Good morning from the Financial Times. Today is Friday, October 23rd, and this is your F.T. news briefing.

Last night's US presidential debate, contentious but less chaotic than the first and

local races in Texas and elsewhere around the US might not get as much attention

as the presidential race but they're just as important. I'll explain why.

Plus big news for the COVID-19 drug Remdisavir

and some not so great news for Intel.

I'm Mark Filipino and here's the news you need to start your day.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden squared off on Thursday in the last scheduled debate

before the US presidential election. The tone was calmer and had more clear

discussion than the first debate last month, but it was still combative. The candidates barred over

everything from coronavirus to American race relations. Just a few highlights

Biden said Trump had alienated US allies and hasn't done enough to keep China in check on trade.

He embraces guys like the thugs like in North Korea and the Chinese president and

Putin and others and he pokes his finger on the I have all of our friends. We need to be having the

rest of our friends with us saying to China these are the rules you play by

them or you're going to pay the price for not paying by them.

Trump defended his record on China and blamed Beijing for the spread of coronavirus.

The topics turn to health care, where Trump accused Biden of wanting to socialize American medicine.

He's talking about destroying your Medicare

and this whole country will come down.

You know, Bernie Sanders tried it.

He tried it at his state.

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