Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
Sundar Pichai meets GOP lawmakers. Google’s CEO will attend a meeting on Friday to answer questions about his company’s alleged political bias and China-related projects, like Project Dragonfly. The tech giant has also being freshly accused of privacy invasions and anticompetitive practices.
South Korea’s Black Friday kicks off. Korea Sale Festa runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7, a stretch intended to bring heavy foot traffic to many stores across major shopping districts. However, shoppers aren’t thrilled with miserly discounts and low-grade products on offer this year, or the shopping holiday’s reduction from 34 days to 10.
Typhoon Trami heads for Japan. The dangerous tropical storm could sweep through most of Japan from Saturday to Tuesday, with winds over 100 mph hitting Okinawa. It would be the eighth typhoon to hit Japan since July, just a few weeks after the destructively record-breaking Typhoon Jebi ravaged much of the country.
Macedonia may change its name. More than 1.8 million voters will head to the polls this Sunday to decide whether their nation will become “North Macedonia,” settling a 27-year feud over the nation’s relationship with Greece. EU and NATO membership also hinges on the referendum, and Russia has been waging a major propaganda campaign to derail the vote.
While you were sleeping
A high-stakes hearing electrified the US senate. Christine Blasey Ford told lawmakers that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her more than 30 years ago (paywall), and explained the neurochemistry involved with PTSD. Kavanaugh angrily denied the accusations in an emotional defense of his character.
The SEC sued Elon Musk. The US Securities and Exchange Commission filed a case against the wordy automaker (paywall) in Manhattan federal court for tweeting false or misleading statements about taking Tesla private. Shares of the electric carmaker fell 4% at the news.
The UN resolved to create a Myanmar committee. The United Nations Human Rights Council voted to catalog reports about atrocities such as allegations of deportations of Rohingya Muslims and the use of fire and landmines to destroy villages. Myanmar ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun claimed the move was one-sided and dangerous to “national unity.”
Italy’s budget stalemate caused a financial scramble. Across Europe, the euro and stock markets took a dive as fears escalated over a delay in Italy’s budget targets for 2019. The nation’s deputy prime ministers are battling over deficit spending with the economy minister, who could be forced to resign.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Katherine Foley on snacking, snuggling sea otters: “The things that make sea otters such adorable video stars—their fluff and their grooming—are adaptations to their lack of blubber. The top layer of their fur consists of waterproof guard hairs and the inner layer traps air like a down coat—which explains why their pelts were so sought after.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
The crypto and cannabis bubbles aren’t surprising. Investors will never fully resist the urge to gamble (paywall), despite history’s lessons.
The US-Japan pact is all take and no give. A trade agreement that actually prevents free trade (paywall) will have little chance of sticking.
A scared Putin is a warlike Putin. When Russia’s president is angered by protests (paywall), he’s likely to take it out on his international neighbors.
Surprising discoveries
An injured turtle got a Lego wheelchair. A fractured shell won’t heal properly if it’s dragged on the ground.
A new fish is an impossible color. A male Aphrodite anthias turns neon pink—a color that shouldn’t be visible at 400-foot depths—to attract females.
A seal slapped a kayaker in the face… with an octopus. The Kiwi boaters were testing underwater cameras when they got mixed up in a natural battle.
Appendixes can probably stay put. After 100 years of removing the organs when they’re inflamed, researchers now think antibiotics will do.
Canadian soldiers can now sport beards. They can’t exceed two centimeters “in bulk,” and no hipster facial hair, please.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Lego solutions, and pink fish to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by Susan Howson and McKinley Noble.