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| Coronavirus Resurgence, Germany, FIFA: Your Friday Briefing | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
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| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering flare-ups of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and Germany, a historic heat wave in Siberia and who’s hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. | We’re covering flare-ups of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and Germany, a historic heat wave in Siberia and who’s hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. |
| The World Health Organization said on Thursday that the number of new coronavirus cases in Europe increased last week for the first time in months, with a “significant resurgence” in 11 countries. | The World Health Organization said on Thursday that the number of new coronavirus cases in Europe increased last week for the first time in months, with a “significant resurgence” in 11 countries. |
| Germany, for example, has seen a spike of more than 1,500 coronavirus infections within days, calling the durability of its outbreak response into question. The new clusters, concentrated in slaughterhouses and crowded, low-income apartment blocks, prompted the authorities to lock down two counties. But cases have also risen nationwide, with 630 new infections reported on Thursday. | Germany, for example, has seen a spike of more than 1,500 coronavirus infections within days, calling the durability of its outbreak response into question. The new clusters, concentrated in slaughterhouses and crowded, low-income apartment blocks, prompted the authorities to lock down two counties. But cases have also risen nationwide, with 630 new infections reported on Thursday. |
| Details: The outbreak at the Tönnies slaughterhouse in North Rhine-Westphalia is now one of the most severe in Europe, outside of Sweden, according to European Union figures. Health workers are now trying to test all 7,000 workers from the Tönnies plant, many of them Eastern European seasonal laborers. Several hundred workers from two other slaughterhouses have also been isolated. | Details: The outbreak at the Tönnies slaughterhouse in North Rhine-Westphalia is now one of the most severe in Europe, outside of Sweden, according to European Union figures. Health workers are now trying to test all 7,000 workers from the Tönnies plant, many of them Eastern European seasonal laborers. Several hundred workers from two other slaughterhouses have also been isolated. |
| W.H.O. criticism: European Parliament members on Thursday questioned why the organization had praised China for its handling of the outbreak and why a travel ban was not called for earlier. “If there is anything we need to accept, as W.H.O., we will be happy to accept,” said its head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, pointing to an independent inquiry reviewing their response. | W.H.O. criticism: European Parliament members on Thursday questioned why the organization had praised China for its handling of the outbreak and why a travel ban was not called for earlier. “If there is anything we need to accept, as W.H.O., we will be happy to accept,” said its head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, pointing to an independent inquiry reviewing their response. |
| Public health officials in the United States reported the highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic: 36,880 new cases on Wednesday. | Public health officials in the United States reported the highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic: 36,880 new cases on Wednesday. |
| The tally of new cases, based on a New York Times database, showed that the outbreak was stronger than ever, particularly in the South and the West. And the number of Americans infected is most likely about 10 times higher than official numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. | The tally of new cases, based on a New York Times database, showed that the outbreak was stronger than ever, particularly in the South and the West. And the number of Americans infected is most likely about 10 times higher than official numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. |
| In Texas, home to one of the largest surges, the governor paused its reopening. More than 4,300 people with the virus were hospitalized across the state — double the number at the beginning of June. | In Texas, home to one of the largest surges, the governor paused its reopening. More than 4,300 people with the virus were hospitalized across the state — double the number at the beginning of June. |
| As of Wednesday, 2.3 million Americans had been infected with the coronavirus, and at least 121,925 had died, by far the largest outbreak in the world. | As of Wednesday, 2.3 million Americans had been infected with the coronavirus, and at least 121,925 had died, by far the largest outbreak in the world. |
| Travel: The European Union’s barring of American travelers would deal a huge financial blow to international airlines hoping to revive their business during peak months. | Travel: The European Union’s barring of American travelers would deal a huge financial blow to international airlines hoping to revive their business during peak months. |
| Go deeper: It started with 15 cases in mid-February. We analyzed travel patterns, hidden infections and genetic data to show how the pandemic spun out of control in the United States. | Go deeper: It started with 15 cases in mid-February. We analyzed travel patterns, hidden infections and genetic data to show how the pandemic spun out of control in the United States. |
| Here are the latest updates and maps of where the virus has spread. | Here are the latest updates and maps of where the virus has spread. |
| In other news: | In other news: |
| At least 22 police officers were injured in London on Wednesday night as they tried to disperse crowds that had gathered for an outdoor party in defiance of coronavirus restrictions. | At least 22 police officers were injured in London on Wednesday night as they tried to disperse crowds that had gathered for an outdoor party in defiance of coronavirus restrictions. |
| France is planning to test over a million people in the Paris region in a bid to stave off a fresh wave of infections, the health minister said. | France is planning to test over a million people in the Paris region in a bid to stave off a fresh wave of infections, the health minister said. |
| Israel on Thursday announced a new partnership with the United Arab Emirates to battle the pandemic, a deal could open a door to closer ties with its Arab neighbors. | Israel on Thursday announced a new partnership with the United Arab Emirates to battle the pandemic, a deal could open a door to closer ties with its Arab neighbors. |
| Nearly 1.5 million workers filed new claims for state unemployment insurance last week, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Thursday. It marked the 14th week in a row that the figure had topped one million. | Nearly 1.5 million workers filed new claims for state unemployment insurance last week, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Thursday. It marked the 14th week in a row that the figure had topped one million. |
| 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. |
| Residents of Russkoye Ustye, a Siberian village by the Arctic Ocean coast, used to ride snowmobiles in June. | Residents of Russkoye Ustye, a Siberian village by the Arctic Ocean coast, used to ride snowmobiles in June. |
| Now, wildfires are spreading and people are nailing their windows shut with foil as a shocking heat wave roasts northern Siberia. | Now, wildfires are spreading and people are nailing their windows shut with foil as a shocking heat wave roasts northern Siberia. |
| The town of Verkhoyansk topped 100 Fahrenheit last Saturday, possibly the hottest temperature ever recorded above the Arctic Circle. Verkhoyansk had been best known as a place of exile that shared the Northern Hemisphere’s cold temperature record — 90 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. | The town of Verkhoyansk topped 100 Fahrenheit last Saturday, possibly the hottest temperature ever recorded above the Arctic Circle. Verkhoyansk had been best known as a place of exile that shared the Northern Hemisphere’s cold temperature record — 90 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. |
| Bigger picture: The Arctic is warming up more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, and its effect on thawing permafrost could unleash as much as 240 billion tons of carbon by 2100. This year’s thaw destabilized a fuel tank that released 150,000 barrels of diesel into a river. | Bigger picture: The Arctic is warming up more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, and its effect on thawing permafrost could unleash as much as 240 billion tons of carbon by 2100. This year’s thaw destabilized a fuel tank that released 150,000 barrels of diesel into a river. |
| Quotable: “Nature is taking its revenge on us, probably,” said Sergei Portnyagin, the head of Russkoye Ustye. He added that residents are developing skin problems and headaches because of the heat. “We’ve been too bloody in how we’ve treated it.” | Quotable: “Nature is taking its revenge on us, probably,” said Sergei Portnyagin, the head of Russkoye Ustye. He added that residents are developing skin problems and headaches because of the heat. “We’ve been too bloody in how we’ve treated it.” |
| Israel’s plan to annex territory in the occupied West Bank along the Jordan border has left many Palestinian residents worried that they will be cut off from their jobs, hospitals and family members by new checkpoints. | Israel’s plan to annex territory in the occupied West Bank along the Jordan border has left many Palestinian residents worried that they will be cut off from their jobs, hospitals and family members by new checkpoints. |
| “We now fear they will try to expel us from our land,” said Abdel Rahman Bisharat, a Bedouin shepherd, above. | “We now fear they will try to expel us from our land,” said Abdel Rahman Bisharat, a Bedouin shepherd, above. |
| Balkan summit postponed: An American-mediated meeting between the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo planned for Saturday was delayed after Kosovo’s leader was charged with war crimes. | Balkan summit postponed: An American-mediated meeting between the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo planned for Saturday was delayed after Kosovo’s leader was charged with war crimes. |
| Syria: U.S. forces used a specially designed secret missile to kill the head of a Qaeda affiliate in Syria this month. The missile had six long blades tucked inside, which deployed seconds before impact to slice up anything in its path. | Syria: U.S. forces used a specially designed secret missile to kill the head of a Qaeda affiliate in Syria this month. The missile had six long blades tucked inside, which deployed seconds before impact to slice up anything in its path. |
| FIFA: Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the first 32-team women’s championship. | FIFA: Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the first 32-team women’s championship. |
| Congo: After nearly two years and 2,280 deaths, the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is over, the World Health Organization said. Congo is still battling the world’s largest measles epidemic, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. | Congo: After nearly two years and 2,280 deaths, the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is over, the World Health Organization said. Congo is still battling the world’s largest measles epidemic, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Snapshot: Above, the Eiffel Tower has partly reopened after months of lockdown in France. Elevators are still off-limits, and so is the top observation deck. The Musée du Louvre in Paris is set to reopen on July 6. | Snapshot: Above, the Eiffel Tower has partly reopened after months of lockdown in France. Elevators are still off-limits, and so is the top observation deck. The Musée du Louvre in Paris is set to reopen on July 6. |
| In memoriam: Zeev Sternhell, a Holocaust survivor and an expert in 20th-century European fascism, died on Sunday in Jerusalem, at the age of 85. | In memoriam: Zeev Sternhell, a Holocaust survivor and an expert in 20th-century European fascism, died on Sunday in Jerusalem, at the age of 85. |
| What we’re looking at: This interactive map showing the decline of local news in the U.S., from the University of North Carolina. Marc Tracy, a media reporter, called it “indispensable for understanding this topic.” | What we’re looking at: This interactive map showing the decline of local news in the U.S., from the University of North Carolina. Marc Tracy, a media reporter, called it “indispensable for understanding this topic.” |
| Cook: This galbijjim short-rib stew is fragrant and sweet, with deep caramelized flavors. The addition of greens at the end gives the dish an exciting brightness. | Cook: This galbijjim short-rib stew is fragrant and sweet, with deep caramelized flavors. The addition of greens at the end gives the dish an exciting brightness. |
| Watch: Looking for a movie that is off the beaten path? We did the work for you. Here’s a list of 10 movies to take a chance on. | Watch: Looking for a movie that is off the beaten path? We did the work for you. Here’s a list of 10 movies to take a chance on. |
| Read: “Korean Art From 1953,” a lavish new book, is the most significant English-language overview yet of modern and contemporary art on the peninsula. | Read: “Korean Art From 1953,” a lavish new book, is the most significant English-language overview yet of modern and contemporary art on the peninsula. |
| At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch, and do while staying safe at home. | At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch, and do while staying safe at home. |
| The Times’s Kashmir Hill recently reported on how Robert Julian-Borchak Williams, a black man in Michigan, was accused of shoplifting based on surveillance video that relied on flawed software, leading to Mr. Williams’s arrest in a crime he didn’t commit. (In response to Kash’s article, prosecutors apologized for what happened to Mr. Williams and said he could have his case expunged.) | The Times’s Kashmir Hill recently reported on how Robert Julian-Borchak Williams, a black man in Michigan, was accused of shoplifting based on surveillance video that relied on flawed software, leading to Mr. Williams’s arrest in a crime he didn’t commit. (In response to Kash’s article, prosecutors apologized for what happened to Mr. Williams and said he could have his case expunged.) |
| Kash talked to Shira Ovide, host of the On Tech newsletter, about her article. | Kash talked to Shira Ovide, host of the On Tech newsletter, about her article. |
| Shira: How did this happen? | Shira: How did this happen? |
| Kash: The police are supposed to use facial recognition identification only as an investigative lead. But instead, people treat facial recognition as a kind of magic. And that’s why you get a case where someone was arrested based on flawed software combined with inadequate police work. | Kash: The police are supposed to use facial recognition identification only as an investigative lead. But instead, people treat facial recognition as a kind of magic. And that’s why you get a case where someone was arrested based on flawed software combined with inadequate police work. |
| But humans, not just computers, misidentify people in criminal cases. | But humans, not just computers, misidentify people in criminal cases. |
| Absolutely. Witness testimony is also very troubling. That has been a selling point for many facial recognition technologies. | Absolutely. Witness testimony is also very troubling. That has been a selling point for many facial recognition technologies. |
| Is the problem that the facial recognition technology is inaccurate? | Is the problem that the facial recognition technology is inaccurate? |
| That’s one problem. A federal study of facial recognition algorithms found them to be biased and to wrongly identify people of color at higher rates than white people. The study included the two algorithms used in the image search that led to Williams’s arrest. | That’s one problem. A federal study of facial recognition algorithms found them to be biased and to wrongly identify people of color at higher rates than white people. The study included the two algorithms used in the image search that led to Williams’s arrest. |
| Sometimes the algorithm is good and sometimes it’s bad, and there’s not always a great way to tell the difference. And there’s usually no requirement for vetting the technology from policymakers, the government or law enforcement. | Sometimes the algorithm is good and sometimes it’s bad, and there’s not always a great way to tell the difference. And there’s usually no requirement for vetting the technology from policymakers, the government or law enforcement. |
| What’s the broader problem? | What’s the broader problem? |
| Companies that sell facial recognition software say it doesn’t give a perfect “match.” It gives a score of how likely the facial images in databases match the one you search. | Companies that sell facial recognition software say it doesn’t give a perfect “match.” It gives a score of how likely the facial images in databases match the one you search. |
| But on the ground, officers see an image of a suspect next to a photo of the likeliest match, and it seems like the correct answer. I have seen facial recognition work well with some high-quality close-up images. But usually, police officers have grainy videos or a sketch, and computers don’t work well in those cases | But on the ground, officers see an image of a suspect next to a photo of the likeliest match, and it seems like the correct answer. I have seen facial recognition work well with some high-quality close-up images. But usually, police officers have grainy videos or a sketch, and computers don’t work well in those cases |
| That’s it for this briefing. Have a good, and rejuvenating, weekend. | That’s it for this briefing. Have a good, and rejuvenating, weekend. |
| — Isabella | — Isabella |
| Thank youTo Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of 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 about the voters shifting away from President Trump. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Coffee holder (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Nikole Hannah-Jones joined NPR’s “Fresh Air” to talk about her article calling for reparations for black Americans. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the voters shifting away from President Trump. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Coffee holder (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Nikole Hannah-Jones joined NPR’s “Fresh Air” to talk about her article calling for reparations for black Americans. |