Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Facebook faces an “international grand committee” of parliaments. The UK seized a number of internal Facebook documents ahead of the hearing in London today, which will discuss misinformation and data security on the social network.
Theresa May tries to sell Britain on the Brexit deal. The UK prime minister is trying to build support ahead of a parliamentary vote on Dec. 11, but many aren’t on board, including the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland, which will have the UK’s only land border with the EU.
The US measures consumer sentiment. Analysts expect this month’s consumer confidence index to remain strong, signaling the US economy’s continued growth. A robust labor market boosted October’s reading to an 18-year-high.
While you were sleeping
Tesla stalled in China. The electric carmaker took a hit from the US-China trade war, selling only 211 cars in October, China’s passenger car association reports. Tesla plans to open its first overseas factory in Shanghai to avoid a 40% tariff hike on US autos imposed by China earlier this year.
Paul Manafort lied to investigators after signing his plea deal. The office of special counsel Robert Mueller said Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman breached his agreement by lying “on a variety of subject matters,” according to a court filing. Manafort’s lawyers, however, say he “believes he provided truthful information.”
Trump said he’ll move forward with additional Chinese tariffs. Ahead of a summit with Chinese president Xi Jinping, Trump told the Wall Street Journal (paywall) he’s “highly unlikely” to accept Beijing’s request not to increase tariffs on $200 billion of goods to 25% from Jan. 1.
Jack Ma was revealed as a Communist Party member. A state newspaper confirmed that the Alibaba chairman will be one of 100 people celebrated by the party for their contribution to China’s economy. Alibaba told Reuters that the “political affiliation of any executive does not influence the company’s business decisions.”
United Technologies confirmed its breakup. The conglomerate will split (paywall) its elevator, climate-control, and aerospace divisions into separate companies by 2020. The company on Monday also completed its acquisition of aircraft parts maker Rockwell Collins for $23 billion, the largest purchase in aerospace history.
Obsession interlude
Sand dollars: They’re famous as beach souvenirs, but the close relatives of sea urchins are also finely tuned evolutionary wonders. Distinctive oval holes reduce lift underwater, ingested metal particles reduce buoyancy—and wait until you hear how they defend themselves. Dig into today’s Quartz Obsession.
Conversation starter
“I am glad this headline is accelerating an ethical and legal debate our society has delayed for too long. Where will we draw the line, not only as citizens, but as human beings?”
—Allison Baum, managing partner at Fresco Capital, on “The Chinese scientist who claims he made CRISPR babies is under investigation”
Quartz membership
Fashion forward: The luxury industry, always interested in youth culture, is chasing young people as customers. But as the fashion industry reorients itself to a younger, non-Western shopper who’s more entranced by a new sneaker than by a couture gown, no one really knows what counts as luxury anymore. Read more here.
Surprising discoveries
We are now in the era of the $800 candle. The rise of the self-care has led to a boom in luxury candles.
A professor found music by Auschwitz inmates. The songs, including one titled “The Most Beautiful Time of Life,” were performed for the first time in 75 years.
The tear gas used by US border troops is banned in warfare. The agent, outlawed in most country’s battlefields, is legal for riot control (paywall) in the US.
Birds like to rub themselves with ants. The behavior known as “anting” has been spotted in more than 200 avian species.
Kim Jong Un’s canine “peace gifts” have produced unexpected dividends. A dog gifted to South Korea’s president gave birth to six puppies this weekend.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, calming candles, and peaceful puppies 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 Sam Rigby and edited by Jackie Bischof.