Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The UK government releases a long-awaited Brexit white paper… Downing Street describes it as a comprehensive vision that would see the country leave the single market and regain control of its laws, money, and borders. Brexiteers demanding a clean, hard break from the EU are not pleased.
…and welcomes Donald Trump. On his first official visit, the president will attend a dinner hosted by prime minister Theresa May. Tomorrow, he’ll be in her country home Chequers for bilateral talks as a “Stop Trump” march travels through central London—and a scowling “Trump baby” blimp hovers above parliament.
Migrant children reunite with their parents. A Trump administration official said on Wednesday that all migrant children under five years old will be reunitied with their parents on Thursday morning.
While you were sleeping
The founder of Papa John’s resigned over a racial slur. Board chairman John Schnatter apologized and stepped down for using the N-word on a media-training call in May. The company said late Wednesday that it would appoint a new chairman in the coming weeks. Schnatter was ousted as CEO last year for blaming the chain’s poor sales on how the NFL handled national anthem protests.
ZTE shares soared as it met a final US demand. Shares in the Chinese telecom company surged by over 20% today after the Commerce Department signed off on an escrow account, into which ZTE needs to deposit $400 million. Once that’s done, the ban on doing business with the US will be lifted.
Hyundai said a trade war will threaten thousands of its US workers. The South Korean auto maker said Thursday that if the US imposes tariffs on its exports, then it would be forced to look at closing its Alabama plant and laying off the 20,000 people it employs there.
China slashed its soybean import forecast. The Ministry of Agriculture said the trade war will devastate demand for soybeans as animal feed. China is slapping a 25% tariff on US soybeans, which is expected to cause a 1.8 million tonne drop in imports for the crop year starting Oct. 1.
Walmart is offloading its Japanese supermarket chain. It has reportedly approached major retailers and private equity funds about the possibility of a sale of its Seiyu business—analysts think it may fetch up to $4.5 billion.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Corinne Purtill on the culture of sucking up. “The straw debate is not really about straws. It’s about the broader effects of a culture of thoughtless consumption and disposal. To consider whether to take a straw is to be conscious, even for a fleeting moment, of the resources it takes to prop up the illusion that life is cheap or convenient.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Add some ice to your wine. Life’s too short to worry about the correct ways to drink certain types of alcohol.
A Thailand cave escape movie would flop. Films can’t capture the subtle yet heroic nature of the rescue.
Let humans die out. The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement might be on to something with its controversial suggestion for saving the planet.
Surprising discoveries
The world’s ugliest dog died. Zsa Zsa went to her well-deserved rest just two weeks after being crowned most repugnant pooch.
Marcel Duchamp didn’t create “Fountain.” The iconic urinal—er, work of art—was actually crafted by Dada poet Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven.
All that spitting at the World Cup is probably “carb rinsing.” Athletes can boost their performance by rinsing their mouths with a carbohydrate solution.
Sarah Palin says she was duped by Sacha Baron Cohen. The comedian disguised himself as a disabled vet, before the US politician stormed out.
A clay tablet reveals the oldest-known Odyssey excerpt. Archaeologists excavating the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, Greece, believe the writing dates to the third century.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, good doggos, and misappropriated credit 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 Lianna Brinded.