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Here’s what you need to know
A ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh takes effect. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the US jointly announced a Washington-brokered agreement to immediately halt fighting over the disputed territory. Separately, the rift between France and Turkey, on opposite sides in the dispute, deepened after Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said French president Emmanuel Macron “needs mental treatment,” prompting Paris to recall its ambassador.
Poles rallied against an abortion ban. Crowds took to churches and the streets for a fourth day on Sunday to protest a court ruling that outlawed one of the few remaining legal grounds for abortion in the country. Meanwhile, the Polish president tested positive for Covid-19, and France, Italy, and Spain are enacting new restrictions due to soaring cases.
Thailand’s protesters petition Germany. They will ask Berlin to investigate whether King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who spends much of his time in Germany, violated German law by exercising his powers on European soil. Meanwhile, the Thai parliament is holding a two-day session to discuss protesters’ demands, which include reforming the monarchy and drafting a new constitution.
Chileans voted to rewrite their constitution. With almost all the votes counted, a landslide 78% of voters agreed to scrap the country’s dictatorship-era 1980 constitution in a referendum that was called after mass protests last year over inequality.
Samsung’s chairman died. Lee Kun-hee, the son of the firm’s founder and South Korea’s richest person, led the company’s transformation into a global technology leader—though not without controversy—and has left behind an estimated inheritance of $21 billion.
At least five aides to Mike Pence tested positive for Covid-19. Despite the outbreak in his orbit, the US vice president will not quarantine and will continue campaigning ahead of the upcoming election. One of those who tested positive, Pence’s chief of staff Marc Short, has been a key force in pushing against the advice of top infectious disease experts.
What to watch for this week
Monday: The US Senate is set to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, and Japan announces a plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
Tuesday: India and the US are expected to sign a military pact.
Wednesday: Analysts expect Australia’s inflation figure to take a record dive, and the CEOs of Twitter, Faceboook, and Google testify before the US Senate on companies’ liability for content their users create.
Thursday: Europe’s central bank meets; EU leaders discuss how to better cooperate against the pandemic; and the Minsk Group, led by France, Russia, and the US, meet again to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Friday: The euro zone reports third-quarter GDP.
Saturday: Peru’s congress votes on whether to start impeachment proceedings against president Martín Vizcarra.
Sunday: Israel begins human trials of a potential Covid-19 vaccine.
Charting enthusiastic CEOs
An uncontained pandemic. A shrinking economy. What could corporate executives possibly be excited about?
A lot, it turns out. Executives said they were “super excited” more than ever in the third quarter, according to a Quartz analysis of transcripts from earnings calls, conferences, and analyst and shareholder meetings.
The latest batch of earnings calls in October suggest the corporate big cheese are still in good cheer (or at least pretending to be when analysts and shareholders are on the line). Read more about why executives are so optimistic.
Welcome to the splinternet
For many people across the world, the internet has delivered on its promise to radically accelerate access to information. But it’s become increasingly clear that we don’t have the ideal version of a singular internet that early enthusiasts might have hoped for. The internet’s splintering is accelerating, exemplified by China’s increasingly influential philosophy of cyber-sovereignty, and US president Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a sale of TikTok.
For our latest field guide, Quartz asked experts to help us imagine the experiences of internet users across the world five years from now, based on the present-day battles between tech giants, politicians, and internet freedom fighters that are directly shaping our online future. You can peer into that fragmented future in our guide to the splinternet.
✦ Superglue your splinternet with a Quartz membership today. Use the promo code QZTWENTY to unlock a 20% discount.
Surprising discoveries
A Russian village’s mayoral election went off script. The incumbent picked the city hall cleaner to run against him to create the illusion of a competitive vote—and she won.
This 3D-printed boat can sail down a human hair. Dubbed “Bench,” the teeny tug boat is part of physics research on microswimmers—microscopic organisms or objects that can move through liquids.
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump weren’t thrilled about new Times Square billboards. They’re threatening to sue the Lincoln Project, the anti-Trump group behind the massive displays linking them to the country’s pandemic deaths.
A green puppy was born in Sardinia. Pistachio’s rare and temporary hue is from exposure to a green pigment called biliverdin in the womb.
The pandemic is a boost for Barbie. Mattel said parents looking for screen-free ways of entertaining kids have led to the strongest sales in 20 years.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, tiny tug boats, and surprise victories to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our iOS app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Mary Hui, Tripti Lahiri, Marc Bain, and Jackie Bischof.