Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Millions demand climate change action. Ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg and other young activists are leading a strike today that could be the world’s largest environmental protest.
Trump hosts Australia’s leader. Prime minister Scott Morrison is in the US for a state visit to celebrate “100 years of mateship.” They are discussing China and then enjoying an opulent dinner. On Sunday, Trump joins Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the huge ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston.
The Nintendo Switch Lite hits the shelves and wishlists. The hotly-anticipated handheld device, which can also slide into a dock for TV gameplay, goes on sale today. Shares of Nintendo are now at a 16-month high. Read Quartz’s review here.
While you were sleeping
More details leaked on the whistleblower complaint against Trump. The Washington Post reports that Ukraine was the focus of a pledge the president allegedly made to a foreign leader. An intelligence official filed a complaint two weeks after a call between Trump and the Ukrainian president.
A top UK bank appointed its first female CEO. Alison Rose, the new chief executive of RBS, also became the first woman to run any of the UK’s big four banks. Her salary will be 10% more than her predecessor, Ross McEwan, when she takes up her role in November.
Indian slashed its corporate tax rate. Shares surged roughly 5% today on the Sensex index and Nifty 50, following news the government rolled out cuts that see local firms pay 22% instead of 30%. The new rates are among the lowest in Asia, as Delhi tries to boost slowing growth.
Another Pacific nation chose Beijing over Taiwan. Taipei said it would recall its diplomats in Kiribati, after the island nation switched allegiance ahead of the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The Soloman Islands made the same decision days earlier.
A US FedEx pilot was barred from leaving mainland China. China detained a former Air Force colonel as he prepared to depart for Hong Kong a week ago. He has since been released on bail. The American logistics giant has been caught up in US-China tensions after it accidentally sent Huawei packages to the US.
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Why hail four wheels, when two wheels do the job? Two of the largest cab-hailing companies in the world have diversified into two-wheeler taxis in India, and ventures focused on bikes have mushroomed in recent years. India’s largest homegrown internet-based transport company, Ola, runs bike taxi services in more than 150 Indian cities—archrival Uber only offers them in 11. Ananya Bhattacharya takes a look at the two-wheeled wave as part of her week-long Ola field guide.
Quartz Obsession
Vegetarianism is up, as much for the climate’s health as our own. Well, not strict vegetarianism, but climatarians, reducetarians, flexitarians, Meatless Monday participants, VB6ers, and more are cutting back as they learn about the connections between carnivorousness and climate. And tech startups as well as big food companies are riding the wave. Taste the future at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
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Nice women finish last. Traits like warmth and compassion are devalued because they’re associated with femininity.
Climate change migration is more complicated than you think. It’s not just about rising daily temperatures—the futures of particular regions are hard to predict.
Protecting nature from nature polarizes humans. The western US wild horse debate illustrates the muddy waters of environmental compromise.
Surprising discoveries
Japanese whisky isn’t necessarily Japanese. The world’s most coveted liquor has product origin rules that are quite lax, to put it mildly.
Leonardo da Vinci’s mechanical lion came to life. The original no longer exists, but in Paris, a new iteration is on display.
Bird populations are taking a nosedive. Fewer insects, disappearing habitats, and more glass to run into are all taking their toll.
Magic mushrooms are getting their own research center. The first facility of its kind will launch in Jamaica.
Putin no longer faces exorcism. Police arrested a Siberian man who walked more than 2,700km to “drive the evil spirit of Putin from the Kremlin”.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, multinational whisky, and exorcists 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 Hasit Shah.