Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Hong Kong airport settles down. After canceling all departures, authorities say they’re working with airlines to resume flights by Tuesday morning. In response to China’s potential use of anti-terror laws against protestors, US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell warned that a “violent crackdown would be completely unacceptable.”
Stock markets’ bad August gets worse. With the Dow below 26,000 and the S&P 500 off its July all-time highs, global markets are looking to the Federal Reserve to join much of the developed world in cutting rates back down to zero (or even less).
China’s second-biggest online retailer checks in. While some analysts expect a strong quarter from China’s other ecommerce giant, the US-listed stock JD.com is down about 20% from its peak in July over trade war tensions.
While you were sleeping
Scientists announced a cure for Ebola. Amid the second-largest-ever Ebola outbreak, scientists in the Democratic Republic of Congo said that two new treatments for the disease have saved roughly 90% of infected patients, and the drug will now be offered to all patients.
Argentina’s markets crashed. The country’s main stock market fell 35% and the peso dropped 25% against the dollar after center-right president Mauricio Macri lost by a larger than expected margin in a first-round election.
Verizon sold Tumblr. Automattic Inc.—owner of the online-publishing tool WordPress—has agreed to acquire the popular blogging site and its 200 employees for a sum reported to be less than $20 million. Verizon paid around $1.1 billion for the site in 2013.
The world’s top pork producer is getting into plant-based meat. Smithfield Foods announced that it’s introducing meatless burgers, breakfast patties, and more. Unlike market leaders Beyond Meat, these products will contain soy.
Russia admitted suffering a deadly nuclear accident. An official says that five top scientists were killed in a failed test of what some reports say could be a nuclear-powered cruise missile project. US president Donald Trump even weighed in.
Quartz 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. You can start with our field guide to this important topic here.
Quartz Obsession
A checklist can save your life—and lots of others. Astronauts, pilots, and doctors rely on them to navigate complex tasks, knowing that the modern world can exceed even their well-tuned brains. But even when it’s not life or death, checklists are useful in the business world to make sure you’re not missing anything when you hire, invest, or negotiate. Check it out at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
It’s time for a meat tax. Sin taxes discourage harmful behaviors like smoking, and rampant meat eating hurts both body and planet.
Digital wunderkind don’t know everything. The right person for the job is someone who makes both internal and external strategies.
Stay home. Widely accessible international travel is making far-flung destinations less unique by the day.
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Surprising discoveries
The “Old Town Road” street sign can’t catch a break. Wellesley, Massachusetts keeps putting them up, and Lil Nas X fans keep taking them down.
The Milky Way is even more lit. Our galaxy’s massive black hole just emitted the biggest flare astronomers have ever recorded.
Lefties have their day. Today is the day to give a hand to the international left-handed community.
The world’s richest family now makes $4 million per hour. Rolling back all those prices at Walmart hasn’t slashed the Waltons’ budget.
Pompeii had a sorcerer. A box full of colorful crystals most likely used as rather ineffective good-luck charms was found alongside a group of women in one house.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, street sign contraband, and mystical beads 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 Susan Howson and Max Lockie.