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What to watch for today
The US Fed might cut rates. Investors expect the third drop this year, and are keeping an eye on one consequential phrase in the board’s statement for hints that a fourth cut could come in December. Meanwhile, preliminary GDP growth figures for the third quarter are also out today.
Boris Johnson holds Prime Minister’s Questions. As Parliament prepares for a Dec. 12 election, a research institute says UK GDP will be 3.5% lower in a decade if Johnson’s latest Brexit agreement goes through.
Big tech reports. Apple is expected to report a rise in quarterly revenue, after the release of three new iPhones in September. Facebook is expected to post revenue growth, helped by strong ad sales. Lyft and Starbucks also report in another day of bumper earnings this week.
While you were sleeping
A White House official testified in the impeachment enquiry. In a closed-door deposition that lasted more than 10 hours, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman recalled his alarm over the July phone call between president Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
Japan sold hardly any beer to South Korea. Exports to its neighbor fell 99.9% compared to a year ago, despite the popularity of Japanese beer there. South Koreans are boycotting Japanese goods, because of a dispute over World War II-era reparations.
Record profits for Sony. As well as the company’s best second-quarter result ever, the Japanese tech giant’s PlayStation 4 hit a major milestone—outselling the original console released in 1994.
Hundreds of koala bears are feared dead. Wildfires have burned through a large area in Australia that contains a prime koala breeding ground, around 250 miles north of Sydney.
There will be a Game of Thrones prequel. HBO has officially ordered ten episodes of the House of Dragons, set hundreds of years before the original series. Earlier, the entertainment giant killed off a separate prequel called the Age of Heroes.
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Could cell-cultured meat put farmers out of business? In our latest member exclusive, Quartz reporter Chase Purdy talks to Finless Food CEO Mike Seldon about a possible green new deal for agriculture and fisheries, with a focus on highly-localized production that guarantees jobs across the US and beyond. This week, Quartz’s field guide looks at the future of meat.
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Matters of Debate
Brexit is changing the English language. Its neologisms and linguistic contortions reflect the country’s complicated political challenges.
Cashew milk isn’t so wholesome. Many laborers harvesting and processing the nuts are exposed to harsh working conditions.
Is it worth running for office? For some, the political arena is now a dangerous and toxic workplace.
Surprising discoveries
Get a teal pumpkin. Kids with food allergies then know that a home is safe for trick-or-treating.
Hong Kong students used fax machines to beat Chinese censorship. In 1989, they sent a daily news digest to every fax number in China.
Seven hours a night keeps the brain feeling alright. There’s a good chance that consistent sleep deprivation plays a role in dementia.
Taylor Swift is still in a copyright battle. An appeals court says an earlier claim was dismissed too, well, swiftly.
Ants don’t do traffic jams. Even when they’re densely packed, they manage to move efficiently.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Chinese faxes, and Japanese beer to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Adam Rasmi and Hasit Shah.