Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Argentina imposes capital controls. In an attempt to prevent the peso’s collapse, the central bank of Latin America’s third-largest economy will restrict purchases of dollars beginning today. Companies and banks will need permission to purchase foreign currency and make foreign transfers.
“Stop the coup” rallies in the UK. In a continuation of protests held over the weekend, demonstrators in various cities will march against the suspension of parliament, recently announced by prime minister Boris Johnson ahead of the nation’s exit from the EU. Meanwhile, the Labour party’s shadow cabinet will meet to finalize plans to stop a no-deal Brexit.
An Iranian delegation heads to France for nuclear negotiations. Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and a team of economists will hold talks in Paris to discuss ways to resolve the standoff between Washington and Tehran.
China’s foreign minister visits North Korea. Wang Yi will hold talks with his counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, as part of his three-day trip to Pyongyang starting today. Beijing hopes to break the stalemate in the denuclearization talks between the US and North Korea.
US markets will be closed for Labor Day.
Over the weekend
Another chaotic weekend in Hong Kong. Clashes between protesters and police on Saturday ended with officers chasing and beating citizens across subway stations, and demonstrators returned yesterday to clog roads around the airport. Students boycotted classes today to mark the start of the new school year, while a two-day general strike across different sectors also kicked off.
Trump’s trade war intensified. New tariffs imposed on a wide swath of made-in-China products ranging from furniture to chocolates went into effect. China responded with retaliatory tariffs.
Germany’s far-right AfD surged in regional elections. Exit polls suggest the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party made strong gains in Saxony and Brandenburg, placing second in both states though failing to oust the mainstream parties. The Greens also did well.
Texas saw another mass shooting. A gunman opened fire in Odessa during a routine traffic stop, starting a rampage that killed seven people and injured at least 22 others. The incident followed another shooting in the state last month that took 22 lives.
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged border fire. The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group attacked Israeli targets, and Israel responded with artillery strikes, marking the first cross-border clash between the two longtime foes in years.
Quartz Obsession
Ranch is the dressing we love (and love to hate). It might be the most American of foods—overseas, the flavor goes by “American” instead of ranch—and is by far the most popular dressing in the country. Beyond salads, it’s a go-to for wings, wraps, pizza, and even mixing with salsa, as Pete Buttigieg will tell you. Some chefs will fess up to a love for it, and it’s even finding its way onto menus beyond the chains responsible for its dominance. Take a taste at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Oversized women’s clothing can help fight inequality. Space-occupying looks emphasize a woman’s right to be in the room.
Some Hong Kong protesters want a military crackdown.
It would mean they had shaken Beijing enough to
.
Couples should pay each other for housework. Getting paid for chores can help address the problem of “unwaged labor” in relationships.
Surprising discoveries
Netflix won’t let you binge-watch one particular thing. For the latest season of The Great British Baking Show, it insists you savor one weekly episode at a time.
A Filipino artist creates mosaics with dead leaves and garlic peels. Pando’s mind-boggling works are being shown at the Philippine Consulate in New York.
Scientists have discovered a new way to “grow” enamel. The hardest tissue in the human body can’t self-repair, but a new method makes it possible to produce tiny clusters of calcium phosphate.
A planet three times bigger than Jupiter has an extreme-distance “whiplash orbit.” Astronomers have never seen anything like the newly discovered exoplanet’s path.
A new kind of cybercrime uses AI and your voice against you. A $243,000 voice fraud case shows how well it works.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, peculiar orbits, and self-repairing teeth 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.