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What to watch for today
Trump visits Pennsylvania. The US president will tour Shell’s upcoming petrochemicals plant outside Pittsburgh, in a nod to the blue collar support that helped propel him into office. Critics say the plant, which was announced during the Obama administration, will contribute substantially to air pollution in the state.
A legal challenge to Boris Johnson’s Brexit shutdown. A petition backed by more than 70 MPs and peers seeks to rule as “unlawful and unconstitutional” the prime minister’s plan to suspend parliament to force a no-deal EU departure. The initial hearing takes place today in Edinburgh.
JD.com hopes to turn a profit. The Chinese e-commerce giant and Alibaba rival is expected to report sluggish second-quarter revenue growth, but could be helped by cost-cutting measures. Chinese tech firms have been hit by a slowdown in economic growth and consumer spending caused in part by the US-China trade war.
While you were sleeping
John Bolton began another day of meetings with UK officials. The US national security adviser talks today to the secretaries of defense, international trade, and Brexit. After meeting with prime minister Boris Johnson yesterday, Bolton floated the possibility of sector-by-sector trade deals to help the UK deal with a potential no-deal Brexit.
Hong Kong’s airport faced another day of disruption. Protesters rallying against police brutality returned to the airport for a fifth day, after effectively forcing the major transport hub to shut down yesterday. Flights have resumed, with airlines working to clear a backlog.
The UN began investigating North Korea for cyberattacks. Experts are probing at least 35 cases across 17 countries for theft of cryptocurrency used to allegedly raise funds for weapons programs. The hacks may have netted Pyongyang as much as $2 billion, according to a report to the Security Council.
Singapore slashed its growth outlook. 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 an Ebola cure. Amid the second-largest-ever Ebola outbreak, scientists in the DR 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.
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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. Jobs catering to the whims of the wealthy are not a good thing.
Tourist hotspots should enact congestion pricing. 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.
Stock ticker mix-ups cost investors $1 million a year. When Ford Motors makes news, confused investors rush to buy shares in FORD (Forward Industries).
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 sorcerers. A box full of colorful crystals and symbolic objects was found alongside a group of women in one house.
Australia may no longer be able to call some local cheeses feta. The EU wants a trade deal to protect the names of hundreds of products, including scotch beef 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 Adam Rasmi and edited by Jackie Bischof.