Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Hong Kong’s election results. After months of protests, the streets were quiet Sunday as voters turned out in record numbers to elect district councils—the only fully democratic vote available to them. Early indications suggest a strong showing for pro-democracy campaigners.
A key ruling in the Trump impeachment inquiry. If a US district judge decides today that White House counsel Don McGahn must testify in the probe, it could lead to other administration officials—including former national security advisor John Bolton—talking to Congress.
LVMH is close to buying Tiffany. The owner of Bulgari and other luxury brands will reportedly acquire the New York-based jeweler for $16.3 billion, in a deal that could be announced today. Last year jewelry was one of the strongest performing areas of the luxury industry.
Over the weekend
China’s mass detention “manual” came to light. Leaked documents show how inmates are to be locked up, indoctrinated, and punished in the Xinjiang region’s so-called reeducation centers. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists obtained the guidelines, dubbing them “the China Cables.”
Rodrigo Duterte fired his new “drugs tsar.” Less than three weeks after appointing her, the Philippine president relieved Leni Robredo of those responsibilities, accusing her of undermining his highly criticized war on drugs. Robredo is the nation’s vice president but is Duterte’s political rival.
Michael Bloomberg launched his 2020 presidential bid. The 77-year-old billionaire and former New York City mayor announced his candidacy Sunday, claiming he’s uniquely positioned to defeat Donald Trump. A former Republican, he’ll run as a centrist Democrat.
Novartis agreed to buy a cholesterol-drug maker. The Swiss pharma giant will restock its drugs pipeline through the acquisition of the Medicines Company, whose inclisiran appears to lower so-called “bad cholesterol.” The deal is valued at $9.7 billion, reports the Financial Times (paywall).
Quartz Obsession
Tie-dye is back…again. The swirly design as we know it originated as a dye-selling marketing stunt before it delighted hippies in the 1960s, spiraled back into the foreground in the 1980s and ’90s, then re-entered with a splash in 2019. But the technique—and the DIY spirit of resistance it often signifies—is really centuries old. Tie-dive in with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of Debate
A black turtleneck is the perfect gift for the holidays. It’s not gendered and can be worn by anyone of any age for an astounding number of occasions—and it has an intriguing history.
Tesla’s new pickup truck is a Hummer for millennials. It’s an expensive fashion statement that appeals to a small, but fervent, slice of the population.
Trigger warnings don’t protect us. Prepping people for upsetting information doesn’t dramatically change their ability to regulate their reactions.
Surprising discoveries
The US Navy doesn’t have enough spare parts to keep its fighter jets in the air. It has to cannibalize parts from other planes.
The last Sumatran rhino in Malaysia just died. There are still some in Indonesia, but the species is in danger of extinction.
Amish teens have taken to TikTok. It’s kosher, apparently.
Eating oysters only in months with an “r” is really old advice. The maxim dates back 4,000 years, a new study finds.
Indonesia has a “cheep” replacement for screen time. One city is giving students baby chicks and chili seeds, hoping they’ll prefer nurturing animals over staring at their phones.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, fighter-jet parts, and wired Amish teens 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 brought to you by Steve Mollman and Katie Palmer.