The sharp decline in ice extent slowed somewhat during July. Some people are claiming this as a sign of recovery.
If you are going downhill at full throttle and you take your foot off the gas you will slow down. A bit. But if the brakes aren't working you are in for an exciting time.
Loss of ice extent has slowed down. A bit. In plain language: loss of ice continues to be a lot more rapid than has been considered normal historically.
Almost the entirety of the main Arctic Ocean ice cover shows substantial amounts of open water. The ice is freely mobile in most areas. Both the North West Passage and the Northern Sea Route, aka North East Passage seem to be easily navigable by icebreakers.
http://www.science20.com/chatter_box/arctic_ice_july_update_5