Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
China reports its April trade data. The looming threat of US tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports may impact China’s exports later in the year. Negotiations between the two countries are still ongoing, with no sign of agreement (paywall) after US trade negotiators left Beijing on Friday.
A former aide to Shinzo Abe testifies. Former secretary Tadao Yanase allegedly recommended local government officials move along with a project to build a veterinary school by saying it was a “matter concerning the prime minister.” His testimony might confirm rumors that Abe used his personal influence to set up the first veterinary department in Japan in half a century.
Thunderstorms and extreme weather are forecasted to hit India. The Indian Meteorological Department is anticipating winds of up to 50 to 70 kmh, squall, and hail to hit north and east India, following a deadly dust storm last week. Scientists have linked rising temperatures with the increasingly intense weather.
Trump announces his decision on the Iran Deal. President Trump tweeted Monday that he will disclose his plans for the future of the Iran Nuclear Deal at the White House at 2pm ET. Trump has previously called the pact “ridiculous” (paywall).
While you were sleeping
Nestlé struck a $7.15-billion deal with Starbucks. The Swiss food and drink giant will get control of Starbucks’ capsules (paywall) and other retail products, as well as the exclusive right to sell the company’s packaged coffee and teas around the world. Customers, though, will likely not see Nestlé’s branding on these products.
NAFTA talks entered a critical week. Canadian, Mexican, and US officials are trying to resolve key disagreements in the North American Free Trade Agreement before regional elections complicate talks. One of the stickier issues is still the US demand for stricter rules on outsourced auto manufacturing.
Elon Musk bought $9.85 million of his own company’s shares. Musk was already Tesla’s largest shareholder and now his stake might be closer to 20%, according to an analysis from Bloomberg (paywall). Last week, the Tesla CEO promised to “burn” those betting against his company in the market, calling analysts’ questions on a company earnings call “dry,” “boring,” and “boneheaded.”
Elliott Management made an all-cash deal for Athenahealth. The activist firm made an unsolicited bid of $160 a share, a 27% premium on the company’s share price as of Friday. Athenahealth’s board has hired Lazard as a financial advisor to review the details of the offer. Its share price rose 24% on the news.
Trump put his support behind CIA nominee Gina Haspel. Despite Haspel’s offer to withdraw from the process because of concern over controversial interrogation practices, the US president tweeted his support of the former deputy director and “black site” operator.
Quartz obsession interlude
Karen Hao on how women in crypto don’t speak about being women in crypto: “They hold all-female conferences dedicated to talking about their work while sidestepping sticky questions of how to navigate a male-dominant world. They profile women who are shaping the industry without directly addressing the sexism. ‘We don’t want to speak about being female,’ Stark said. ‘We’re all so busy, and then we have an additional burden.’” Read more here.
Matters of debate
We need Barnes & Noble to make a comeback. Amazon has cornered the market, and with no major foes to keep things competitive, it’s killing the industry (paywall).
Open office plans are subtly sexist. Women often feel their appearance is under a microscope, and alter their dress, socializing habits, and demeanor accordingly.
Investing in your friends’ companies could look shady. At least that’s what Warren Buffett said regarding Bill Gates, and wanting to stay above-board is a good excuse to steer clear.
Surprising discoveries
A new “celestial theater” in Norway will be the ultimate destination for astronomy fans. The forested Solobservatoriet campus will feature cabins designed to pay tribute to the lumpy-potato moons of Mars.
Google searches come at a cost to the planet. Processing 3.5 billion searches a day accounts for about 40% of the internet’s carbon footprint.
Egypt accepted that Tutankhamun’s tomb has no secret chamber. New, powerful radar scans debunked the claim that Queen Nefertiti’s remains were in a hidden room.
A New York building has the air-purifying power of 500 trees. A spray-on facade called Pureti transforms polluting particles in the air into oxidizing agents.
A Kentucky Derby fan turned an $18 bet into $1.2 million. Proving that research pays off, the Texas woman won a “pick five” bet after carefully analyzing the odds.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, secret chambers, and betting tips to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by Preeti Varathan and Susan Howson.