Good morning. It's Tuesday, Sept. 29, and we're covering the first presidential debate, water confirmed on Mars, and the Stanley Cup. Have feedback? Let us know at hello@join1440.com.

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NEED TO KNOW

Trump, Biden Square Off

The first of three presidential debates will be held tonight, with President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden facing off live from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland (9pm ET, major networks). Moderated by Fox News' Chris Wallace, the 90-minute event will be divided into 15-minute segments across six topics, including racial unrest, filling former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat, and election integrity (see all). Not on that list—but likely to arise—is a Sunday revelation of the president's tax records, as well as Hunter Biden's, Joe Biden's son, former association with a Ukrainian energy company.

Trump trails Biden in key polls, but the president's supporters say Biden has minimized public appearances and a poor showing may flip the race. Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) meet on the debate stage next Wednesday, followed by two final presidential debates Oct. 15 and 22. 

Explore the 60-year history of televised debates here.

Martian Lakes

The presence of a large underground saltwater lake has been confirmed on Mars, astronomers announced yesterday. The possibility of the geologic feature was first detected in 2018 and became the first liquid detected on the red planet—but not for long, as the new study also identified three other nearby lakes. 

Measurements were taken using ground-penetrating radar to probe beneath the planet's nearly two-mile-thick ice cap covering its south pole. Water has been observed before on Mars, but in the form of ice and gas, or trapped in rocks—the planet's atmosphere is too thin to support liquid water. Scientists are still debating the planet's history, but many believe it used to be much warmer and wetter billions of years ago, and photos taken by NASA rovers have confirmed the presence of ancient rivers and lakebeds. The findings suggest the region is a prime area to look for signs of life.

Explore Mars in-depth here. 

Tampa Bay Hoists the Cup 

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup last night, beating the Dallas Stars by a score of 2-0 in Game 6 of the NHL finals. The win marks the team's second title in franchise history—its first since the 2003-04 season—and caps an unusual season that saw a more than four-month delay due to the pandemic and a postseason played nearly entirely in a bubble. The Lightning clinched the title after a disappointing Game 5 loss in which they blew a late lead, ultimately falling to the Stars in double overtime. 

The victory marked an end to years of frustration for the talented Lightning. Often finishing at the top of the league, Tampa Bay fell in the finals in 2015, the conference finals in 2016 and 2018, and saw a disappointing first-round exit in 2019 despite notching the league's best regular season record. Defenseman Victor Hedman won the Conn Smythe trophy for most outstanding player in the series. 

See celebration photos here.

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A MASK FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Have you tried exercising with a mask on? Now, we aren't going to claim we were ever running sub-three hour marathons, but our current masks only make the shortness of breath and wheezing all the more noticeable.

Which is why we're pretty thrilled to have found Hmnkind. Their Antibacterial Performance Mask feels like cashmere on the skin (seriously—it's ridiculously soft), while offering more protection than your standard cotton mask. It's both breathable and 99.9% antibacterial, meaning you can say goodbye to that funky-mask-smell. It's also incredibly easy to wash and doesn't strip the face of natural moisture, so you won't have to worry again about mask-induced bad skin.

Hmnkind's Antibacterial Performance Mask comes in four sizes and seven colors to fit every head shape and style. Check them out today and grab a mask for exercise, errands, or leisurely strolls. Your skin will thank you; use code 20FOR1440 for 20% off your order.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by Yes Plz Coffee

> MLB Playoffs kick off tonight with their first-ever 16-team postseason; here’s everything to know about each playoff team (More) | Doc Rivers out as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after disappointing playoff exit (More)

> Cannes Film Festival, which was canceled due to COVID-19, will host three-day “Special Cannes” mini-festival Oct. 27-29 (More)

> Meghan Markle and Prince Harry deny reports they are taking part in a Netflix reality show highlighting their philanthropy work (More)

Whether you're a self-proclaimed coffee snob or just want to upgrade your morning, Yes Plz has the coffee for you. Every release is a unique mix of expertly sourced beans, roasted fresh, and delivered right to your door. 1440 readers: take $5 off your first order and free shipping to your door. #Ad

Science & Technology

> Judge says legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, the maker of hit video game "Fortnite," should go to jury trial; would be scheduled for mid-2021 (More) | Overview of the standoff (More)

> New microscopy technique allows scientists to study chemical reactions that take place inside cancer cells; approach may help answer why drugs work against some cancer types but not others (More)

> Scientists identify 160 genes linked to shrinkage of the brain's cortex, the region responsible for thinking and awareness, as patients age (More)

Business & Markets

> Energy and financial stocks lead US markets rally with S&P 500 up 1.6%, followed by the Dow (+1.5%) and Nasdaq (+1.9%) (More)

> Federal Reserve survey of household income and wealth shows US household median wealth increased 18% between 2016-19, median income up 5%; wealth inequality gap persists (More)

> Uber wins legal battle to restore London operating license for 18 months, shares up 3% (More) | Amazon announces Oct. 13-14 for 2020 Prime Day after pandemic-induced July postponement (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Trump administration to distribute 150 million rapid COVID-19 tests to states in coming weeks, with priority use for reopening schools (More) | Some Upper Midwest states see 25% positivity rates amid virus surge (More) | World passes 1 million deaths (More)

> Maryland county reaches $20M settlement with family of William Green, a Black man shot and killed while handcuffed in a patrol car in January; officer responsible faces second-degree murder charges (More)

> Embattled Cardinal George Pell returns to the Vatican to help deal with a financial scandal; Pell was convicted in 2018 of child sex crimes, but charges were later overturned (More)

IN-DEPTH

eBay's Cockroach Cult

NYT | David Streitfeld. The inside story of how executives at one of the country's biggest tech companies carried out a monthslong harassment campaign—including mailing a box of live cockroaches—to a niche industry blogger for criticizing the company's practices. (Read, $$)

How the Pandemic is Changing Our Dreams

Scientific American | Tore Nielsen. More time for sleeping (and REM cycles) and pandemic-induced anxiety is not only changing how often we dream, but the nature of what we dream about as well. (Read)

GOOD RIDDANCE, MASKNE!

In partnership with Hmnkind

Did you know that your go-to face mask is probably giving you acne (or as we like to call it, maskne)? Moisture from your breath gets trapped inside your mask and creates a breeding ground for bacteria to clog pores. But worry no longer, with Hmnkind.

Hmnkind Antibacterial Performance Masks are designed to kill 99.9% of bacteria. That, and they're so comfortable they feel like cashmere. So check them out today and grab one for yourself. Don't forget to use coupon code 20FOR1440 for 20% off your order. Hasta la vista, maskne.

Please support our sponsors!

ETCETERA

Stunning winners of the 2020 Drone Photography Awards.

Visualizing if all the US COVID-19 deaths happened in your neighborhood. ($$, WashPo) 

"Inception" in real life, thanks to science​.

Crows can ponder the content of their own minds.

Documentary forces a new probe into the sinking of the MS Estonia​.

Charting the country's top 50 fast food chains.

Gold hunting is the new hot hobby.

American arrested in Thailand for negative hotel review.

Clickbait: Why we won't be chopping palm trees anytime soon. 

Historybook: John D. Rockefeller becomes world’s first billionaire (1916); Pope John Paul II is first pope to visit Ireland (1979); Stacy Allison becomes first American woman to climb Mount Everest (1988); HBD basketball star Kevin Durant (1988). 

"If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success."

- John D. Rockefeller

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