Good morning, Quartz readers!
HEREāS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
An FDA Zepbound ruling is rattling the weight loss industry. Compounding pharmacies now have 60 to 90 days to stop making off-brand versions of the drug.
Seventeen universities have been accused of lowering their standards for rich kids. At one, high school students flagged for their wealth āwould get in almost 100 percent of the time.ā
Diners are still obsessed with Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse. Darden Restaurants stock soared after its latest earnings report.
The Dow bounced back after a historic losing streak. Its rebound came a day after a massive selloff sparked by caution on interest rate cuts.
Feds say CVS filled a āmassiveā amount of invalid opioid prescriptions. The pharma giant denied allegations that it funnelled drugs to so-called āpill mills.ā
Amazon faces a strike
Amazon faced a wave of picket lines across the nation as a series of strikes launched in the middle of its busy holiday shipping rush. The labor actions were coordinated by The International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Picketers targeted the companyās fulfillment centers, where orders are prepared for delivery. āWhat weāre doing is historic,ā said one worker at a warehouse in San Francisco.
What is driving the labor unrest? Quartzās William Gavin gets to the bottom of whatās going on.
Maybe rethink your Ozempic pause
One in six patients prescribed weight-loss drugs like Ozempic plan to stop taking the medication over the holidays. They donāt want their appetites suppressed for all the big meals theyāll be attending.
Medical experts recommend not doing that, however. Itās not necessarily dangerous, but it can throw weight-loss plans off-track.
What else do doctors have to say about holiday-season drug pauses? Quartzās Bruce Gil relays their advice.
MORE FROM QUARTZ
āļø This is how U.S. airline stocks ascended ā and descended ā this year
š These are the states with the most Christmas spirit
š„ Battery fires are now happening on planes at least once a week
š Check out these gift cards as an idea for a last-minute present
š¤ David Zaslav just sold $30 million worth of Warner Bros. Discovery stock
š The 10-year Treasury yield is critical for investors next year
SURPRISING DISCOVERIES
Podcasting king Joe Rogan might soon be dethroned. Kylie Kelceās show has debuted to enormous success.
Guys with beards and long hair are very popular in Utah this time of year. Jesus look-alikes are getting a lot of work posing for family portraits and wedding announcements. (paywall)
The Texas border wall with Mexico is patchier than you might think. At least a third of countryās-edge Lone Star landowners have rebuffed state efforts to erect the structure on their property.
Crypto is gaining significant high-end allure. The global luxury industry is becoming increasingly open to purchases made using digital currencies. (paywall)
Half of Gen Z is getting holiday gifts from marketplaces like Shein and Temu. Americans are getting serious about cutting their spending wherever possible.
Did you know we have two premium weekend emails, too? One gives you analysis on the weekās news, and one provides the best reads from Quartz and elsewhere to get your week started right. Become a member or give membership as a gift!
Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news or comments to talk@qz.com. Todayās Daily Brief was brought to you by Melvin Backman and Harri Weber.