Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
A legal challenge to Boris Johnson’s Brexit shutdown. A petition backed by more than 70 members of parliament and peers seeks to rule as “unlawful and unconstitutional” the prime minister’s plan to suspend parliament in order force a no-deal EU departure. The initial hearing will take place today at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The Italian senate meets. Party chiefs ordered all senators of the upper house to break its summer recess and convene today to set the date for a motion of no confidence in the government. Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini has called for snap elections to dissolve his right-wing League party’s coalition with the Five Star Movement.
John Bolton meets with top UK officials. The US national security adviser continues his second day of meetings with key figures in Boris Johnson’s government, including the secretaries of defense, international trade secretary, Brexit, as well as Michael Gove, the minister responsible for planning a no-deal EU departure.
While you were sleeping
Justin Trudeau urged China to be “very careful” on Hong Kong…The Canadian prime minister said that he is “extremely concerned” about the situation in the city and called on the local and Chinese governments to properly respond to citizens’ concerns.
…while the city’s airport faced a second day of disruption. One of the world’s busiest transport hubs was effectively forced to shut down yesterday after thousands staged a sit-in there to protest police brutality. Hundreds of flights remained cancelled today as airlines tried to clear a backlog, and protesters have put out a call for another sit-in this afternoon.
Singapore slashed its growth outlook to nearly zero. Amid worsening global conditions and final second-quarter data showing a sharp contraction, the city-state cut its expected growth for the year to between 0% to 1%, down from its previous estimate for 1.5% to 2.5%.
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.
The two Canadian teenage murder suspects died by apparent suicide. Police said that the two men, who evaded a nationwide manhunt for over two weeks in connection with three killings, likely died in suicides by gunfire.
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, so why not do the same for rampant meat eating?
We’re seeing the rise of a new servant class. The rise of jobs catering to the whims of the wealthy may not be a good thing.
Tourist hotspots should enact congestion pricing. The problem of over-tourism could be resolved with this simple textbook economics solution.
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Surprising discoveries
The Milky Way is even more lit. Our galaxy’s massive black hole just emitted the biggest flare astronomers have ever recorded.
Archeologists found evidence of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Excavation by researchers uncovered evidence that appears to confirm the Biblical account of the city’s destruction.
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.
Branding cheese as feta might soon be banned in Australia. Under a free-trade deal, the EU wants to protect the names of hundreds of products, including scotch beef, gruyere, and gorgonzola.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Pompeii crystals, and generic cheese 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.