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Russia offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill American troops. That’s the conclusion of US intelligence officials, who call it part of the Kremlin’s broader plan to destabilize the West. US president Donald Trump claims he was not briefed on the matter.
Satellite images show an expanded military presence on the China-India border. Both countries have increased construction on their respective sides of the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains, amid escalating tensions.
New Covid-19 clusters were found in China, South Korea, Germany, and Italy. Four countries that thought they had the virus under control are reporting new outbreaks. Global cases have now passed 10 million, while half a million people have died from the disease.
Tenet was delayed—again. Warner Bros. was forced to push back the theatrical release of director Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster thriller for the second time as several US states report increased rates of Covid-19. The highly-anticipated film will come out Aug. 12 (for now).
India opened one of the world’s biggest coronavirus hospitals. The hospital has 10,000 beds, which will serve patients in Delhi. The opening comes after India’s health ministry said the country experienced its biggest single-day increase in new infections on June 28.
What to Watch For
Monday: Taiwan begins opening up to foreigners, and Thailand votes on new Covid-19 measures. The UK could ban Huawei from its 5G network, Boeing 737 Max test flights can begin, and Luckin Coffee will be delisted from Nasdaq.
Tuesday: National security laws for Hong Kong are expected to pass in Beijing, Singapore’s election campaign begins, and Japan starts its first clinical vaccine trial. New manufacturing data from China, and earnings from Conagra and FedEx.
Wednesday: Europe reopens to travel with exceptions, NAFTA’s replacement kicks in, China rolls out new auto emissions standards, and Tokyo Disneyland reopens. Bank of Japan’s business sentiment survey, earnings from General Mills, Macy’s, and Constellation Brands, and Hong Kong’s handover anniversary.
Thursday: World UFO Day, plus a glut of US reports and forecasts, including June jobs, trade deficit data, and an updated 10-year economic forecast.
Friday: Hamilton comes to Disney+, and US businesses observe Independence Day.
Charting Nike’s pandemic sales
Nike is one of the stronger retail performers in the US, and arguably better insulated from the pandemic than many others. But when Covid-19 hit, the impact was too great for even Nike to withstand.
For two months, about 90% of Nike’s physical stores were closed in North America, Europe, much of Asia (excluding China), and other regions. Digital sales were up, but they couldn’t make up the brick-and-mortar deficit. For the full fiscal year that ended May 31, Nike’s sales fell 4% versus the same period last year.
For members: How to build a walkable city
The history of Paris offers a lesson for today’s commuters.
By the mid-19th century, the French capital was reeling from decades of violence and disease. Cholera was in the water, and the end of the 1848 revolution lingered in the air. In 1853, Napoleon III tasked Georges-Eugène Haussmann with modernizing the city. The French official opened up the city’s dense medieval alleyways, transforming them into the broad boulevards Paris is famous for today while relieving overcrowding. The result was a healthier, more beautiful and open city. (The new expansive streets also helped to hinder insurrectionists and provide quick passage for troops.)
The design, which created a core with numerous walkable streets, helped the city of Paris navigate its Covid-19 reopening more successfully than others. But so have modern politics and policy.
✦ Read more about what cities can learn from Paris in our field guide on the commuting revolution. It’s available exclusively to members—start with a seven-day free trial! ✦
Surprising discoveries
The first-ever degree in ninja studies. A 45-year-old student at a Japanese university spent two years perfecting martial arts and survival skills.
NASA needs your space toilet ideas. The US space agency is soliciting thoughts from the public on the best way to build a bathroom on the moon.
The patron saint of the internet. A tech-savvy Italian teen who died from leukemia in 2006 is close to achieving sainthood after the Vatican attributed a miracle to him.
Amazon wants hairy actors. The company’s upcoming Lord of the Rings TV series put out a casting call for actors with “funny-looking” physical features.
A bear needs a stay of execution. Animal rights activists want a full investigation before a bear is euthanized for attacking a father and son on a hiking trail in Italy.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, ninja diplomas, and lunar loos 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 Adam Epstein, Katie Palmer, Jackie Bischof, and Marc Bain.