Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today and over the weekend
All change in Europe. Charles Michel, a former prime minister of Belgium, takes over as president of the European Council today. On Sunday, the new European Commission starts work. It faces enormous challenges, not least on EU reform and enlargement.
A Black Friday boycott. French MPs have called for a ban on the shopping frenzy, saying it promotes “overconsumption.” Parliament will debate the proposal next month. Climate activists in the country have been waging a campaign they call “Block Friday,” after preventing access to an Amazon depot near Paris.
India and Canada brace for GDP numbers. India’s economy is expected to report its weakest growth in more than six years, after months of shrinking exports and factory output, and slowing car sales. Canadian GDP data is also expected to show the economy slowed in the latest quarter.
While you were sleeping
North Korea tested a faster missile launcher. The country fired two short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast in rapid succession on Thanksgiving. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has set an end-of-year deadline to restart denuclearization talks with the US.
Donald Trump said peace talks with the Taliban were back on. The US president made the remarks during a surprise visit to Afghanistan, his first to the country, during which he met with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani.
Singapore ordered Facebook to make a correction. The government asked the social network to correct a post accusing the ruling party of election rigging after the author, who claims to be an Australian citizen, refused to comply. It was the second time this week that Singapore invoked its controversial “fake news” law.
Britain’s Channel 4 found itself on thin ice. The Conservative Party is up in arms over the broadcaster’s decision to replace prime minister Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture at a debate he skipped on climate change. Brexit party leader Nigel Farage, who also snubbed the debate, received the same treatment.
Hong Kong police lifted a siege on Polytechnic University. Officers left the campus around noon, ending a standoff that began Nov. 17, after seizing thousands of petrol bombs and other explosives. Police said more than 1,000 people were arrested during the siege.
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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
It’s risky to bet against climate tipping points. We have to adjust to a world that is visibly changing.
Taiwan offers lessons to democracies all over the world. The character of political debate is partly determined by platform engineering.
Corporations can be tone deaf and sexist. Deloitte seems to think there’s a comparison between data and the illegal, patriarchal South Asian practice of dowry.
Surprising discoveries
A tiny Czech search engine held its ground against Google, until recently. Seznam was virtually synonymous with the internet in the Czech Republic before Android came along.
Batman upset Beijing… Commenters said a DC Comics post showing the superhero throwing a Molotov cocktail implied support for the Hong Kong protests.
…And Apple pleased Moscow. Crimea is now identified as Russian territory on Apple Maps and Apple Weather when used inside Russia and Crimea.
The city of Asbestos, Canada, is changing its name. Local officials are trying to be mindful of those affected by the toxic substance.
Queen Elizabeth I was a girly swot. According to new research, the 16th century British monarch was a skilled classical translator.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ice sculptures, 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 brought to you by Alison Griswold and Rashmee Roshan Lall.