Good morning, Quartz readers!
Please note that there will be no Daily Brief on Nov. 28. 🦃
What to watch for today
North America gets ready for difficult weather. Many people who are travelling across the country to see family and friends for Thanksgiving face cancelled flights, lots of snow, and, in the north west, a “bomb cyclone.”
The European Union signs off on its new executive. After delays over unsatisfactory candidates, the European Parliament is expected to approve the new European Commission, which will be headed by Germany’s former defense minister.
The UK awaits an important poll. In the 2017 election, the MRP poll from YouGov made the surprising prediction—eventually proven correct—that the Conservative Party would lose a majority. The 2019 poll relies on 50,000 people, rather than the usual 1,000-people survey.
While you were sleeping
The UK government has allegedly negotiated health care contracts with US firms. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said he has evidence that National Health Service (NHS) services will be available to bidders after Brexit. The UK government has said the NHS is “not for sale.”
TikTok’s owner tried to separate it from its other operations. ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant, has stepped up efforts to ringfence the popular social media app. A US national security panel has raised concerns about TikTok’s connections to China.
Manchester City got a $500 million boost. US private equity firm Silver Lake’s investment puts the valuation of Abu Dhabi-controlled City Football Group, which owns the soccer team, at $4.8 billion.
Iranian protesters started hundreds of fires. Demonstrating against a hike in fuel prices, some 200,000 people set alight 731 banks and 140 government sites, according to the country’s interior minister.
Malaysia warned that ISIS may head to southeast Asia. After losing territory in Iraq and Syria, the Malaysian home minister suggests the terrorist organization could build its new base in the region. In the past six years, Malaysia says it has foiled 25 ISIS attacks.
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Just 20 years ago, there would be raised eyebrows and rolled eyes at the mere mention of a “life coach.” Today, they can be found practically anywhere. They’re considered part of the expansion of “wealth work”—jobs that have appeared to serve the increasingly wealthy American middle class.
Quartz Obsession
Movie-theater popcorn is a cinema staple. But it wasn’t always so. Street vendors used to sell popcorn outside theaters that frowned on snacking. Now the iconic treat anchors movie concessions, where its price rose by more than 600% between 1929 and 2009. Chew on more popcorn fun facts with today’s Quartz Obsession.
Matters of Debate
It’s time to start saying “y’all.” Since we let “ye” fade away, “y’all” is the only available gender-neutral second-person plural pronoun.
The end of traditional banking is good for everyone. Technology will democratize and transform how we use finance.
Capitalism created America’s doggie obsession. It has rebranded them as people, only better.
Surprising discoveries
Russian cows got VR headsets to reduce their anxiety. They were shown a “unique summer field simulation program.”
Britain still admires the same accents it did 50 years ago. The Queen’s English rules, while Indian English accents and “industrial urban” ones rate poorly.
Cellphone data shows voters in black US neighborhoods wait longer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people in white areas get to vote more quickly.
TikTok banned an American teenager who did a makeup tutorial. But hers was actually a critique of Uyghur oppression.
An early effort at regulating AI was an utter failure. A New York City task force fell into disarray after participants couldn’t even agree on what counts as “AI.”
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, geordie accents, and Russian cows 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 Akshat Rathi and Hasit Shah.