Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today

Some teachers’ unions are threatening to strike if districts don’t take sufficient precautions.

Belarus Says Russian Mercenaries Planned to Disrupt August Election

State media says 33 Russian fighters have been arrested in Belarus, dramatically escalating a feud between longtime allies.

Your Thursday Briefing

Big Tech hearings, Vietnam outbreak, sheep shortage: Here’s what you need to know.

Senate Report: Opaque Art Market Helped Oligarchs Evade Sanctions

Congressional investigators said companies tied to two Russians under sanctions were able to buy art using shell companies and an intermediary.

School Closures in the Spring Saved Lives, Study Asserts

But, experts caution, the findings highlight a period when few precautions were in place, and do not apply to current discussions about reopening schools.

Information Contagion

And what else you need to know today.

Turkey Passes Law Extending Sweeping Powers Over Social Media

The legislation extends control over social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Critics worry it will be used to stifle dissent and criticism of the government

A Viral Epidemic Splintering Into Deadly Pieces

There’s not just one coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Now there are many, each requiring its own mix of solutions.

Latin America Is Facing a ‘Decline of Democracy’ Under the Pandemic

The coronavirus is battering Latin American health systems and economies. It is also threatening the region’s fragile political freedoms.

Your Wednesday Briefing

Russian propaganda, U.K. quarantine, van Gogh: Here’s what you need to know.