and cocktail hours, and more organizations than you ever knew existed vying for a slice of attention from the world’s highest powers, it can be hard to know how to even begin.” Read more here.
Markets haiku
500 euro / notes are plugging up commerce / Got a good plumber?
Matters of debate
Has Facebook become a tool for ethnic cleansing? Posts documenting violence against Myanmar’s Rohingya minority are mysteriously disappearing.
Drones and self-driving cars won’t automate delivery any time soon. Instead, night delivery, consolidation centers, lockers, and electric vehicles will ease e-commerce congestion.
India will replace China as the world’s growth engine. India’s young, female-driven workforce is the key.
Surprising discoveries
Climate change may be making food less nutritious. Warmer temperatures are replacing important minerals with carbohydrates and sugars.
An ocean-bound trash island is now the size of France. A foundation is petitioning the UN to recognize “The Trash Isles,” and Al Gore has signed up to be its first citizen.
A wanted militant is running for parliament in Pakistan. Islamist leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is running an illegal campaign while under house arrest (paywall).
“Grave-casual” is trending for burial outfits. Baby boomers are choosing comfort and self-expression with their last outfits.
The future of air-conditioning throws heat into space. High-tech mirrors could save up to 70% of the energy used by a standard air conditioner.
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