We cover new restrictions as Asia and Australia battle the Delta variant and as rebels recapture Tigray’s capital.
A new lockdown cycle in Asia
Asia-Pacific countries with slow vaccination campaigns are trying to slow the spread of the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus by resorting to a new round of restrictions.
Bangladesh and Malaysia are urging residents to stay home, and Bangladesh is sending soldiers to patrol the streets to make sure no one is outside. In Australia, authorities in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin have imposed strict curfews.
Tired residents become frustrated as in some cases they have already gone through multiple locks. “My restaurant is known for its hospitality and communal dishes, the opposite of social distancing,” said a restaurant owner near Kuala Lumpur. For his business, this lock could be “the last straw,” he said.
Context: Studies have shown that Covid-19 vaccines against the Delta variant are still largely effective, although protection is significantly lower for those who are partially vaccinated. “If we can get a really high vaccination rate, it will change the game completely,” said an epidemiology expert in Melbourne.
Ethiopian rebels conquer the capital of the region
Eight months after the attack by the Ethiopian army on the Tigray region, the civil war takes a turn: Tigrayan fighters recapture the regional capital Mekelle. Local residents celebrated in the streets. Here are the latest updates.
The rebels have signaled that they have little desire for a ceasefire. Senior rebel members said they would continue to fight and be ready to pursue Eritrean troops who have joined Ethiopian forces on their territory.
The dramatic turnaround was a blow to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who launched an offensive last November that he promised would be over in a few weeks. After eight months of violence accusing Eritrean troops of atrocities, the war now looks like it could drag on.
Turn the tide: The war began with Tigrayan troops clearly on the defensive. But the rebels have managed to regroup. In addition, the invasion and human rights violations have drawn numerous recruits into the arms of the group.
The toll: Almost two million people have been displaced from their homeland. The region faces a long list of crises, including water and education shortages, and a famine that leaves millions of people starving.
US general sees danger of civil war in Afghanistan
The commander of the US-led mission in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin Miller, warned that the country could be on the path to a chaotic, multi-layered civil war as US and international forces prepare to withdraw in the coming weeks.
“Civil war is certainly a path that can be imagined if it continues on its way,” Miller said during a rare press conference in Kabul. “That should concern the world.”
He did not provide a timeline for completing the withdrawal, but said he had reached a point where he would soon end his command, which began in September 2018.
New York’s dining scene has changed due to the creative outdoor table settings made necessary by the pandemic. But how does the city keep the romance alive while the outbreak subsides and the rules are relaxed? Our food reviewer has a few answers.
ART AND IDEAS
Return of the Benin bronzes
In 1897 invading British soldiers stole thousands of artifacts from the Kingdom of Benin, now part of Nigeria. In the UK, the events are known as the Punitive Expedition. In Nigeria, they are known as the Benin massacres because of the residents who killed British troops.
Activists, historians and royals in Nigeria have called for the art to be returned, but museums resisted, arguing that their global collections served “the people of every nation.”
However, given Europe’s grappling with its colonial history, some institutions are changing their position. Germany has announced that it will return a significant number of Benin bronzes (as the items are called) over the next year, and the National Museum of Ireland is planning to return 21 items. The work is expected to move to a new museum in Benin City due to be completed in 2026.
That’s it for today’s briefing. Until next time. – Melina
PS Christina Goldbaum, a reporter at the Metro desk who reported from East Africa, strengthens our Afghanistan team.
The latest episode of “The Daily” is about the building collapse in Miami.
Claire Moses wrote the arts and ideas. You can reach Melina and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
