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Here’s what you need to know
It was a big weekend for elections. New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern won her reelection handily. Ardern is credited with one of Earth’s best responses to the Covid-19 pandemic; with quick infection control policies in place, the country has seen fewer than 2,000 total cases. And with 49% of the vote, it registers as the biggest win for New Zealand’s Labour party in 50 years.
Meanwhile, in west Africa… Citizens of Guinea cast their ballots to determine whether two-term incumbent Alpha Conde will be allowed a constitutionally-dubious third term. Dozens have already been killed in pre-election riots over the past year and the UN has issued warnings around the campaign’s dangerous rhetoric.
… and in South America. Bolivia’s election is the first since leftist Evo Morales stepped down last year after seeking a fourth term. Polls suggested that Luis Arce, a socialist, has the lead, but after election officials decided to delay the announcement of results, it’s not clear when the winner will be known.
The IMF issued a warning over debt. In a virtual conference, International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva warned that low- and middle-income countries could send global debt levels above 100% of global GDP next year.
Toshiba bets on becoming a quantum killer. The Japanese company announced plans to bring in $3 billion in revenue with quantum key distribution, a technology that can prevent cyberattacks from quantum computers.
What to watch for this week
Monday: China reports third-quarter GDP. US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivers a speech on digital currencies. Cannes Lions marketing conference begins. IBM reports earnings.
Tuesday: The US reports new housing data. Adobe’s MAX conference begins. Israel and the United Arab Emirates sign a commercial aviation deal. Major League Baseball’s World Series begins. Earnings from Procter & Gamble, Netflix, Lockheed Martin, Volvo, UBS, and Snap.
Wednesday: US Senate votes on a $500 billion stimulus bill. The UK and Canada release inflation data. UK Parliament votes on plant-based meat branding. Tesla, Verizon, Chipotle, and Ericsson all report earnings.
Thursday: The final US presidential debate takes place in Tennessee. The US reports unemployment and home sales data. Earnings reports from Coca-Cola, AT&T, Intel, Northrop Grumman, Southwest Airlines, Hyundai, Expedia, and Unilever.
Friday: Purchasing Managers’ Index reports released for the euro zone, Japan, UK, and the US. Earnings from Amazon, American Express, Daimler, Kia, Renault, Barclays, and Royal Caribbean.
Charting lung transplants over the pandemic
Lung transplants have saved the lives of dozens of Covid-19 patients. But lengthy hospital stays and fears of re-infecting new lungs—which are always in short supply—raised fears in the medical community during the early days of the pandemic.
Lung transplants plummeted in those first months, but now that doctors better understand the disease’s progression, and how to keep Covid-19 patients sufficiently isolated, they’re on the rise again. Read more about how lung transplants can save some patients from severe Covid-19.
The Podcasting Business
More than 100 million people have listened to podcasts in the US this year. But podcasters are still unable to fully cash in because there’s still no good way to collect data on listeners for targeted advertisements. Now a slew of companies are deploying new solutions to bring these metrics up to speed and bring in big-brand ad dollars with them.
This transition is as old as the internet, where a freewheeling, do-it-yourself space evolved into the data-obsessed, tech-giant dominated sector we know today. But some podcast veterans say the same idiosyncratic, independent nature that has made some shows so successful gives the industry a better chance of avoiding that fate. Read more in this week’s field guide to the podcasting industry.
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Obsession interlude: The Climate Economy
There is a lot at stake in the upcoming US election. The results will have worldwide implications and voters need to think like global citizens when they cast their ballots. This dynamic is nowhere more clear than on the issue of climate change. Not just every voter, but every industry can be part of the solution—or part of the ongoing problem.
Here are some of the top reads from our updated Climate Economy obsession:
- 🔧 The story behind Biden’s plan to create climate jobs that pay “good union wages”.
- 🛢 Global fuel standards are pushing the dirtiest oil out of the market.
- 🇮🇳 Many Delhi residents suffer respiratory troubles as air quality drops 400%.
- 🇰🇪 Scientists are worried about the impact of Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes flooding.
Surprising discoveries
“No pain no gain” is wrong. Ultra-endurance athletes may have a lower sensitivity to pain than other elite athletes.
Atari is back. The old-school video game company is launching its first console in over 20 years—and this one allows users to trade cryptocurrency.
“Flyover country” farmers depend on planes flying overhead. With less commercial airline traffic, it’s harder for meteorologists to forecast the optimal time to harvest sugar beets.
Scotland gives Donald Trump more golf. Despite a negative environmental review and falling revenues at his existing properties, Aberdeenshire council planners approved a new Trump golf course.
Planners tried to pull off a 10,000-person wedding in Brooklyn. Organizers defended the now-canceled festivities by saying that all guests would maintain physical distance outside the synagogue.
Correction: In Saturday’s Quartz Daily Brief, a reference to the article “The Science of Wisdom” by Igor Grossman attributed its authorship to its editor, Pam Weintraub. We regret the error.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, tightly targeted podcast ads, and overripe sugar beets to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our iOS app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Katherine Ellen Foley, Jackie Bischof, and Max Lockie.