Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The Fed releases its latest policy statement. The central bank is not expected to raise rates, but it could cite a dip in business investment and a possible slowdown in the housing market as reasons to believe growth is ebbing.
An update from the world’s happiest place. Disney is expected to post a rise in revenue and profit. Investors want an update on plans for its new streaming service, and the entertainment assets it’s acquiring from 21st Century Fox.
Protests to protect the Mueller investigation. Activist groups say some 400,000 people will protest to demand acting US attorney general Matthew Whitaker recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Trump fired attorney general Jeff Sessions yesterday, replacing him with Whitaker, who is reportedly taking control of the probe.
While you were sleeping
Tesla named its new board chair. Robyn Denholm will replace Elon Musk on the company board, after he was asked to resign the role as part of an agreement with the SEC over his tweeting about taking Tesla private. Denholm will give up her current job as CFO and strategy head at Australian telecoms giant Telstra.
The White House revoked the press credentials of CNN’s correspondent. A few hours after Jim Acosta angered Donald Trump with a number of challenging questions, the reporter tweeted that his press access had been suspended. The White House said he had “placed his hands” on an intern who had tried to take the microphone from him, something refuted by other journalists at the press conference.
Multiple people were injured in a bar shooting in Thousand Oaks, California. The Ventura County Sheriff’s office said that 11 people, including a sheriff’s deputy, were shot when a suspect opened fire during a college country music night at the Borderline Bar and Grill Wednesday evening. The suspected gunman is dead.
Burberry feted its new designer. The British brand praised the “exceptional response” to Riccardo Tisci’s new designs, which it hopes will help revive the brand. It posted a slight dip in first-half revenue and operating profit.
Google’s expansion in New York City could accommodate 20,000 staff. The search giant is nearing an agreement to buy or lease 1.3 million square feet and to expand an existing property by about 300,000 square feet, reports the Wall Street Journal (paywall). The deals are in addition to its previously announced plan to enlarge another location in the city by 250,000 square feet.
Obsession interlude
Lavender is a cornerstone of the self-care industry. And it’s been one for millennia; the ancient Egyptians used it for embalming, and medieval doctors for aching joints. Modern science too is uncovering practical uses for the pretty purple flower that lend credence to its calming rep—for mice, it’s like “popping a Valium.” Why? Relax and check out the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
The cult of creativity is making us less creative. Taking a dogmatic approach to creativity stifles it—slow thinking is the answer.
Theresa May is a secret genius. The British prime minister appears overwhelmed by the Brexit negotiations, but is really a master tactician (paywall).
Racism is the biggest problem plaguing US politics. The GOP relies on bigotry to drive voters while Democrats tout diversity in the interest of survival.
Surprising discoveries
Canada is running low on weed… Three weeks after marijuana’s legalization, the shortage is sending some customers to the black market (paywall).
…And the US National Institutes of Health wants a professional joint roller. Ideal candidates should be able to acquire “hard-to-find controlled and uncontrolled” drug compounds.
Companies are hiring freelancers to look busy. Filling empty desks makes for better optics when investors visit.
Thousands of Brits still watch black-and-white TV. Around 7,000 households haven’t switched to color TV, perhaps because a black-and-white TV license is a third of the price of a color one.
A vaccine could let people with celiac disease eat gluten. Nexvax2, which is in clinical trials, targets genes present in 90% of celiac patients.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, expertly crafted joints, and baskets of muffins 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 Jackie Bischof.