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What to watch for today
The Venice Film Festival begins. Hoping to keep its position as the starting point for the Oscars, the festival rings in its 75th year with a celebrity-filled guest list, premieres by critically acclaimed directors, and…only one female filmmaker.
The US releases GDP numbers. Economists are predicting a slightly lower reading for second-quarter figures than had previously been announced, but the 4% growth rate is still the fastest in four years. The second half of 2018 is expected to hit 3% growth, thanks to consumer spending and business investment.
While you were sleeping
France’s environmental leader made a surprise exit. Nicolas Hulot—president Emmanuel Macron’s much-touted minister heading the administration’s green initiatives—announced on France Inter radio that he “no longer believes” the country is prioritizing climate change over lobbyists.
The White House promised to investigate Google. After US president Donald Trump tweeted his belief that the search engine is “rigged” and shows too much “fake news” about him, chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters that the government would “look into” regulating Google and other social media platforms.
Canada returned to the NAFTA table. Foreign minister Chrystia Freeland headed to Washington to join Mexico and the US, who came to a preliminary agreement on multiple parts of the trade deal earlier this week. Trump had indicated that if Canada continued to sit out of talks, he would consider levying more tariffs on products made by his northern neighbor.
Pennsylvania’s attorney general said the Vatican itself actively covered up sex abuse. On NBC’s “Today” show, Josh Shapiro alluded to sealed grand jury testimony that would back up the accusations. His recent report indicated 300 Catholic priests abused more than 1,000 children in Pennsylvania dioceses for decades, prompting a repentant open letter from the Pope in response.
California voted to abolish cash bail. The bill attempts to even out a system that previously favored the wealthy, turning instead to an assessment process that determines each individual’s flight risk. Criminal justice advocates say the way California plans to implement the new law will end up handing judges too much power.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Annalisa Merelli on Serena Williams’ powerful response to the catsuit ban: “‘One must respect the game and the place,’ Bernard Giudicelli of the French Tennis Federation said, suggesting that Williams does neither—a white, male tennis bureaucrat trying to police the greatest active tennis player’s body, ridiculous in his attempt at imposing an old institution’s power dynamics over the woman who has defeated everyone in her path.’” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Phone numbers are the most important identifier. They serve as today’s differentiators and means of authentication, so they’re a big target for hackers.
Gambling can weed out poor science studies. Online bettors are uncannily good at predicting which psychology and social studies can be replicated or not.
Air conditioners do great good at too high a cost. The cooling machines are essential to everyday life, but they need to become more energy efficient.
Surprising discoveries
Shinkansen staff train by sitting by the track. Employees of Japan’s famed bullet train have complained that the exercise is “horrible.”
A lustful dolphin is harassing French swimmers. Local officials in Finistère had to ban swimming after the aroused animal became increasingly aggressive.
Missouri has laws around the word “meat.” Food makers in Missouri can only use the term to describe dead animal flesh.
South Koreans can’t smoke weed abroad. The government warned that criminal charges could be taken, even if the drug was used in countries where it’s legal.
Vanilla ice cream isn’t what it says it is. One in five contain no vanilla, cream, or fresh milk, according to a survey of brands on British shelves.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, sensual dolphins, and deceitful ice cream 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 Susan Howson and Aisha Hassan.