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What to watch for today
John Bolton testifies before the House impeachment panel. Or he may not. The former national security adviser left the White House after falling out with his boss, but is a lifelong Republican. Yesterday, investigators withdrew a subpoena for Bolton’s top aide.
China and the US announce an anti-opioid partnership. The collaborative effort to crack down on a fentanyl-smuggling operation based in China potentially paves the way for progress in resolving their trade war. China says they’ve agreed to cancel tariffs in phases.
There may not be much magic in Disney’s earnings report. The entertainment giant is expected to post a slump, ahead of the release of its streaming service next week. Plus, Activision Blizzard, the maker of “Call of Duty,” also reports.
While you were sleeping
Trump worked up a sweat in the reliably red South. A perspiring president campaigned yesterday for GOP businessman Eddie Rispone to displace Louisiana’s Democratic governor. Also, former attorney general Jeff Sessions today announces a bid for his old Alabama Senate seat, now held by a Democrat.
Two former Twitter employees were charged with spying. The two Saudis plus an American citizen were charged in US federal court with digging up private data of users critical of the kingdom’s royal family and handing it over to officials there.
New Zealand passed a Zero Carbon law. MPs were nearly unanimous in approving a bill that commits the country to net zero emissions by 2050. It’s modelled on a law passed by the UK, which has reportedly seen its emissions fall more than 40%.
Lufthansa flights were cancelled en masse. The German airline’s cabin crew went on strike today to demand better pay and conditions, forcing the company to axe 1,300 of 6,000 flights scheduled.
French police began clearing a migrant camp. The makeshift Paris site housed over 1,000 people for months. The operation—described by police as “humanitarian”—comes a day after president Macron’s government announced tougher policies on migrants.
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Plastic is our recycling crisis. Environmental expert Judith Enck has been working on plastic recycling for decades, and she calls what we’ve managed to do so far a “monumental failure.” Bad policymaking, widespread misconceptions, and a reliance on false solutions have done us dirty, but there are still actions we can take. Quartz’s Zoë Schlanger dives deep into the recycling bin as part of this week’s field guide on the plastic boom.
Quartz Obsession
On your marks, get set: It’s the Great British Bake Off. Over 10 seasons, the show has redefined reality TV with kindness, creating an atmosphere in which contestants are actually there to make friends. That sweetness is spreading; it’s licensed in 32 countries. Have a piece about it at the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of Debate
The Louvre should move the Mona Lisa somewhere else. “The Kim Kardashian of 16th-century Italian portraiture” is a security nightmare.
Women struggle most with ageism, not sexism, at work. Inequality plays out in ways that go beyond gender.
We should ignore political predictions. Even simple forecasts make countless assumptions about circumstances.
Surprising discoveries
A millennial New Zealand lawmaker had a sharp retort for a heckler. Chlöe Swarbrick replied “OK boomer” to a man who interrupted her speech on the climate crisis.
Brazil’s tax code is heavier than an African elephant. At 41,266 pages and 7.5 tons, it’s a mighty tome.
Japanese companies don’t like women wearing glasses at work. But many are fighting the notoriously strict work codes, under the trending hashtag “glasses are forbidden.”
A snow crab was auctioned for a cool $46,000. The price likely set a new world record for bidders, who pay handsomely to secure seasonal firsts of the winter delicacy.
Jungle huts are cleaner than modern homes. New research shows that urban dwellings have higher rates of fungi and bacteria.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, slimline tax codes, and pristine home viewings to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Adam Rasmi and Rashmee Roshan Lall.