Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook dominance comes into question. At the company’s annual shareholder meeting, investors will vote on various proposals to rein in the CEO’s absolute power, including changing a dual-class voting structure. Problem: He can strike down any proposals.
Mike Pence heads north. The US vice president is in Ottawa to advance the ratification of the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal, after prime minister Justin Trudeau presented draft legislation to lawmakers. Earlier this month, the US agreed to remove tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum products, a key demand.
India’s Narendra Modi is sworn in for a second term. Some 8,000 guests, including world leaders and movie stars, are expected to attend an evening ceremony in New Delhi to mark Modi’s second term as prime minister. National election results last week confirmed Indians united overwhelmingly behind the party’s Hindu nationalist message.
Saudi Arabia hosts an emergency summit. The Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League will meet in Mecca amid fears of military escalation involving the US and Iran. Notably, Qatar will attend, in the first high-level meeting with the Saudis since diplomatic ties were severed in mid-2017.
Investors brace for bad earnings. Uber will release its first financial results since its IPO earlier this month, with analysts expecting a loss of over $1 billion on revenue of $3 billion. Meanwhile, Gap is expected to post a quarterly profit significantly down on previous periods, amid a tough week for apparel retailers.
While you were sleeping
The FBI got sued for its “good-old-boy-network.” The New York Times reported that 16 women sued (paywall) the federal agency and accused it of running a training academy that discriminates against women, minorities, and people with disabilities. The lawsuit comes a month after attorney general William Barr directed the Justice Department to investigate claims of discrimination.
Another US state passed a “heartbeat” abortion ban. Louisiana’s Democratic governor is set to sign a law that bars abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable—around six weeks, or before many women realize they are pregnant—with no exceptions for rape and incest. Meanwhile, Disney’s chief executive Bob Iger told Reuters that a similar law in Georgia will make it hard for the company to keep filming in the state.
The navy hid the USS McCain from Trump’s sight. The Wall Street Journal reported that officials worked to ensure the name of the destroyer—dedicated to the late Arizona senator and Trump antagonist—was hidden from the president’s view during a trip to Japan. Trump said he was not aware of the plan.
China missed an opportunity to explain its economy to Americans. The hyped trade-war debate between Fox Business anchor Trish Regan and CCTV’s Liu Xin was for the most part a politely dull affair, after a slightly testy start.
New Zealand unveiled its “well-being” budget. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern contends economic growth alone doesn’t guarantee improvements to living standards, so the budget earmarked money for social issues like mental health, child poverty, and family violence. The woman on the cover of the budget, however, has apparently moved to Australia for a better life.
Membership
In today’s member exclusive, reporter Hanna Kozlowska looks at the rise of the microinfluencer with continued coverage of the Mom 2.0 Summit, which gave businesses the chance to court bloggers in Austin last month, in a bid to promote their wares.
Quartz Obsession
Webtoons are digital comics that unfurl vertically to match the way we use our phones. Like K-pop and snail slime face masks, they’re a South Korean cultural export with a rapidly expanding global fanbase. With collaborators like the late Stan Lee, their imaginative storylines are on their way to supplanting Instagram as the best way to cyberloaf.
Matters of debate
Join the conversation with the new Quartz app!
We’re living too long. Our brains, bodies, and creativity are at their best before 75.
Big data isn’t necessarily better data. Expect weirder (and wronger) predictions unless we get better at understanding the stories behind the numbers.
There’s a special thrill to being purposefully late for a flight. It’s a different approach to the anxiety of air travel that others manage by being ridiculously early.
Surprising discoveries
Flat-earthers don’t believe in trees. They’re merely puny remnants of their massive, mountain-sized predecessors.
Venezuela is having trouble paying for its money. Banknote printing company De La Rue said it would write off $23 million (paywall) owed by the hyperinflationary country.
The Netherlands ordered the Hells Angels biker gang to roll out. The country has become the first to ban an entire gang, not just local branches.
The last gorilla from Gorillas in the Mist is believed to be dead. Poppy, who was chronicled by Dian Fossey in her 1983 book, hasn’t been seen since last August.
Fossil fuels get a makeover. The US Department of Energy referred to domestic natural gas as “molecules of U.S. freedom” or, more simply, “freedom gas.”
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, gorilla tributes, and dual-class shares 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 Adam Rasmi and edited by Jason Karaian.