Briefing

THE WEEK

EBOLA QUARANTINES GOT MESSY

Facebook

Powered by strong mobile-ad growth, the social network’s earnings beat forecasts

GOOD WEEK

BAD WEEK

Twitter

The company saw sluggish growth in new users despite efforts to attract more eyeballs

‘Let’s give a hug for the cameras. ‘

BARACK OBAMA, U.S. President, to Nina Pham, a nurse infected with Ebola who was later declared free of the disease

52%

The percentage of Americans who believe marijuana should be legal, an all-time high

$20,000

The average amount saved for retirement by middle-class Americans of all ages

‘Don’t let anybody tell you that it’s corporations and businesses that create jobs.’

HILLARY CLINTON, during a campaign rally in Boston; an aide later said the likely 2016 presidential candidate had meant that tax breaks for corporations and businesses don’t create jobs

‘We will not run scared.’

STEPHEN HARPER, Canadian Prime Minister, after a man opened fire in the country’s Parliament building in Ottawa Oct. 22 and killed one person before dying; Harper called it a terrorist attack and promised expanded police powers

‘WE ARE SUMMONING THE DEMON.’

ELON MUSK, Tesla founder and SpaceX CEO, warning of the dangers of artificial-intelligence technology, which he called “our biggest existential threat”

$3.08

The average price per gallon of gas in the U.S. in mid-October, the lowest in four years

‘Did he really think I’m Malala … and that if I were, I’d be at the Boom Boom Room?’

MINDY KALING, actress, after an intoxicated man asked her if she was the 17-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner

Sources: Bloomberg; New York Times (2); Pew; Reuters; Wall Street Journal; Wells Fargo; Washington Post