OnlyFans keeps porn, Kabul banks reopen, Kanye name change

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Here’s what you need to know

OnlyFans will keep sex on the menu. The company experienced serious backlash from its users, many of whom are sex workers, when it announced last week it would be banning porn, under pressure from financial institutions. Now it says it’s gotten the necessary “assurances” to suspend this decision.

Delta Air Lines will charge unvaccinated employees $200 per month. In light of rising case counts due to the spread of a certain variant, the airline says the fee will defray healthcare costs.

The US said it only has 1,500 people left to evacuate from Afghanistan… Reports say more than 10,000 are awaiting an exit from Kabul’s airport.

…while banks reopened in Kabul… Closures were initially attributed to looting concerns, but persisted for more than a week due to US blocking of Afghan central bank gold and cash reserves.

…and Iran rode the conservative wave. All but one of president Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet picks were approved by the country’s parliament—many are from hardline administrations and all are men.

Alphabet celebrated 100,000 drone deliveries. Wing has taken off in Australia with deliveries of high-value but easily carried objects like blood and vaccines.

What to watch for

US discount chains Dollar General and Dollar Tree will release their second quarter earnings today. Here are some key factors to watch out for:

🛒 Store growth: Last year, dollar stores made up nearly half of all store openings—and are expected to add over a thousand stores this year, according to Coresight Research, a retail research firm.

🍎 Food stamps: With the Biden administration hiking food stamp benefits, Dollar General and Dollar Tree are likely to see a sales bump. One concern is discount retailers, which are largely located in lower-income areas, limit the variety of healthy food options, and make it harder for smaller grocery stores to compete.

💵 Cost woes: Discount chains have less room than other retailers to manage the rising costs of shipping and manufacturing. Dollar Tree has been experimenting with higher prices. With most Dollar Tree workers being part-time, the discount retailer will also increasingly be competing with chains that can pay more.

Charting India’s climate economy potential

According to a new Deloitte report, if India succeeds in leveraging its full potential towards decarbonization—the process of minimizing carbon intensity by reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels—it would equate to GDP growth of 8.5% by 2070, and about a $4 trillion gain in economic output.

India is already taking some steps in the right direction. In April, the country’s largest private firm Reliance Industries joined hands with the US-based Chart Industries to commercialize hydrogen technologies and boost hydrogen production. On Aug. 15, prime minister Narendra Modi announced a National Hydrogen Energy Mission, in a push to reduce carbon emissions.

Good news and bad news about your workplace culture

The bad news: Unless every single one of your employees is at the office every day, you can no longer make the physical workplace the centerpiece of your culture.

The good news: Your culture was always about more than that, whether you realized it or not, which means there are plenty of levers left to pull to nurture the culture you want.

Now that work is all or partially remote, company leaders (and everyday employees) are reconsidering where their company culture lives and how to build it. Fortunately there’s a How To email for that. Become a member and receive our How To emails every week; subscribe today and get 40% off with the code QZEMAIL40.

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🇨🇳 China will teach Xi Jinping Thought to schoolchildren

📈 What’s behind South Africa’s shocking unemployment numbers

Surprising discoveries

Say it with sheep. A farmer who was unable to attend his aunt’s funeral herded his flock into a heart shape to honor her.

Ancient Roman men ate 50% more seafood than women. We bet they were crabby about it.

A Polish construction company created floral-scented asphalt. It’s all to make the day a little easier for its workers.

Kanye West is legally changing his name. The American musician has petitioned to become just “YE.”

The UK is having a McDonald’s milkshake shortage. Between staffing issues and supply chain woes, the fast food chain is drained (nearly) dry.

Our best wishes for a productive day. Send any news, comments, better smelling construction materials, and McDonald’s milkshakes 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 Michelle Cheng, Niharika Sharma, Liz Webber, and Susan Howson.