Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
John Bolton takes his hard line to London. The US national security adviser will urge Boris Johnson’s new government to align its Iran policy more closely with Washington’s. So far Britain has backed the EU in sticking with the Iran nuclear deal.
Italy’s parliament picks a date for a no-confidence vote. After deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini called for a snap election last week to dissolve its coalition with the Five Star Movement, lawmakers will set a timetable to debate the motion.
A tense Kashmir marks Eid al-Adha. Indian authorities eased restrictions ahead of today’s Islamic festival, including those on banks’ ATMs. India tightened security last week after abruptly announcing a decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its constitutional autonomy.
Saudi Aramco holds its first-ever earnings call. The secretive state-owned oil company will make its half-year profits public, as it continues working toward what would be the biggest IPO of all time. It shared its staggering earnings publicly for the first time in April.
Over the weekend
Hong Kong’s protests intensified… Police resorted to harsher tactics than ever, firing tear gas within subway stations and shooting what appeared to be pepper balls at close range. Police officers were seen pretending to be protesters, ambushing violently and making surprise arrests. A woman was also shot in the eye by a police projectile.
…and so did Russia’s. In the biggest protest in years, demonstrators flooded Moscow and other cities, decrying police violence and demanding an end to political controls under Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Russia warned Google against “promoting” the rallies on YouTube.
North Korea tested new missiles, again. The country fired short-range missiles that analysts say mark significant advances and pose a potent threat to neighbors. A senior diplomat justified Saturday’s launches in part by citing Donald Trump, who has played down other recent weapons tests.
Jeffrey Epstein died. The financier apparently committed suicide in a New York jail by hanging himself, as questions (and conspiracy theories, including one promoted by Donald Trump) swirled about why he was left alone and unmonitored while being held on sex-trafficking charges.
A man opened fire in a mosque in Norway. The shooting on Saturday by an assailant armed with multiple weapons is being treated as an “attempted act of terror” by the police. The suspected gunman was overpowered by another man, who suffered minor injuries.
Early results came in for Guatemala’s presidential election. Conservative candidate Alejandro Giammattei, who’s running for president for the fourth time, took an early lead in yesterday’s election against his center-left opponent Sandra Torres.
Quartz Obsession
Sleeping on it. The mental, physical, and economic benefits of napping are many. Countries like Spain and China build shut-eye into the work day. In a world in which most of us get less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, are naps the answer? The Quartz Obsession climbs under the covers to find out.
Matters of debate
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Tourists shouldn’t ride elephants. The pachyderms end up being mistreated for economic gain. (Happy World Elephant Day!)
Marathon cheater Rosie Ruiz was ahead of her time. Her brand of audacity is now prized as much as actual accomplishment.
Feminist capitalism has infiltrated our personal lives. Effort in relationships is now “emotional labor,” and we’re exhausted by the “second shift.”
Surprising discoveries
US agriculture is 48 times more toxic to bees than 25 years ago. Neonicotinoid pesticides are largely to blame, says a new study.
Britons have spent billions preparing for a no-deal Brexit. Some 800,000 people have built up stockpiles of goods totaling £4 billion ($4.8 billion).
J.D. Salinger’s unseen handwritten works are being digitized by his son. The reclusive author saw publishing during his lifetime as an invasion of privacy.
Versace apologized to the Chinese government for a t-shirt. Writing on the offensive garment didn’t describe Hong Kong and Macau as being part of China.
Cleopatra may have smelled like this. A team of researchers have recreated “the Chanel No. 5 of ancient Egypt.”
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ancient perfume, and controversial garb 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.