Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Brits choose their next leader… The vote could determine what shape Brexit takes, or whether it happens at all. Prime minister Boris Johnson is looking to win a majority in Parliament—falling short could mean opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn takes office.
… As do Algerians. Five candidates are hoping to be elected to office after president Abdelaziz Bouteflika was deposed during pro-democracy demonstrations in April. Today’s vote comes amid protests that consider the vote a sham.
The EU talks climate change. The leaders of various member states gather in Brussels today to discuss European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s €100 billion plan to make the bloc carbon neutral by 2050, as part of a “European Green New Deal.”
While you were sleeping
Greta Thunberg was named TIME’s Person of the Year. The magazine chose the teenage Swedish climate activist as the person who “most influenced the news and the world” in 2019. The annual accolade began in 1927, and Thunberg is the youngest honoree yet.
The Fed kept rates steady. The US central bank met for the last time this year and planned no further interest rate cuts. Chairman Jerome Powell said that previous cuts had successfully offset the effects of the US-China trade war, although manufacturing and exports have yet to rally.
Aung San Suu Kyi went on the offensive. Speaking in front of the UN’s high court at The Hague, Myanmar’s de facto civilian leader said that undue force may have been used against Muslim Rohingyas. But she insisted that the Gambia, which brought the original suit, lacked enough evidence to charge Myanmar with genocide.
China used World Bank funds to surveil Xinjiang. A loan program sent $50 million over five years to some of the region’s mass detention centers currently holding more than a million Muslim minorities. Some of the loan recipients used the funds to purchase surveillance software to “blacklist” individuals, Axios reported.
India passed a draconian nationality bill. A new law allows migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to obtain citizenship, unless they are Muslims. Protests have erupted in response to the bill, which is backed by the country’s Hindu-nationalist government.
Quartz membership
Sign up for your free membership trial.
Brazil has a gold rush of fintech investment. Nubank, a digital bank in São Paulo, is one of the fastest growing financial institutions in the world. Venture capital investors have taken note of the fintech unicorn’s soaring valuation and are pouring money into the region’s startups. Quartz’s John Detrixhe spoke exclusively with Nubank’s CEO for our field guide, Beyond the fintech hype.
Quartz obsession
The story of the light bulb truly exemplifies innovation. The intensely competitive and highly experimental race between Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan resulted in a creation that spans the world—an average American home has 40 light bulbs, and 15% of the globe’s energy consumption is taken up by lighting. Become illuminated by the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
Airbnb has changed the metrics of owning property. Landlords see profit in short-term rentals.
Video games are a new form of literature. They’re all about the story and the art of storytelling.
Don’t stress about gifting your kids tech. Phones and tablets can actually strengthen family relationships.
Surprising discoveries
Most donations to the Pope don’t go to charity. The Vatican uses about 90% of the funds on its administrative budget.
Petiquette exists. It’s not for dogs, but their owners.
Asia’s “water towers” are more vulnerable. As mountainous regions that generate and store water go, the continent faces unique stresses.
Colombia is suing Walmart over a holiday sweater. The ill-conceived pullover references Colombian “snow” (aka cocaine).
5,500 years ago a fruit fly landed in a pail of milk, and it led humans to produce the first cheese and yogurts.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ungodly charitable donations, and family-friendly holiday sweaters 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 Liz Webber, Adam Rasmi, and Susan Howson.