Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Palestinians’ “day of rage.” Demonstrations will be held in the West Bank and Gaza against the Trump administration’s new position that Israel’s West Bank settlements don’t violate international law, a departure from most of the world. The Arab League formally rejected the stance yesterday.
Labour launches a manifesto on race and faith. Ahead of next month’s election, it will lay out plans for a school curriculum that address the legacies of the British empire and slavery, and set out policies on fighting anti-Semitism. Britain’s chief rabbi, however, chastized leader Jeremy Corbyn for failing to address anti-Jewish sentiment in his party.
Farmers shut down Berlin. Thousands of farmers are making their way to Germany’s capital by tractor in protest of the government’s new agricultural regulations on weedkillers. Similar demonstrations have taken place in other German cities.
Georgian protesters ratchet up the pressure. After thousands of people marched on parliament in Tbilisi last night, resulting in a number of arrests, they will today try to prevent lawmakers from attending a session. Protesters in the Caucasus republic have for weeks been demanding electoral reforms.
While you were sleeping
Alibaba started trading in Hong Kong. The tech giant’s shares jumped in morning trading, after it raised $11 billion in the city’s largest IPO since 2010. Alibaba raised $25 billion in a US listing five years ago, but the company has long sought another listing closer to home.
Hong Kong’s leader stuck to her line. In her first press conference since the drubbing of pro-Beijing candidates in local polls, Carrie Lam said she would reflect on her government’s “deficiencies” but didn’t offer new concessions to protesters, whose demands include an independent inquiry into police brutality, and full universal suffrage.
Donald Trump’s former counsel was told to testify in the impeachment inquiry. A federal judge ruled that Don McGahn must speak to the House in the probe into the president. The White House has been trying to impede efforts to force senior administration officials to cooperate with congressional subpoenas to testify.
Argentina sentenced Catholic priests to prison. A Mendoza court handed two priests and a former gardener at a church-run school sentences of up to 45 years on 28 counts of sexual abuse and corruption of minors between 2005 and 2016. Pope Francis, an Argentine, has not commented publicly on the case.
Catalonia’s biggest party backed Spain’s government. Members of the separatist Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya voted to support the Socialist party, which is trying to build a coalition following elections earlier this month. In return, the Catalans want talks on issues such as an independence referendum and amnesty for imprisoned leaders.
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A growing number of businesses are promising customers a better version of themselves. From life coaches, to meditation retreats, to new business models in service industries like consulting, the transformation economy is upending the way consumers shop and companies do business.
Quartz Obsession
Lo-fi beats aren’t just music—they’re a functional tool. Usually streamed online through YouTube or Soundcloud, lo-fi beats have become an incredibly popular way to settle into working or studying. But some worry that its online virality may stifle artists’ creativity. Vibe with the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of Debate
A pill for loneliness isn’t the answer to our modern “epidemic.” Loneliness is a physical as much as psychological experience.
Cross-gender friendships promote equality. Men who have platonic relationships with female co-workers make better allies.
Beijing is getting bad intelligence on Hong Kong. Stuck in its own propaganda echo chamber, it failed to anticipate the landslide win for the democracy camp in district elections.
Surprising discoveries
Yellowstone National Park has a new hot spot. A thermal area—including soft, scorching earth and steam vents—is slowly developing.
Brazen jewel thieves hit a German museum. They made off with priceless diamonds and other precious gems and ornaments.
The Rise of Skywalker script was briefly for sale on eBay. It was quickly recovered before any secrets could be spilled ahead of the film’s release next month.
A Moroccan rapper was imprisoned for rapping about corruption. Mohamed Mounir, or “Gnawi,” was found guilty of insulting police in his track “Long Live the People.“
A US president saved a raccoon from his Thanksgiving table. Calvin Coolidge made “Rebecca” his White House pet instead of his holiday meal.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, secret screenplays, and rescued racoons 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 Isabella Steger and edited by Tripti Lahiri.