Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
EU leaders talk borders and Brexit in Salzburg. Migration and EU border security will be big topics at the Austrian meeting. UK prime minister Theresa May will try to convince her counterparts to embrace her “creative” Brexit plan.
The Commerce Department releases data on new construction starts. Analysts expect to see a 1% increase for new home starts in August from the previous month—about 1.2 million homes.
Brazil’s interest-rate decision. The bank will likely hold rates at a record low of 6.5% as inflation moderates, despite pressure from the real. The currency has fallen sharply this year in the face of uncertainty ahead of next month’s presidential election.
While you were sleeping
Kim Jong Un agreed to shut down some nuclear test sites. South Korean president Moon Jae-in said Pyongyang will allow experts to witness the dismantling of key missile development sites. Donald Trump celebrated the news, which could rekindle stalled nuclear negotiations between the US and North Korea
Christine Blasey Ford might not testify before the Senate. Blasey, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party in the 1980s, says the FBI should investigate (paywall) before she testifies. The Senate has set a hearing for Sept. 24 to question the two, and Republicans could push to schedule a confirmation vote if she doesn’t show up.
Tencent Music curbed its IPO ambitions in the US. China’s biggest music-streaming company will now seek around $2 billion, according to Reuters sources. Its original $4 billion target would have made it the biggest Chinese float in the US this year. It’s still unclear whether the more conservative deal was linked to a lower valuation or if it will sell fewer shares.
Danske Bank’s CEO quit over a massive money-laundering scandal. Thomas Borgen resigned over “major deficiencies” in the controls at Denmark’s largest bank, which allowed some €200 billion ($234 billion) to pass through its Estonian branch between 2007 and 2015. It said the majority of the 6,200 transactions appeared suspicious.
Japan’s trade deficit doubled. The increase recorded in August was driven by energy imports. Its surplus with the US dropped sharply as Japan purchased more liquefied natural gas and dispatched more of its own exports to China, amid concern over Trump’s anti-import policies.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Natasha Frost on how the story of segregation in Los Angeles was preserved by its black-owned papers. “White-owned papers published headlines like ‘Keep Maywood White,’ while the South Los Angeles Homeowners’ Association issued written advice on how to ‘Protect Your Home Against the Encroachment of Non-Caucasian People.’ It was especially galling for people of color… ‘to be drafted into a war that was all about fighting the Nazis and fighting another version of white supremacy that somehow Americans pretended didn’t exist.’” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Women make better traders than men. Men are more likely to panic in stressful financial situations,
Open borders hurt immigrants. They create a permanent underclass (paywall) that’s difficult to escape.
Gamers are athletes too. While glued to their screens, they produce as much cortisol as race-car drivers.
Surprising discoveries
Itsy-bitsy spiders caused nursery-rhyme terror. A UK town was plagued by eerie singing until it discovered that bugs were triggering an unusual security system.
Skin grafts could treat cocaine addiction. A natural enzyme that breaks down the drug could be introduced by stem cells carrying a certain gene.
Great white sharks have hit ocean paydirt. The yearly congregation of sharks in the Pacific is there for the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Venezuelans are angry about Nicolás Maduro’s “Salt Bae” feast. The president enjoyed a lavish meal at the Turkish celebrity chef’s restaurant, while people in his country have barely any food.
Maine lobsters will get pot before the pot. A restaurateur believes in getting the crustaceans high before boiling them to death.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, salty steaks, and stoned lobsters 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 Sarah Todd.