Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Signs that big oil-producing nations plan to trim output. There’s speculation about a coordinated effort to address prices that have fallen 60% since mid-2014 (paywall) as OPEC members meet on the sidelines of an energy conference in Algiers starting today. But tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia will likely stymie any agreement.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump finally share a stage. Over 100 million Americans are expected to watch the first of three presidential debates, which Clinton has been studiously preparing for and Trump reportedly plans to wing. Here’s how to watch the 9pm EDT debate, an analysis of Clinton’s special winning tactic in previous debates, and a look at one way Trump could walk away the winner.
Over the weekend
China’s richest man, Wang Jianlin, fired another shot across Disney’s bow. Wang opened his second Wanda City theme park, in Hefei, eastern China at a cost of $5.1 billion—and plans to build 20 more just like it.
Snapchat unveiled video-recording sunglasses. The messaging-app startup plans this fall to roll out the $129.99 device, called Spectacles, which can record clips for up to 10 seconds and upload them via Bluetooth or wifi.
Yahoo Japan was mulling a four-day work week. It’s part of a drive to hold on to good staff and prevent them from leaving to care for elderly parents, according to the Japan Times.
The Swiss voted in favor of increased government surveillance. More than 65% of voters were in agreement with the law that gives the Federal Intelligence Service more power to tap phones, read emails, and use bugs and hidden cameras.
A writer was fatally shot outside of court in Jordan while heading to his trial for insulting Islam. Nahed Hattar faced charges for sharing a cartoon on Facebook that mocked ISIL terrorists, and his killing increases fears about the emergence of extremism within the kingdom.
Bruce Springsteen’s new book became a bestseller even before its release later this week. The rocker reportedly spent seven years writing the 500-page memoir Born to Run—and critics say it’s good.
Quartz obsession interlude
Joon Ian Wong on the implications of an online attack directed at an independent security journalist. “If a botnet is indeed running off hundreds of thousands of connected cameras, it would highlight a major flaw in the internet of things, which experts have long warned of. The software these devices run on is usually not easily upgraded, meaning that security loopholes can remain open for years.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Fashion has lost its magic for millennials. UK spending on clothes and shoes has fallen markedly (paywall)—partly because young people now find retail boring compared to restaurants and travel.
Europe’s regulators are just getting rolling in their efforts to crimp US multinationals. Amazon, Google, Starbucks, and McDonald’s, watch out.
The future of rollercoasters is maglev. What could be more intense than a coaster ride with no rails, wheels, or friction?
Nobody needs one of the latest iPhones. Apple’s serial release of new products is indicative of corporate America’s unhealthy obsession with growth.
Surprising discoveries
Germany’s World War II invasion of France was made possible by crystal meth. New history research says tablets of the stimulant enabled German troops to stay awake for three days and three nights and push through the Ardennes mountains.
Australia isn’t where you think it is. The continent shifts 2.7 inches (6.9 centimeters) northward annually, enough to throw off GPS-operated systems.
The first pop song ever written by artificial intelligence is pretty good. “Daddy’s Car” is a catchy, sunny tune reminiscent of The Beatles.
Just like birds, fish sing in chorus at dawn and dusk. Researchers say they repeat the same call again and again, and overlap with other fish to create a chorus, which helps them stay together during night hunts or defend their territory.
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