Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Japan and Russia hold peace treaty talks. Diplomats from both countries will enter the third round of talks on their bilateral peace treaty, and plan to discuss four disputed islands off Hokkaido that are currently controlled by Russia. A treaty would formally resolve lingering World War II hostilities between the two nations.
Japan hosts a conference on African development. Infrastructure projects will be the focal point of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, taking place in Nairobi this weekend. With China’s growing influence on the continent, Tokyo wants to make its presence felt.
Janet Yellen gives a highly anticipated speech. Investors will be scouring Yellen’s remarks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Friday for clues about a possible rate hike in September. A Federal Reserve official said a rate hike could come in the “not too distant future.” Emerging markets have bounced back in anticipation.
While you were sleeping
A UN team confirmed the use of chemical weapons in Syria. An international panel concluded that the Syrian government used chlorine gas in two attacks and ISIL fighters used mustard gas in one. On Friday, US secretary of state John Kerry will meet Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the conflict in Syria, which is approaching its sixth year.
Volkswagen said it will compensate US dealers. The German carmaker announced a tentative settlement that requires it to pay out more than $1.2 billion to 650 American dealers for losses incurred over the company’s diesel emissions scandal.
Business spending in the US recovered. New orders for manufactured capital goods in America increased for the second consecutive month in July, suggesting economic growth. More good news: The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell.
Apple boosted security on iPhones and iPads. After a renowned United Arab Emirates dissident’s phone was attacked using a new hacking technique, the company released an update to guard against such efforts. Earlier this month, Apple fixed a separate bug that allowed someone to take control of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch remotely.
Lawmakers dismissed Mylan’s efforts. Responding to criticism over its 400% increase in the price of EpiPens, the drug maker announced an expansion of assistance programs to help patients pay. But US lawmakers said the quick fix was just a PR stunt.
Quartz markets haiku
Blue skies, mountain air
It’s a fine time to ponder
Inflation targets
Quartz obsession interlude
Leslie Josephs on the tricks travel websites use to make you spend more. “Hotel rates aren’t increasing much and airfares have dropped, so the competition is on for traveler dollars. Your favorite aggregators and travel sites are trying out lots of small tweaks to make you take out your credit card and actually buy something.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Eating three meals a day is silly. Traditional mealtimes have little do with with your actual metabolic needs, and might actually be making you sick.
It’s time to stop describing books as “trashy.” Women shouldn’t have to apologize for enjoying something lowbrow—men certainly don’t.
The US needs a memorial for lynching victims. The country would benefit from an honest and lasting acknowledgment of what Americans have done to other Americans.
Surprising discoveries
People prefer food that reflects their values. Our brains are wired to make us think humanely raised meat tastes better.
Smashing printers is all the rage. Inspired by the 1999 film Office Space, companies are offering employees the chance to take a bat to their printer as a team-building exercise.
Endangered species can wait 12 years to be listed for protection. Some 42 species went extinct between 1973 and 1995 due to delays in the listing process.
Indians are no longer the UK’s largest immigrant group. Poles have replaced them as the biggest group of foreign-born UK residents for the first time since officials started counting in 2000.
Climate change has it in for monarch butterflies. Severe storms are destroying the Mexican forests where they hibernate.
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