Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Donald Trump meets with NATO leaders in Brussels. The organization that the US president once called “obsolete” is pulling out the stops with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new headquarters, followed by a ceremonial dinner. Trump will also participate in a European Union meet-and-greet.
Aboriginal Australians discuss constitutional recognition. During the three-day meeting at the sacred landmark of Uluru, leaders will hammer out a plan to be presented to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. That could lead to a referendum to make changes to Australia’s constitution.
OPEC meets to discuss its production cut agreement. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is expected to recommend a nine-month extension to an agreement that expires in June. The pact doesn’t seem to be working: Prior to the meeting, oil prices fell to just $55 a barrel.
While you were sleeping
Police said the Manchester suicide bomber was part of a “terrorist network.” Authorities said the bomber, Salman Abedi, “wasn’t doing this on his own” and believe his younger brother was also planning an attack on behalf of ISIL. Abedi’s father and brother were arrested in Tripoli on Wednesday, as the UK remained at its highest threat level.
The pope received Donald Trump at the Vatican. The pontiff presented Trump with some pointed gifts: an essay on climate change and a signed copy of his World Day of Peace message. Observers noted Pope Francis’ uncharacteristically grim visage during the meeting.
The US charged seven people with economic espionage. The defendants, including four Americans, allegedly stole high-tech trade secrets from a Texas-based engineering firm and shared the information with a Chinese company. A day earlier, a Chinese woman was arrested for sending restricted US space and military communications technology to Hong Kong.
Protesters set fire to a Brazilian ministry. Tens of thousands of demonstrators calling for president Michel Temer’s removal clashed with police, resulting in widespread damage to government buildings in the capital, Brasilia.
Thousands fled a Philippines city under siege from ISIL. Militants have claimed large sections of Marawi City on the Muslim-majority southern island of Mindanao. Violence began with a botched raid by security forces on the Maute, an Islamist group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Quartz obsession interlude
Tim Fernholz explains Trump’s $2 trillion accounting error. “Here’s the problem. You’re counting on the tax cuts generating $2 trillion in extra revenues to compensate for the cost of the tax cuts. You’re also counting on them generating $2 trillion in extra revenues to help close the deficit. That $2 trillion can’t do both jobs at once.” Read more here.
Markets haiku
Downgraded China / Isn’t dejected. But it’s / Degrading Moody’s
Matters of debate
We can’t let ISIL shape the news. Media coverage of terrorist atrocities is playing right into the Islamist group’s hands.
For all the chest-thumping, India cannot win a conflict against Pakistan. “War is a strange game, in which the only winning move is not to play.”
The alt-right is weaponizing irony to support its fascist agenda. Humor and ambiguity are some of the movement’s favorite tactics.
Surprising discoveries
A German heavy metal festival is building its own beer pipeline. The 75,000 Wacken Open Air attendees are expected to drink about 5.3 liters of beer each.
Psychedelic mushrooms are the safest drugs for getting high. Just 0.2% of users needed medical attention in a recent survey.
Norway’s central bank has created an ode to cod. The ridiculously catchy music video promotes a new cod-themed banknote.
Flamingos are more steady on one leg than two. They can effortlessly maintain the pose while sleeping—and even when dead.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, weaponized irony, and beer pipeline designs to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android.