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 positions on Iran and Huawei more closely with those of the Trump administration. So far, Britain has backed the EU in sticking with the Iran nuclear deal.
Protests intensify in Hong Kong. Around 100 departing flights have been cancelled from the city’s airport—one of the world’s busiest—after thousands of protesters occupied the building following a three-day sit-in by anti-government demonstrators. Police responded with harsher tactics than ever to city-wide demonstrations over the weekend.
Global economy clues. Compiled by German research institute Ifo, today’s World Economic Climate report will point to how much the risk of a global recession has been exacerbated by the ongoing US-China trade spat and a slowdown in growth in major world economies like the UK and Germany.
Over the weekend
Protesters turned out in Russia. Demonstrators flooded Moscow and other cities to decry police violence and demand an end to political controls under Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Russia warned Google against “promoting” the rallies on YouTube.
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead. The financier reportedly committed suicide in a New York jail while awaiting charges on sex trafficking. Questions—and conspiracy theories, including one promoted by Donald Trump—swirled about why he was left unmonitored after an apparent earlier suicide attempt.
A man opened fire in a mosque in Norway. The shooting on Saturday by an assailant armed with multiple weapons did not result in any fatalities and is being treated as an “attempted act of terror” by the police. The suspected gunman, who reportedly expressed far-right and anti-immigrant views, was overpowered by another man who was injured in the process.
Saudi Aramco’s net income fell to $47 billion. The state-owned oil giant’s half-year results today were down 12% from a year ago. Lower crude prices and output contributed, as the company reportedly revives plans for what would be the world’s largest IPO early next year.
Pyongyang tested new missiles, again. The country fired short-range missiles that analysts say mark significant advances and pose a potent threat to neighbors. On Twitter, Trump joined Kim Jong Un in criticizing ”ridiculous and expensive” US-South Korea military drills, and said he might meet with the North Korean leader again soon.
Guatemala elected a conservative president. Alejandro Giammattei received a commanding 58% of the vote against his center-left opponent Sandra Torres, in what was his fourth presidential bid. The election was marked by low turnout, with corruption allegations earlier torpedoing the candidacies of two frontrunners.
Membership
This week, we dive into the future of work, which, for better or worse, is the means through which people contribute to a community, develop status, or form their identities. It’s no wonder, then, that the topic has long provoked interest and anxiety. But the only real way to address the future of work is by solving problems with the present of work first. Those problems don’t require a science fiction writer to concoct future potential scenarios, just attention. You can start with our field guide to this important topic here.
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.
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 Adam Rasmi and edited by Jackie Bischof.