Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
More Trump tariffs take effect. An additional 5% levy on $300 billion in Chinese goods comes into force on Sunday (Sept. 1). Hundreds of US businesses, from tech companies to footwear, have warned they will raise prices. China indicated today that it was open to a resumption of trade talks.
Canada’s economy looks up. Second quarter GDP growth is expected today to show a 3% jump, ahead of October’s federal election. A “Raptors effect” has boosted retail sales, after the Toronto basketball team won its first NBA title in June.
Courts consider Boris Johnson’s parliament suspension. A judge in Edinburgh refused to grant an injunction to block the UK prime minister’s decision, but a Belfast court will hear arguments on a similar case. A third legal challenge, in London, is due next week. Mass protests are expected over the weekend.
India decides who can live in the border state of Assam. The National Register of Citizens, to be published Saturday, has sparked fears it will leave off millions of minority Muslims that the Hindu nationalist government says are from Bangladesh. New GDP numbers are expected to show sluggish growth.
While you were sleeping
Donald Trump cancelled his trip to Poland… Vice president Mike Pence will go instead as Trump deals with Hurricane Dorian, set to make landfall in Florida on Monday as a Category 4 storm. A state of emergency now covers all 67 Florida counties.
… while his executive assistant quit. Madeleine Westerhout, who has been in her role since the start of Trump’s administration, resigned after the president learned she had shared personal information with the press at a recent off-the-record meeting.
Colombia ordered the arrest of former FARC rebels. The peace tribunal’s decision comes after several former rebel leaders vowed to launch a new offensive, three years from the deal that ended decades of conflict. President Duque also pledged to hunt down the rebels.
Germany got another bad economic omen. Retail sales posted their biggest decline of the year, the latest sign a recession is looming. Meanwhile, the far-right AfD party is set to make gains in regional elections on Sunday, possibly upending the two main parties’ dominance.
Hong Kong police rounded up activists. Protest leaders Joshua Wong and Agnes Chew were arrested today ahead of a major rally and march tomorrow that were banned by police. Another student activist was detained on Thursday. Protesters are expected to block roads around the airport on Sunday.
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Matters of debate
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Diplomatic cables are so last century. Advanced algorithms can offer sound analysis and advice to governments.
Watch what you say about China. Employees at companies that do business there could lose their jobs if they support the wrong cause.
Mini-shampoos aren’t ruining the environment. Swearing off miniature toiletries may be good PR, but investing in carbon-reducing technologies would go a lot further.
Surprising discoveries
A car and a sofa were found in New Orleans’ storm drains. The city is plagued by flash flooding, but heavy storms aren’t the only problem.
A medicinal mix-up gave babies “Werewolf Syndrome.” Hair-loss drugs were mislabeled as gastric reflex drugs, and 17 babies sprouted hair all over.
A pre-launch pee ritual for Russian male cosmonauts could end. Newly designed space suits will make urinating on a bus tire difficult.
You can now listen to a rock. Geologists made a recording of the deep hum emanating from Castleton Tower, a 400-foot-tall (122 meter) rock formation near Moab, Utah.
Baby Borises are on the rise. As UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s career progresses, so do his namesakes.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, lucky pee rituals, and clogged drains to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Adam Rasmi and Rashmee Roshan Lall.