Your Tuesday Briefing

> Carlos Ghosn, Brexit, Cyprus: Here’s what you need to know. ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0R-aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjIxNzcyJmxheW91dD1tYXJxdWVlJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1NQkVfMjAxOTEyMzEmbGk9TUJFVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ [The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0S6aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV8yMDE5MTIzMT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMTkxMjMxVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0S6aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV8yMDE5MTIzMT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMTkxMjMxVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8zMS9icmllZmluZy9naG9zbi1icmV4aXQtY3lwcnVzLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X2RrXzIwMTkxMjMxP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAxOTEyMzFXA255dEIKAB566wpeCA0Z-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 | [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8zMS9icmllZmluZy9naG9zbi1icmV4aXQtY3lwcnVzLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV8yMDE5MTIzMT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMTkxMjMxVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Supported by Good morning. We’re covering the businessman Carlos Ghosn’s dramatic return to Lebanon, our best dispatches of 2019, and the conviction of a controversial scientist. By Mike Ives Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan chairman, spent much of his youth in Beirut and enjoys widespread public support there. Kazuhiro Nogi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Carlos Ghosn flees Japan for Lebanon The former chairman of Nissan has returned to Lebanon, [apparently after fleeing](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvYnVzaW5lc3MvY2FybG9zLWdob3NuLWxlZnQtamFwYW4uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUydGlvbj10b3BOZXdzVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Japan, where he was expected to stand trial next year](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvYnVzaW5lc3MvY2FybG9zLWdob3NuLWxlZnQtamFwYW4uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUydGlvbj10b3BOZXdzVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) on charges of financial wrongdoing. It’s another dramatic turn in the story of a man who was once a top automotive executive. A Lebanese newspaper reported that Mr. Ghosn arrived in Lebanon on a private jet from Turkey. In a statement, released this morning, he said he would “no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system.” “I have not fled justice — I have escaped injustice and political persecution,” he added. The circumstances under which he left Japan were unclear. He had posted bail of $9 million, had been required to surrender his passport and was under close watch by the authorities. Background: Mr. Ghosn, the architect of Nissan’s alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, has been accused by Japanese authorities of underreporting his compensation and shifting personal financial losses to Nissan. He has strongly maintained his innocence. What’s next: Mr. Ghosn is a citizen of Lebanon, where he is legally protected from extradition, as well as of France and Brazil. He said in his statement that he was now able to “communicate freely with the media” and that he looked forward to “starting next week.” A peace wall in West Belfast divides Protestant and Catholic enclaves. Ivor Prickett for The New York Times Will Brexit bring conflict back to Northern Ireland? When a 1998 peace deal ended decades of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, one of the factors that brought Irish nationalists to the negotiating table was economic: Both Britain and Ireland had by then joined the European Union, an arrangement that ensured uninhibited trade across their mutual border. As Britain prepares to leave the European Union by Jan. 31, Northern Ireland has become [a “unique and treacherous stumbling block” to any agreement on the terms of the divorce](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvbWFnYXppbmUvYnJleGl0LW5vcnRoZXJuLWlyZWxhbmQuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUydGlvbj10b3BOZXdzVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), according to a writer in The New York Times Magazine. Anger over Brexit there, and in Scotland, may yet contribute to the breakup of the United Kingdom itself. At issue is how Britain can “take back control” of its borders without hardening the Irish border and endangering the 1998 deal, as well as whether paramilitary groups on opposite sides of Northern Ireland’s longstanding divide — Protestant “Unionists,” who identify as British, and Catholic “Nationalists,” who identify as Irish — would again resort to violence. “The war is not over,” a former paramilitary combatant in Belfast said. “Far from it.” An abandoned shipwreck in Magadan, a frigid northern Russian city more than 3,600 miles from Moscow. Emile Ducke for The New York Times The bleak city that Russians love to leave In some ways, Magadan, Russia, is a loose analogue to the Gold Rush towns that lured American and Canadian miners in the 19th century. But the Russians who passed through this grim, cold seaport in the 1920s didn’t come to make their fortunes; they were dragged there to work in nearby gold mines as forced laborers. Today, Magadan’s young people are rushing for the exits, causing a severe shortage of able-bodied workers. And even though the city is trying to rebrand itself as the “golden heart of Russia,” a local sociologist has diagnosed it as suffering from “delayed life syndrome” — in which inhabitants’ hopes and ambitions from their current life are punted into the future. [On a trip to Magadan,](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzEvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL3J1c3NpYS1tYWdhZGFuLXNpYmVyaWEuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUydGlvbj10b3BOZXdzVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) our Moscow bureau chief, Andrew Higgins, explored how the end of the Soviet Union shattered the city’s economy, and why the federal government under President Vladimir Putin of Russia has been investing in this and other remote northern outposts (hint: the natural resources beneath the snow). Catch up: Andrew also looked at [why Russia is on a roll under Mr. Putin’s leadership, despite its sputtering economy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8yMy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvcnVzc2lhLXB1dGluLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MnRpb249dG9wTmV3c1cDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). If you have some time, this is worth it Our best dispatches of 2019 Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times This year, Times reporters filed 125 “dispatches” — our shorthand for features that offer offbeat cultural insights — from 44 countries across six continents. [It’s hard to pick favorites, but we tried](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8zMC93b3JsZC9ueXQtYmVzdC1kaXNwYXRjaGVzLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249bG9uZ1JlYWQ_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTQ4Njgmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xOTk1MyZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTJpb249bG9uZ1JlYWRXA255dEIKAB566wpeCA0Z-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Our Top 12 list includes stories about young hobbyhorse enthusiasts in Finland, above; a crackdown on contraband pasta in Italy; threats to an ancient Polish forest; and the inspiring tale of a veteran foreign correspondent who was struck down by a brain tumor during a trip to India. PAID POST: A MESSAGE FROM CAMPAIGN MONITOR TEST: Email Marketing 101: Never Sacrifice Beauty for Simplicity A drag-and-drop email builder, a gallery of templates and turnkey designs, personalized customer journeys, and engagement segments. It's everything you need to create stunning, results-driven email campaigns in minutes. And with Campaign Monitor, you have access to it all, along with award-winning support around the clock. It's beautiful email marketing done simply. [Learn More](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4Q0AWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNhbXBhaWdubW9uaXRvci5jb20vZW1haWwtbWFya2V0aW5nLXNvZnR3YXJlLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWRpc3BsYXkmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1ueXQmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTA0MDIxOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1uYXRpdmU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTQ4Njgmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xOTk1MyZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZzotZXVyb3BlLWVkaXRpb24mZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJlXzIwMTkxMjMxbnRlbnQ9bmF0aXZlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Here’s what else is happening Ukraine: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo [plans to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvcG9tcGVvLXplbGVuc2t5LXVrcmFpbmUuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mmlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), the State Department said. That would make him the first cabinet official to meet with Mr. Zelensky since the start of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. American airstrikes: In the wake of airstrikes on Sunday that targeted the militia Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria, [anti-Iranian sentiments in Iraq have given way to anti-American ones](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QTAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9pcmFxLWFpcnN0cmlrZXMtdXMtaXJhbi1taWxpdGlhcy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyaW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). That’s convenient for Iran, which has faced pushback around the region and unrest at home. Austria: The center-right People’s Party [appears close to a coalition deal with the Green Party](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QUAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2Fwb25saW5lLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2FwLWV1LWF1c3RyaWEtbmV3LWdvdmVybm1lbnQuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mmlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). A final round of talks is planned for New Year’s Day, and the outcome could make Sebastian Kurz, a 33-year-old ex-chancellor, the world’s youngest sitting head of state. Cyprus: In a case that has divided public opinion, a court on Monday [convicted a British woman for lying to the authorities](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2N5cHJ1cy1yYXBlLWJyaXRpc2gtd29tYW4uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mmlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) when she accused a dozen Israeli men of raping her in a hotel room. The woman, who was 19 when she made the accusation, is due to be sentenced on Jan. 7 and could face up to a year in prison and a fine of 1,700 euros. Sudan: A court [sentenced 29 members of the national intelligence service to death](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QQAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvd29ybGQvYWZyaWNhL3N1ZGFuLWRlYXRoLXNlbnRlbmNlLWludGVsbGlnZW5jZS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyaW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) for the torture and killing of a teacher, as part of a purge against the government of the deposed president Omar Hassan al-Bashir. China: The researcher who shocked scientists last year when he claimed that he had created the first genetically edited babies [was sentenced on](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvYnVzaW5lc3MvY2hpbmEtc2NpZW50aXN0LWdlbmV0aWMtYmFieS1wcmlzb24uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mmlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[Monday](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvYnVzaW5lc3MvY2hpbmEtc2NpZW50aXN0LWdlbmV0aWMtYmFieS1wcmlzb24uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mmlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[to three years in prison](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvYnVzaW5lc3MvY2hpbmEtc2NpZW50aXN0LWdlbmV0aWMtYmFieS1wcmlzb24uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mmlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) for “illegal medical practices.” Hong Kong: Antigovernment protests are expected today and on New Year’s Day in the semiautonomous Chinese territory. (Our columnist Roger Cohen [visited recently and offers his impressions](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0T8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8yNy9vcGluaW9uL2hvbmcta29uZy1wcm90ZXN0cy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyaW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~).) Melissa Schäfer Snapshot: Above, snow machines in Svalbard, [the world’s northernmost inhabited place](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4REAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvdHJhdmVsL3N2YWxiYXJkLW5vcndheS1ub3J0aGVybi1saWdodHMuaHRtbD9hY3Rpb249Y2xpY2smbW9kdWxlPUVkaXRvcnMlMjBQaWNrcyZwZ3R5cGU9SG9tZXBhZ2UmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2U_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTQ4Njgmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xOTk1MyZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). The Norwegian archipelago is poised to be the next extreme vacation destination for tourists keen on exploring wilderness, climate change and the Northern Lights. Fake snow in Moscow: As the warmest December on record drew to a close, the city authorities tried to compensate by [chipping ice from skating rinks and distributing it around town](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMi8zMC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvbW9zY293LXNub3ctd2FybS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyaW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Then a blizzard hit. When do the 2020s start (seriously)? For some people, the next decade begins at midnight tonight. For others, it won’t start until Jan. 1, 2021. [Our reporter breaks down the debate](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8xMS8yOC91cy93aGF0LWlzLWRlY2FkZS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyaW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). What we’re reading: [This essay by a Navy SEAL](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaXVtLmNvbS9AamFtZXMuaGF0Y2gvbXktc2VtZXN0ZXItd2l0aC10aGUtc25vd2ZsYWtlcy04ODgyODVmMGU2NjI_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2U_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTQ4Njgmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xOTk1MyZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTJpb249d2hhdEVsc2VXA255dEIKAB566wpeCA0Z-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) via Medium. Steven Erlanger, our chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe, recommends the “slightly abashed testimony from a 52-year-old Purple Heart, now a freshman at Yale, about the respect he discovered for the young college students he might have once dismissed as ‘snowflakes.’” ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0RvaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjIxNzY5JmxpPU1CRSZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9TUJFXzIwMTkxMjMxVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0RvaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NDIxODk2JmxpPU1CRSZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9TUJFXzIwMTkxMjMxVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0RvaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTUyOTY2JmxpPU1CRSZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9TUJFXzIwMTkxMjMxVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ Now, a break from the news Jim Wilson/The New York Times Cook: [Salmon roasted in butter](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0T5aHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvNTcwMy1zYWxtb24tcm9hc3RlZC1pbi1idXR0ZXI_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) with lots of herbs is easy and elegant. (Our [Five Weeknight Dishes newsletter](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvZml2ZS13ZWVrbmlnaHQtZGlzaGVzP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPWFCcmVhaz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MmN0aW9uPWFCcmVha1cDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) has more recommendations.) Look: Our editors combed through the more than 39,000 photographs that were filed this year for The Times’s Travel desk, [and picked 22 of their favorites](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMTgvdHJhdmVsL2Jlc3QtdHJhdmVsLXBob3RvZ3JhcGhzLTIwMTkuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWs_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTEmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTQ4Njgmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xOTk1MyZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTJjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWtXA255dEIKAB566wpeCA0Z-lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Smarter Living: As you head into the new year, remember to take more time for yourself; [being alone can improve your creativity and your relationships](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4SgAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMjQvc21hcnRlci1saXZpbmcvOC13YXlzLXRvLWJlLWtpbmRlci10by15b3Vyc2VsZi1pbi0yMDIwLmh0bWw_YWxnbz1pZGVudGl0eSZmZWxsYmFjaz1mYWxzZSZpbXBfaWQ9NTU1ODEwNzEmaW1wX2lkPTM3NzQ1MzcwJmFjdGlvbj1jbGljayZtb2R1bGU9U21hcnRlciUyMExpdmluZyZwZ3R5cGU9SG9tZXBhZ2UmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). And now for the Back Story on … The Times Square ball drop The [Waterford crystal ball](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QQAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTgvMTIvMjgvbnlyZWdpb24vdGhlLW1hbi1iZWhpbmQtdGhlLXRpbWVzLXNxdWFyZS1iYWxsLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249YmFja1N0b3J5P2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyb249YmFja1N0b3J5VwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) is now perched about 500 feet above Times Square in New York, and we all know what it’s for, but — why? [The idea for the New Year’s ball drop](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TxaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8yMDA3LzEyLzMxL255cmVnaW9uLzMxYmFsbC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mm9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) came from our former publisher Adolph S. Ochs. First, he persuaded the city in 1904 to rename Longacre Square for The New York Times, as the newspaper moved to the area from downtown. Then, on Dec. 31, 1904, about 200,000 people celebrated New Year’s Eve with a fireworks display at the 24-story Times Tower for the first time. The Waterford crystal ball in Times Square. Peter Foley/EPA, via Shutterstock But Mr. Ochs wanted to top that. So The Times’s chief electrician made a giant ball out of wood and iron and outfitted it with 100 25-watt bulbs. It was lowered from the 70-foot flagpole atop the building at the end of 1907. The Times has relocated nearby twice, but the holiday tradition has remained. But the 1907 celebration wasn’t the first time a giant ball was raised and dropped. Since the early 19th century, so-called [time balls](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0ToaHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFyZGF0ZS5vcmcvcmFkaW8vcHJvZ3JhbS8yMDE5LTEyLTMwP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MTIzMSZzZWN0aW9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1Mm9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) were used in harbors, dropping every day at noon so that sailors could view them through telescopes and set their ships’ clocks. That’s it for this briefing. We’re off tomorrow for New Year’s Day, but we’ll be back on Thursday. Until 2020! — Mike Thank you To Mark Josephson and Raillan Brooks for the break from the news. Today’s Back Story is drawn from reporting by Adeel Hassan. You can reach the team at [briefing@nytimes.com](mailto:briefing+midnight@nytimes.com?subject=Briefing%20Feedback&te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_MBE_p_20191231§ion=endNote;section=endNote). P.S. • We’re listening to “[The Daily](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vdGhlZGFpbHk_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249ZW5kTm90ZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MnRpb249ZW5kTm90ZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~).” Our latest episode checks in with a Times critic who wrestled this year with the abuse allegations against Michael Jackson. • Here’s today’s [Mini Crossword puzzle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249ZW5kTm90ZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MnRpb249ZW5kTm90ZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), and a clue: Most popular salad dressing in America, per a 2017 study (five letters). [You can find all our puzzles here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcz90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTEyMzEmc2VjdGlvbj1lbmROb3RlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUxJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE0ODY4JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTk5NTMmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUydGlvbj1lbmROb3RlVwNueXRCCgAeeusKXggNGfpSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). • Whopper buns from Burger King, President Trump’s wives and mixed-up measurements were the subjects of some of [the most memorable Times corrections of 2019](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRf7XB6P4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMzAvcmVhZGVyLWNlbnRlci9jb3JyZWN0aW9ucy1vZi10aGUteWVhci0yMDE5Lmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkxMjMxJnNlY3Rpb249ZW5kTm90ZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNDg2OCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE5OTUzJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MnRpb249ZW5kTm90ZVcDbnl0QgoAHnrrCl4IDRn6Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). 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