Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Najib Razak goes to court… The former Malaysian prime minister will stand trial, testifying in his own defense regarding his involvement in the 1MDB scandal, including transfers of 42 million ringgit ($10.1 million) into his personal bank accounts.
…As does Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO will testify as part of a defamation suit brought against him when he tweeted that a British man who helped in the Thai cave rescue was a “pedo guy.” Vernon Unsworth is seeking punitive and compensatory damages.
The NATO summit begins in London. The transatlantic defense pact holds its 70th anniversary summit amid doubts about its mission, with US president Donald Trump demanding Europe pay more for its own defense, and French president Emmanuel Macron recently calling the arrangement “brain dead.”
The US House intelligence committee drops its impeachment report. Based on its contents, the House judiciary committee will begin its own hearings Wednesday, which the Trump administration has said it won’t attend. The judiciary committee is responsible for drafting articles of impeachment to be sent to the full House for a vote.
While you were sleeping
Trump tweeted out new tariffs… The US president announced he would reinstate taxes on steel and aluminum imports from Argentina and Brazil, in retaliation for what he called “a massive devaluation of their currencies.” Meanwhile, commerce secretary Wilbur Ross said Trump is ready to impose another round of tariffs on China if they don’t reach a trade deal.
…while the WTO preserved old ones. The World Trade Organization rejected the EU’s claim that it no longer offers improper subsidies to the planemaker’s A380 and A350 jets. In response, the US said it may expand its retaliatory tariffs on European goods.
Russia pushed state software onto all devices. President Vladimir Putin signed a law requiring every computer, smartphone, and smart TV sold in the country after July 1 to come with Russian software pre-installed.
Ministers gathered for the UN climate conference. Secretary General António Guterres praised the EU for its plans to drastically cut carbon emissions, but chided the US, China, India, and Japan for not pulling their weight. US House speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed congressional action on climate change—unlikely, given the reluctance of her senate counterpart Mitch McConnell.
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Around 10% of health care expenditure goes towards the treatment of dementia. In this week’s field guide, Quartz reporter Katherine Ellen Foley investigates how we’re managing patient care as the problem becomes increasingly acute, with some countries aging faster than others.
Quartz obsession
Polls aren’t perfect. Since 1916, we’ve relied on these fallible tools to take the pulse of national sentiment—and they’ve let us down on more than a few memorable occasions. As households abandon landlines in favor of cellphones, our old methods of measuring the public’s views are no longer working. Take a sample with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Face-to-face first dates are over. The future of romance will be video calling potential suitors through dating apps.
Modern wars can’t be won. Today’s conflicts tend to descend into long, drawn out endgames.
The world is deep in the red and the only way out is to borrow some more. That’s despite global debt at a record $250 trillion.
Surprising discoveries
Mixed sex civil partnerships are the new marriage. Or rather they’re not. Now, heterosexual couples in England and Wales get the same rights as same-sex ones.
Most people have a horror of sameness. Across the political spectrum, there is acute anxiety about homogenization.
Myanmar tour groups are offering $2,000 trips to The Hague. It’s a way to support Aung San Suu Kyi, who will represent her country as it faces genocide charges at the UN’s top court.
Ikea gave a Mars habitat a makeover. A designer added a few practical touches to a model research facility to make it feel more homey.
Frozen 2 “monopolized” South Korean theaters. An NGO filed an antitrust suit against Disney for occupying 88% of the country’s screens.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Martian furniture, and Frozen 2 screeds to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android, and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Nicolás Rivero and Susan Howson.