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| Belarus Protests, Russia’s Vaccine, Christchurch Sentencing: Your Monday Briefing | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering the frosty reception for Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, the sentencing for the Christchurch mosques massacre and a Nigerian ballet school suddenly in the spotlight. | We’re covering the frosty reception for Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, the sentencing for the Christchurch mosques massacre and a Nigerian ballet school suddenly in the spotlight. |
| Named to evoke 20th-century Soviet space triumph, Sputnik V was supposed to end the pandemic. The Russian vaccine for the novel coronavirus, officially approved this month, was hailed by President Vladimir Putin as “this first, very important step for our country, and generally for the whole world.” | Named to evoke 20th-century Soviet space triumph, Sputnik V was supposed to end the pandemic. The Russian vaccine for the novel coronavirus, officially approved this month, was hailed by President Vladimir Putin as “this first, very important step for our country, and generally for the whole world.” |
| But weeks later, Russian health officials have found themselves on the defensive. The West has criticized their efforts, and just 24 percent of Russian doctors say they will give the vaccine to patients, according to one survey. | But weeks later, Russian health officials have found themselves on the defensive. The West has criticized their efforts, and just 24 percent of Russian doctors say they will give the vaccine to patients, according to one survey. |
| Though Russia’s minister of health, Mikhail Murashko, has dismissed these concerns as foreign jealousy, experts point to a lack of late-stage, large, randomized control trials, ordinarily critical in establishing a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Eight vaccines are further along than Russia’s in late-stage trials, including ones produced in the United States, Britain and China. | Though Russia’s minister of health, Mikhail Murashko, has dismissed these concerns as foreign jealousy, experts point to a lack of late-stage, large, randomized control trials, ordinarily critical in establishing a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Eight vaccines are further along than Russia’s in late-stage trials, including ones produced in the United States, Britain and China. |
| International race: The U.S. has poured billions of dollars into a vaccine effort called Operation Warp Speed. But China’s and Russia’s fast-tracked vaccine approvals have led President Trump to, without evidence, accuse the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of slow-walking its trials for political reasons. | International race: The U.S. has poured billions of dollars into a vaccine effort called Operation Warp Speed. But China’s and Russia’s fast-tracked vaccine approvals have led President Trump to, without evidence, accuse the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of slow-walking its trials for political reasons. |
| Here are our latest updates and maps of the pandemic. | Here are our latest updates and maps of the pandemic. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| The global death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 800,000 on Saturday, according to data compiled by The New York Times. | The global death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 800,000 on Saturday, according to data compiled by The New York Times. |
| Despite rules on mask wearing and social distancing, fears are growing in Europe that the end of the summer travel season will bring a wave of new infections. | Despite rules on mask wearing and social distancing, fears are growing in Europe that the end of the summer travel season will bring a wave of new infections. |
| In Leipzig, Germany, researchers organized a concert with 4,000 spectators to figure out how the virus spreads at big events. | In Leipzig, Germany, researchers organized a concert with 4,000 spectators to figure out how the virus spreads at big events. |
| Lebanon is under partial lockdown after a drastic spike in virus cases in the aftermath of the devastating Aug. 4 explosion at the Beirut port. | Lebanon is under partial lockdown after a drastic spike in virus cases in the aftermath of the devastating Aug. 4 explosion at the Beirut port. |
| Ireland reported more than 100 daily cases for the fourth time in just over a week, resulting in a tightening of nationwide coronavirus restrictions. | Ireland reported more than 100 daily cases for the fourth time in just over a week, resulting in a tightening of nationwide coronavirus restrictions. |
| Traffic was backed up for as much as 12 hours on Austria’s southern border after new safety measures were imposed on all incoming travelers. | Traffic was backed up for as much as 12 hours on Austria’s southern border after new safety measures were imposed on all incoming travelers. |
| After a week of rallies and publicity stunts in support President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday to show their determination to force him out of office. Some estimates put the number of demonstrators at well over 100,000. | After a week of rallies and publicity stunts in support President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday to show their determination to force him out of office. Some estimates put the number of demonstrators at well over 100,000. |
| Although Mr. Lukashenko declared a landslide victory and 80 percent of the vote in the Aug. 9 election, protesters and international bodies, including the European Union, have alleged electoral fraud. The main opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, also declared victory and fled to neighboring Lithuania out of fear for her safety. | Although Mr. Lukashenko declared a landslide victory and 80 percent of the vote in the Aug. 9 election, protesters and international bodies, including the European Union, have alleged electoral fraud. The main opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, also declared victory and fled to neighboring Lithuania out of fear for her safety. |
| Though Mr. Lukashenko has promised to crush these protests with an iron fist, no arrests or clashes were reported on Sunday, despite the presence of riot police vans parked near the demonstrations. | Though Mr. Lukashenko has promised to crush these protests with an iron fist, no arrests or clashes were reported on Sunday, despite the presence of riot police vans parked near the demonstrations. |
| Closer look: Many at the protest were wrapped in Belarus’s traditional white and red flag, which became an opposition symbol after Mr. Lukashenko replaced it with a more Soviet-looking emblem soon after coming to power. | Closer look: Many at the protest were wrapped in Belarus’s traditional white and red flag, which became an opposition symbol after Mr. Lukashenko replaced it with a more Soviet-looking emblem soon after coming to power. |
| The sentencing hearing for Brenton Tarrant, the Australian former fitness instructor who killed 51 people and wounded 40 last year at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, will begin on Monday. | The sentencing hearing for Brenton Tarrant, the Australian former fitness instructor who killed 51 people and wounded 40 last year at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, will begin on Monday. |
| The Christchurch courtroom where the proceedings will take place over four days will be filled with people whose lives he sought to destroy in an act of hate unlike anything the country had ever seen. | The Christchurch courtroom where the proceedings will take place over four days will be filled with people whose lives he sought to destroy in an act of hate unlike anything the country had ever seen. |
| At least 66 survivors plan to deliver victim’s statements, either read aloud or submitted in writing. Mr. Tarrant, who has pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder and terrorism, may have the opportunity to address the families of the victims. | At least 66 survivors plan to deliver victim’s statements, either read aloud or submitted in writing. Mr. Tarrant, who has pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder and terrorism, may have the opportunity to address the families of the victims. |
| He is expected to be sentenced to life in prison, possibly without the eligibility for parole. | He is expected to be sentenced to life in prison, possibly without the eligibility for parole. |
| A message: Wasseim Alsati, 36, a barber who was shot along with his daughter Alen, 6, at the Al Noor mosque, wanted to give Mr. Tarrant a message: “You didn’t break us,” he said. | A message: Wasseim Alsati, 36, a barber who was shot along with his daughter Alen, 6, at the Al Noor mosque, wanted to give Mr. Tarrant a message: “You didn’t break us,” he said. |
| In June, a minute-long video of an 11-year-old boy pirouetting expertly in the rain was shared widely online, eventually gathering more than 20 million views on social media. His arabesque has trained a spotlight on the unlikely story of Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. Donations and offers of support have followed. | In June, a minute-long video of an 11-year-old boy pirouetting expertly in the rain was shared widely online, eventually gathering more than 20 million views on social media. His arabesque has trained a spotlight on the unlikely story of Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. Donations and offers of support have followed. |
| The school has transformed the lives of its 12 students, affording them a place to dance and to dream. “I wanted, more than anything, to give that opportunity to those younger than myself so they wouldn’t miss their chance like I did,” said the school’s founder, Daniel Owoseni Ajala, above left. “It was too bad that I was as old as I was when I realized I wanted to dance.” | The school has transformed the lives of its 12 students, affording them a place to dance and to dream. “I wanted, more than anything, to give that opportunity to those younger than myself so they wouldn’t miss their chance like I did,” said the school’s founder, Daniel Owoseni Ajala, above left. “It was too bad that I was as old as I was when I realized I wanted to dance.” |
| Russian politics: President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critic, Aleksei Navalny, is being treated in one of Germany’s leading medical research centers in Berlin after falling into a coma in Siberia in what his family and supporters suspect was a deliberate poisoning. | Russian politics: President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critic, Aleksei Navalny, is being treated in one of Germany’s leading medical research centers in Berlin after falling into a coma in Siberia in what his family and supporters suspect was a deliberate poisoning. |
| U.S. presidential campaign: After the Democrats’ convention, it’s now the Republicans’ turn. Preparations are underway for their national convention to renominate President Trump as their candidate in the November election, starting on Monday night Eastern time. | U.S. presidential campaign: After the Democrats’ convention, it’s now the Republicans’ turn. Preparations are underway for their national convention to renominate President Trump as their candidate in the November election, starting on Monday night Eastern time. |
| Trump tapes: President Trump’s sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, describes him as a liar who has “no principles” in a series of audio recordings made by her niece, Mary Trump. | Trump tapes: President Trump’s sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, describes him as a liar who has “no principles” in a series of audio recordings made by her niece, Mary Trump. |
| Snapshot: Above, prison inmates dig a fire line on the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Aetna Springs, Calif., on Saturday. Wildfires in California have forced the evacuation of at least 119,000 people from their homes, and at least four people have died. Fire officials are worried the fires will get worse — lightning storms are expected to roll through the area in the coming days. But some say these disasters “are starting to feel like business as usual.” | Snapshot: Above, prison inmates dig a fire line on the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Aetna Springs, Calif., on Saturday. Wildfires in California have forced the evacuation of at least 119,000 people from their homes, and at least four people have died. Fire officials are worried the fires will get worse — lightning storms are expected to roll through the area in the coming days. But some say these disasters “are starting to feel like business as usual.” |
| What we’re reading: This piece on coronavirus “long-haulers” in The Atlantic. Hilary Stout, a science editor, explains: “Long-haulers are patients who have suffered continuing debilitative effects from the virus for months. Many of them are previously healthy, younger women. It’s sobering.” | What we’re reading: This piece on coronavirus “long-haulers” in The Atlantic. Hilary Stout, a science editor, explains: “Long-haulers are patients who have suffered continuing debilitative effects from the virus for months. Many of them are previously healthy, younger women. It’s sobering.” |
| Cook: Our food columnist Melissa Clark decided that now was the ideal time to come up with a poundcake recipe of her own. This crème fraîche poundcake is the result. | Cook: Our food columnist Melissa Clark decided that now was the ideal time to come up with a poundcake recipe of her own. This crème fraîche poundcake is the result. |
| Taste: There’s more to German wine than Riesling. A whole other Germany exists, of myriad reds, rosés and whites. | Taste: There’s more to German wine than Riesling. A whole other Germany exists, of myriad reds, rosés and whites. |
| Do: Lockdowns and other coronavirus-related restrictions are wearing people down. Creating healthy boundaries is the antidote. | Do: Lockdowns and other coronavirus-related restrictions are wearing people down. Creating healthy boundaries is the antidote. |
| We’re here to help you cope. At Home has many more ideas for keeping yourself and your loved ones entertained, fed and sane during the pandemic. | We’re here to help you cope. At Home has many more ideas for keeping yourself and your loved ones entertained, fed and sane during the pandemic. |
| At the end of August, Anthony Tommasini, our chief classical music critic, usually takes a two-week vacation to refresh his ears before the fall concert season. But this year, everything stopped in mid-March. Here’s a taste of what he wrote about his time off. | At the end of August, Anthony Tommasini, our chief classical music critic, usually takes a two-week vacation to refresh his ears before the fall concert season. But this year, everything stopped in mid-March. Here’s a taste of what he wrote about his time off. |
| Rather than enjoying the quiet, I’m yearning for music. | Rather than enjoying the quiet, I’m yearning for music. |
| The shutdowns have been devastating for American classical music, given its dependence on patronage, which has been eroding of late, and the lack of meaningful government support, which still props up institutions in Europe. | The shutdowns have been devastating for American classical music, given its dependence on patronage, which has been eroding of late, and the lack of meaningful government support, which still props up institutions in Europe. |
| This year’s cancellations have prodded institutions and artists to release a flood of online programming, intensifying our dependence on these audio and video resources. | This year’s cancellations have prodded institutions and artists to release a flood of online programming, intensifying our dependence on these audio and video resources. |
| Yet I worry that people will grow digitally distant from what is, for me and for many, a defining element of classical music: the sheer, sensual pleasure of being immersed in natural (that is, not electronically enhanced) sound, when a piece is performed by gifted artists in an acoustically vibrant space. | Yet I worry that people will grow digitally distant from what is, for me and for many, a defining element of classical music: the sheer, sensual pleasure of being immersed in natural (that is, not electronically enhanced) sound, when a piece is performed by gifted artists in an acoustically vibrant space. |
| My feelings about the difference were captured in a blunt tweet from the pianist and composer Conrad Tao. Video performances, he wrote, “definitely aren’t ‘concerts’ as I see it (‘concert’ as in agreement to be ‘in concert with’),” so much as they are “‘shows’ in the television sense. We’re production companies now.” | My feelings about the difference were captured in a blunt tweet from the pianist and composer Conrad Tao. Video performances, he wrote, “definitely aren’t ‘concerts’ as I see it (‘concert’ as in agreement to be ‘in concert with’),” so much as they are “‘shows’ in the television sense. We’re production companies now.” |
| Thanks for joining me for this briefing. See you next time. | Thanks for joining me for this briefing. See you next time. |
| — Natasha | — Natasha |
| 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. | P.S. |
| • We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about life inside the N.B.A.’s bubble at Walt Disney World in Florida. | • We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about life inside the N.B.A.’s bubble at Walt Disney World in Florida. |
| • Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: “Woo-hoo!” (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here. | • Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: “Woo-hoo!” (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here. |
| • Coverage in The Times won seven awards from the New York Press Club, including work from Metro and Science, and our Culture Desk’s articles on the final season of “Game of Thrones.” | • Coverage in The Times won seven awards from the New York Press Club, including work from Metro and Science, and our Culture Desk’s articles on the final season of “Game of Thrones.” |