Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
The EU talks in smaller groups… In Athens, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras today hosts leaders of southern EU member states–it’s been billed as the “Club Med” summit, and could result in a direct challenge to Berlin’s demand for more austerity. Then on Sunday, German chancellor Angela Merkel meets with the leaders of Cyprus, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta in Berlin.
… and heads over to Ankara. The visit by the EU’s foreign chief Federica Mogherini and other ministers will be the first by high-ranking EU officials since a failed military coup in July. A key talking point will be its refugee deal with Turkey—EU aid and visa-free travel in exchange for Turkey not letting refugees into the bloc.
The insurance industry meets in Monte Carlo. Les Rendez-Vous de Septembre, which runs from Sept. 10-15, is one of the industry’s biggest conferences. This year, Swiss Re CEO Christian Mumenthaler and Assicurazioni Generali boss Philippe Donnet will address attendees.
While you were sleeping
North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test. North Korea’s state broadcaster confirmed the test (which produced a 5.3-magnitude earthquake at the test site), claiming it now had the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile. South Korea called it “maniacal recklessness,” and Barack Obama said it would have “serious consequences” for North Korea.
The US asked passengers to turn off Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes The Federal Aviation Administration urged passengers to not use or charge the exploding phablet aboard flights and banned them from checked luggage. Samsung’s recall of 2.5 million Note 7 phones drove shares down 2.6% in Seoul on Friday morning.
German exports dropped dramatically. July saw exports fall by 10% (paywall) from the same period last year—their biggest year-on-year drop since 2009. Analysts say the initial shock of the Brexit vote and Volkswagen’s supplier dispute, which forced a production halt at its German plants, exacerbated the summer trade decline. They expect a rebound in August.
NASA launched a spacecraft to save the world from an asteroid. The $800 million OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will target asteroid Bennu, which could get disastrously close to Earth by the start of the 22nd century, during its mission over the next four years.
Tourists trapped overnight in Alpine cable cars were rescued. Over 30 people spent the night dangling at 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) over the glaciers of Mont Blanc in the French Alps after cables became tangled. Helicopters had brought many to safety, but as night fell, operations were suspended.
Quartz obsession interlude
Ilaria Maria Sala on the surprising endurance of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong. “In many ways, the combination of Hong Kong with China has been like a marriage between two near-strangers, one of whom was brought to the altar without being asked their opinion, and where the power balance is fatally skewed.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Apple is doing something extraordinary for music. The switch to Lightning ports means higher quality sound.
Pet ownership is morally unjust. Keeping a pet—even one that has been rescued—violates the fundamental rights of animals.
Robots may replace our need for sex, but they’ll never love us. We will never be able to teach machines true human intimacy.
Surprising discoveries
The first beauty contest judged by an algorithm showed serious bias. The AI only chose white faces as beautiful.
Hermit crabs use trash as shells. They curl up inside discarded plastic bottle caps.
Betty Pack was the original James Bond. The globetrotting British spy used seduction to obtain French and Italian naval codes during World War 2.
The slogan for Apple’s new iPhone 7 in Hong Kong translates poorly. In Cantonese, “seven” is slang for “penis” and used to gently mock people.
There are four distinct species of giraffes. Each type most likely evolved from a single ancestor.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, unfortunate translations, and dashing spies to hi@qz.com. You can download our iPhone app or follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day.