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Here’s what you need to know
Mark Zuckerberg said a Facebook whistleblower’s testimony painted a “false picture.” Former employee Frances Haugen told US lawmakers the site and apps “harm children, stoke division and weaken our democracy.”
Hong Kong property agencies piled pressure on Evergrande. They are suing the Chinese firm, whose debts are still vast, over commissions they allegedly haven’t received.
Credit card issuers reportedly have a big problem with Apple Pay. According to the Wall Street Journal, banks want Visa to modify transactions on the mobile app, so that they hand over less money to the tech giant.
The US and China defused a row over Taiwan. US president Joe Biden said that he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to abide by the longstanding “Taiwan agreement,” in which its sovereignty is never discussed.
Benjamin List and David WC MacMillan won the Nobel prize for chemistry. They receive the award “for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis.”
What to watch for
UK supermarkets will be looking forward to their own financial results, after the biggest of them all, Tesco, said it “outperformed” the grocery sector and posted better-than-expected revenue and profits in the six months to August. Operating profits increased by 28% to £1.3 billion ($1.76 billion).
At the turn of the last decade, an astonishing stat did the rounds: for every £8 spent in the UK, £1 went to Tesco.
Tesco began as a few market stalls in London’s East End a century ago, before founder Jack Cohen opened his first store in northwest London in 1931. The supermarket chain—which also offers cellphone plans, a range of financial services, and gas stations—is now one of the largest retailers in the world.
The British behemoth had a rough pandemic. Its last set of financial results, in April, showed stronger sales, but the higher costs of making stores safer and hiring more workers to keep up with demand and logistics had sent profits plunging.
Business schools are getting more progressive…
Business schools aren’t generally considered progressive. But just like the broader business world for which they provide executives, they’re under pressure to change. The Aspen Institute, a nonprofit think tank based in Washington, just honored eight courses with its Ideas Worth Teaching Awards. Take a look at this sampling:
- Advancing Racial Equity at Work: Examine the history of systemic racism in the workplace, and learn how it plays out in organizational behavior. (ILR School, Cornell University)
- Big Data, Big Responsibilities: The Laws and Ethics of Business Analytics: Data plays an unavoidable role in business—explore the ethics behind using it. (Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)
- Finance for a Sustainable World: Like a Finance 101 course that integrates with environmental studies. (Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago)
- Grand Challenges for Entrepreneurs: Analyze your own assumptions, personal values, and motives for entrepreneurship. (Foster School of Business, University of Washington)
…And writing school is in session
While you’re pondering your could-have-been (or possibly yet-to-be?) progressive business-school path, ask yourself whether your writing skills need some fine-tuning. Everyone—even professional writers—can benefit from honing their writing skills. In our latest How To email, we tapped editors and writers from around our newsroom for tips on how to present your ideas well on paper, or wherever you’re writing words.
Here’s a freebie from Quartz executive editor Heather Landy, but you’ll want to check out the full version:
Economize your words. It might mean more time on your end but it means less time for the reader, and a sign of respect.
✦ We’ll keep it brief: Membership schools your inbox. Get 40% off with code QZEMAIL40.
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Surprising discoveries
Paris will try using sound sensors to fine vehicles causing noise pollution. Attention loud motorcycle owners: “Medusa” is listening.
A 2,700-year-old toilet was found in Jerusalem… The limestone throne was the height of luxury.
…and a new dinosaur species was found on Ted Turner’s ranch. Paleontologists initially thought the skeleton was a Torosaurus, but it’s actually a different Triceratops relative.
Depression can be treated with brain stimulation. A pacemaker-like device sends electrical impulses that counteract abnormal brain activity.
A French soccer team forfeited a cup match because of a GPS error. Their bus driver input the name of a town similar to the one where the game was to take place. It happens.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Send any news, comments, writing tips, and old-fashioned maps 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 Hasit Shah, Morgan Haefner, Susan Howson, and Liz Webber.