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Your Monday Briefing Your Monday Briefing
(4 months later)
Good morning.
We’re covering protests in Hong Kong against China’s planned security laws, a rare cease-fire in Afghanistan and The Times’s front page on the loss of nearly 100,000 lives in the U.S.
Thousands of demonstrators streamed into some of Hong Kong’s busiest neighborhoods on Sunday in the city’s largest street mobilization in months. The police responded with tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons.Thousands of demonstrators streamed into some of Hong Kong’s busiest neighborhoods on Sunday in the city’s largest street mobilization in months. The police responded with tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons.
It was the first show of defiance from the street since Beijing announced plans on Friday to tighten its control over Hong Kong, proposing new security laws at the opening of the National People’s Congress.It was the first show of defiance from the street since Beijing announced plans on Friday to tighten its control over Hong Kong, proposing new security laws at the opening of the National People’s Congress.
But the demonstration also made clear the challenges facing the pro-democracy movement. Attendance was far lower than for the huge rallies last year, which were inspired by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.But the demonstration also made clear the challenges facing the pro-democracy movement. Attendance was far lower than for the huge rallies last year, which were inspired by a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.
Some protesters have expressed hopelessness and newfound fear of publicly showing opposition. The police showed that they planned to act decisively to stop mass gatherings before they gather force.Some protesters have expressed hopelessness and newfound fear of publicly showing opposition. The police showed that they planned to act decisively to stop mass gatherings before they gather force.
Analysis: President Xi Jinping’s move against Hong Kong has echoes of President Vladimir Putin’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, our Beijing bureau chief Steven Lee Myers writes:Analysis: President Xi Jinping’s move against Hong Kong has echoes of President Vladimir Putin’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, our Beijing bureau chief Steven Lee Myers writes:
“While Mr. Xi is using legislation rather than military force in a territory already under Chinese rule, it is nonetheless a brash move by an autocratic leader willing to risk international condemnation to resist what he views as foreign encroachment on his country’s security.”“While Mr. Xi is using legislation rather than military force in a territory already under Chinese rule, it is nonetheless a brash move by an autocratic leader willing to risk international condemnation to resist what he views as foreign encroachment on his country’s security.”
The Taliban and the Afghan government have announced a three-day truce for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic religious holiday that started on Sunday in Afghanistan.The Taliban and the Afghan government have announced a three-day truce for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic religious holiday that started on Sunday in Afghanistan.
It was only the second brief cease-fire that the sides have agreed to in the nearly two decades since a U.S. invasion toppled the Taliban government in 2001.It was only the second brief cease-fire that the sides have agreed to in the nearly two decades since a U.S. invasion toppled the Taliban government in 2001.
The announcement comes as worsening violence threatens to derail a fragile peace process meant to enable the withdrawal of U.S. troops after more than 18 years of war.The announcement comes as worsening violence threatens to derail a fragile peace process meant to enable the withdrawal of U.S. troops after more than 18 years of war.
Next steps: Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy for Afghan peace, said the cease-fire could help accelerate the peace process, and called for “the release of remaining prisoners as specified in the U.S.-Taliban agreement by both sides, no returning to high levels of violence, and an agreement on a new date for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations.”Next steps: Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy for Afghan peace, said the cease-fire could help accelerate the peace process, and called for “the release of remaining prisoners as specified in the U.S.-Taliban agreement by both sides, no returning to high levels of violence, and an agreement on a new date for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations.”
President Trump is pressing U.S. officials to reopen houses of worship — a step that some other countries have already taken, sometimes to their regret.President Trump is pressing U.S. officials to reopen houses of worship — a step that some other countries have already taken, sometimes to their regret.
In Germany, for instance, which has allowed religious services for weeks, 40 worshipers tested positive for the coronavirus after a service at a Baptist church in Frankfurt.In Germany, for instance, which has allowed religious services for weeks, 40 worshipers tested positive for the coronavirus after a service at a Baptist church in Frankfurt.
Other places are just now lifting restrictions. In Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher reopened on Sunday after a two-month lockdown. In France, the top administrative court last week ordered the government to allow in-person religious services, making the country one of the last in Western Europe to reopen churches, mosques and synagogues.Other places are just now lifting restrictions. In Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher reopened on Sunday after a two-month lockdown. In France, the top administrative court last week ordered the government to allow in-person religious services, making the country one of the last in Western Europe to reopen churches, mosques and synagogues.
Large gatherings of worshipers have been linked to the spread of the virus in some places, most notably South Korea, where a single church group accounted for more than half of the country’s early infections.Large gatherings of worshipers have been linked to the spread of the virus in some places, most notably South Korea, where a single church group accounted for more than half of the country’s early infections.
Here are the latest coronavirus updates and maps.Here are the latest coronavirus updates and maps.
In other developments:In other developments:
Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared determined to stand by his most influential adviser, Dominic Cummings, after reports that Mr. Cummings had visited relatives in northern England while he was ill with the coronavirus — a violation of Britain’s lockdown rules.Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared determined to stand by his most influential adviser, Dominic Cummings, after reports that Mr. Cummings had visited relatives in northern England while he was ill with the coronavirus — a violation of Britain’s lockdown rules.
Many unemployed Italians are returning to the agricultural jobs of their grandparents after 150,000 seasonal workers from Romania, Poland, India and elsewhere were locked out of Italy during the pandemic.Many unemployed Italians are returning to the agricultural jobs of their grandparents after 150,000 seasonal workers from Romania, Poland, India and elsewhere were locked out of Italy during the pandemic.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a global progressive icon, has been strikingly effective in coaxing New Zealanders to suspend their lives because of the coronavirus pandemic.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a global progressive icon, has been strikingly effective in coaxing New Zealanders to suspend their lives because of the coronavirus pandemic.
As New Zealand prepares for an election in September, our Sydney bureau chief writes about her leadership style, including her deft use of Facebook to craft a relationship with a population of five million that is “less saint and disciples, more friends or teammates.”As New Zealand prepares for an election in September, our Sydney bureau chief writes about her leadership style, including her deft use of Facebook to craft a relationship with a population of five million that is “less saint and disciples, more friends or teammates.”
Israeli corruption trial: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud began on Sunday and is expected to last a year or more. The first witnesses are not expected to testify for months.Israeli corruption trial: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud began on Sunday and is expected to last a year or more. The first witnesses are not expected to testify for months.
North Korea’s leader: In his first public activity reported by the country’s media in three weeks, President Kim Jong-un convened the country’s top military-governing body to outline “new policies for further increasing” its nuclear capabilities and promoting weapons officials.North Korea’s leader: In his first public activity reported by the country’s media in three weeks, President Kim Jong-un convened the country’s top military-governing body to outline “new policies for further increasing” its nuclear capabilities and promoting weapons officials.
Snapshot: Above, a room full of art all to yourself at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. On Saturday, it became the first major U.S. art museum to reopen (with restrictions) since the country went into lockdown in March.Snapshot: Above, a room full of art all to yourself at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. On Saturday, it became the first major U.S. art museum to reopen (with restrictions) since the country went into lockdown in March.
What we’re listening to: The “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” podcast. “This episode,” says Lance Booth, a photo editor, “is about a writer who becomes unemployed after landing her dream job, and the ever-revolving gate of unemployment.”What we’re listening to: The “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” podcast. “This episode,” says Lance Booth, a photo editor, “is about a writer who becomes unemployed after landing her dream job, and the ever-revolving gate of unemployment.”
Cook: Melissa Clark’s classic yellow cake is whisked in one bowl and frosted however you like (or smothered in strawberries and cream).Cook: Melissa Clark’s classic yellow cake is whisked in one bowl and frosted however you like (or smothered in strawberries and cream).
Watch: Yes, it’s been a weird year for movies, but our chief critics have still found plenty of gems. Here are their top picks, all streaming. Also, Steve Carell plays a capable, take-charge military leader in the new Netflix show “Space Force.”Watch: Yes, it’s been a weird year for movies, but our chief critics have still found plenty of gems. Here are their top picks, all streaming. Also, Steve Carell plays a capable, take-charge military leader in the new Netflix show “Space Force.”
Do: Many couples stuck at home are getting on each other’s nerves. Here are some tips on how to have a constructive argument. And if you’re falling behind despite all the downtime, an effective to-do list can help.Do: Many couples stuck at home are getting on each other’s nerves. Here are some tips on how to have a constructive argument. And if you’re falling behind despite all the downtime, an effective to-do list can help.
Some lockdowns are easing, but if you’re staying safe at home, we have a lot more ideas about what to read, cook, do and watch.Some lockdowns are easing, but if you’re staying safe at home, we have a lot more ideas about what to read, cook, do and watch.
As the United States approaches 100,000 dead from the coronavirus, our editors wanted to mark the grim milestone. So, instead of the articles, photographs or graphics that normally appear on the front page of The New York Times, on Sunday, there’s just a list: a long, solemn list of people whose lives were lost to the coronavirus pandemic.As the United States approaches 100,000 dead from the coronavirus, our editors wanted to mark the grim milestone. So, instead of the articles, photographs or graphics that normally appear on the front page of The New York Times, on Sunday, there’s just a list: a long, solemn list of people whose lives were lost to the coronavirus pandemic.
The names, nearly 1,000 of them, were gleaned from obituaries in hundreds of U.S. newspapers and convey both the vastness and the variety of lives lostThe names, nearly 1,000 of them, were gleaned from obituaries in hundreds of U.S. newspapers and convey both the vastness and the variety of lives lost
“We knew we were approaching this milestone,” Simone Landon, assistant editor of the Graphics desk, told The Times Insider. “We knew that there should be some way to try to reckon with that number.”“We knew we were approaching this milestone,” Simone Landon, assistant editor of the Graphics desk, told The Times Insider. “We knew that there should be some way to try to reckon with that number.”
But Ms. Landon and her colleagues realized that “both among journalists and perhaps in the general reading public, there’s a little bit of a fatigue with the data.” Putting 100,000 dots or stick figures on a page “doesn’t really tell you very much about who these people were, the lives that they lived, what it means for us as a country,” Ms. Landon said. She came up with the idea of compiling obituaries and death notices of Covid-19 victims from newspapers large and small across the country and selecting vivid passages from them.But Ms. Landon and her colleagues realized that “both among journalists and perhaps in the general reading public, there’s a little bit of a fatigue with the data.” Putting 100,000 dots or stick figures on a page “doesn’t really tell you very much about who these people were, the lives that they lived, what it means for us as a country,” Ms. Landon said. She came up with the idea of compiling obituaries and death notices of Covid-19 victims from newspapers large and small across the country and selecting vivid passages from them.
“I wanted something that people would look back on in 100 years to understand the toll of what we’re living through,” said Marc Lacey, the national editor.“I wanted something that people would look back on in 100 years to understand the toll of what we’re living through,” said Marc Lacey, the national editor.
Online, there’s an interactive graphic with details from those lives and an essay by Dan Barry, a Times reporter and columnist. Their lives were rich. A Cub Scout den mother. A founder of PBS. A Bronze Star recipient. Perhaps even more striking, though, is that number: One hundred thousand.Online, there’s an interactive graphic with details from those lives and an essay by Dan Barry, a Times reporter and columnist. Their lives were rich. A Cub Scout den mother. A founder of PBS. A Bronze Star recipient. Perhaps even more striking, though, is that number: One hundred thousand.
That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.
— Carole
Thank youTo Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.Thank youTo Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is on how a woman named Genie Chance covered the biggest earthquake to hit North America in recorded history.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: “This is so fun!” (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Last year, The Times published around 900 articles about the climate, including dispatches from around the world showing the effects of climate change and identifying solutions.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is on how a woman named Genie Chance covered the biggest earthquake to hit North America in recorded history.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: “This is so fun!” (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Last year, The Times published around 900 articles about the climate, including dispatches from around the world showing the effects of climate change and identifying solutions.