Alibaba lists in Hong Kong, Uber loses London license, rhinos disappear

Alibaba lists in Hong Kong. The Chinese e-commerce titan is expecting to raise at least $11 billion, and is not deterred by the territory’s instability. “During this time of ongoing change, we continue to believe that the future of Hong Kong remains bright,” says chairman Daniel Zhang. [Quartz Daily Brief]( Sponsored by Good morning, Quartz readers! What to watch for today Alibaba lists in Hong Kong. The Chinese e-commerce titan is expecting to raise at least $11 billion, and is not deterred by the territory’s instability. “During this time of ongoing change, we continue to believe that the future of Hong Kong remains bright,” [says chairman]( Daniel Zhang. A key ruling shapes the Trump impeachment inquiry. If a US district judge decides that White House counsel Don McGahn must testify in the probe, it [could lead to]( other administration officials—including former national security advisor John Bolton—talking to Congress. The Arab League discusses the United States’ shift on Israeli settlements. The Trump administration has declared the deeply contested Jewish settlements on Palestinian territory legal, prompting the league to swiftly organize [today’s meeting]( and figure out a unified response. Sponsor content by Revtown Former Under Armour Execs are making the best jeans of 2019. How? by using a proprietary fabric consisting of Italian milled denim infused with the same stuff used in football uniforms and yoga pants. The kicker? By dealing directly with the customer you can get your hands on these jeans for a killer price. [Try them for yourself.]( Over the weekend London banned Uber again. The city refused [a new permit]( for the ride-sharing company, after a series of disputes over safety and security. It is the second time in two years Uber has lost its license in London, although it can still operate while appealing the decision. LVMH bought Tiffany. The Paris-based owner of Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands acquired the New York jeweler [for more than $16 billion]( the conglomerate’s biggest deal since it bought Bulgari in 2011. Last year, jewelry was one of the strongest-performing areas of the luxury industry. Novartis took over a cholesterol drug maker. The Swiss pharma giant restocked its pipeline via [the acquisition]( of the Medicines Company, whose drug Inclisiran appears to lower so-called “bad cholesterol.” The deal was valued at $9.7 billion. Michael Bloomberg launched his 2020 presidential bid. The 77-year-old billionaire and former New York City mayor [announced his candidacy](. The news organization that he founded and runs said it [won’t investigate him]( and his Democrat rivals. Hong Kong’s protest movement won at the polls. Pro-democracy candidates, many with ties to the mass protests of this year, took 388 out of 425 district council seats after [a historic turnout]( in what is [usually a local election]( of little consequence. China’s mass detention “manual” came to light. “The China Cables”, obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, show [how inmates are to be locked up]( indoctrinated, and punished in the Xinjiang region’s so-called re-education centers. Quartz Membership Sign up for your [free trial](. A growing number of businesses are promising customers a better version of themselves. From life coaches, to meditation retreats, to new business models in service industries like consulting, the transformation economy is upending the way consumers shop and companies do business. Quartz Obsession Tie-dye is back…again. The swirly design as we know it originated as a dye-selling marketing stunt before it delighted hippies in the 1960s, spiraled back into the foreground in the 1980s and ’90s, then re-entered with a splash in 2019. But the technique—and the DIY spirit of resistance it often signifies—is really centuries old. [Tie-dive in with the Quartz Obsession](. Matters of Debate A black turtleneck is the perfect gift. It can be worn by anyone of any age for any occasion, and comes with [an intriguing history](. Tesla’s new pickup truck is a Hummer for millennials. It’s an [expensive fashion statement]( that appeals to a particular slice of the population. British movie theaters have pulled a gangster film. But it is not at all clear if Blue Story had anything to do with real-life[violence]( in a multiplex over the weekend. Message from our Partner Why don't evergreens change color in autumn? Autumn is known for turning deciduous trees’ lush green hues into fiery yellows, oranges, and reds. But evergreens don’t join the party. The reason comes down to the way each kind of tree recoups its energy losses. [Read more on Curiosity.]( Surprising discoveries A famous Indian prince was faking it. A reporter befriended [a “royal” who lived in seclusion]( in a jungle palace, and ended up unraveling the real story. The last Sumatran rhino in Malaysia just died. There are still some in Indonesia, but the species is [in danger of extinction](. Amish teens have taken to TikTok. [It’s kosher, apparently](. Eating oysters only in months with an “r” is actually good advice. The old maxim has grounding in science, a [new study finds](. Indonesia has a “cheep” replacement for screen time. One city is [giving students baby chicks]( to distract them from their phones. Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, luxury goods, and baby chicks 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 Hasit Shah and Jason Karaian. Enjoying the Daily Brief? Forward it to a friend! They can [click here to sign up.]( Want to advertise in the Quartz Daily Brief? Send us an email at ads@qz.com. To unsubscribe from the Quartz Daily Brief, [click here](.