Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Narendra Modi visits Israel. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister in what is being billed as an historic event. Trade between the nations passed $4 billion last year, up from $200 million in 1992. Expanding that trade will be a key topic of conversation.
Interpol discusses the “dark side” of the internet. The international police agency’s annual conference in Singapore will include an analysis of the Wannacry/Petya ransomware outbreaks and the “unprecedented globalization of crime” that the so-called dark web has facilitated.
US markets are closed for the Independence Day holiday. Many Americans will hit the road, with gas prices at a 12-year low.
While you were sleeping
North Korea test-fired another ballistic missile into the sea. The latest launch comes ahead of the G20 summit and as Americans celebrate Independence Day. The missile flew about 930 km (580 miles) in 40 minutes, which means Alaska could be within range. China called for restraint after Donald Trump tweeted that China could “put a heavy move” on North Korea to “end this nonsense.”
New Jersey’s sun-loving governor ended his budget standoff. After a three-day shutdown of the state’s government, Chris Christie signed a $34.7 billion budget. The state parks and beaches that had been closed to the public (although that didn’t stop Christie enjoying some beach time himself) will reopen today.
Imagination Tech climbed out of an Apple-shaped hole. The British semiconductor firm, which put itself up for sale last month after its main client Apple decided to use its own graphics chips, posted a profit of $10.1 million for the year ending April. It said the sale would go ahead.
A Nasdaq glitch set scores of tech stocks to the same price. Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and eBay were all set at exactly $123.47 a share (paywall) in New York yesterday, triggering temporary halts in after-hours trading. Nasdaq said it was caused by vendors using its routine end-of-day test data as live figures.
Tencent’s strict new gaming limits dismayed investors. The Chinese tech giant’s stock recorded its worst one-day drop in seven months after it introduced time limits for under-18s (paywall) playing its Honor of Kings. The game is a huge money-spinner for Tencent, but the company has been criticized after a 13-year-old in Hangzhou recently had a stroke after he played Honor of Kings for 40 hours straight.
Quartz obsession interlude
Kevin Delaney’s firsthand account of what to do when your plane’s engine catches fire: “Experts say your survival in a plane accident often depends on how quickly you get off the plane. I’d estimate it took at least five minutes to evacuate the roughly 60 passengers from our plane. Things could have been sped up if everyone followed the instructions not to take anything with them.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
Google is “digital truth serum” for people’s sexual desires. Online porn “is the biggest development in sexuality research ever.”
Ugliness is the peak of beauty in today’s fashion world. It’s a reaction to “normcore” nondescript clothing.
For the future of America, look to Texas. The population is shifting left, but the legislature is shifting sharply right.
Surprising discoveries
Picky poodles are to thank for Thailand’s best-performing stock. Asian Seafoods Coldstorage, which owns a range of premium pet food brands, is up 200% so far this year.
A retired Japanese policeman holds the record for Hello Kitty memorabilia. Masao Gunji’s 5,000-piece collection has been recognized by Guinness World Records.
Frogs survived the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. They acquired skills like living in trees and laying eggs on land.
Archaeologists discovered a tower of skulls in Mexico City. The Aztec site once terrified Spanish conquistadors.
NASA looked to gecko feet for its latest space innovation. The agency created a device that will stick to almost anything.
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