Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
China’s tough yet vague cybersecurity law goes into effect. The measure requires companies to store Chinese user information “and other important business data” within the country’s borders. Critics say the law’s lack of clarity makes it impossible for foreign firms to comply—and that may be the point.
SpaceX’s latest launch. Elon Musk’s space company will launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying food, crew supplies, and research equipment to astronauts aboard the International Space Station—the company’s sixth trip into orbit this year.
Shareholders grill Facebook about fake news. Investors will vote on a proposal to demand that the company explain what steps it’s taking to mitigate the legal and reputational risk to its business. One impact investor group says Facebook needs to admit that it’s a media company.
While you were sleeping
Donald Trump reportedly decided to pull out of the Paris climate accord… The US will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries to abstain from the landmark deal to limit greenhouse gas emissions, according to multiple reports. The White House said the president has yet to make a final decision.
….And shareholders forced ExxonMobil to confront climate change. More than 63% of investors, including BlackRock and Fidelity, voted to require the company to issue a regular report about climate change’s threat to its business. Exxon opposed the resolution.
An immense blast rocked Kabul. A huge bomb exploded near the German embassy, killing at least 83 people and wounding nearly 500. It was concealed in a sewage tanker and exploded during the morning rush hour at the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
Malaysian Airlines aborted a flight after a passenger tried to storm the cockpit. The airline said that the Kuala Lumpur-bound flight returned to Melbourne after 30 minutes in the air. The passenger, a Sri Lankan national who appeared to be drunk, claimed to have an explosive device.
James Comey plans to testify about his tense interactions with Donald Trump. CNN reports that the fired FBI director will “confirm bombshell accusations” that the president pressured him to end an investigation into former national security advisory Michael Flynn’s interactions with Russia.
Quartz obsession interlude
Corinne Purtill on the upside to suspecting that the world is ending. “Yes, there is a lot to worry about. There’s the threat of nuclear warfare and insecurity about climate change and the fact that the US nuclear defense system is based on islands threatened by rising sea levels … But when we start to think we have less time to live—whether that’s due to age, illness, or external threats—we make adjustments (often subconsciously) to the way we live now.” Read more here.
Markets haiku
Exxon flogged fake news / But now climate change threats are / undeniable.
Matters of debate
China created its own insurgency headache. Repressing Uighurs on its western frontier has created a self-fulfilling prophecy of terrorism.
Most Americans believe in climate change, but Trump doesn’t care. He can score points because most falsely think global warming won’t affect them personally.
The wealthy dodge taxes even more than you think. The top .01% evade about 30% of their obligations, versus 3% for the average Joe.
Surprising discoveries
A study of voles shows how love changes your brain chemistry. That gooey feeling comes from oscillating signals sent from the prefrontal cortex to the brain’s reward center.
Women CEOs actually make more than male counterparts. There’s a catch: They only make up 5% of all chief executives.
A pirate ship was the first Australian visitor to Japan. A new translation corroborates an 1830 expedition during Japan’s era of isolation.
Some spider’s webs get stronger after they ensnare an insect. The cribellate spiders reinforces itself with chemicals from the victim’s own shell.
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