Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Hurricane Dorian barrels ahead. After pounding the Bahamas, the Category 5 Atlantic storm begins curving up toward the southeastern US. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have ordered mandatory coastal evacuations as they brace for hurricane force winds, heavy rain, and flooding.
Brexit battle lines are drawn. Boris Johnson cancelled today’s meeting with disgruntled Tory MPs prepared to join opposition efforts to block a no-deal Brexit, as demonstrators in various cities march against the suspension of parliament. A bill could be tabled as early as Tuesday when parliament resumes. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will say that his party is prepared to do “everything necessary.”
Iranian delegations negotiate in Moscow and Paris. Foreign minister Javad Zarif and his deputy, Abbas Araghchi, hold talks in Russia and France respectively, as efforts intensify to resolve the standoff between Washington and Tehran.
US markets will be closed for Labor Day.
Over the weekend
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 more than 20. The incident followed a shooting in El Paso last month that took 22 lives.
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 clogged roads around the airport. Students boycotted classes today as the school season resumes, while a two-day general strike kicked off.
Argentina imposed capital controls. In an attempt to prevent the peso’s collapse, the central bank of Latin America’s third-largest economy restricted purchases of dollars, starting today. Companies and banks will need permission to purchase foreign currency and send money abroad.
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.
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire. Days after a pair of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese militia fired anti-tank missiles into northern Israel. Israel responded with artillery strikes, marking the first cross-border clash between the longtime foes. No casualties were reported.
Germany’s far-right AfD did well but not well enough. In regional elections in Saxony and Brandenburg, the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party reportedly made gains but failed to oust the mainstream parties.
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”—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
Join the conversation on the Quartz app!
Canned wine is the new beer. Convenience trumps aroma because cans pair well with leisure activities of all sorts.
Oversized women’s clothing can help fight inequality. Space-occupying looks emphasize a woman’s right to be in the room.
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 on pudding. 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 New York’s Philippine Consulate.
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 it.
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, six packs of Merlot, 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 brought to you by Adam Rasmi, Susan Howson, Jason Karaian, and Rashmee Roshan Lall.