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Here’s what you need to know
The UN sounded a grave warning over the coronavirus outbreak. Secretary general António Guterres said that the pandemic is the biggest challenge facing the world since World War II, and urged rich nations to help poorer ones to stave off the spread of the disease.
Tennis gets canceled… Wimbledon organizers are expected to call off the tournament, scheduled to begin on June 29. A postponement of the Grand Slam is near impossible as the venue only has two covered courts, and therefore cannot be held in the late English summer or beyond.
…and European soccer makes a plan. UEFA, Europe’s governing body for the sport, will talk with all national soccer associations on the continent to discuss how to proceed with club tournaments. UEFA wants to complete the Champions and Europa Leagues this season, and is considering reducing quarter- and semi-final games to one game only.
The EU starts a new mission to monitor arms to Libya. The naval mission in the Mediterranean will enforce the UN arms embargo by inspecting ships suspected to be carrying weapons to the war-torn country. It will also clamp down on oil smuggling from Libya.
The world took stock of a miserable first quarter. The S&P 500 lost $5 trillion in value, marking its worst quarterly decline since the financial crisis. Goldman Sachs doesn’t see much room improvement, predicting a 34% annualized hit to US GDP for Q2.
Saudi Arabia put the hajj on hold. With the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca still scheduled for July, the Saudi government suggested that people wait before making travel arrangements.
Time to vent
There’s a new ventilator problem. The US already has too few devices to treat Covid-19 patients, and now doctors are reporting a shortage of medications required for the ventilator-dependent population.
A rocket maker launched its own effort. Richard Branson-backed Virgin Orbit is using its factory to produce much-needed ventilators for coronavirus patients, in collaboration with University of California physicians.
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Coronavirus has slashed carbon emissions, but can it last? The coronavirus pandemic has the potential to accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy.
Marriage plus money doesn’t have to equal mayhem. The latest edition of Quartz’s Mindful Money series shows what it takes to communicate about shared finances with clarity and compassion.
Quartz daily obsession
Bidet owners are sitting pretty. In anticipation of lockdowns, people around the world cleared supermarket shelves of bathroom tissue—that’s no problem for those who prefer to clean their nether regions with bidets. While many cultures have embraced the nozzle, it’s faced some serious resistance in the US. But with new, cheaper devices, a growing concern about the environmental disaster that is conventional TP, and, perhaps, a pandemic, this may be the bidet’s breakthrough moment. The Quartz Daily Obsession is prepared to gently shower you with knowledge.
Matter of debate
It’s OK to play video games to your heart’s content right now. Playing—and watching other people play video games—is a reliable defense against quarantine-induced anxiety, if only for a couple hours at a time. Gaming can give people a sense of control at a time when everything else feels out of control—and judging by the run on Nintendo Switch consoles around the world, many people have the same idea.
Surprising discoveries
Strike a pose. The Getty Museum in Los Angeles issued a challenge to recreate famous works of art with household objects.
Breakfast rules. Eggs and orange juice are among the world’s best performing assets this year.
A massive waterfall disappeared. A sinkhole redirected water away from the San Rafael Waterfall in Ecuador.
Turkmenistan banned the word “coronavirus.” The hermetic Central Asian republic also claims to have no cases.
Goats are taking over a Welsh town. They’re rampaging through empty streets and eating hedges as humans retreat indoors.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, OJ, and soothing video games 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 written by Isabella Steger and edited by Mary Hui.