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Here’s what you need to know
Beijing ramps up Covid-19 testing while Trump says slow it down. In an effort to arrest a surge of coronavirus cases in the Chinese capital, officials say they can now screen a million people a day. In the US, where Covid-19 is also spiking, Donald Trump argued testing ought to be slowed, calling it “double-edged sword.” A White House official later claimed the president was joking.
Thai nightlife will reopen in July. Thailand’s Covid-19 czar agreed to let bars, pubs, and karaoke joints open on July 1 as long as proper safety precautions are in place. July 1 also marks the end of Thailand’s lockdown and ban on foreign travelers.
Mount Merapi erupts twice. Indonesia’s “most active volcano” spewed gray ash into the atmosphere yesterday. No casualties were reported during the seven-minute eruptions, but officials have evacuated a two-mile “no go zone” around the 9,700-ft grumbling volcano.
Johnson & Johnson is dropping its line of skin-whitening creams. Amid Black Lives Matter protests around the world, the 134-year-old company announced it will discontinue its Neutrogena Fine Fairness and Clear Fairness by Clean & Clear creams. The skin-lightening products and dark spot removers are sold in Asia and the Middle East. “End colorism” activists are petitioning other cosmetic brands to do the same.
Pope Francis calls Catholics to divest from fossil fuels. Underscoring the message of his ecology-focused encyclical Laudato Si, the Pope urged Catholics to do the due diligence on their personal investments and exclude “companies that do not satisfy certain parameters” in terms of human rights, child labor, and protection of the environment.
What to watch for
Monday: US president Donald Trump plans to announce new restrictions on visas for foreign workers. Also, it’s World Rainforest Day.
Tuesday: China Automotive Systems reports first-quarter earnings, and former Trump advisor John Bolton’s new book, with mind-boggling details about the US president’s unconventional approach to foreign policy, gets released.
Wednesday: Mongolia holds a parliamentary election, while Russia holds a Victory Day military parade in Moscow.
Thursday: The Eiffel Tower reopens after its longest closure since World War II.
Friday: Nike reports earnings after the close of US trading on Thursday (that’s Friday morning in Asia). Wall Street is bracing for a revenue decline.
Charting Apple’s ascent over oil
The oil and gas sector, once worth a combined $3 trillion, is now worth less than Apple’s $1.5 trillion market capitalization. While Apple barely eked out a revenue increase in the first quarter, oil and gas companies are now in uncharted territory. ”The pace and scale of the societal impact of Covid-19 and the resulting deterioration in the macroeconomic and commodity price outlook is unprecedented,” Shell told investors, predicting the effects would likely extend beyond 2020.
For Members: The future of fossil fuels
Coronavirus’s impact on oil companies, from the biggest supermajors to small independent producers, was swift and devastating. In a matter of weeks, the world’s most valuable commodity had become practically impossible to sell. Is the crisis proof of the need to accelerate a transition away from fossil fuels? Read more in our field guide to the future of fossil fuels.
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Surprising discoveries
Underwear fabric for your face. Uniqlo’s Airism face masks, made from a breathable, moisture-wicking textile, are a hot ticket in Tokyo.
The French flocked to Spain to buy cigarettes. As Spain lifted its Covid-19 travel ban yesterday, border towns witnessed a hopeful sign that things were going back to normal: frugal French shoppers once again crossed country lines to save on alcohol and tobacco.
K-Pop fans and TikTok users took credit for foiling Trump’s rally. Teens and social-media activists say they registered for tickets and vastly inflated crowd expectations for a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where less than a third of the expected 19,000 showed up.
Beijing’s Covid-19 outbreak triggered a salmon panic. State media says the virus was found on chopping boards used to handle imported salmon at a wholesale market. However, China’s CDC says it’s unlikely that Covid-19 could spread through salmon, while Norwegian authorities said their fish was cleared of blame.
JAL is giving $1,400 to nearly every employee. The morale booster won’t be made available to top executives.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Eiffel Tower selfies, or morale-boosting bonuses 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 Anne Quito, Heather Landy, and Michael Coren.