Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
A new leader of the European Council. After five years as president of the body, Donald Tusk will today hand over the reins to former Belgian prime minister Charles Michel. Separately, new European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen plans to call Beijing on Sunday to discuss China’s detention of Uyghur Muslims.
A Black Friday boycott. French climate activists are staging protests against a day of conspicuous consumption in a campaign called “Block Friday,” after interrupting access to an Amazon depot near Paris. Youth climate activists around the world will also be protesting.
Germany’s Social Democrats pick a new leader. The choice of the embattled party will decide tomorrow whether to remain in a coalition with chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives. A decision to withdraw could lead to a snap election or a minority government.
While you were sleeping
Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan. The US president met with president Ashraf Ghani on his first visit to the country, and announced that talks with the Taliban have restarted.
Hong Kong police lifted a siege on a university. The force handed back the Polytechnic University after officers swept the campus for evidence, including Molotov cocktails, officially ending a standoff that began Nov. 17. More than 1,000 people were arrested during the course of the siege.
Singapore ordered Facebook to make a correction. The city-state asked the social network to correct a post by an Australian citizen and blogger accusing the ruling party of election rigging, after the author refused to comply. It is the second time this week that Singapore’s recently passed fake news law has been invoked.
More bloodshed in Iraq. Nearly 40 people were killed as troops fired on protesters in Nasiriya, Baghdad, and the Shia holy city of Najaf, where people also set fire to the Iranian consulate. Iraqis have been taking to the streets for weeks against corruption and Iranian influence in the country.
Police released a former aide to Malta’s prime minister. Keith Schembri, who resigned on Tueday as chief of staff to Joseph Muscat, was arrested for questioning over the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. A businessman implicated in the crime had alleged Schembri played a key role.
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There are thousands of life coaches. They contribute to the transformation economy, a growing clutch of industries that includes high-end retreats, gurus, and adventure travel, where the product is a new and improved you. They’re even available on Airbnb.
Quartz Obsession
You’ve seen them in the sky: Contrails. The streaks of white cloud are visual evidence of at least one of the 14,000 planes flying at any moment. Scientists used to think they have a cooling effect, conspiracy theorists view them as “chemtrails,” and now some suspect they contribute to climate change. Before you look for a contrail, dig deep into the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of Debate
Betting that climate tipping points are “low-probability” events is untenable. We have to adjust to a world that is transforming in front of our eyes.
It no longer matters whether Jeremy Corbyn is himself anti-Semitic. He has allowed the Labour party to create an impression of bias he does little to dispel.
Taiwan is reinvigorating democracy. It’s using technology to involve citizens in the democratic process in an unprecedented way.
Surprising discoveries
The NSA was scammed out of $100,000 by a contractor. A federal indictment alleges the US defense department paid someone for work she never did.
Batman upset China… Commenters said a DC Comics post showing the black-clad superhero throwing a Molotov cocktail implied support for the Hong Kong protests.
…And Apple pleased the Kremlin. Crimea is now identified as Russian territory on Apple Maps and Apple Weather when used inside Russia and Crimea.
Ghana welcomed diaspora Africans “home.” It granted more than 100 of them citizenship as part of the Year of Return, marking 400 years since the slave trade to America began.
The city of Asbestos, Canada, is changing its name. Local officials are trying to be mindful of those affected by the toxic substance.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, life coaches, and Russian maps 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.