Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
France’s unions prepare for a labor strike. As many as 5.4 million civil servants could walk off the job today, with 130 protests planned across the country. The strike was called to protest stricter sick day rules and pay freezes proposed by president Emmanuel Macron as part of larger labor law reforms (paywall) that specifically target unions.
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont makes an independence announcement. Tensions are high as Puigdemont prepares to either declare independence or work with Spain to keep Catalonia part of the country. On Monday, France said it wouldn’t recognize Catalonia if Puigdemont presses ahead with secession.
The IMF releases its updated World Economic Outlook. The International Monetary Fund is expected to raise its global growth forecast following its annual meeting with the World Bank on Tuesday. German officials are hopeful the IMF will continue to back its G20 initiatives, including the Compact with Africa, which bolsters private and infrastructure investments in African countries.
The US Environmental Protection Agency moves against Obama-era emissions rules. Its head, Scott Pruitt, will formally sign a proposal to withdraw the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, which would have pushed states away from coal and toward sources of electricity that produce fewer carbon emissions. “The war on coal is over,” Pruitt said yesterday.
While you were sleeping
Wildfires swept through California’s wine country. A state of emergency was issued in Napa and Sonoma counties, as well as other nearby regions, where a series of fast-moving wildfires has threatened vineyards, marijuana crops, homes, and infrastructure. Fueled by the “Diablo winds” phenomenon, the devastation comes mere weeks before the late October grape harvest.
Russia’s foreign minister slammed the US for escalating tensions with North Korea. Sergei Lavrov called Donald Trump’s rhetoric unacceptable during a Monday phone call with his American counterpart, Rex Tillerson. Trump hinted over the weekend that “only one thing would work,” indicating an interest in military involvement in the Hermit Kingdom.
Theresa May assured business chiefs about the Brexit plan. The UK prime minister met with Vodafone, HSBC, and other major companies, many of which are worried a deal with the EU won’t happen as expected. She reportedly told execs that a two-year Brexit plan was “non-negotiable” and would happen.
Iceland became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. Its team beat Kosovo Monday night and won its qualifying group. Previously, no country with a population of less than 1 million had made it into the competition. Iceland has a population of about 335,000.
Quartz obsession interlude
Eshe Nelson on the flaws a Nobel Prize-winning economist wants you to know about yourself. “Most people are likely to stick with the status quo even if there are big gains to be made from a change that involves just a small cost. In particular, this is one of the implications of loss aversion. That’s why a nudge, such as changing the default option on a contract, can be so effective. Thaler’s research on pension programs shows that while employees can choose to opt-out of a plan, the status quo bias means once they are in it, they are actually more likely to stay put.” Read more here.
Markets haiku
Turkey markets slump / On visa wars with US / Dow notices not
Matters of debate
Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis has nothing to do with language. The French-English divide cuts through ethnic groups, reflecting rampant socio-economic disparities.
Confidentiality agreements can protect harassers. If Harvey Weinstein hadn’t been able to use nondisclosure agreements and confidential settlements, future sexual harassment victims may have been spared.
It’s democratic-socialist countries vs. authoritarian state-capitalists. Communism may have been a failed experiment, but there are still ways to combine an authoritarian government with a market economy or pair democracies with safety nets for poorer citizens.
Surprising discoveries
A newly discovered Martian lake could help us understand life on our own planet. Though it dried up long ago, it once held 10 times as much water as all of the Great Lakes combined and might have hosted life.
US high school students are missing out on billions in financial aid. The class of 2017 collectively left $2.3 billion in free federal grant money for college on the table.
Richard Thaler cameoed in an Oscar-winning film. Before winning the Nobel prize, the economist made an appearance in The Big Short along with pop star Selena Gomez.
The “nocebo” is the placebo’s counterpart. Patients can suffer negative side effects from sugar pills—particularly if the medication cost them a lot of money.
Ikea’s new line treats pets to Scandinavian style. The Lurvig collection (that’s Swedish for “hairy”) caters to cats and dogs with minimalist beds, carriers, toys, and even a tiny, pet-sized couch.
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