Good morning, Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
It’s Super Tuesday! Fourteen US states pick a Democrat to face Donald Trump in the presidential election in November. Bernie Sanders is ahead in polls, but Joe Biden is gaining momentum, after a victory in South Carolina and a wave of endorsements from dropouts Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, and Beto O’Rourke.
Benjamin Netanyahu claims victory in Israel. The prime minister, who is due in court this week to face corruption charges, described the outcome of Israel’s third election in less than a year as “the biggest win of my life.” Early results indicate that he is short of a majority, as counting continues.
G7 finance ministers discuss the economic impact of coronavirus. London stocks have climbed as central banks around the world promise stimulus, but according to Reuters, the G7’s plans don’t yet include direct calls for new government spending or coordinated rate cuts.
While you were sleeping, Covid-19 continued to cause havoc
Japan’s Olympics minister said the Tokyo Games could take place later in the year. “The contract calls for the Games to be held within 2020. That could be interpreted as allowing a postponement,” Seiko Hashimoto said in response to a question in parliament.
Chinese cities announced travel restrictions. As cases of Covid-19 subside in China, Beijing and Shanghai are making quarantine mandatory for incoming travelers from parts of the world where infections are rising.
The US government promised to buy all unused masks. The Department of Health wants manufacturers to increase production, as the US faces a potential shortage, and it is guaranteeing that they won’t get stuck with inventory once the Covid-19 scare is over.
The Pope has a cold, not Covid-19. Rome’s Il Messaggero reported that he tested negative for the disease, but the Vatican refused to comment. The 83-year-old has been away from the public for a couple of weeks, as the number of cases in Italy passed 2,000 and the death toll reached 52.
Quartz has a special newsletter dedicated to Covid-19. Need to Know: Coronavirus examines how the epidemic is affecting the health of the global economy. Sign up here.
Quartz membership
A college education can’t guarantee success in the digital economy. So what can? Quartz’s Michael J. Coren reports on the challenge to transform education and close the widening gap between a slow-moving higher-ed system and a fast-moving economy—without miring students in debt.
Quartz daily obsession
Ghost ships are modern miracles, curious rebels, and the stuff of romantic imagining. Beyond folklore, real, massive, unmanned vessels remind us that the oceans are wilder than we can fathom. Appearing suddenly, stuck in some kind of undead state, they warn against the dangers of greed and ego. Come aboard with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matters of debate
Wall Street’s watchdog is obscuring data on financial advisers. BrokerCheck uses vague and jargon-filled language, and presents data in inscrutable formats.
Psychedelic therapy is plagued with sexual abuse allegations. That’s more important than ever as MDMA is on the cusp of becoming legal medicine.
Global brands remain incapable of stopping labor abuses in their Chinese factories. At least 80,000 Uighurs are reportedly forced to make products for world-renowned firms.
Surprising discoveries
Indian politicians are peddling bizarre cures for Covid-19. From cow urine to yoga, top-down disinformation is an epidemic.
Mike Bloomberg is advertising his gun-control plans in Texas. It’s a surprising strategy for a place that loves guns.
Covid-19 is changing the way the world says “hello.” People everywhere are replacing handshakes and cheek kissing with feet or elbow tapping, namaste greetings, and waving.
Scientists found evidence that the Earth was once completely covered in water. Some three billion years ago, our planet might not have had continents at all.
Who is Jan Thiel? On Spotify, they are an artist with millions of streams. On the rest of the internet, they simply do not exist.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, real Spotify artists, and actual Covid-19 cures to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Hasit Shah and Luiz Romero.