Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
India launches its second lunar mission. The country’s increasingly ambitious space program aims to soft-land on the Moon’s uncharted South Pole.
China reports its second-quarter economic growth. Analysts polled by Reuters expect the country’s GDP growth to be at its lowest pace in 27 years.
Jeremy Hunt debates Boris Johnson. The final two candidates to be Britain’s next prime minister will face off for the second time in a showdown organized by The Sun newspaper.
Over the weekend
Hong Kong protests continued. In the sixth consecutive week of protests that began in opposition to a much-maligned extradition bill, a peaceful rally in Sha Tin on Sunday ended in a clash with police inside a shopping mall.
Monsoons killed dozens in Nepal and India. Seasonal heavy rains have caused particularly deadly floods and landslides this year and are expected to continue for weeks or even months in some areas.
The US began raids on undocumented immigrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expected to target at least 2,000 immigrants nationwide. The operation, which was postponed last month, has drawn criticism from local officials and lawmakers.
The power went out in New York City. Lasting about three hours, the blackout left 73,000 Con Edison customers without electricity, shutting down traffic lights, theater shows, and subway cars. The utility company suggested the disruption was due to mechanical failure and said it would investigate.
Romania’s Simona Halep won Wimbledon. She defeated Serena Williams, who is one game short of matching the record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in the men’s tournament after the first ever fifth-set tiebreaker played in any Wimbleton final.
Quartz Obsession
Black Sabbath invented heavy metal 50 years ago. It’s a small miracle that the Birmingham band made it big—what with an original name like the Polka Tulk Blues Band, and guitarist Tony Iommi’s two missing fingertips. The musical genre they helped establish would spawn a horde of subgenres, all ready to come at you with their horns out. Get thrashing with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
Historical context matters when weighing politicians’ decades-old decisions. Just imagine how future generations might look back at today’s meat-eating candidates with horror .
Productivity gurus are ruining walking for the rest of us. Resist the idea of walking as a creativity hack and just go on a stroll for its own sake.
Celebrate Amazon Prime Day by canceling your account. Like many other online services, Prime is designed to facilitate impulsive shopping. But slowing down your purchases can also feel good.
Surprising discoveries
A healthy lifestyle could reduce the risk of dementia. Research published Sunday suggests this is true even for people genetically predisposed to the condition.
People are turning to cows for therapy. At one bed and breakfast in New York, hour-long “cow cuddling sessions” cost $75.
Neanderthals were mostly right-handed. Ancient tools and the skeletal record suggest that our hominin ancestors had a rate of right-hand dominance that is about equal to our own.
An endangered flower might be easier to save than first assumed. New photos prove that the iconic ghost orchid can be pollinated by at least a few types of moths, not just one, as previously thought.
A book vandal is on the loose. The literary defacer has been ripping the pages in books at a library and a charity shop in Kent before returning them to the shelves.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, cow cuddles, and literary vandal sightings 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 Sarah Kessler and Sarah Todd.