Brexit preparations, Darjeeling goes digital, crying LeBron

[Quartz - qz.com] Daily Brief sponsored by Good morning, Quartz readers! What to watch for today Janet Yellen testifies before Congress. The head of the US Federal Reserve delivers her [semi-annual remarks on monetary policy] to the Senate, with comments to the House to follow tomorrow. The European Central Bank plans for Brexit—just in case. If Britain [votes to leave the EU] on June 23, the euro zone’s tentative economic recovery could suffer, and that’s just for starters. The bank’s policymakers will [discuss contingency plans today] (paywall) for what to do should Europe’s financial capital cut itself off from its neighbors. Darjeeling goes digital. Cultivated in the Himalayas, the famous tea has been sold in private auctions to large buyers for over 150 years. [Starting today] the tea will be sold via e-auction—and fetch higher prices, [local traders hope]. The Consumer Electronics Show opens in New York. The event, [now in its 10th year], will include a drone obstacle course. Exhibits run through Thursday. Sponsor content by XEROX 35 interfaces that rocked the world. The mouse. The ATM. The rotary phone. Throughout history humans have evolved how they interact with the world, designing smarter ways to make living and working simpler and more efficient. These innovations have [changed the world], and some might surprise you.[Advertisement] While you were sleeping The US Senate blocked gun-control proposals. Senators [voted down four separate measures] on strengthening background checks and preventing suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. The voting came in the aftermath of a [June 12 massacre] at a gay nightclub in Orlando that left nearly 50 people dead. China said it might quit the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It depends on whether an upcoming tribunal ruling runs counter to Beijing’s position that nearly the entire South China Sea is its territory, [according to the Japan Times]. The US, which recently deployed two aircraft carrier groups to the sea, [never ratified the convention]. Oi filed for Brazil’s biggest-ever bankruptcy protection. Amid a harsh recession and mounting competition, the mobile operator failed to reach an agreement with holders of its $19 billion in debt. The filing will likely [have major repercussions] in Brazil, with state-owned banks among the company’s top creditors. A mine in South Africa unearthed a 121-carat diamond. Petra Diamonds [said it recovered] the precious stone at the Cullinan mine in Pretoria, which has already produced some of the world’s largest diamonds, including those that feature among Britain’s Crown Jewels. It was welcome news amid falling diamond prices. Quartz obsession interlude Lily Kuo on anti-migration tactics in Somaliland. “Parents are trying to dissuade their children from dangerous and illegal migration to Europe by buying them second-hand cars that can be operated as taxis… [known as] hooyo ha tahriibin, which translates roughly as a mother pleading “my son, do not smuggle yourself.” [Read more here]. Matters of debate Meritocracies are horrible places to be less than smart. Intelligence [shouldn’t dictate] an individual’s worth. Young Americans are giving up on capitalism. Or, more accurately, they’re [sick of the way it’s practiced]. Elon Musk is wrong: We’re not living in a simulation. It’s not so easy to [explain away the physical world]. Surprising discoveries Fast-food chains are ruthlessly seeking new meals to exploit. One [trademarked the term “brunchfast.”] Carbon emissions are decimating the world’s mussels. Acidic seas are [eating their shells away]. “Crying LeBron” is the internet’s new favorite thing. The NBA Finals MVP [displaced previous favorite] “Crying Jordan.” In an age of mass shootings, companies are selling “ballistic furniture.” [Bullet-proof panels] (paywall) can be used in desks or tables. A refugee camp riot was halted by the wifi repairmen. Syrians held in Greece [stopped protests to let them pass]. Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, teary power forwards, and brunchfast bookings to [hi@qz.com]. You can download [our iPhone app] or follow us [on Twitter] for updates throughout the day. Want to receive the Daily Brief at a different time? [Click here] to change your edition. To unsubscribe entirely, [click here]. Like us on [Facebook] and follow us on [Twitter]. Quartz | 675 Avenue of the Americas, 4th Fl | New York, NY 10011 | United States