Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The European Parliament chooses its president. The decision comes after the EU finally broke a deadlock in appointments of top jobs by naming two women to head up the European Central Bank and the European Commission for the first time.
Sweden faces the Netherlands. The FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals continue with a match between two unlikely contenders. The game kicks off in Lyon at 3pm local time.
The US releases crucial economic data. The latest numbers on employment, factory orders, non-manufacturing activity, and trade balance will provide a snapshot of the economy and help investors assess whether the Fed will cut interest rates later this month.
Wall Street takes a half day. In preparation for US Independence Day tomorrow, American markets will close early, returning on Friday to a regular schedule.
While you were sleeping
Japan was hit with dangerous amounts of rain. Nearly 600,000 people in the city of Kagoshima were evacuated as torrential downpours predicted to continue into tomorrow threatened landslides and other damage. Last July, devastating flooding and mudslides caused more than 200 deaths.
Malaysia banned the export of sea sand. It deals a major blow to the island-state of Singapore, which relies on sand from its neighbor to reclaim land from the sea. The ban was imposed last October but not made public for fear of a diplomatic fallout, according to Reuters.
An airstrike killed dozens at a migrant center in Libya. The attack has been blamed on strongman Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army has waged a months-long campaign to seize Tripoli, the capital. Libya is a main departure point for African migrants trying to reach Italy by boat.
The US census won’t ask about citizenship. The Trump administration retreated from a controversial effort to reinstate the question in the 2020 census. The addition of the question may have led to an undercount of non-citizens and minority residents, with widespread implications for political representation and federal funding.
Tesla exceeded expectations. The electric-vehicle company delivered 95,200 cars in the second quarter, sending its shares surging. However, it remains in the red.
Quartz Membership
Interested in becoming a member? Find out more.
The core of Donald Trump’s conflict with China isn’t about trade. It’s about technology, argues reporter Gwynn Guilford. In today’s member exclusive, Guilford examines what Huawei tells us about Trump, trade, and tech. We also speak with writer and performer Aparna Nancherla in a members-only video about what comedy and depression have in common.
Quartz Obsession
Tape is a sticky mystery. For years, researchers have been trying to figure out how and why the seemingly simple substance unsticks. And if you peel a roll of tape quickly in a vacuum, the energy released is powerful enough to generate x-rays, for less-than-transparent reasons. Peel back the story at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
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 instead define themselves through bold questions.
Europe should build its own social media news platform. It would wrest control back from the likes of Facebook.
Surprising discoveries
Losing their shells made octopuses smart. Their soft, unprotected bodies forced them to evolve intelligence.
Malaysia arrested foreigners for cosplaying without a visa. Immigration authorities say the anime enthusiasts need government approval to participate in “arts performances.”
Birds caused a bombing mishap in Florida. A US Air Force jet accidentally dropped three harmless dummy bombs after colliding with a bird.
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 smart octopuses to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Mary Hui and edited by Isabella Steger.