Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The European Commission president talks trade with Donald Trump. Jean-Claude Juncker won’t put a trade deal on the table today in Washington, but will try to persuade the president to consider the dire consequences of a global trade war.
Automotive earnings go full throttle. Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler (which got a new CEO this week) report their second quarter earnings today. Investors will want to know what sort of impact carmakers are expecting from steel and aluminum tariffs, as well as early fallout from the US-China trade war.
Facebook reports its second-quarter results. Analysts are keeping an eye out for further signs of a drop in usage among younger US users, and the knock-on effect on ad views. The social-media giant may also offer an update how Messenger and WhatsApp monetization is progressing.
While you were sleeping
CNN aired a tape of Trump discussing a payoff. CNN obtained the leaked 2016 audio recording of the president reportedly talking with his then-lawyer Michael Cohen about a potential cash payment for the rights to a Playboy model’s allegations of an affair with Trump years earlier.
US airlines revised their website references to Taiwan to meet China’s deadline. American Airlines, Delta, and United had until Wednesday to comply with Beijing’s order to stop referring to Taiwan as separate country on their sites—or face penalties. Beijing considers the island part of “one China.”
Pakistan’s election day got off to a bloody start. At least 30 were killed by a reported suicide bomb in the city of Quetta. Many others were also injured in clashes as people went to the polls to pick between the parties of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and ex-cricket star Imran Khan.
The White House will no longer publish transcripts of Trump’s calls with foreign leaders. It’s unclear what prompted the administration to suspend the practice. However, the president was enraged last year when the media published transcripts of his awkward phone calls with the leaders of Australia and Mexico.
Deutsche Bank’s doldrums dragged on. The German lender, limping from three consecutive years of losses, has axed 2,100 jobs this year out of a planned 7,000. Under new CEO Christian Sewing, it posted a 14% drop in net profit for the second quarter from a year earlier to €401 million ($468 million).
Quartz Obsession interlude
Anne Quito on Marie Kondo’s key to happiness. “Kondo says that in the 15 years she’s been helping people organize their homes, she finds that many tend to lose their zeal and never finish the purging process. ‘What can I do better to help more people who’ve started tidying to finish it?’ muses Kondo. ‘I’ve reached a conclusion: boxes.’” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Plastic-straw bans hurt people with disabilities. The utensils are a luxury for most, but a necessity for the few.
Americans who want the US to stay white are actually in the minority. Most people feel positively about the country’s increasing diversity.
Activist index funds best serve their investors. Shareholder engagement (paywall) can seed economic growth without being overly political.
Surprising discoveries
Airlines are using CT scanners to screen baggage. Suitcases have better access to expensive health-care equipment than some Americans.
The best books are rife with gender bias. An analysis of Booker Prize shortlists found male characters are often doctors while women are portrayed as prostitutes.
Sustainable sushi ingredients include invasive species. A Connecticut restaurant makes it with dandelion, grasshoppers, and snails.
South Korea has fried-chicken connoisseurs. Hundreds of people recently competed to get certified as the country’s top “chimmeliers.”
Tear gas interrupted the Tour de France. Cyclists rode into the gas, which was intended to disperse protesting farmers.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, buckets of fried chicken, and gourmet insects 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.