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What to watch for today
Japan braces for dangerous amounts of rain. People living in the western part of the nation have been urged to evacuate after the Japan Meteorological Agency predicted a month’s worth of rainfall within a single day. Last July, devastating flooding and mudslides caused more than 200 deaths.
Sweden faces the Netherlands. The FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals continue with a match between two unlikely contenders—the Dutch were a surprise winner of 2017’s UEFA Euro tournament, and the Swedes knocked out the German juggernauts in the current World Cup’s quarterfinals. The game kicks off in Paris at 3pm local time.
Wall Street takes a half day. In preparation for US Independence Day on Thursday, American markets will close early, returning on Friday to a regular schedule.
While you were sleeping
The EU made progress. The stalemate over top positions began to crumble, as European leaders meeting in Brussels came to an agreement on the International Monetary Fund’s Christine Lagarde for European Central Bank president, Germany’s Ursula Von Leyen for European Commission president, and Spain’s Josep Borrell for foreign-policy chief.
Deutsche Bank discussed shedding equities. The troubled lender sat down with Citigroup, BNP Paribas, and others who might be interested in taking some of its US equity business off its hands. A transfer deal could prove less financially draining to Deutsche Bank than shutting down that part of the operation entirely.
Non-OPEC oil producers got on board with cuts. In the face of a weakening economy, ten nations, including Russia, agreed to help boost oil prices by extending a slowdown in oil production for nine months, a day after OPEC made its own call.
Democrats sued for Trump’s tax returns. The US House Ways and Means committee filed suit against Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig for access to six years of the president’s financial documents. Mnuchin rejected a previous subpoena for the tax returns, but the new suit could force him to comply.
USA beat England. The US managed to eke out a 2-1 win in the Women’s World Cup semifinal without its star forward and co-captain Megan Rapinoe, who sat the game out with an injury. England nearly tied the game, but was blocked at a crucial penalty kick, and had a goal reversed after a consultation with the video assistant referee.
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Matters of debate
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An engaged employee is better than a star employee. Big names are only helpful if they’re invested in their jobs.
Mission statements are over. Companies should define themselves through bold questions.
Hong Kong protesters had to break into the legislature. The Chinese Communist Party has shown it won’t take peaceful protest seriously.
Surprising discoveries
Malaysia arrested foreigners for cosplaying without a visa. Immigration authorities say the anime enthusiasts need government approval to participate in “arts performances.”
Birds bombed Florida. A US Air Force jet accidentally dropped three harmless dummy bombs after an avian collision.
Tech companies are quietly battling cosmic radiation. Renegade rays have scrambled computers, interfering with Belgian elections and borking Toyota brake systems.
CRISPR cured HIV in mice. Scientists are now testing whether the gene editing technique can cure HIV-positive primates.
Music festivals are a bargain. Compared to the skyrocketing costs of single-artist concerts, festivals are an economic no-brainer.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, festival tickets, and presidential tax returns 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 and Nicolás Rivero.