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Here’s what you need to know
Boeing and British Airways are to announce layoffs. It’s a disaster in the making: The US manufacturer is expected to offer early retirement and buyout packages to its workforce, while the UK flag carrier will suspend 36,000 workers.
SoftBank bailed on WeWork. The Japanese investor will not go through with a deal to buy $3 billion in shares, dealing a blow to the cash-strapped office rental company. The pandemic has reduced demand for work space.
SpaceX banned employees from using Zoom after reports of privacy breaches. The space firm, which has contracts with NASA, asked employees to use email, text, or phone instead of the controversial video conferencing tool, citing “significant privacy and security concerns.”
Italy extended lockdown measures. The strict guidelines to reduce gatherings and movement will now be in place until at least April 13. Italy reported 727 deaths on Wednesday, the lowest in almost a week, which suggests the measures are working.
One of Daniel Pearl’s accused killers is set to walk free in Pakistan. British-born Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who allegedly kidnapped the WSJ reporter in 2002, had a death sentence changed to a seven-year term. He’s already been in jail for 18 years.
Wimbledon is canceled. This is the first time that the tennis tournament won’t be played during peacetime in the UK. Add tennis to the list of sports that won’t be distracting you during your lockdown, although Wrestlemania is still on this weekend.
Mental health was an increasingly visible workplace issue before coronavirus. Now that we’re isolated from one another, it’s all the more important to address. Register here for a virtual workshop today at 11am EDT on mental wellness and anxiety relief.
The White House
Despite pressure, Donald Trump resisted issuing a stay-at-home order. The US president said governors should be free to decide if the policy makes sense for them. Five more states, including Florida and Pennsylvania, implemented or expanded their isolation measures.
The US increased protection for Anthony Fauci. The celebrated doctor has been targeted by conspiracy theorists and Trump supporters who claim he is trying to undermine the president’s popularity.
US intelligence reportedly claimed that China lied about its outbreak. Three US officials told Bloomberg that the country concealed the extent of its outbreak and under-reported the number of cases and deaths. Trump has been trying to shift blame to China (and many others).
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Virtual productivity is here to stay. The pandemic is leaving an indelible mark on our classrooms and our workplaces.
How do you talk to your partner about money? The secret is to ask the right questions and communicate with clarity and compassion.
Quartz daily obsession
Auctions are ancient. Selling off goods to the highest bidder dates back thousands of years, and has been used to find buyers for Roman emperorships, Nobel prizes, and celebrity kidney stones. And as auctions step into the digital age, their revenues show no sign of slowing down. Raise a paddle with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matter of debate
Are people who run to the hills during a pandemic behaving unethically? Some have gone to their second homes or to visit family in remote locations. Others have paid thousands for short-term rentals. We’re all being told to stay put, however. What would you do?
Surprising discoveries
Marie Kondo has tips for life under lockdown. The minimalism guru is using her experience of being stuck at home during the 2011 earthquake in Japan.
Scientists find evidence of forests in Antarctica. Seabed samples that are 90 million years old show signs of forest soil, pollen, root systems, and spores.
DeepMind is coming for your Pong high score. The AI system mastered all Atari games.
Bored celebrities are making Covid-19 public service announcements. Some of them are not bad, but some are practically unwatchable.
Malaysian women are not having the government’s coronavirus tips. Its “advice” includes not nagging your husband and wearing makeup at home.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, samples of ancient pollen, and your best Pong score 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 Luiz Romero and Hasit Shah.