Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Tim Cook talks privacy in Brussels. The Apple CEO will speak at the European Data Protection Conference, and is expected to call for stronger laws protecting users. Unlike many Silicon Valley firms, Apple does not directly monetize user data—though it does receive $12 billion a year to enable Google to do so.
Shinzo Abe visits Xi Jinping for a Beijing summit. The first-ever bilateral meeting between the Japanese and Chinese leaders comes as Beijing seeks Abe’s support in its escalating trade war with the US. China is Japan’s biggest trading partner.
A record-breaking US lottery. $1.6 billion is up for grabs in the Mega Millions jackpot—though the take-home tally is much lower when you factor in inflation and taxes.
While you were sleeping
The EU rejected Italy’s budget. The unprecedented move reflects fears that the eurozone’s third-largest economy might take on unsustainable levels of debt. The country’s populist ruling party has vowed to push forward with policies like a guaranteed income for the unemployed.
A Tesla short seller came in from the cold. Citron’s Andrew Left, a famous critic of CEO Elon Musk, wrote that he has taken a long position in the electric car firm after realizing that it holds a commanding lead over traditional automakers. Tesla shares surged more than 12% on the news.
Police detonated a mail bomb sent to George Soros. A package sent to the suburban New York home of the billionaire financier was found to contain explosive powder, and was destroyed by police with no injuries. The bomb was sent as right-wing groups circulated false reports that Soros was funding a convoy of Central American refugees moving toward the US border.
The US revoked visas for the suspected Saudi killers of Jamal Khashoggi. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced the penalty, the first action the Trump administration has taken since the news of the Washington Post reporter’s death. Pompeo also said he is considering sanctions on the suspects.
Amazon has been pitching its facial recognition services to ICE. According to documents leaked to the Daily Beast, Amazon Web Services has been offering software that could identify illegal immigrants in the United States to the controversial US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency,
Quartz Obsession interlude
Anne Quito on the business value of good design: “IBM president Thomas Watson Jr., who fell in love with modern design in an Olivetti typewriter showroom, is remembered as the most ardent corporate champion for visual arts of his time. During his tenure, IBM leaned on a roster of architects and designers—Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Paul Rand, Isamu Noguchi—and established itself as a design-forward company.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Wood-burning ovens are delicious and deadly. They may give food a delicious flavor—but the smoke contains fine particulates that penetrate deep into the lungs.
Sand mining destroys lives. A Chinese mining company is also ripping up pristine Mozambique beaches.
The Khashoggi murder is a dream scenario for Erdoğan. If Saudi Arabia falls out of favor, Turkey will receive invaluable political leverage.
Surprising discoveries
An ancient shipwreck was found perfectly preserved… The 2,400-year-old Greek trading vessel was found a mile deep in the Black Sea.
…And Titanic II will complete its namesake’s journey. The replica will depart in 2022 with 2,400 passengers—but an adequate number of lifeboats.
There are microplastics in our poop. Eight subjects from Europe and Japan all had an average of 20 particles per quarter-pound of excrement.
The Catholic church has its own Pokémon Go game. It hopes that finding saints in augmented reality will engage younger members of the faith.
Montreal doctors can now prescribe art. Like exercise and relaxation, a free trip to a museum is thought to help depression and diabetes.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, shipwrecks, and AR saints 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 Adam Pasick and Susan Howson.