Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
The US takes stock of its economy. Fed chair Jerome Powell steps onto the congressional stage over the next two days to deliver his semi-annual testimony. He’s likely to signal a coming rate cut as an attempt to buffer the US from the effects of trade disputes and a global slowdown. The Fed will also publish its June meeting minutes.
The IAEA holds an emergency meeting on Iran. The UN nuclear agency will meet, at Washington’s request, to discuss Iran breaching the uranium enrichment limits set in a 2015 nuclear agreement from which the US withdrew last year.
The US’s soccer victory tour continues. Celebrations marking a second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup win continue with a ticker tape parade in New York City, beginning at 9.30am EST. The national team, which also won in 1991 and 1999, is locked in a battle with the US Soccer Federation over equal pay.
While you were sleeping
Migrant arrests at the US-Mexico border dropped. Detentions fell 28% in June after reaching a 13-year high in May. Officials credited the decrease to Mexico’s troop deployment, at the Trump administration’s urging, to try to prevent migrants from reaching the border. Higher temperatures may also have contributed.
Mexico’s peso slid. The currency fell about 2% and remained down after finance minister Carlos Urzúa quit, accusing Mexico’s president of making economy policy that is not “based on evidence.” He was replaced by deputy finance minister and former World Bank executive Arturo Herrera.
Would-be UK prime ministers debated on-air. Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt and former foreign secretary Boris Johnson clashed in a live debate last night as they compete to be Britain’s next leader. Data out today show car manufacturing helped the UK economy rebound in May, but likely not enough to prevent a contraction in the second quarter, as a no-deal Brexit looms.
Total shifted its North Sea oil strategy. The French oil giant sold a bundle of assets to Omani oil group Petrogas and private equity group HitecVision for $635 million, part of a move by major energy firms to sell older fields (paywall) in the region.
Toyota cruised forward with driverless cars. The Japanese automaker agreed to a joint venture with Denso Corp to create car components, including sensors, for autonomous vehicles from April 2020.
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Our week-long examination of the data boom looks today to Oregon senator Ron Wyden for an explanation of why those in power aren’t protecting your privacy. We also continue our week-long series of insights from Brandless founder Tina Sharkey, who addresses how to get employees to care about your company’s mission.
Quartz Obsession
If an eco-tax doesn’t keep you from flying, maybe Flugscham will. It’s the sinking feeling you get when you realize your trip to Miami or Lisbon is a mighty contributor to climate change. Globetrotters are turning to trains, buses, and boats in increasing numbers in an attempt to limit the carbon footprints of their travels. Take a look from 30,000 feet with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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It pays for young people to move abroad. Workers under 35 get big raises and new skills as expats.
Robots are the new space adventurers. While humans languish on the space station, drones zoom across the solar system.
It’s time to leave Facebook forever. Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak says its benefits don’t justify the loss of privacy.
Surprising discoveries
Kids shouldn’t play with sporks. A plush doll based on Forky from Toy Story 4 has been recalled over safety issues.
Hackers can peep through Zoom users’ webcams. You’re at risk if you’ve ever installed the videoconferencing software on a Mac.
Hand dryers harm children’s hearing. A 13-year-old scientist measured bathroom decibel levels dangerous to kids’ sensitive ears.
A plan to shame plastic bag users backfired. A Canadian store printed embarrassing logos on its bags, but customers wanted them even more.
Scientists are tracking moons on the run. Nicknamed “ploonets,” they’re exomoons that have escaped their planets to orbit their stars instead.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, expat job openings, and Flugscham cures 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 Adam Rasmi and edited by Jackie Bischof.