Your Thursday Briefing

> More areas in England lock down over new variant. ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzQ3JmxheW91dD1tYXJxdWVlJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1NQkFFXzIwMjAxMjI0JmxpPU1CQUVXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA [The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0SyaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0SyaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy9icmllZmluZy92aXJ1cy1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMtY2hyaXN0bWFzLWV1LWNoaW5hLWRlYWwuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X2RrXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Thursday, Dec 24, 2020 | [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy9icmllZmluZy92aXJ1cy1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMtY2hyaXN0bWFzLWV1LWNoaW5hLWRlYWwuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Supported by Good morning. We’re covering Christmas during the pandemic, a major investment deal in the works between China and the E.U. and a Belarusian band making waves on TikTok. By Melina Delkic Police officers patrolling London on Monday. Andrew Testa for The New York Times Tighter restrictions in Britain amid alarm about variant Struggling to curb the spread of a potentially more infectious variant of the coronavirus, the British government on Wednesday [ordered more sections of England to be placed under restrictive lockdown](~/AAAAAQA~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_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Health officials said severely limiting human contact was the only way to protect people. “The new variant makes everything so much harder because it spreads so much faster,” the British health secretary said. Areas around England will be placed under the highest level of restrictions starting the day after Christmas. All nonessential businesses must close and people cannot meet with those outside their households. The numbers: Britain reported 39,237 cases on Wednesday, up 56 percent from a week ago, [according to a Times database.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL3VuaXRlZC1raW5nZG9tLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWNhc2VzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) The number of people hospitalized with the virus is about the same as it was at the peak of the outbreak in the spring. Context: More than 50 countries have banned travelers from the U.K. since Prime Minister Boris Johnson first raised the alarm over the variant on Sunday. A logjam of thousands of trucks headed to France [may take days to clear as each driver is tested while in line](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4RGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMC8xMi8yMy9idXNpbmVzcy91cy1lY29ub215LWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzL2ZydXN0cmF0aW9uLXJpc2VzLWF0LWJyaXRhaW5zLXBvcnRzLW92ZXItY2xlYXJpbmctYS1sb2dqYW0tb2YtdGhvdXNhbmRzLW9mLXRydWNrcz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Airports in India are also [struggling to implement new measures](~/AAAAAQA~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~). Here are [the latest updates](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDIwLzEyLzIzL3dvcmxkL2NvdmlkLXVwZGF0ZXMtY29yb25hdmlydXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) and [maps of the pandemic](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC93b3JsZC9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1tYXBzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). In other developments: ■ The Trump administration and Pfizer [reached a deal for an additional 100 million doses](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QUAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjAvMTIvMjMvd29ybGQvcGZpemVyLWFuZC11cy1yZWFjaC1hZ3JlZW1lbnQtb24tYWRkaXRpb25hbC12YWNjaW5lLWRvc2VzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) of the vaccine to be delivered by the end of July. ■ Switzerland [began inoculations with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QdAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMC8xMi8yMy93b3JsZC9jb3ZpZC11cGRhdGVzLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzL3N3aXR6ZXJsYW5kLWJlZ2lucy1jb3ZpZC0xOS12YWNjaW5hdGlvbnM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Dubai plans to start on Wednesday. ■ President Trump [threatened to veto a stimulus bill](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMi91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1iaWxsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), demanding that Americans get $2,000 in direct payment instead of $600. Members of his party [may speak out](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4Q9AWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMC8xMi8yMy91cy9qb2UtYmlkZW4tdHJ1bXAvcmVwdWJsaWNhbi1sYXdtYWtlcnMtZmFjZS1hLXN0aW11bHVzLWRpbGVtbWEtc3RhbmQtd2l0aC10aGUtcGFydHktb3Itc3RhbmQtd2l0aC10cnVtcD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) against it. Volkswagen’s electric vehicle plant in Shanghai. Aly Song/Reuters China-E.U. deal faces hurdles China and the European Commission are close to reaching a deal that would make it easier to invest in each other’s economies — [but their talks keep running into snags](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjAvMTIvMjMvYnVzaW5lc3MvY2hpbmEtZXVyb3BlYW4tdW5pb24tdW5pdGVkLXN0YXRlcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJBRV9wXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWN0aW9uPXRvcE5ld3Mmc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). The latest one? A tweet by a top aide to Joe Biden indicating that the president-elect was not happy about the deal. The pact is a top priority of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany because it would give companies like Daimler and Volkswagen better control over their operations in China. But critics say it does not do enough to open China’s markets and address human rights concerns. The clock is ticking. Germany wants to finish the deal before the end of the year while China hopes it can be sealed before the new Biden administration tries to rally opposition to the agreement. What’s left: A number of differences over the language in the draft deal are still unresolved. The German magazine WirtschaftsWoche reported that [China raised additional demands on nuclear energy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QxAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJldXRlcnMuY29tL2FydGljbGUvdXMtZXUtY2hpbmEtdHJhZGUvY2hpbmVzZS1kZW1hbmRzLW9uLW51Y2xlYXItcG93ZXItaW52ZXN0bWVudC1jb21wbGljYXRlLWV1LXRhbGtzLXdpd28taWRVU0tCTjI4WDFXOD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Shopping for Christmas decorations in Milan this month. Alessandro Grassani for The New York Times What will Christmas look like around the world? The virus that stole most of 2020 is now stealing Christmas, too. [Across Italy and beyond](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvaXRhbHktY29yb25hdmlydXMtY2hyaXN0bWFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3cyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), many people were looking forward to Christmas with loved ones to soothe the heartache of a year of mourning. But with new lockdowns dashing those hopes, “home for the holidays” has taken on an ominous meaning: There is nowhere else to go. In South Korea, which is [facing its worst outbreak](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QJAWh0dHBzOi8vYXBuZXdzLmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL3RyYXZlbC1icmF6aWwtaXRhbHktcGVydS1sZWJhbm9uLWI3ZWQ1NWNiOGJhMDliNjI5NWUzZjA3ODIyNmRiY2IzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJBRV9wXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWN0aW9uPXRvcE5ld3Mmc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), the authorities are clamping down on gatherings of five or more people, from Christmas Eve until at least Jan. 3. In the U.S., [case numbers are about as bad as ever](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC8xMi8yMy91cy9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy10aGlzLXdlZWsuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). The country is on pace to reach 325,000 deaths before Christmas. But it is no longer experiencing explosive spikes in infections, and many states are improving. Even with the promise of new federal aid, many jobless Americans are facing [a holiday of tough choices](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjAvMTIvMjMvYnVzaW5lc3MvZWNvbm9teS9lY29ub215LWNocmlzdG1hcy1ob2xpZGF5cy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJBRV9wXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWN0aW9uPXRvcE5ld3Mmc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), trying to celebrate while dealing with pressing financial needs. Bright spots: In Australia, New South Wales [eased restrictions to give people some sense of normalcy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmV1dGVycy5jb20vdmlkZW8vd2F0Y2gvaWRQTW1jP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJBRV9wXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmbm93PXRydWUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWN0aW9uPXRvcE5ld3Mmc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) during the holiday. If you have some time, this is worth it Remembering the innovators Erin Lubin for The New York Times Cecilia Chiang escaped war in China and landed in an America that was hungry for a new kind of Asian cuisine. When she moved to San Francisco, she was determined to introduce the distinct flavors from the kitchens of Sichuan, Shanghai and Beijing. Her restaurant, the Mandarin, completely changed America’s perception of Chinese cuisine. Chiang, who died this year at 100, is one of the artists, innovators and thinkers The Times Magazine wrote about this year in its [annual collection of obituary essays](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC8xMi8yMy9tYWdhemluZS9wZW9wbGUtd2hvLWRpZWQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj1sb25nUmVhZCZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). 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~/RgRhxjUzP4QoAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNhbXBhaWdubW9uaXRvci5jb20vZW1haWwtbWFya2V0aW5nLXNvZnR3YXJlLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTA0MDIxOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1uYXRpdmUmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1kaXNwbGF5JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bnl0VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Here’s what else is happening Jimmy Lai: A Hong Kong judge [granted the media tycoon bail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2ppbW15LWxhaS1ob25nLWtvbmctYmFpbC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJBRV9wXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) on Wednesday, but imposed extensive restrictions barring him from using social media, giving interviews or leaving his home. His release was an unexpected reprieve for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Blackwater pardon: President Trump [pardoned four guards hired by the private military company who had been convicted of killing Iraqi civilians](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMi91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1wYXJkb25zLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2Umc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) in a Baghdad square in 2007. Among those dead were two boys, 8 and 11. Mr. Trump also pardoned three corrupt former members of Congress and two men who pleaded guilty in the Russia inquiry. Fraser Island blaze: Four people have been [charged with unlawfully lighting a campfire](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjAvMTIvMjMvd29ybGQvYXVzdHJhbGlhL2ZyYXNlci1pc2xhbmQtZmlyZS1hdXN0cmFsaWEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZSZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) that sparked huge blazes on Fraser Island off the coast of Australia in October, ultimately razing more than 210,000 acres of the popular vacation spot. Panda death: Xin Xing, the [world’s oldest panda](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjAvMTIvMjMvd29ybGQvYXNpYS9jaGluYS1naWFudC1wYW5kYS14aW4teGluZy1kZWFkLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2Umc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) in captivity, died at age 38. Yahuen Yerchak for The New York Times Snapshot: Above, members of the band Molchat Doma in Minsk, Belarus, this month. Their [music was the soundtrack to a traumatic year](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy9hcnRzL211c2ljL21vbGNoYXQtZG9tYS1iZWxhcnVzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2Umc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), but abroad, many of their tracks have gone viral as the backdrops for fun videos on TikTok. What we’re listening to: This [Retro Holiday playlist](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3BsYXlsaXN0LzM3aTlkUVpGMURXWGNPSGZXZWZDdGc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2Umc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) on Spotify. It doesn’t feel quite like the end of the year without a quick jam session to one of these songs. ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzUyJmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMDEyMjRXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NDE1NzM1JmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMDEyMjRXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTQ2ODA1JmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMDEyMjRXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA Now, a break from the news Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne. Cook: This [Italian pasta and chickpea stew](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vY29va2luZy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9yZWNpcGVzLzEwMjA4NjAtcGFzdGEtZS1jZWNpLWl0YWxpYW4tcGFzdGEtYW5kLWNoaWNrcGVhLXN0ZXc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) begins with sautéing onion, tomatoes, garlic and rosemary in olive oil, then tossing in the chickpeas, and smashing a few to give the stew a creamy texture. Listen: If you are just starting to dip into [the world of audiobooks](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QbAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjAvMTIvMjIvYm9va3MvcmV2aWV3L2F1ZGlvYm9va3MtdG8tZ2V0LXlvdS10aHJvdWdoLXRoZS1tb3N0LWRpc3RyYWN0ZWQtb2YtdGltZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWsmc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), these recent releases may persuade you to keep listening. Do: What’s the secret to longevity? A [high-intensity workout](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy93ZWxsL21vdmUvaGlnaC1pbnRlbnNpdHktZXhlcmljc2Utd29ya291dHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWsmc2VnbWVudF9pZD00NzY4MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX9ozsONfZxva8lIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), even for a few minutes a week, according to one study. Let us help you celebrate the holidays with our [At Home collection of ideas](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3BvdGxpZ2h0L2F0LWhvbWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) on what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home. And now for the Back Story on … Coping with holiday loneliness For this year’s holiday season, those who are used to celebrating are having to make major adjustments — no dinners, no crowds, little travel. The Times talked to a few New Yorkers about [how they were handling loneliness](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8yMy9ueXJlZ2lvbi9uZXcteW9ya2Vycy1ob2xpZGF5cy1hbG9uZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJBRV9wXzIwMjAxMjIzJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1MzUxJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWN0aW9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeSZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) and how they would celebrate. ‘I bought 46 plants’ “Being a spreader is my worst fear,” said Jennifer Gagliardi, 27, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her cat. Ms. Gagliardi tried to cope with hobbies: She learned embroidery and adopted 46 plants. Pre-pandemic, she would drive to Long Island to spend Thanksgiving with her family. This year, she ordered Indian food for two and dined with her best friend. ‘Without structure there is no motivation to study’ Since moving to New York from Chittagong, Bangladesh, in 2015, Ahnaf Islam has found it difficult to connect with his roommates and classmates at New York University, where he studies physics. He said being physically in class motivated him. But when the pandemic hit, his struggles with depression intensified. “The mental isolation I felt before became augmented with physical isolation,” he said. He plans to spend his holiday catching up on schoolwork. ‘There has to be some sort of hope’ Victoria Remer, 25, a Master of Divinity candidate, moved to New York in August to intern at a Lutheran church. But what was supposed to be a community-based job turned out to be a solitary one. “I feel like I’m missing out on a huge part of what I’m supposed to be doing here,” she said. Most years, she would spend Christmas Eve at church, with her family working as ushers or worship assistants. This year she will spend it at home. That’s it for this briefing. We will be off for Christmas tomorrow and there will be no newsletter. We wish you a very merry holiday season. — Melina Thank you Carole Landry helped write this briefing. Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh provided the break from the news. You can reach the team at [briefing@nytimes.com](mailto:briefing+pm@nytimes.com?subject=Briefing%20Feedback&te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_MBAE_p_20201223§ion=endNote). P.S. • We’re listening to “[The Daily](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vdGhlZGFpbHk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249ZW5kTm90ZSZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~).” Our latest episode offers some positive news stories from this year. • Here’s our [Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249ZW5kTm90ZSZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), and a clue: The “white” in “White Christmas” (four letters). [You can find all our puzzles here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP0TPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X01CQUVfcF8yMDIwMTIyMyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTM1MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VjdGlvbj1lbmROb3RlJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDc2ODEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_aM7DjX2cb2vJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). • Blumhouse [acquired the film rights to our story](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRhxjUzP4QUAWh0dHBzOi8vdmFyaWV0eS5jb20vMjAyMC9maWxtL25ld3MvYmx1bWhvdXNlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1pcmlhbS1yb2RyaWd1ZXotbWV4aWNhbi1jYXJ0ZWwtMTIzNDg3MTc5NS8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkFFX3BfMjAyMDEyMjMmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjUzNTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlY3Rpb249ZW5kTm90ZSZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ3NjgxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf2jOw419nG9ryUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) about a mother chasing down her daughter’s kidnappers in Mexico. 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