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Here’s what you need to know
Apple will let Netflix and Spotify evade its 30% cut. The tech giant reached a settlement with the Japanese government that lets certain media companies direct mobile app users to external payment systems.
Alibaba will donate $15.5 billion to “common prosperity” in China by 2025. The funds will generally go to small businesses and insurance protections for gig workers in the country.
The EU fined WhatsApp for violating privacy law. The Facebook-owned messaging app will be hit with a $267 million penalty for failing to inform EU users of how their data was being used.
Chip shortages are leading some US automakers to halt production. GM will pause eight North American plants and Ford will have production cuts or stoppages at three US plants.
New York struggles with Ida’s aftermath. The powerful hurricane deluged New York and surrounding states, with the death count rising to at least 29 as of Thursday. Newark Airport canceled hundreds of flights after flooding ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend.
The US Supreme Court refused to halt a Texas anti-abortion law. The sudden, late-night decision banned abortion after six weeks and allows private individuals to sue anyone complicit in helping women get abortions.
What to watch for
The US releases August jobs numbers today, but don’t expect another July, when one labor market observer tweeted that he’d never seen “such a wonderful set of economic data.”
Analysts polled by Bloomberg are forecasting about 725,000 new jobs in August, compared with more than 940,000 in July—and the delta variant is very much to blame:
112%: Increase in the 7-day average of new reported coronavirus cases in August
13.4%: Drop in consumer sentiment from July to August
374,000: Private jobs added in August, per ADP; the number fell well short of an expected 625,000
340,000: Seasonally adjusted jobless claims filed during the week ending Aug. 28, the lowest level since the pandemic started
The jobs report should clarify this picture, and we know the Federal Reserve will be watching. That’s why Monday’s Forecast email for Quartz members is on the next Fed chair. Sign up today for 40% off using code QZEMAIL40 and get it directly in your inbox.
How to sneak internet past the Taliban
Today, satellite internet providers can’t easily sneak internet access into repressive countries—the technical and legal challenges are too difficult. But SpaceX’s Elon Musk says he only needs a few months.
The company’s Starlink satellite network—an unprecedented approach to delivering internet from space—is rolling out new satellites equipped with optical laser communications. That isn’t just cool because lasers; if it works, the satellites will be able to link to each other more efficiently, making nearby ground stations less important. That could have huge implications for dissidents trying to share their stories, report human rights violations, and organize resistance.
Understanding Chinese undiplomacy
“When you look at the depth of dissatisfaction with China in Western countries, it stems from foreign policy, not from messaging. And Xi’s policy is: China is on a course, China’s going to purse that course with great rigor until we’ve achieved the place we want for ourselves in the world by 2050. And if anyone stands in our way we will…meet them with an iron wall or something like that.” —Peter Martin, author of China’s Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy, in a Q&A with Quartz’s Tripti Lahiri
What we’re reading
🪑 Herman Miller’s iconic chair is now available in “green.” Making chairs out of ocean-bound plastic is much more complicated than it sounds.
☀️ The “solar cavalry” is coming to New Orleans’ rescue. This isn’t the Footprint Project’s first natural disaster, and it won’t be their last.
🎫 Thinking about using a fake vaccine card? If spreading a deadly disease doesn’t deter you, then maybe knowing the penalties will.
🙈 White-collar crime spiked in the US after 9/11. The FBI had their eyes elsewhere.
⛽️ Leaded gasoline is finally canceled. The last country on Earth to ban it just finished its supply.
Surprising discoveries
Germany pressed charges against jewel thieves. The government accused six men of stealing $135 million worth of 18th century diamonds (still missing) in an elaborate heist.
China is planning a mega spaceship. The government is looking into how to build a kilometer-long vessel to explore the universe and support “long-term living in orbit.”
Bionic arms could replace prosthetics. Researchers are testing robot-powered limbs that are the closest we could get to Luke Skywalker’s replacement hand.
The FTC stepped in on McFlurry-gate. The US consumer watchdog is formally looking into why McDonald’s ice cream machines are seemingly always broken.
Everyone’s favorite cargo ship is getting a video game. A new PC game lets players steer the infamous Ever Given through the Suez Canal.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Send any news, comments, Ever Given memes, and rare McDonald’s ice cream sightings 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 Ana Campoy, Tim Fernholz, Scott Nover, and Susan Howson.