Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The United Nations vote on the Chagos Islands. The US and the UK are expected to be soundly defeated as the UN’s general assembly decides whether ownership of the territory should be ceded to Mauritius. The territory is one of Britain’s last remaining footholds in the Indian Ocean region, and hosts a US military base.
Target releases earnings. The largely brick-and-mortar retailer has faltered lately in the shadow of Amazon’s success and trade war constraints. Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer is scheduled to post full-year earnings that will indicate how it’s fared in its own attempts to stay on top in the era of e-commerce.
US Democrats argue impeachment. House speaker Nancy Pelosi will discuss the pros and cons of beginning impeachment proceedings against president Donald Trump, who many Democrats say has finally crossed a line by refusing to comply with ongoing Congressional investigations. Pelosi herself has been outspoken in her reluctance to attempt an impeachment.
While you were sleeping
Retailers posted disappointing earnings. Kohl’s, JCPenney, and Nordstrom all underperformed, as shoppers shifted more of their business to online giants. One bright spot: Home Depot beat expectations, despite wet weather and low lumber prices.
Merck swallowed up Peloton Therapeutics. The $1.05 billion acquisition cements the US drugmaker’s promising portfolio of kidney cancer drugs and nixes Peloton’s early plans to file for an IPO.
Theresa May laid out a new Brexit plan. The prime minister tried to win over Labour MPs by making concessions on trade with the EU and protections for the environment and workers’ rights. Instead, May’s compromise alienated both the opposition and her own party.
The OECD called the US-China trade war a global economic threat. In a new report, the organization predicted “moderate but fragile growth” over the next two years and labeled the overall economic outlook “rather bleak.”
Don McGahn stood up Congress. The former White House counsel was represented only by an empty chair, as the Trump administration made good on its promise to block any subpoena related to the Democratic investigation of the Mueller report.
Quartz Obsession
The only thing better than being yourself is pretending to be somebody else. Digital avatars allow us to explore different parts of our personalities, experiment with gender, and commit fraud more easily. They’re also a huge industry, and further tweaks to our online personae, include voice masking, are still to come. Look behind the mask with the Quartz Obsession.
Membership
Even small changes might address some of the biggest failings of traditional hiring methods. We continue our deep dive into the new world of management with the five questions everyone should be asking about their company’s hiring process. Over at Private Key, we look at the viability of initial exchange offerings, a twist on initial coin offerings.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
Work is the millennial religion. But a society built on work cannot stand.
Digital tools could more effectively assess pain. Unfortunately, they’re also likely to introduce bias.
Game of Thrones failed fantasy. In a rush to finish the show, its creators seemed bored with the story’s magical elements and sociological complexity.
Surprising discoveries
A Nepalese mountain guide set a new Everest record. Kami Rita Sherpa reached the peak for the 24th time, surpassing the record he’d set just a week earlier.
Scientists found a liquid ocean on Pluto. It opens up the possibility that frigid planets could potentially harbor alien organisms.
23andMe partnered with Airbnb to suggest “heritage travel destinations.” The latest attempt to profit from highly questionable race science encourages people to “travel to their roots.”
Mexican commuters are buying fake phones. Muggings on public buses have become so common that it makes sense to have a decoy to hand over.
Belgian monks brewed a fabled medieval beer. Grimbergen Abbey rediscovered a recipe that was thought to be lost for 220 years.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, gene vacations, and old beer to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by Susan Howson, Sarah Kessler, and Nicolas Rivero.