Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Nissan’s board votes on a motion to remove Carlos Ghosn. The carmaker’s directors are reportedly divided, with some saying they have not seen enough evidence (paywall) about the chairman’s alleged financial crimes. Ghosn, taken into custody by Japanese police this week, was reportedly pushing for a merger between Nissan and the French automaker Renault.
The European Central Bank lifts the curtain. October meeting minutes may reveal misgivings about the bank’s plans to normalize monetary policy. Third-quarter growth in the euro zone slowed to its lowest level in over four years, with GDP rising just 0.2%.
The United States celebrates Thanksgiving. Markets will be closed, millions of turkeys will be consumed, and awkward family fights over politics will ensue.
While you were sleeping
A top US judge rebuked Donald Trump. Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts made an unusual public statement taking the US president to task for attacking the independence and impartiality of the federal judiciary. Trump had earlier criticized the judge who blocked his controversial asylum policy as “an Obama judge.”
Goldman Sachs was sued over Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal. An Abu Dhabi sovereign-wealth fund accused the investment bank (paywall) of playing a central role in the massive conspiracy. Morgan Stanley downgraded Goldman Sachs, citing 1MDB concerns.
IKEA announced massive layoffs. The Swedish furniture giant said it plans to cut 7,500 jobs, mostly administrative positions, even as it adds 11,500 new positions in newly opened stores and businesses. The company is investing heavily in e-commerce, delivery, and other consumer services.
A British academic was sentenced to life in prison in the United Arab Emirates. In a stunning verdict, the UAE charged Matthew Hedges, 31, with spying for the UK government. Hedges maintained his innocence and says he was studying the country’s security policies.
Obsession interlude
Dog shows: Humans domesticated dogs as long as 30,000 years ago, but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that we put them on a pedestal. Now dog shows have become a Thanksgiving centerpiece in the US, and a rising Chinese middle class is joining in. How did we get here? Sit! Stay! And read on with the Quartz obsession.
Quartz membership
As part of our deep dive into the video streaming wars, our chart book looks at the global race for eyeballs, and we take a drive down the Sunset Strip to see how Netflix is changing the billboards of Tinseltown.
Conversation starter
“Closing data gaps, and putting resources into the hands of those with deep experience and great ideas to create economic opportunities is critical to reviving the American Dream.”
—Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on “A Push to Use Data to Boost Economic Opportunity in Cities.”
Surprising discoveries
An artist bought a Banksy piece just to destroy it. Ron English plans to whitewash Slave Labour, which he recently purchased for $730,000, and resell it, because art.
European truffle production is doomed. Climate change could end the lucrative and delicious industry by the end of the century.
The Secret Service uses turbocharged golf carts to protect Donald Trump. Agents need dozens of vehicles that can hit 19 mph (31 km/h).
Clams are fighting Florida’s red tide. They naturally filter the microorganisms that are tainting Sarasota Bay.
Health insurance companies are spying on sleep apnea patients. Data from pricey CPAP machines is being used to deny coverage for patients.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, truffles, and clams to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our new app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written and edited by Steve Mollman and Adam Pasick.