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Saudi Arabia and Russia neared an oil deal. In a virtual OPEC+ meeting, the two countries reportedly reached a deal in principle to cut oil output by 10 million barrels per day. Oil prices still sank, however, due to continued uncertainty on key details of the deal, including Mexico’s non-participation. G20 energy ministers will continue discussions today.
The EU hammered out a giant rescue package. After days of talks, the bloc agreed on a €500 billion ($546 billion) deal, which fell short of what the European Central Bank had advised. Italy and Spain accepted a delay on “coronabonds,” which pools borrowing among EU members, as the Netherlands put up stern opposition to such a plan.
South Korea began early voting in parliamentary elections. Some polling stations opened ahead of the official April 15 date, as Korea presses ahead with voting during the pandemic by implementing a host of public health precautions. The city of Daegu, the epicenter of Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, reported no new cases for the first time today.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson left intensive care. He will remain under observation as he recovers from coronavirus. The pound rose slightly on the news.
Another disease outbreak draws to a close. The World Health Organization is expected to announce on Sunday that the Ebola epidemic is over, as no new cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since Feb. 17.
Easter under coronavirus
Pope Francis goes virtual. He will hold Mass on the weekend in the Vatican, and devotees can watch via YouTube. Some rituals, however, including the kissing of the Cross on Good Friday, have been canceled. In England, the Archbishop of Canterbury will hold a service from his kitchen.
Some US churches are defying social isolation. Many are determined to go ahead with large in-person services this weekend, defying advice from public health officials. President Donald Trump exempted churches from a stay-at-home order.
Governments sounded warnings for the weekend. Australian officials issued stern warnings against breaches of self-isolation measures over the long weekend and said police would be stepping up patrols, including using helicopters. And with the UK expecting sunny temperatures, authorities are urging people to stay away from beaches, national parks, and their second homes.
Quartz membership
Gen Z’s consumer sway is its biggest political tool. And with teens watching each other constantly on social media, telling each other what’s cool and what’s not with little regard for what traditional power brokers think, companies may soon have no choice but to do their bidding.
Coronavirus will change sports forever. TV deals and player contracts, especially, may not be so generous in the immediate future.
Quartz daily obsession
A mighty (and expensive) wind. The worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 has countries scrambling to source ventilators, devices that could mean life or death for the most at-risk victims. The sophisticated machines cost as much as a new car and do more than pump air into the lungs; they can detect when a patient wants to breathe and aid the process, ensure the correct air pressure and oxygen mix, and minimize the side effects on fragile lung tissue. Take a deep breath and dive into the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matter of debate
Leaders should not aim for “decadent invincibility.” Boris Johnson tried to keep calm and carry on, despite quite clearly being too sick to work—and look where he ended up. And as voters and employees, we must also stop demanding unflinching strength and constant presence.
Surprising discoveries
A French monastery is releasing 7,000 hours of Gregorian chants. The Benedictine nuns hope their music can help people get through the difficulties of self-isolation.
Hong Kong has quarantined over 50 animals due to coronavirus. These include two hamsters.
Coronavirus has delayed new emojis. The Unicode consortium’s president says maintaining their normal release schedule is no longer tenable.
Crops were harvested 10,000 years ago in the Amazon. The discovery changes longstanding theories about the shift away from hunter-gatherer societies.
Ordering delivery doesn’t mean you can’t talk to a waiter. One Philadelphia restaurant is offering tableside service via video call with all orders.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, holy chants, and video calls with waiters 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.