Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Trump, Moon, and Abe meet. The US, South Korean, and Japanese leaders will convene on the sidelines of the UN general assembly to discuss North Korea’s nuclear program (paywall). The trilateral meeting comes on the heels of Trump’s bombastic remarks yesterday; Abe has adopted a similar tone, while Moon has ruled out military action.
HTC reveals its big news. Google is rumored to be acquiring assets from the troubled Taiwanese smartphone maker in a bid to beef up its hardware unit, a move that would boost its gadget sales and allow it to better compete with Apple. HTC has suspended trading in its shares ahead of the announcement.
The BoJ makes its policy decision. Japan’s central bank is to expected hold interest rates steady as economic growth continues into its sixth consecutive quarter. In the meantime, South Africa’s central bank kicks off its policy meeting.
While you were sleeping
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. The entire Caribbean island lost power after the category 4 storm made landfall with sustained winds of 155 mph (250 kph). It is the strongest hurricane (paywall) to hit the US territory since 1928. Maria’s eye is set to pass over the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas next, and is forecast to remain a “dangerous major hurricane” through Friday.
The Fed set a date to unwind its stimulus. The US central bank held interest rates steady and said it would start selling its $4.5 trillion portfolio of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities in October, at a pace of $10 billion a month. Chair Janet Yellen also predicted one more rate hike in 2017.
The US and Iran grappled at the UN. US secretary of state Rex Tillerson debated with Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the general assembly, demanding changes (paywall) to a 2015 nuclear accord. Iran’s president said his nation would not be the first to violate the deal, and expects the US to uphold its commitment despite Trump’s “rhetoric and propaganda.”
Japan was hit with a big offshore earthquake. The epicenter of the 6.1 magnitude earthquake was 200 miles east of Fukushima, the target of a 2011 tsunami that leveled a nuclear reactor plant in the city. The quake comes after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake killed over 200 in Mexico yesterday.
Robert Mueller is seeking documents from the White House. The special counsel is requesting any memos or transcripts related to a May meeting with Russian officials (paywall), in which Donald Trump said the firing of the FBI director relieved a “great pressure” on him.
Quartz obsession interlude
Lila MacLellan on the science behind the 15 common smart drugs: “In the name of becoming sharper traders, medical interns, or coders, people are taking pills typically prescribed for conditions including ADHD, narcolepsy, and Alzheimer’s. Others down “stacks” of special “nootropic” supplements.” Read more here.
Markets haiku
One mundane sentence / Spells the end of an era / Buh-bye bond stockpile
Matters of debate
India lacks the guts to face its economic crisis. The government has a history of denying the numbers until it’s too late.
Toymakers will ensure that Toys ‘R’ Us survives. Mattel and Hasbro desperately need the company and its 1,600 stores as a counterweight to Amazon.
World leaders should oust Joseph Kabila. Congo’s despotic president has remained in power despite overstaying his term, and leaders at the UN should be pressuring him to resign.
Surprising discoveries
A baggage handler in Singapore swapped hundreds of baggage tags. Tay Boon Keh has been charged with 286 counts of mischief for the infuriating prank.
Pigeons in Lisbon live in a luxury resort. Officials spent €12,000 ($14,000) for a site where they could steal the birds’ eggs (paywall).
The most popular boys’ name in England is Muhammad. If you include various spelling variants, it far surpasses the country’s 6,623 Olivers.
Bill Gates regrets Ctrl+Alt+Delete. The Microsoft founder wishes it took just one button to reboot a Windows PC.
You can buy furniture made of fungus. The designers grow chairs and lamps by blending wood chips with mycelium.
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