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What to watch for today
As further chaos hits Hong Kong, US senators are considering a special bill. The Senate could pass legislation today that would ensure regular checks on Hong Kong, and help the territory retain enough autonomy to warrant its special trade status. China would not be pleased.
Manchester United reports its latest quarterly earnings to investors. The English Premier League soccer club is enduring a miserable season on the field, but hopes to impress the market with some fancy financial footwork.
European Central Bank officials discuss the eurozone economy. Three members of the ECB are giving speeches today. But more importantly, traders are awaiting ECB president Christine Lagarde’s first major policy speech on Friday.
Over the weekend
Violence escalates between protesters and police in Hong Kong. Students at the barricaded Hong Kong Polytechnic University threw petrol bombs and shot an officer with an arrow. The police responded with mass arrests and tear gas, with the threat of live rounds. Chief executive Carrie Lam condemned “rioters” for the “rising levels of violence.”
Chinese soldiers have been on the streets of Hong Kong for the first time, although they did so in shorts and t-shirts to clean up garbage. Pro-democracy lawmakers said the move was illegal, and also a PR stunt.
The New York Times obtained secret Chinese documents detailing mass detentions. The 403 pages show how president Xi Jinping and top party officials created indoctrination camps for up to a million Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region. But the documents also show cracks in the system.
Prince Andrew said he does not regret his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. In an extraordinary BBC interview, for which the Queen’s second son has been heavily criticized, he also denied having sex with a 17-year-old, and said he was grateful for “the opportunity to learn” from the disgraced US financier.
Saudi Aramco set a price for its IPO. The state-owned oil giant said it plans to sell a 1.5% stake for up to $25.6 billion next month. That would value the group at around $1.7 trillion, provided it finds enough buyers for the Riyadh-listed shares. Saudi officials originally hoped to raise $100 billion at a $2 trillion valuation.
There was a mass shooting in Fresno, California. At least 10 people were shot and four were killed at a backyard party. Family and friends had gathered to watch football. It follows another shooting in California last week, in which five students were shot at a high school.
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Matters of Debate
London is bravely pushing back against Christmas creep. It’s still November, for the love of Rudolph.
Universities should offer childcare. It can boost college completion rates by helping student parents juggle competing demands.
It’s up to billionaires to make big philanthropic donations. Mere multimillionaires say they can’t make enough of an impact.
Surprising discoveries
A Washington prison offered inmates stress-relief tips. Those headed to solitary confinement could “plant a tree” or “go on a picnic.”
Wine from Leonardo da Vinci’s resurrected vineyard is ready. The first 330 bottles will be sold later this year. Saluti!
Next year, the Baltimore Museum of Art will only acquire works by women. There is growing awareness of gender disparities in museum and gallery collections.
Two of America’s biggest coal plants closed this month. Together, the two retirements equal all the emission reductions from coal plant shutdowns in 2015.
Art kills 100,000 mongooses a year. Their hair is used in India, illegally, to make fine paint brushes.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, da Vinci wine, fine paint brushes, and tips to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android, and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by John Detrixhe and edited by Hasit Shah.