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What to watch for today
The US makes its case against Iran at the UN. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to speak to the United Nations Security Council about the Middle East later today. He’s expected to focus on Iran following the recent attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Syrians in Istanbul face deportation. Many of the 600,000 to 900,000 Syrians in Istanbul fled violence in their home country and established residency in a different Turkish province. Today is the deadline for those migrants to leave Turkey’s largest city for their original registered province, or face deportation.
China’s “stealth rate cut” goes into effect. In its latest attempt to spur growth, China will lower rates for corporate borrowing. Its new Loan Prime Rate will be set today and on the 20th of each month going forward, eventually replacing a fixed benchmark lending rate that hasn’t budged since 2015.
India’s Chandrayaan-2 nears the moon. If all goes well, the spacecraft is scheduled to fire into lunar orbit this morning, reaching a distance of just 100 km (62 mi) from the moon’s surface. The Indian Space Research Organization says the voyage will be the first to explore the moon’s south pole.
While you were sleeping
Facebook and Twitter banned Chinese troll accounts. Twitter said it found a “significant state-backed information operation” targeting Hong Kong protesters, leading it to remove 936 accounts and suspend 200,000 more. Facebook took down five accounts, three groups, and seven pages.
The UK threw down a Brexit gauntlet. Boris Johnson’s office announced that EU free movement rules, which allow citizens of member states to live and work in other countries, will end immediately upon a no-deal Brexit. EU citizens already living in the UK would have to apply to stay, and newcomers would face tougher immigration standards.
The US delayed its Huawei ban. American companies now have an extra 90 days to wean themselves off the Chinese telecom giant’s equipment. The move is meant to help rural telecommunications companies in the US that have struggled to find alternate suppliers.
CEOs redefined the purpose of a corporation. The Business Roundtable, an influential group of US corporate leaders, acknowledged for the first time that shareholders aren’t the only people businesses should care about. New additions to the list include customers, employees, business partners, local communities, and the environment.
Putin warmed up to Ukraine talks. The Russian leader told French president Emmanuel Macron that he saw no alternative to holding a summit to end the Ukraine crisis—but wouldn’t commit to participating.
Quartz Membership
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Matters of debate
Your phone number is a better ID than your real name. That means you should be careful about sharing it, even when it’s inconvenient.
Stopping food waste is a data problem. Better inventory systems could cut down the 1,250 calories of food wasted per person every day.
You should buy your makeup used. Resale marketplaces like Mercari are making it easier for consumers to experiment with otherwise expensive brand names.
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Surprising discoveries
The sound of your name may change how people perceive you. Kirks and Kates seem more outgoing—but less agreeable—than Annes and Owens.
Scientists made a pure carbon ring. The never-before-seen circle of 18 atoms has long been theorized, and may prove useful in microscopic electronics.
Plastic “nurdles” are an environmental disaster. The lentil-sized pellets tend to escape, polluting the environment before they’re ever used in products.
An auctioneer made a $70 million pronunciation error. Sotheby’s failed to sell the world’s oldest “Porsche” after the disappointed crowd realized the bidding was actually at $17 million.
Plague-infected prairie dogs shut down Colorado parks. Worried that fleas would spread the disease to humans and their pets, officials closed wildlife refuges near Denver.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, carbon rings, and gently used makeup 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 Katie Palmer, Max Lockie, and Nicolás Rivero.