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Here’s what you need to know
US president Joe Biden emphasizes the challenges of China and Russia at NATO today. This follows a similar rallying call at the G7 over the weekend, and comes ahead of a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin this week.
Benjamin Netanyahu is out as Israel’s prime minister after 12 years in power. Right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett will lead a new coalition government.
Carlos Ghosn’s American accomplices pleaded guilty in Japan. Michael and Peter Taylor admitted helping the former Nissan boss escape the country.
Amazon raised minimum pay in Germany to 12 euros ($15) per hour. A top labor union in Amazon’s second biggest market after the US has been organizing strikes since 2013.
A Danish soccer star suffered a cardiac arrest during a game. Christian Eriksen, 29, is awake and stable in hospital after collapsing on the field against Finland on Saturday.
Someone paid $28 million to join Jeff and Mark Bezos in space. Blue Origin’s first trip with people on board is set for July 20.
What to watch for
The football’s on, the sun’s (sometimes) out, and beer gardens are full. It should be a good summer in England, and the UK government decides today whether to remove all social restrictions in a week’s time (June 21), as planned. (Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales decide separately.) But every silver lining has a cloud.
The delta coronavirus variant, first identified in India, is spreading, and the government is set to remain cautious and keep a few restrictions in place for four more weeks.
But there may not be too much to worry about in July:
💉 More than half the country is fully vaccinated, including the vast majority of vulnerable people.
⬆️ The rise in infections is mostly among younger people, who are far less likely to become seriously ill or die, and everyone over 25 now has access to vaccine shots.
⚰️ Deaths are low. Across the UK, just 60 people died last week within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test. The peak weekly average in January was nearly 1,300.
Charting US workers quitting their jobs
There’s something unusual going on in the US labor market: workers are gaining leverage over employers.
The US economy is currently experiencing the highest rate of workers quitting their jobs that we’ve seen in the last two decades. It suggests workers are confident about their ability to find better paying or more appropriate employment somewhere else. But if that’s the case, why aren’t we seeing faster reductions in long-term unemployment or more people re-entering the labor force?
The easiest explanation is that transitions take time, writes Quartz’s Tim Fernholz.
Afrobeats
Investors, international companies, and social media platforms are showing a huge appetite for African entertainment, prompting growth in startup funding, investment in original content, and attracting global audiences. Listen to Quartz Africa’s playlist of some of the most popular songs on the continent right now, while you read this week’s field guide for members on the ascent of Africa’s music, TV, and film industries.
✦ To keep up with emerging industries in Africa and around the world, you’ll need a Quartz membership. (You can try it out for a week for free.)
Handpicked Quartz
(Psst. 👇 We took the first story out from behind our paywall because we think everyone should read it.)
⛹️‍♀️ A neuroscientist explains what happens inside your brain when you exercise
đźš« Can Nigeria still be a tech hub without Twitter?
🤑 The Coinbase IPO kicked off a new era in crypto—or did it?
🏥 ER visits in the US plunged in the pandemic, and that’s not good
🚨 What it’s like to be in Taiwan, one year late to a pandemic lockdown
Surprising discoveries
Lamborghinis are almost sold out for 2021. Thanks in part to pandemic-related “revenge spending,” the Italian supercar brand has already sold about 10 months of its production capacity.
Elizabeth Holmes merch sales are soaring online. A reportedly authentic Theranos lab coat is listed for $17,000.
Microsoft employees slept in data centers during the height of the pandemic. An exec said “a select few” stayed overnight at locations containing servers for online services like Microsoft Teams.
A lobster diver said he was nearly swallowed by a whale off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. “Oh my god, I’m in a whale’s mouth.“
A shrinking town in northern Croatia is selling houses for one kuna (16 US cents). One caveat: Residents must commit to staying at least 15 years.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, a Lamborghini, and a $17,000 lab coat to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our iOS app and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Michelle Cheng, Hasit Shah, Tim Fernholz, Carlos Mureithi, Nadia Neophytou, and Katherine Bell.