Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
France’s “yellow vests” and trade unions protest. Security is high in Paris ahead of demonstrations involving both trade union members and anti-government demonstrators known for wearing fluorescent vests. The latter have dismissed president Emmanuel Macron’s plans for reforms, including tax cuts, as “blabla.”
Labour demands a vote to declare a national climate emergency. The Extinction Rebellion climate change protests that paralyzed London for days, revelations about the government’s limited spending on clean air projects, and Brexit fatigue have propelled climate change to the top of the UK political agenda this week.
Markets watch every word from the Federal Reserve. The US central bank is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate where it is. But analysts are bracing for comments from chairman Jerome Powell, who has been criticized for his “extemporaneous choices of adjectives and adverbs,” which have roiled financial markets.
Another days of street clashes in Venezuela. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has called for a “peaceful rebellion” (paywall), after appearing at a military base yesterday alongside a popular ally who had been under house arrest, and calling on the armed forces to join an uprising against president Nicolás Maduro. At the end of the day, Maduro was not toppled—he accused Guaidó of trying to stage a coup, and asked supporters to march today to “win the peace.”
Google employees stage a sit-in. Organizers of the Google walkout in November, which saw more than 20,000 workers protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment complaints, say they have faced retaliation in the months since, forcing them to resort to sending another public message to the search giant.
While you were sleeping
Japan’s new emperor ascended to the Chrysanthemum throne. Japan’s Reiwa imperial era began with the ascension of emperor Naruhito, 59, a day after his 85-year-old father abdicated. The country’s sole female cabinet minister was the first woman in the modern era to attend (paywall) such a ceremony. Imperial protocol didn’t allow Naruhito’s wife—now empress Masako—to be present, though she was by his side for his first audience.
Robert Mueller was dissatisfied with William Barr’s Russia report memo. The special counsel wrote to the US attorney general last month to say his four-page summary (paywall) to Congress of the more than 400-page report “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance” of it. Barr will be questioned in the Senate today over his handling of the report, and decision not to prosecute Donald Trump for obstruction of justice.
Apple shares soared on stabilizing China iPhone sales. The results were not pretty—profits and revenues fell, and iPhone sales dropped by 17%, their sharpest decline ever—but executives said price cuts in China led to a pickup toward the end of the quarter, sending shares up more than 10% in after-hours trading.
Facebook tried to erase years of scandals with a shiny new redesign. CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the most drastic revamp to the company’s look since 2011, with a new Instagram-like aesthetic and focus on events and groups. It also introduced new features that make it easier for users to find new friends—and even romantic partners.
Membership
Silicon Valley’s executives were trying to keep a low profile when Donald Trump arrived in the White House. Since then, employees, customers—and sometimes even their own beliefs—have demanded they take a stand. If you want to follow how Silicon Valley is getting involved in politics, start with these five people.
Quartz Obsession
Ellipses… A symbol that means hesitancy, apprehension, and indecision seems tailor-made for the internet. As instant chat became more popular in the ’90s, designers began to use the ellipsis to indicate another party was typing, which ended up creating anxiety instead of mitigating it. Pause to consider these three little dots in today’s Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
Measles outbreaks are a harbinger of doom. Governments need to step in before deadlier diseases take advantage of a drop in vaccinations.
An economic principle explains the millennial dry spell. The generation’s aversion to risk may be getting in the way of having sex.
Software shouldn’t police our interpersonal boundaries. Building up our own ability to say “no” is crucial to protecting our time.
Surprising discoveries
Mobile phones now outnumber humans. Despite widespread electricity gaps, our devices have taken over.
Warren Buffett uses cash “98% of the time.” Which is why the legendary investor usually keeps about $400 in his wallet.
Fanny packs on Crocs are absurd, but smart. The brand sells more clogs when they market outrageous variations.
The Indian army says it discovered a yeti. Photos of huge footprints on the army’s official Twitter account were met with widespread scorn.
The moon is the child of Earth and a rock named Theia. A study hypothesizes the Mars-sized body collided with our planet when it was still coated with magma, expelling debris that became our lunar sibling.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, creative clogs, and mythical beasts to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Tripti Lahiri and edited by Isabella Steger.