Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
More than 100 female politicians from around the world gather in London. They’re participating in the Women MPs of the World Conference, and will sit in the UK parliament. The event marks the centenary of women winning the right to vote in the UK, and to stand for election to parliament.
The US Fed releases its latest policy statement. The central bank is not expected to raise rates, but it could cite a dip in business investment and a possible slowdown in the housing market as reasons to believe growth is ebbing.
Disney reports earnings. The entertainment giant is expected to post a rise in quarterly profit. Investors want to learn more about its upcoming streaming service and its plans for the entertainment assets it’s acquiring from 21st Century Fox.
While you were sleeping
Jeff Sessions is out as US attorney general. The head of the justice department resigned effective immediately, at the request of Donald Trump, who tweeted that Matthew G. Whitaker will serve as acting attorney general. Trump had seethed about Sessions not ending the Russia probe, which Whitaker has criticized.
US stocks surged following the US midterm elections. The broad gains were led by the technology and healthcare sectors as investors bet that a divided Congress would be good for equities. Democrats wrested control of the House from Republicans, who kept their advantage in the Senate.
Samsung announced a new bendable concept phone. Previewed at a developer conference in San Francisco, the bulky prototype is a “phone that unfolds into a tablet,” the company said. Google said similar designs could be expected from other manufacturers using Android.
Adidas reduced its revenue target. CEO Kasper Rorsted said sales growth this year would be only 8%-9%, down from the 10% he expected earlier. The company has struggled with sluggish demand in Europe—where Nike has been resurgent—but still hiked its profit guidance.
Ford bought an electric-scooter startup. According to Axios, the carmaker will spend about $40 million on San Francisco-based Spin, which offers the scooters in various cities and campuses across the US.
Obsession interlude
Lavender is a cornerstone of the self-care industry. And it’s been one for millennia; the ancient Egyptians used it for embalming, and medieval doctors for aching joints. Modern science too is uncovering practical uses for the pretty purple flower that lend credence to its calming rep—for mice, it’s like “popping a Valium.” Why? Relax and check out the Quartz Obsession.
Matters of debate
The cult of creativity is making us less creative. Allowing ideas to form by “slow thinking” is the best way to foster the inventiveness that helps make art so impactful.
Racism is the biggest problem plaguing US politics. The GOP relies on bigotry to drive voters while Democrats tout diversity and pluralism in the interest of survival.
You probably are choosing the slowest line at the grocery store. Queuing systems that allow people to approach the next available cashier tend to be faster than those offering individual lanes.
Surprising discoveries
The US National Institutes of Health is looking for someone to roll joints. The agency is seeking a contractor to produce “marijuana cigarettes” with varying concentrations of THC.
Nevada voters chose a dead brothel owner over a living candidate. Dennis Hof, who passed away last month, was elected to state assembly by more than 7,000 votes.
One of Oprah’s favorite things is crappy, pricey popcorn. Popinsanity Artisanal Popcorn can cost up to $180 per drum and includes unappealing flavors like cookies-and-cream.
Giant spider and minotaur robot puppets roamed the streets of France last week. The creatures came courtesy of the theatrical puppet collective La Machine, which recently performed its “Guardian of the Temple” in Toulouse.
Companies are hiring freelancers to make the office look busy. Eliminating empty desks can be a savvy business strategy when investors come by for office visits.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, giant spiders, and questionable popcorn 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 and edited by Steve Mollman and April Siese.