5 things you need to know Friday
1. Widely anticipated thriller 'Gone Girl' opens in theaters
Based on Gillian Flynn's best-selling novel about a marriage in disarray, Gone Girl opens on the silver screen Friday. Fans of Flynn's riveting page-turner will find the mesmerizing movie version by director David Fincher supremely smart and undeniably sinister. It's at once faithful to the source and even more precisely constructed. Paste BN's Claudia Puig gives the movie her highest rating (**** out of four).
2. Hong Kong protests dwindle as both sides agree to talks
The throngs of protesters calling for democratic reform on Hong Kong's streets were noticeably smaller Friday, after Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying agreed to talks with the demonstrators, although he repeated his refusal to accept their call for his resignation. It remains unclear if the smaller crowds signal that the movement is losing steam, or if it is a temporary lull ahead of renewed weekend protests.
3. Qdoba announces slash of prices for 'extras' — yes, even guac
You want guac with that? Of course you do, and Qdoba is here to give it to you. The Mexican grill restaurant will announce Friday that its extras – guacamole, queso dip and others – will be available for free starting Oct. 14. Qdoba, a 638-unit chain in the midst of a growth spurt and under new leadership, seeks to keep up with the competition and keep both customers' stomachs and wallets full.
4. Texas is rocking as Austin City Limits music festival begins
The Lone Star State welcomes dozens of artists to the two-weekend music jam session Austin City Limits, which begins Friday. Typically, the festival signals the end of music-fest season, but for its 13th year, organizers are giving fans a double dose of headliners. The fun spreads out over eight stages at Zilker Park in the Texas state capital with artists such as Eminem, Pearl Jam and Lana Del Rey scheduled to perform.
5. Germany celebrates 25 years as a united country
Happy Tag der Deutschen Einheit! For those of you who don't "sprechen sie Deutsch," Oct. 3 marks the 25th Day of German Unity – a holiday that celebrates German reunification in 1990. Celebrations will happen across the country, while Hanover, Germany, will host a conversation with Chancellor Angela Merkel and the German people.
And, the essentials:
Weather: The U.S. will be divided into a mostly wet eastern half and mostly dry western half on Friday.
Stocks: Stockfutures were higher Friday ahead of the government's monthly employment report, pointing to a positive end to a rough week that has reignited talk of a market correction.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch this weekend? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Homeland's return and Madam Secretary.
If you missed Thursday's news, we've got you covered here.
You can also get the day's top news each weekday in your inbox. Subscribe.
Contributing: The Associated Press