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What to watch for today and over the weekend
The US and North Korea resume denuclearization talks. The two countries will hold working-level talks tomorrow, marking the end of a stalemate following an inconclusive Vietnam summit in February. The location of the talks has yet to be disclosed.
Haitians gear up for a massive protest. The latest round of nationwide demonstrations is planned for today, as citizens continue their demands for president Jovenel Moïse to resign. Several protesters have reportedly died in clashes with police in recent weeks.
A fresh reading of the US economy. The Department of Labor is expected to report that 130,000 private-sector jobs were added in September, the weakest forecast in years outside of government shutdowns or inclement weather.
While you were sleeping
Texts between Team Trump and Ukraine were released. One message shared by the House intelligence committee from former Ukraine special envoy Kurt Volker said that president Zelensky’s trip to the White House depended on agreeing to investigate Joe Biden.
Hong Kong imposed a face mask ban. Chief executive Carrie Lam announced that the ban at “illegal” protests takes effect tomorrow. Lam intends to secure legislative backing for her use of these colonial-era emergency measures, which activists have denounced.
HP said it would cut up to 9,000 jobs. In a restructuring move, the computer giant will trim as much as 16% of its workforce as it tries to rein in costs amid falling sales in its printing unit.
Iraq’s security forces fired at protesters. They reportedly shot directly at civilians during the fourth day of demonstrations against corruption and inadequate public services. At least 31 people have died, including two police officers, since the unrest erupted this week.
India cut interest rates, again. For the fifth time this year, the country’s central bank lowered its benchmark rate—this time by 25 basis points. India’s economy is growing at its slowest pace in six years, hampered by slowing car sales and muted private investment.
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Matters of debate
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Hong Kong could become Belfast. In both protest movements, people increasingly saw the state as illegitimate.
Authoritarians’ worst fear is the book. They see the printed word’s ageless strength as a threat.
Erotic thrillers should be directed by women. They play the most important characters, yet female voices are missing from Hollywood productions.
Surprising discoveries
Ancient scrolls from Pompeii could be read once again. Scientists hope a new method combining X-rays and AI could make the documents decipherable again.
A map charts Scotland’s history of witch-hunting. A new interactive project geolocates the country’s bloody past of persecuting women.
Fungi can propel cancerous tumors. It can attach itself to the pancreas and assist tumor growth—but that’s useful for modern medicine to know.
A Rugby World Cup match will be broadcast in space. Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano will cheer on his team aboard the International Space Station, as it competes against South Africa.
A mind-reading exoskeleton helped a paralyzed man walk. The patient gained control of all four limbs after brain implants allowed him to operate the robotic apparatus.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ancient scrolls, and fungal residents to hi@qz.com. Join the next chapter of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Adam Rasmi and Max Lockie.