Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The AT&T-Time Warner merger faces its fate. A US federal judge rules this afternoon in the trial over the Justice Department’s attempt to block the $85 billion deal, which it argues will reduce competition in the cable industry. The decision could signal if similar mergers will succeed in the future.
A Senate committee votes on new Federal Reserve board nominees. The banking committee is expected to approve Richard Clarida for the vice chairman post and Michelle Bowman as a new member of the governing board.
Nintendo takes the stage at E3 in Los Angeles. The Japanese game maker is expected to reveal details about the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Switch, and possible new Pokémon titles.
While you were sleeping
The historic US-North Korea summit took place. Donald Trump gave a thumbs-up to dictator Kim Jong Un before their 40-minute one-on-one meeting on Singapore’s Sentosa island. They signed a document stating a commitment to the “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” but specifics were light. Follow all of Quartz’s coverage of the summit here.
AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly gave up on an Alzheimer’s drug. The pharma giants called off trials (paywall) of the drug lanabecestat, saying it wasn’t going to meet its goal. Johnson & Johnson also halted a trial of a similar drug in May. Pharma companies are increasingly giving up on looking for a cure for what is the most common cause of dementia in the Western world.
The US unveiled a new de facto embassy in Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as Washington’s unofficial link to Taipei—China forbids diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as a separate country—cut the ribbon on a new $250 million complex. The White House did not send any high-level staff to the opening.
Trump’s top economic advisor had a heart attack. Minutes before the Singapore summit began, the president tweeted that Larry Kudlow, chair of the National Economic Council, had been hospitalized. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that Kudlow was expected to fully recover.
Facebook finally submitted its homework assignment. The company sent the Senate over 400 pages of answers to roughly 2,000 questions posed before and after CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s April hearings. The documents contained no real bombshells (paywall).
Quartz Obsession interlude
Steve Mollman on how Trump’s dealmaking style led to a summit with Kim Jong Un. “When South Korean officials relayed an invitation from Kim to Trump to meet in person, Trump accepted the invitation straightaway, sending his aides scrambling… That Trump was not more cautious—and didn’t consult extensively with Korea experts—isn’t surprising. As a businessman, he often dismissed steps others would view as prudent, such as hiring consultants.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Schools need better teachers, not smaller classes. More school funding also has a vanishingly small effect.
Denuclearization shouldn’t stop with North Korea. There is only one long-term solution to potential annihilation: global nuclear disarmament.
If you want to make the world a better place, don’t travel. Bali is proof that well-intentioned tourism can raze ecosystems and drive out locals.
Surprising discoveries
Does Justin Trudeau wear fake eyebrows? An unusual video from the G7 summit is spawning follicular conspiracy theories.
Rat bones reveal how humans change the environment. Their chemical composition tells us what people were eating over 2,000 years ago.
US bureaucrats have to tape Trump’s papers back together. The president enjoys tearing documents into shreds, even when they must be preserved.
The Pope has a space suit. Astronauts from the International Space Station gave him a custom blue jumpsuit, outfitted with a white cape.
Africa’s ancient baobab trees are suddenly dying. Researchers suspect climate change might be the cause, but have no direct proof.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, papal space suits, and fake eyebrows 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 by Jill Petzinger and edited by Jason Karaian.