Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
Decision day for the Fed and RBI. The US central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady, but will likely stay on track for two hikes this year—despite Donald Trump’s misgivings. Analysts expect the Reserve Bank of India to hike its benchmark rate by 25 basis points.
Tesla reports its most anticipated earnings of the season. In light of its heavy cash burn, CEO Elon Musk’s disparaging treatment of analysts, and a 13% drop in the electric carmaker’s stock this year, things could get interesting.
The US and China eye a trade war truce. As new US tariffs go into effect, representatives of treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and Chinese vice premier Liu He begin private conversations to reduce tensions.
While you were sleeping
Facebook warned of an attempt to secretly influence US midterm elections. The social media platform has removed 32 suspicious pages and accounts behind a coordinated political influence campaign. The perpetrator was not identified, but company officials reportedly told US lawmakers that Russia could be the culprit.
Apple profits jumped on pricier iPhones. Third-quarter earnings and revenues were above expectations, sending shares up about 3% in aftermarket trading. The company shipped 41.79 million phones, up only 2% from a year earlier, but the average selling price was up 15% due to the pricey iPhone X.
The NBA made MGM its first-ever sports betting partner. The two parties have been largely at odds since the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports gambling in May. But the casino giant will now be able to use NBA and WNBA trademarks and logos (paywall), and access NBA data streams for its betting products.
MoviePass hiked prices as it fights to survive. The all-you-can-eat subscription theater service will cope with its dwindling cash reserves by increasing its fees by 50% (paywall), and making it more difficult for customers to see hit movies. Users are already frustrated with its ever-changing policies, while theaters roll out their own subscription programs.
The US and Mexico neared a car deal. Sources close to the negotiations told Bloomberg (paywall) that the two countries are close to an agreement that would require minimum percentages of each car to be made by higher-wage workers, and for a certain number of car parts to be made in the United States. Canada has thus far been excluded from the talks.
Quartz Obsession interlude
Lila MacLellan on campus rape. “She doesn’t remember how she got back to the school, only that she did, and that while her friends went on a late-night taco and pizza run to the campus food court, which was open until 3 am on weekends, she showered and wept. It wasn’t clear to her what she’d been subjected to. Had she been raped? She had danced with him and followed him upstairs. She had allowed herself to be led into a bedroom. She’d been tipsy.” Read more here.
Matters of debate
The US has much bigger problems than 3D-printed guns. Other types of unregistered guns have long been widely available.
Uncertainty helps us learn. Unpredictable circumstances make our brains work harder and absorb more information.
Stock buybacks are ruining the economy. The transfer of trillions of dollars to shareholders increases inequality and reduces corporate investment.
Surprising discoveries
“Bigfoot erotica” is an issue in a US election. House candidate Denver Riggleman’s sensual Sasquatch drawings have been causing a stir.
Dating apps are hooking up singles…with their dream jobs. Some let users match with people higher up on the career ladder.
Obese tourists are crippling donkeys. American and British tourists were accused by activists of overloading livestock in Santorini.
A Texan stole a shark by disguising it as a baby. He used a stroller to rob the San Antonio aquarium, but the animal has been returned safely.
Inmates hacked prison internet accounts. The resulting $250,000 in internet-usage credits were either a conspiracy or just a glitch.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, sturdy burros, and marine-creature babies to hi@qz.com. You can follow us on Twitter for updates throughout the day or download our apps for iPhone and Android. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Aisha Hassan and David Wexner, and edited by Adam Pasick.