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| Hong Kong Outbreak, Polish President, Russia-Taliban: Your Tuesday Briefing | Hong Kong Outbreak, Polish President, Russia-Taliban: Your Tuesday Briefing |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering Hong Kong restrictions amid a coronavirus third wave, a second term for the Polish president and how the koala is helping find a cure for chlamydia. | We’re covering Hong Kong restrictions amid a coronavirus third wave, a second term for the Polish president and how the koala is helping find a cure for chlamydia. |
| Hong Kong will close gyms, cinemas and its Disneyland this week after an increase in locally transmitted coronavirus infections. | Hong Kong will close gyms, cinemas and its Disneyland this week after an increase in locally transmitted coronavirus infections. |
| Gatherings of more than four people and dining in restaurants after 6 p.m. will be banned. The restrictions were a disappointing setback for a city that until recently seemed to have a successful strategy to control the virus. | Gatherings of more than four people and dining in restaurants after 6 p.m. will be banned. The restrictions were a disappointing setback for a city that until recently seemed to have a successful strategy to control the virus. |
| They will also make it harder for the pro-democracy opposition to organize protests against a sweeping national security law, which was imposed on June 30. | They will also make it harder for the pro-democracy opposition to organize protests against a sweeping national security law, which was imposed on June 30. |
| Details: Health officials said that the territory’s new spate of cases, including another 52 announced on Monday, was mainly connected to taxi drivers, restaurants and nursing homes. | Details: Health officials said that the territory’s new spate of cases, including another 52 announced on Monday, was mainly connected to taxi drivers, restaurants and nursing homes. |
| Italy whistle-blower: A lawsuit by a nursing home employee who lost his job will test whether health care professionals risk retribution for pointing out dangerous conditions at medical centers. | Italy whistle-blower: A lawsuit by a nursing home employee who lost his job will test whether health care professionals risk retribution for pointing out dangerous conditions at medical centers. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| Amnesty International has called for an inquiry into the British government after Britain recorded one of the largest numbers of coronavirus-related deaths among health care workers. | Amnesty International has called for an inquiry into the British government after Britain recorded one of the largest numbers of coronavirus-related deaths among health care workers. |
| The leader of Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia, Quim Torra, said on Monday that his government would proceed with a regional lockdown. | The leader of Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia, Quim Torra, said on Monday that his government would proceed with a regional lockdown. |
| On Monday, an organization in France comprising doctors and virus victims appealed to the country’s highest administrative court to impose the wearing of masks. Prime Minister Jean Castex said that he was considering making them compulsory. | On Monday, an organization in France comprising doctors and virus victims appealed to the country’s highest administrative court to impose the wearing of masks. Prime Minister Jean Castex said that he was considering making them compulsory. |
| South Africa reinstated a ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol to alleviate pressure on the health care system, saying that alcohol-related injuries take up extra hospital beds. | South Africa reinstated a ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol to alleviate pressure on the health care system, saying that alcohol-related injuries take up extra hospital beds. |
| Mexico surpassed Italy on Sunday to become the country with the fourth-highest death toll from the virus; 35,000 people have died. | Mexico surpassed Italy on Sunday to become the country with the fourth-highest death toll from the virus; 35,000 people have died. |
| The World Health Organization admonished governments that were sending mixed messages about the pandemic to citizens, saying many nations were sliding backward. | The World Health Organization admonished governments that were sending mixed messages about the pandemic to citizens, saying many nations were sliding backward. |
| 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. |
| President Andrzej Duda of Poland was narrowly elected to a second term in the country’s closest presidential election since the end of communist rule in 1989. | President Andrzej Duda of Poland was narrowly elected to a second term in the country’s closest presidential election since the end of communist rule in 1989. |
| His victory cleared a pathway for Poland’s government to continue with a conservative, nationalistic agenda. Mr. Duda and his governing party have fought to control the courts and the news media, while stoking fear of gay people, the European Union and foreigners. | His victory cleared a pathway for Poland’s government to continue with a conservative, nationalistic agenda. Mr. Duda and his governing party have fought to control the courts and the news media, while stoking fear of gay people, the European Union and foreigners. |
| For many in the opposition, the race was a chance to save institutions that form the bedrock of a healthy democracy. | For many in the opposition, the race was a chance to save institutions that form the bedrock of a healthy democracy. |
| Details: Mr. Duda’s liberal challenger, Rafal Trzaskowski, had promised that his government would support the European Union and would not control the news media. He secured a majority of votes from people under 50, but older voters gave the president the edge he needed. Turnout was about 68 percent, the highest since 1989. | Details: Mr. Duda’s liberal challenger, Rafal Trzaskowski, had promised that his government would support the European Union and would not control the news media. He secured a majority of votes from people under 50, but older voters gave the president the edge he needed. Turnout was about 68 percent, the highest since 1989. |
| Bigger picture: The two different visions for Poland echoes debates in other nations, where traditional democratic values like pluralism have come under assault from populist leaders who undermine institutions to concentrate power. | Bigger picture: The two different visions for Poland echoes debates in other nations, where traditional democratic values like pluralism have come under assault from populist leaders who undermine institutions to concentrate power. |
| The recent American intelligence assessment that Russia had provided the Taliban with bounties to attack U.S. and coalition troops stunned political leaders in Washington. But officials told our reporters that the Kremlin began reaching out to the insurgents nearly a decade ago. | The recent American intelligence assessment that Russia had provided the Taliban with bounties to attack U.S. and coalition troops stunned political leaders in Washington. But officials told our reporters that the Kremlin began reaching out to the insurgents nearly a decade ago. |
| What began as a diplomatic channel has more recently blossomed into an alliance that has allowed the Kremlin to reassert its influence in Afghanistan. It has coincided with increasing hostility between the U.S. and Russia over Syria’s civil war, as well as Russia’s frustration with rising instability in Afghanistan and the slow pace of the U.S. pullout. | What began as a diplomatic channel has more recently blossomed into an alliance that has allowed the Kremlin to reassert its influence in Afghanistan. It has coincided with increasing hostility between the U.S. and Russia over Syria’s civil war, as well as Russia’s frustration with rising instability in Afghanistan and the slow pace of the U.S. pullout. |
| Both Russia and the Taliban have rejected claims that any bounties were paid. | Both Russia and the Taliban have rejected claims that any bounties were paid. |
| Quotable: “We did the same,” said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former C.I.A. field officer in Afghanistan who retired last year as the agency’s acting chief of operations in Europe and Eurasia. “We turned the heat up as the Russians were leaving Afghanistan.” | Quotable: “We did the same,” said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former C.I.A. field officer in Afghanistan who retired last year as the agency’s acting chief of operations in Europe and Eurasia. “We turned the heat up as the Russians were leaving Afghanistan.” |
| Over the past two decades, inequality in Latin America has fell to the lowest point in its recorded history. Now, the pandemic threatens to reverse that progress. | |
| Our reporters traveled 1,000 miles across Colombia to document this critical moment. Near the Venezuelan border, in the town of Cúcuta, pictured above, the economic shutdown has pushed women and girls into sex work. One 17-year-old said that her father had lost his job, and that she was desperate: Somebody had to bring in money, she said, “and it turned to me.” | Our reporters traveled 1,000 miles across Colombia to document this critical moment. Near the Venezuelan border, in the town of Cúcuta, pictured above, the economic shutdown has pushed women and girls into sex work. One 17-year-old said that her father had lost his job, and that she was desperate: Somebody had to bring in money, she said, “and it turned to me.” |
| Seoul mayor: The secretary to one of the most powerful political figures in South Korea, Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul, said on Monday that she had endured years of abuse and sexual harassment at his hands. She made the accusations in a public statement after Mr. Park’s funeral. | Seoul mayor: The secretary to one of the most powerful political figures in South Korea, Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul, said on Monday that she had endured years of abuse and sexual harassment at his hands. She made the accusations in a public statement after Mr. Park’s funeral. |
| Brexit: Next year, British travelers to the European Union will face more paperwork, no seamless access to health care and even higher cellphone bills as the transition period comes to an end in December. | Brexit: Next year, British travelers to the European Union will face more paperwork, no seamless access to health care and even higher cellphone bills as the transition period comes to an end in December. |
| Christchurch shooting: An Australian white supremacist who pleaded guilty to killing 51 worshipers at two mosques in New Zealand last year plans to represent himself at a sentencing hearing in August. | Christchurch shooting: An Australian white supremacist who pleaded guilty to killing 51 worshipers at two mosques in New Zealand last year plans to represent himself at a sentencing hearing in August. |
| Snapshot: Above, a wild koala at a clinic in Toorbul, Australia. Researchers there are testing a vaccine against chlamydia, the world’s most widespread sexually transmitted infection, on the marsupials. | Snapshot: Above, a wild koala at a clinic in Toorbul, Australia. Researchers there are testing a vaccine against chlamydia, the world’s most widespread sexually transmitted infection, on the marsupials. |
| European football: Manchester City has cleared its name on appeal after a court struck down a charge that it had misrepresented some of its financing to circumvent cost-control rules. But the case risks destabilizing a sport already shaken by the coronavirus pandemic. | European football: Manchester City has cleared its name on appeal after a court struck down a charge that it had misrepresented some of its financing to circumvent cost-control rules. But the case risks destabilizing a sport already shaken by the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Sweden: The W.N.B.A player Amanda Zahui B. wanted to join the U.S. protests prompted by George Floyd’s death. Instead, she realized that she could use her voice to confront an “unspoken history of racial inequality” at home. | Sweden: The W.N.B.A player Amanda Zahui B. wanted to join the U.S. protests prompted by George Floyd’s death. Instead, she realized that she could use her voice to confront an “unspoken history of racial inequality” at home. |
| What we’re reading: This Vulture profile of the writer and actress Michaela Coel, the creator of the HBO show “I May Destroy You.” It’s a master class in the celebrity profile, and one that does not shy away from the unsavory parts, including her experiences of racism. | What we’re reading: This Vulture profile of the writer and actress Michaela Coel, the creator of the HBO show “I May Destroy You.” It’s a master class in the celebrity profile, and one that does not shy away from the unsavory parts, including her experiences of racism. |
| Cook: Dirty rice from the New Orleans-based chef Isaac Toups, paired with Paul Prudhomme’s blackened redfish. | Cook: Dirty rice from the New Orleans-based chef Isaac Toups, paired with Paul Prudhomme’s blackened redfish. |
| Listen: Check out tracks by Katy Perry, Dominic Fike, James Blake and others in the latest playlist from our pop music critics. | Listen: Check out tracks by Katy Perry, Dominic Fike, James Blake and others in the latest playlist from our pop music critics. |
| Watch: Do you miss summer films? Wesley Morris and our critics can help tide you over. And can the combination of an app, an avatar and a VR headset ever replace going to the theater? | Watch: Do you miss summer films? Wesley Morris and our critics can help tide you over. And can the combination of an app, an avatar and a VR headset ever replace going to the theater? |
| 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. |
| In Monday’s edition of The Morning newsletter, David Leonhardt discussed some of the creative ideas that companies, government agencies and other organizations have had to move activities outside during the coronavirus pandemic. Below is what one Texas university is doing this fall. | In Monday’s edition of The Morning newsletter, David Leonhardt discussed some of the creative ideas that companies, government agencies and other organizations have had to move activities outside during the coronavirus pandemic. Below is what one Texas university is doing this fall. |
| Rice University, in Houston, is building nine big new classrooms this summer, all of them outdoors. | Rice University, in Houston, is building nine big new classrooms this summer, all of them outdoors. |
| Five are open-sided circus tents that the university is buying, and another four are semi-permanent structures that workers are building in an open field near dorms, said Kevin Kirby, Rice’s vice president for administration. Students and professors will decorate the spaces with murals and video projections. | Five are open-sided circus tents that the university is buying, and another four are semi-permanent structures that workers are building in an open field near dorms, said Kevin Kirby, Rice’s vice president for administration. Students and professors will decorate the spaces with murals and video projections. |
| In the fall, the structures will host classes and student activities, while reducing health risks — since the coronavirus spreads less easily outdoors. Mr. Kirby describes the construction project as “a statement to the community.” The statement: “We’re creative. We’re resilient. And what we do matters.” | In the fall, the structures will host classes and student activities, while reducing health risks — since the coronavirus spreads less easily outdoors. Mr. Kirby describes the construction project as “a statement to the community.” The statement: “We’re creative. We’re resilient. And what we do matters.” |
| Across the country, many indoor activities are going to be problematic for the foreseeable future: school, religious services, work meetings, cultural events, restaurant meals, haircuts and more. Mask-wearing reduces the risks, but being outdoors can reduce it even more. | Across the country, many indoor activities are going to be problematic for the foreseeable future: school, religious services, work meetings, cultural events, restaurant meals, haircuts and more. Mask-wearing reduces the risks, but being outdoors can reduce it even more. |
| [Sign up here to receive The Morning by email.] | [Sign up here to receive The Morning by email.] |
| That’s it for this briefing. Make some beads, yeah why not? See you next time. | That’s it for this briefing. Make some beads, yeah why not? See you next time. |
| — Isabella | — Isabella |
| 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 about a turning point for Hong Kong. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Volcanic flow (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• The Times Magazine’s Caitlin Roper recently joined WNYC to talk about The Decameron Project, a collection of original short stories. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about a turning point for Hong Kong. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Volcanic flow (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• The Times Magazine’s Caitlin Roper recently joined WNYC to talk about The Decameron Project, a collection of original short stories. |