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What to watch for today
Trump holds a “homecoming” rally in Florida. The president headlines a “Keep America Great” re-election event in Sunrise city in Broward county, one of the bluest in the state. Local officials expect “tens of thousands” of people. It’s Trump’s first major Florida rally since he switched residency from Manhattan to Palm Beach in September.
Palestinians’ “day of rage.” In the West Bank and Gaza, demonstrators protest against the Trump administration’s reversal of longstanding US policy on Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. The Arab League formally rejected the US position yesterday.
Best Buy reports. The electronics retailer is expected to show continued sales growth in Q3 earnings, partly due to strong demand for appliances and the company’s services, heading into the holiday shopping season. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dell, VMware, Analog Devices, and Abercrombie & Fitch also report.
While you were sleeping
Alibaba had a blockbuster debut in Hong Kong. The e-commerce giant’s shares jumped in morning trading, after it raised $11 billion in the city’s largest IPO since 2010. CEO Daniel Zhang said Alibaba had “returned home to Hong Kong,” a reference to its 2014 US listing. The launch was treated as a celebration in a city wracked by ongoing anti-government protests.
Thirteen French soldiers died in Mali. The helicopter accident is the single biggest loss of troops in combat in the Sahel region since France deployed 4,500 troops against jihadists as part of Operation Barkhane.
UK’s Chief Rabbi criticized the Labour Party leader. In a signed piece in The Times, London, Ephraim Mirvis said Jeremy Corbyn’s response to allegations of anti-Semitism within his party had been “utterly inadequate,” and asked “every person to vote with their conscience.” The criticism came before Tuesday’s release of Labour’s “race and faith manifesto.”
Former Trump White House counsel was told to testify. A federal judge ruled that Don McGahn must speak to House impeachment investigators. The White House has argued that senior administration officials are “absolutely immune” from congressional subpoenas seeking cooperation.
Teenage symbol of Colombian protests died. Dilan Cruz, an 18-year-old who was injured by a teargas canister, died in Bogota late on Monday, the fifth day of anti-government protests. President Iván Duque has attempted to calm tensions by launching a “national dialogue” on issues such as corruption and the economy.
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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 loneliness pill can’t treat a modern “epidemic.” Loneliness is a physical and psychological experience.
Cross-gender friendships promote equality. Men make better allies if they have platonic relationships with female co-workers.
Beijing is getting bad intelligence on Hong Kong. Stuck in its echo chamber, it failed to anticipate the landslide win for the democracy camp in district elections.
Surprising discoveries
A London artist brings an extinct animal back from the dead. Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg created a life-size virtual video of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, at London’s Royal Academy.
Thieves steal “impossible to sell” jewels. They made off with priceless historical ornaments that Dresden museum officials now worry they will break apart or melt down.
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 a song about corruption. Mohamed Mounir, or “Gnawi,” was found guilty of insulting police in the track “Long Live the People.“
A US president saved a raccoon from his Thanksgiving table. Calvin Coolidge made “Rebecca” a White House pet instead of his holiday meal.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, virtual animals, and uneaten 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 brought to you by Annabelle Timsit and Rashmee Roshan Lall.