Your Thursday Briefing

The role of the variants in India. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4Q9AWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcHJvZHVjdENvZGU9TUJBRSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1cmk9bnl0JTNBJTJGJTJGbmV3c2xldHRlciUyRjgxNTljOGM0LTk5YzQtNTZlZi1hOWNkLTBlM2YzZDI1ODlkZSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzQ3JmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMTA0MjlXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA [Morning Briefing, Asia Edition](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VyaWVzL2FzaWEtYXVzdHJhbGlhLW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) April 29, 2021 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvYW1lbGlhLW5pZXJlbmJlcmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) By [Amelia Nierenberg](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvYW1lbGlhLW5pZXJlbmJlcmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Writer, Briefings Good morning. We’re covering how virus variants are powering India’s Covid surge and President Biden’s first address to Congress. Patients receiving oxygen in the back of a rickshaw in New Delhi this week.Atul Loke for The New York Times Is a variant to blame for India’s Covid crisis? Doctors, the public and the news media in India point to a so-called “double mutant” coronavirus variant — both more contagious and more resistant to vaccines — as the explanation for skyrocketing cases. Scientists say the data is too thin, and cite [other possible reasons behind the country’s second wave.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QjAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvd29ybGQvYXNpYS9pbmRpYS1jb3ZpZDE5LXZhcmlhbnQuaHRtbD9hY3Rpb249Y2xpY2smY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm1vZHVsZT1SZWxhdGVkTGlua3Mmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcGd0eXBlPUFydGljbGUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) India’s worries have focused on a homegrown variant called B.1.617. But researchers outside of India say the better-known B.1.1.7 variant, which walloped Britain late last year and is now the most common source of new infection in the U.S., may be a more considerable factor. It is now rising quickly in New Delhi. More obvious factors could also explain the viciousness of the outbreak. Less than two percent of Indians are fully vaccinated. After the first wave, people relaxed their public behavior. And [Prime Minister Narendra Modi](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8wOS93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2luZGlhLWNvdmlkLXZhY2NpbmUtdmFyaWFudC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) recently held large political rallies that may have helped spread the virus and sent a message to people that the worst was over. A desperate scramble: To try to save their dying father, two brothers sped across Delhi on a motorbike, [searching for oxygen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QkAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvd29ybGQvYXNpYS9pbmRpYS1jb3ZpZC1jYXNlcy1veHlnZW4uaHRtbD9hY3Rpb249Y2xpY2smY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm1vZHVsZT1TcG90bGlnaHQmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcGd0eXBlPUhvbWVwYWdlJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). How to help: The Times has compiled a [list of places to donate](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2luZGlhLWNvdmlkLWhvdy10by1oZWxwLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) to help India battle its surge. Share your stories from India about the pandemic. [Send us your response here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2luZGlhLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXJlYWRlci1zdG9yaWVzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Here are the [latest updates](~/AAAAAQA~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_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) and [maps](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC93b3JsZC9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1tYXBzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) of the pandemic. In other developments: - The E.U. is about to [sign a deal for 1.8 billion Pfizer doses](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QXAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2V1cm9wZWFuLXVuaW9uLXBmaXplci12b24tZGVyLWxleWVuLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXZhY2NpbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) that will establish the European Union as Pfizer’s biggest single client by far. - Australia is [prioritizing its Olympic athletes for vaccines](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QyAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMS8wNC8yOC93b3JsZC9jb3ZpZC12YWNjaW5lLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWNhc2VzL2F1c3RyYWxpYS1wcmlvcml0aXplcy1vbHltcGljLWJvdW5kLWF0aGxldGVzLWZvci12YWNjaW5lcz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), sparking criticism. - The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics [laid out ground rules](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC9zcG9ydHMvY292aWQtdG9reW8tb2x5bXBpY3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) for the Games, now less than three months away: daily tests for athletes, dining restrictions and no public transit. - Watch how Pfizer [makes its vaccine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMS9oZWFsdGgvcGZpemVyLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXZhY2NpbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Afghan soldiers, left, and American soldiers blew up a Taliban firing position in 2013.Bryan Denton for The New York Times A crumbling Afghan military The U.S. and NATO have spent tens of billions of dollars to build Afghan security forces. But officials, military and police officers, and militia commanders across Afghanistan told The Times that [they are unprepared to face the Taliban](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLXNlY3VyaXR5LWZvcmNlcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), or any other threat, on their own. As the U.S. prepares to withdraw its troops by Sept. 11, grave shortages of ammunition and supplies plague security forces. Pay is low. Recruitment is dwindling. Corruption abounds. On the ground: Where government and Taliban territory meet, police outposts are often battered nightly, frequently by fighters with night-vision gear. Afghan soldiers and police lack the same capability. The Pentagon tried to equip certain units with night vision, but stopped after so much of the gear was lost, stolen or sold. The toll: The Afghan forces are taking horrific casualties. By conservative estimates, at least 287 security force members are killed and 185 wounded per month in roadside and suicide bombings, ambushes, fire fights, insider killings and assassinations. Some forces are also taken prisoner, and others defect. Quotable: “I have been in this job for eight months, during this time we only got air support once,” Lt. Khalil Ahmad Atash, a police commander in Herat Province, said. “No one is providing support for us, our forces are hopeless and they are giving up on their jobs.” President Biden will address Congress on Wednesday evening.Erin Scott for The New York Times Biden’s first 100 days The Biden administration detailed a [$1.8 trillion package for spending increases](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9iaWRlbi1hbWVyaWNhbi1mYW1pbGllcy1wbGFuLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) on education and child care, financed partly through higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans. The president will speak about this plan, lay out his legislative agenda and reflect on his first 100 days in office during his [first address to Congress](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDIxLzA0LzI4L3VzL2pvZS1iaWRlbi1uZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) at 9 p.m. eastern on Wednesday (11 a.m. Thursday in Sydney). Biden is eager to claim credit for aggressively confronting the health and economic crises that have at times overwhelmed the U.S., killing more than 570,000 people and upending work, recreation and schooling across the country. Taken together, [Biden’s proposals](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDIxLzA0LzI4L3VzL2pvZS1iaWRlbi1uZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3I2JpZGVuLXNwZW5kaW5nLXBsYW5zVwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) are a complete reversal of the direction championed by Donald Trump and a sharp departure from the more incremental change pushed by Democratic presidents like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. THE LATEST NEWS News from Asia Michael Dodge/EPA, via Shutterstock - Richard Pusey, above, an Australian man who filmed four dead and dying police officers, will [serve 10 months in prison](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4R0AWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvd29ybGQvYXVzdHJhbGlhL3JpY2hhcmQtcHVzZXktZmlsbS1kZWFkLXBvbGljZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3Izp-OnRleHQ9Q0FOQkVSUkEsJTIwQXVzdHJhbGlhJTIwJUUyJTgwJTk0JTIwQW4lMjBBdXN0cmFsaWFuJTIwZHJpdmVyLCwlMjBjcnVlbCUyMGFuZCUyMGRpc2dyYWNlZnVsJUUyJTgwJTlEJTIwYWN0LlcDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) for what a judge described as his “heartless, cruel and disgraceful” act. - Katherine Tai, the U.S. trade representative, is [reviewing China’s compliance](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4RFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMS8wNC8yOC9idXNpbmVzcy9zdG9jay1tYXJrZXQtdG9kYXkvdGhlLXVzLXRyYWRlLXJlcHJlc2VudGF0aXZlLWlzLXJldmlld2luZy1jaGluYXMtY29tcGxpYW5jZS13aXRoLWEtZGVhbC10by1idXktdXMtZ29vZHM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) with a deal to buy U.S. goods. - The Samsung family in South Korea plans to donate a Picasso, a Monet and a Dali as part of a string of donations [to pay $10.8 billion in inheritance taxes.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC9idXNpbmVzcy9rb3JlYS1zYW1zdW5nLXRheGVzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) What Else Is Happening An Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps vessel this month cutting in front of the U.S. Coast Guard ship Monomoy in the Persian Gulf.U.S. Navy/U.S. Navy, via Associated Press - Iranian military vessels twice [harassed American ships](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjcvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvaXJhbi11bml0ZWQtc3RhdGVzLW5hdnktcGVyc2lhbi1ndWxmLWVuY291bnRlcnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) in the Persian Gulf this month after a year of relative maritime peace. - Britain’s Electoral Commission is investigating whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson [used political donations to refurbish his apartment](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvdWstam9obnNvbi1ldGhpY3MtcHJvYmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). - The French government presented [a new anti-terrorism bill](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yOC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvZnJhbmNlLWFudGl0ZXJyb3Jpc20tYmlsbC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) that would allow intense surveillance of phone and internet communications and tighten restrictions on convicted terrorists emerging from prison. - Britney Spears wants to [speak at a hearing about her conservatorship](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjcvYXJ0cy9tdXNpYy9icml0bmV5LXNwZWFycy1jb25zZXJ2YXRvcnNoaXAtaGVhcmluZy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), and soon. A Morning Read Carsten Snejbjerg for The New York Times Moo-sic really does soothe the soul. It might also tenderize the meat. Two Danish cattle farmers have organized [cello recitals for their cows](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvYXJ0cy9tdXNpYy9jb3ctY29uY2VydC1zY2FuZGluYXZpYW4tY2VsbG8tc2Nob29sLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), hoping the music might help their meat compete with that of Japan’s famously pampered Wagyu bovine. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-0) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzUyJmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMTA0MjlXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA ARTS AND IDEAS DC, Kyle J Baker/Marvel, David Crownson and Courtland Ellis/Kingwood Comics, Amy Reeder/Marvel The evolution of Black superheroes The latest entry in [Black History, Continued](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMS91cy9ibGFjay1oaXN0b3J5LWNvbnRpbnVlZC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) — a Times project about significant moments and figures in Black culture — is about superheroes. Why? “Superheroes gave us an opportunity to look at this thing that will keep coming back through the year, which is, what is a Black hero and what do heroes mean in Black history?” Veronica Chambers, who spearheaded the project, [said](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yNC9pbnNpZGVyL2JsYWNrLXN1cGVyaGVyb2VzLXByb2plY3QuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). A new generation of writers is placing Black heroes at the center of big-budget films and TV shows, including “Black Panther” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Black creators are also reinterpreting well-worn superhero narratives. The writer Ta-Nehisi Coates is working on a Superman screenplay that [many believe will include a Black version of the character](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yMy9hcnRzL2JsYWNrLXN1cGVybWFuLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Though the story lines are fantastical, the works often contain parallels to real-life experiences: In a recent adaptation of the DC Comics character Nubia, for instance, the police profile and detain her as she tries to save the day. There’s also a graphic novel series — “Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer” — that reimagines the abolitionist as a katana-wielding warrior. Read [Veronica’s essay here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yMy9hcnRzL2JsYWNrLXN1cGVyaGVyb2VzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). PLAY, WATCH, EAT What to Cook Julia Gartland for The New York Times [Roasted salmon and sweet peas](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyMDk5Mi1yb2FzdGVkLXNhbG1vbi13aXRoLXBlYXMtYW5kLXJhZGlzaGVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) are the perfect pairing for a quick and satisfying dinner. What to Watch In “[Best Summer Ever](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wNC8yNy9tb3ZpZXMvYmVzdC1zdW1tZXItZXZlci1yZXZpZXcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~),” most of the cast has a range of physical and mental disabilities. But disability doesn’t figure into the plot. What to Listen to “Beat Box,” by the young Florida rapper SpotemGottem — which our critic calls “a thunderous, pulsing sneer of a track” — is [a single with staying power](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvYXJ0cy9tdXNpYy9zb25ncy1yZW1peGVzLWxpbC1uYXMteC1zcG90ZW1nb3R0ZW0uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). What to Read In “[Jackpot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjgvYm9va3MvcmV2aWV3LWphY2twb3Qtc3VwZXItcmljaC1taWNoYWVsLW1lY2hhbmljLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA),” Michael Mechanic details how the ultra-rich live and argues that inordinate wealth “harms us all” — including the ultra-rich themselves. Now Time to Play Here’s [today’s Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), and a clue: Gush forth (four letters). And here is [today’s Spelling Bee](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). [You can find all our puzzles here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). That’s it for today’s briefing. See you next time. — Amelia P.S. [Stephen Dunbar-Johnson](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TraHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS91bmVzY29OT1cvc3RhdHVzLzEzODcxNDE2ODY1MjMwMTUxNzEvcGhvdG8vMT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMTA0MjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Mjk5MTAmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTU2NzQ5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpggQfNiWB_D8f4Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), the president of International at The Times, will be speaking at the World Press Freedom conference. You can [register here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi51bmVzY28ub3JnL2NvbW1lbW9yYXRpb25zL3dvcmxkcHJlc3NmcmVlZG9tZGF5LzIwMjEvcmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIxMDQyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yOTkxMCZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NTY3NDkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmCBB82JYH8Px_hSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Today’s episode of “[The Daily](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vdGhlZGFpbHk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjEwNDI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI5OTEwJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD01Njc0OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)” is about the Covid crisis in India. Sanam Yar wrote today’s Arts and Ideas. You can reach Amelia and the team at [briefing@nytimes.com](mailto:briefing+pm@nytimes.com?subject=Briefing%20Feedback). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-1) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-2) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRibFIHP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzQ4JmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMTA0MjlXA255dEIKYIEHzYlgfw_H-FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA Need help? 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