Michael makes landfall, SoftBank eyes WeWork, butt-dialing geckos

The EU and UK divorce talks approach the finish line. The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, will brief the European Commission as part of a crowded schedule ahead of a pivotal summit next week. [Quartz Daily Brief]( Sponsored by Good morning, Quartz readers! What to watch for today The EU and UK divorce talks approach the finish line. The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, will [brief the European Commission]( as part of a crowded schedule ahead of a pivotal summit next week. The Labor Department releases its September producer price index. The index, which measures the prices businesses receive for their goods and services, is expected to show [a 0.2% rise]( (pdf), according to a Reuters survey. Hurricane Michael lands in Florida. The [Category 4 storm]( is packing winds of 120 mph and could bring dangerous flooding when it makes landfall in the Florida Panhandle early afternoon local time. More than 370,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. Sponsor content by AT&T Business In the future you may never have to sit in a doctor's waiting room again. New edge technology is powering healthcare's digital transformation, which will help patients get better and faster care. [Take a look at how emerging technology]( will improve the lives of patients and caregivers alike. While you were sleeping SoftBank eyed a bigger stake in WeWork. It already owns almost 20% of the co-working company, and could be looking at [taking a majority stake]( (paywall)—an investment that would total between $15 billion and $20 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. SoftBank’s Vision Fund is led by Japanese entrepreneur Masayoshi Son and backed mainly by Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi wealth funds. Sears prepared for bankruptcy. The former giant of US retail, which has struggled as shoppers moved online, has [hired a boutique advisory firm]( (paywall) ahead of a looming $134 million debt-payment deadline, and could file as soon as this week. A Turkish newspaper named 15 Saudis it claims were involved in the journalist’s disappearance. The pro-government Sabah paper said the men were part of a [Saudi intelligence squad]( who arrived at Istanbul Ataturk airport on Oct 2. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of his government, hasn’t been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Medical experts said the world is in the grip of a mental-health crisis. The Lancet report said mental illness [claims 13.5 million lives every year]( and estimates that the cost of health issues, from anxiety to depression and trauma, will hit $16 trillion by 2030. Taiwan’s president vowed not to submit to Chinese oppression. In a [National Day speech]( bound to inflame Beijing, Tsai Ing-wen called the self-governing island a “beacon in the night for those who long for democracy.” She vowed to [enhance national security]( in the face of Chinese pressure. Quartz Obsession interlude Dan Kopf on why giving cash to Nigerian entrepreneurs cash was a great idea: “The contest was unlike any government program that had been rolled out before. But it was incredibly successful—so successful, in fact, that the idea is spreading across Africa, and helping to change the way that economists think about alleviating poverty.” [Read more here](. Matters of debate Future cities should be made of wood. It’s a sustainable choice, especially if modern techniques can make [timber-frame buildings more fire-resistant](. RIP, Black Friday. With [deep discounts available all year long]( there’s no point making US retail employees work on a holiday. “America First” will hurt everyone else. Trump’s trade wars and tax cuts will [cast a long shadow]( (paywall) on the global economy. Message from our Partner Hub Culture invites you to join them in Bermuda. Since 2002, [Hub Culture]( has worked to build a network and digital currency that serves users without selling them out, instead giving them control of their digital identity and data assets. Join us October 8-23 as we imagine the next big shifts during the [Bermuda Innovation Sprint]( an open set of activities, events, networking, and beach bliss for everyone obsessed with how we create global progress. Surprising discoveries A Hawaii veterinary hospital found an unlikely “butt-dial” culprit. A rogue gecko was [making calls with its feet]( on the director’s mobile phone. A Frenchman heading to the beard-growing world championship was arrested for drug trafficking. Gal Vallerius, [aka “OxyMonster”]( has been charged in the US with online drug dealing and money laundering. A BBC talent judge called a young David Bowie “devoid of personality.” A new documentary reveals [scathing reviews]( from the star’s early days. Amazon’s recruitment AI didn’t like women. The company [scrapped its automated hiring tool]( after noticing it didn’t rate candidates in a gender-neutral way. Indian airport police have to downgrade their smiles. Officers have been ordered to grin less broadly in order to appear “[more vigilant than friendly]( Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, award-winning beards, and missed gecko calls 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 Jill Petzinger and edited by Sarah Todd. Enjoying the Daily Brief? Forward it to a friend! 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