Ford bites into Apple

It was a rocky start for El Salvador’s experiment of using Bitcoin as legal tender. Its price plummeted on Tuesday by as much as 17% as the rollout was hampered by technical glitches. Other cryptocurrencies also fell. El Salvador’s plan represents the biggest test yet for Bitcoin. Many are watching to see if a significant number of people want to use the cryptocurrency (so far they don’t) and whether it brings any benefits to the impoverished Central American nation. Here’s your markets wrap. — Margaret Sutherlin

Bloomberg is tracking the progress of coronavirus vaccines while mapping the pandemic worldwide.

Ford has hired away the executive leading Apple’s car project. Between stints with Apple, Doug Field also played a major role at Tesla launching the Model 3.

The Taliban unveiled Afghanistan’s new cabinet on Tuesday, including one man the U.S. government considers a terrorist. Besides underscoring fears that the extremist group hasn’t changed its ways, the move further complicates any relationship between the two nations. President Joe Biden has made it clear he wants the Taliban—previous and possibly current hosts to Al Qaeda—to ditch their terrorist ties. Here’s who else was named to the government.

Israel, once a leader in the fight against Covid-19, is now one of the world’s worst hot-spots. Though severe cases there appear to have peaked, it highlights how difficult it is to evaluate progress in combatting the pandemic. As the delta variant continues to kill thousands daily worldwide, the U.S. reached a new milestone, with 75% of adults having received at least one dose of a vaccine. A new study of the Johnson & Johnson shot said the drug halved infections in healthcare workers. Here’s the latest on the pandemic.

Biden redoubled a push for his $550 billion infrastructure bill, using flood-stricken areas of New York and New Jersey as a backdrop to underscore the threat climate change poses to critical services. The bill is currently before the House where Democrats are struggling with infighting over the president’s ​​a $3.5 trillion economic plan, which Speaker Nancy Pelosi tied to the bipartisan infrastructure deal.

President Jair Bolsonaro urged Brazilians to come out in force to support him Tuesday in protests that may reveal his reelection chances. During demonstrations throughout Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo, the far-right leader escalated attacks on the country’s judicial branch and investigations into his embattled tenure.

Intel is dedicating its Ireland plant to making chips for carmakers as the company pushes into a market where shortages have crippled global auto production. At the German Auto Show this week, car CEOs estimated the shortage will last anywhere from a few more months to years.

West African leaders will hold a virtual summit to discuss the weekend military coup in Guinea. Countries have already threatened sanctions after an army unit overthrew President Alpha Conde.

Hectic traffic and street-sellers hustling passersby as they crowd in front of colorful shops. If it weren’t for the fact that outdoor mask mandates are still in place, you’d be forgiven for thinking Istanbul was back to pre-pandemic normalcy—and all the tourists who come with it.

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Bloomberg New Economy Conversations—China’s Tech Crackdown: Join New Economy Forum Editorial Director Andrew Browne on Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. as he analyzes the sweeping regulatory crackdown underway in China. The private sector helped power China’s economic rise, but President Xi Jinping seems determined to rein in what he sees as its excesses. Is this transitory or a game-changing shift? Joining Andy are Keyu Jin, Associate Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics & Political Science, and Kevin Rudd, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Society. Register here.