The Morning: Russia’s struggles

The last several weeks have gone better than expected for Ukraine. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP4QlAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnByb2R1Y3RDb2RlPU5OJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1cmk9bnl0JTNBJTJGJTJGbmV3c2xldHRlciUyRjVkNjc0NWNkLTkwMGEtNTYyOS05ZWUwLTA5OWNkNjU3ODU3MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0StaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) August 19, 2022 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0P2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0S8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvY2xhaXJlLW1vc2VzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) By [David Leonhardt](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0P2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) and [Claire Moses](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0S8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvY2xhaXJlLW1vc2VzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Good morning. We explain why the last several weeks of the war in Ukraine have gone poorly for Russia. A Ukrainian artillery unit.David Guttenfelder for The New York Times Feet not miles When we last updated you on the war in Ukraine, we laid out [three possible scenarios](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8wNi9icmllZmluZy91a3JhaW5lLXdhci10aHJlZS1zY2VuYXJpb3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) for the near future. This morning, we’ll explain how the events of the past six weeks have affected the war, with help from our colleagues who are covering it from Ukraine, Washington and elsewhere. The bottom line is that the most recent phase of the war [has gone better for Ukraine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8wNC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9ydXNzaWEtd2VhcG9ucy11a3JhaW5lLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) than many observers expected after Russia’s progress earlier this year. “The Ukrainians are doing well,” Helene Cooper, a Washington correspondent, told us. “The Russians are measuring progress in feet, not even miles, at this point.” As Anton Troianovski, The Times’s Moscow bureau chief, puts it: “The Russians appeared to have lost some of the momentum they had earlier in the summer. If you look closely, you see the Ukrainians gaining a bit of momentum, even though not that much is changing on the map.” Victory, stalemate, defeat As a reminder, here are the three scenarios we described last month, which were based partly on public comments by Avril Haines, the U.S. director of national intelligence: - Russia starts to win. Russia would continue to take over more of eastern Ukraine, [as it did in the spring](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNi8wMS9icmllZmluZy91a3JhaW5lLWRvbmJhcy13YXItb3ZlcnZpZXcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), and ultimately control all of the Donbas region. This progress might break Ukrainians’ will to fight elsewhere — and weaken support for the war in Western Europe and the U.S. - The war falls into a stalemate. Many analysts, including Haines, consider this scenario the most likely. In it, Russia would dominate the east but would not be able to go much farther. - Ukraine starts to win. Ukraine would halt Russia’s advance in the east and also succeed in launching counterattacks, potentially reclaiming some territory in the south, where Russia has also taken over some cities. Looking back at this list now, we are struck that the recent events seem to fall somewhere between the second and third scenarios. In the early summer, Russia seemed to be making progress toward taking over all of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, which includes two provinces, Donetsk and Luhansk. But that progress appears to have slowed. Russia controls only Luhansk, not all of Donetsk. The New York Times “Russia has made little to no inroads in the Donetsk province, and U.S. officials don’t think they’ll take it this year,” said our colleague Eric Schmitt, a senior correspondent covering security issues. Colin Kahl, a top Pentagon official, has pointed out that Russia’s minuscule progress in the east has come at a high cost — about 20,000 troop deaths and another 50,000 or so injuries. Michael Schwirtz, a Times correspondent who has been covering the war in Ukraine, calls these numbers “astonishing.” Seth Jones, a military expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, “The Russians probably don’t have enough effective combat forces to fully take Donetsk,” at least not anytime soon. ([This recent story](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xMS91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9ydXNzaWFuLWNhc3VhbHRpZXMtdWtyYWluZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) by Helene has more details.) Ukraine has been able to stymie Russia thanks in large part to weapons from the U.S., the E.U. and other allies. Especially important in recent weeks have been truck-mounted rocket launchers, [known as HIMARS](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8wMS91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9oaW1hcnMtd2VhcG9ucy11a3JhaW5lLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), whose satellite-guided missiles can travel nearly 50 miles. The U.S. has sent 16 of the launchers to Ukraine so far and helped train their crews. The HIMARS are one reason that Ukraine has been able to strike more deeply into Russian-held territory than before. One target has been Kherson, a region in southern Ukraine that Russia controls and where Ukraine may be gearing up for a counterattack. Ukraine has also carried out successful sabotage attacks in Crimea, an area of southern Ukraine that Vladimir Putin annexed in 2014. “To walk right in and start blowing up military bases in Crimea is a real embarrassment for Russia,” Michael said. (Here’s [a profile of the resistance fighters](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xNy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvdWtyYWluZS1wYXJ0aXNhbnMtaW5zdXJnZW5jeS1ydXNzaWEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) conducting the sabotage operations, written from Ukraine by Andrew Kramer.) Together, these attacks have forced Russia to divert several thousand troops from the east to defend areas that had previously seemed secure. As Helene said, “The Russians are now fighting a two-front war.” Putin was hoping to be in a better position by now. After he was defeated in his initial attempt to oust Ukraine’s government, his fallback goal became taking over eastern Ukraine. That now seems unlikely to happen this year. “Russia is not even accomplishing its scaled-down goal,” Helene added. A long war With all this said, Russia still has some major advantages. Putin seems [completely in control](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9vcGluaW9uL3J1c3NpYS1wdXRpbi1jb3JydXB0aW9uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) of Russia’s government, allowing him to play a long game. And Russia has a history of winning wars of attrition, recently in Syria and Chechnya and less recently during World War II — although not in Afghanistan, which demonstrates that Russia can also lose these conflicts. In the current war, Russian troops may not be making much progress, but neither is Ukraine. It still has not recaptured large amounts of territory in the east or the south. Ukrainian troops and civilians have also suffered heavy casualties, Michael said. One unexpected recent positive for Putin has been his ability to fight the war without having to resort to a draft. Some analysts had predicted that he would need to mobilize more troops from the Russian population, Anton notes. Instead, Russia has continued to fight using only its existing troops, and forcibly drafted residents of eastern Ukraine. In coming weeks, Putin will likely try to bolster domestic support by [holding show trials](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNS8yMC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvcnVzc2lhLWF6b3YtbWFyaXVwb2wtdHJpYWxzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) for Ukrainian prisoners of war from the southern city of Mariupol. Over the longer term, he seems to be hoping that European and U.S. support for Ukraine may flag, especially if he can keep energy prices high. As well as the past few weeks have gone for Ukraine, Putin has overcome setbacks before, through a mixture of patience and brutality. For more Dancers in front of a theater in Odesa in June.Laetitia Vancon for The New York Times - The [openness and diversity in Odesa](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOS93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvb2Rlc2EtdWtyYWluZS1ydXNzaWEtcHV0aW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), a Ukrainian port city, embody what Putin wants to destroy, The Times’s Roger Cohen writes. - Russia and Ukraine accused each other of preparing an attack on the [Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP4QwAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjIvMDgvMTkvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL3J1c3NpYS1hbmQtdWtyYWluZS10cmFkZS1hY2N1c2F0aW9ucy1vZi1hLXBvdGVudGlhbC1hdHRhY2stb24tYS1udWNsZWFyLWNvbXBsZXgtdGVycmlmeWluZy1pdHMtd29ya2Vycy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), which Russia has controlled since March. THE LATEST NEWS Politics - A judge [may release the affidavit](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1mYmktYWZmaWRhdml0LXdhcnJhbnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) used in the search of Donald Trump’s Florida home, but only after a redaction. - President Biden’s aides are [embracing the “Dark Brandon” meme](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xNy91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9kYXJrLWJyYW5kb24tbm8tbWFsYXJrZXkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) that mocks a vulgar conservative insult — and he is [wearing his aviator sunglasses a lot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xNi9zdHlsZS9qb2UtYmlkZW4tYXZpYXRvcnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), which he tends to do on good days. Other Big Stories - Three men have been charged in [the killing of the Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC91cy9qYW1lcy13aGl0ZXktYnVsZ2VyLWtpbGxpbmctY2hhcmdlcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), who was beaten to death in a West Virginia prison in 2018. - Allen Weisselberg, a Trump Organization executive, admitted to conspiring with the company [to avoid taxes on lavish perks](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9ueXJlZ2lvbi93ZWlzc2VsYmVyZy10cnVtcC1ndWlsdHktcGxlYS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). - Experts say that Tesla data, if shared, can be [an investigative tool](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9idXNpbmVzcy90ZXNsYS1jcmFzaC1kYXRhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) to understand car crashes. - The N.F.L. will [suspend Deshaun Watson](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9zcG9ydHMvZm9vdGJhbGwvZGVzaGF1bi13YXRzb24tc3VzcGVuc2lvbi0xMS1nYW1lcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) for 11 games after sexual misconduct claims, longer than the initial six-game punishment suggested. Opinions David Brooks remembers the writer Frederick Buechner, who understood that to close yourself off from pain is to close yourself off [from being transformed](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2NvbHVtbmlzdHMvZnJlZGVyaWNrLWJ1ZWNobmVyLWlubmVyLWRlcHRocy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is back in good standing, but [women’s rights in Saudi Arabia remain a mirage](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3NhdWRpLWFyYWJpYS13b21lbi1yaWdodHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), Megan Stack says. Why did the I.R.S. need $80 billion? [Look at its cafeteria](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL29waW5pb25zL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjIvaXJzLXBpcGVsaW5lLXRheC1yZXR1cm4tZGVsYXlzLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), The Washington Post’s Catherine Rampell writes. Journalism like this is only possible with subscribers. Support the reporting that goes into The Morning. [Become a subscriber today](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduSWQ9OFdMSjkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). MORNING READS Jamad Fiin, 22, has more than a million Instagram followers. What will she do with her influence?Vanessa Leroy for The New York Times On sports and fame: A basketball player and influencer. A fighter who survived a murder attempt. [And much more](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMi8wOC8xNy9zcG9ydHMvc3VtbWVyLWZhbWUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). An investigation: As a C.E.O., Dan Price criticized corporate greed. His social media fame [helped enable a pattern of abuse](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC90ZWNobm9sb2d5L2Rhbi1wcmljZS1yZXNpZ24tc29jaWFsLW1lZGlhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Modern Love: A sister’s last [act of intimate kindness](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOS9zdHlsZS9tb2Rlcm4tbG92ZS1jYW5jZXItbGFzdC1hY3Qtb2YtaW50aW1hdGUta2luZG5lc3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). A Times classic: Your air-conditioner [is bad for the climate](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxNi8wOC8xMC9zY2llbmNlL2Fpci1jb25kaXRpb25lci1nbG9iYWwtd2FybWluZy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Advice from Wirecutter: [Try this carry-on](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2Jlc3QtY2Fycnktb24tbHVnZ2FnZS8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Lives Lived: Norah Vincent was a 35-year-old journalist when she disguised herself and lived as a man, an 18-month experience she chronicled in a best-selling book. She [died at 53](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9vYml0dWFyaWVzL25vcmFoLXZpbmNlbnQtZGVhZC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). SPORTS NEWS FROM THE ATHLETIC The Big Ten cashes in: The conference announced its [media rights agreements](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVhdGhsZXRpYy5jb20vMzUxODQxNC8yMDIyLzA4LzE4L2JpZy10ZW4tdHYtZGVhbC1kZXRhaWxzLXJpZ2h0cy8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), which total over $8 billion across seven years. Split across multiple networks (think N.F.L.-style), the rights distribution [represents a new](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVhdGhsZXRpYy5jb20vMzUxODcwNS8yMDIyLzA4LzE4L2JpZy10ZW4tdHYtcmlnaHRzLWtldmluLXdhcnJlbi8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) mind-set for college sports. So you want to know where to find your games? [That’s here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVhdGhsZXRpYy5jb20vMzUyMDc0MC8yMDIyLzA4LzE4L2JpZy10ZW4tY29sbGVnZS1mb290YmFsbC10di1yaWdodHMvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). A final ruling on Watson: The Cleveland Browns quarterback is eligible to return from his 11-game suspension on Dec. 4 — a matchup with his former team, the Houston Texans. From an on-field standpoint, the lengthened ban [might not](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVhdGhsZXRpYy5jb20vMzUyMDAwOS8yMDIyLzA4LzE4L2Rlc2hhdW4td2F0c29uLXN1c3BlbnNpb24tYnJvd25zLW9kZHMvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) make much of a difference. No. 700 in sight: The St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols, set to retire, is [experiencing](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVhdGhsZXRpYy5jb20vMzUyMDY0NC8yMDIyLzA4LzE4L2FsYmVydC1wdWpvbHMtaG9tZS1ydW5zLTY5MC8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) a midlife power surge and sits at 690 career home runs. Can he squeeze in 10 more? ARTS AND IDEAS A scene from “House of the Dragon.”Ollie Upton/HBO Return to Westeros This Sunday HBO will premiere “House of the Dragon” a prequel series to “Game of Thrones.” The Times has a few stories to help fans prepare — or to decide whether, after the original series’ disappointing finale, they want to tune in again. - The new show takes place nearly 200 years before the original, at a time when the dragon-riding Targaryen family — ancestors of Daenerys — ruled the land. [This guide explains what’s going on](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS9ob3VzZS1vZi1kcmFnb25zLWdvdC1wcmVxdWVsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). - John Koblin [spoke with George R.R. Martin](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xMC9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vaG91c2Utb2YtdGhlLWRyYWdvbi1oYm8tZ290Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), on whose books the shows are based. Martin is shaping the new series — unlike the final seasons of “Game of Thrones.” For those, he said, he was “pretty much out of the loop.” - “The signs are there, but the spirit is weak.” [Here’s a review](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vaG91c2Utb2YtdGhlLWRyYWdvbi1yZXZpZXcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) by the critic Mike Hale. PLAY, WATCH, EAT What to Cook Mark Weinberg for The New York Times This mash-up of crispy rice treats and s’mores is [smile inducing](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TVaHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyMzM0MS1zbW9yZXMtY3Jpc3B5LXRyZWF0cz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). What to Read “Slenderman” explores [what drove two 12-year-olds to try to kill a friend](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xNi9ib29rcy9yZXZpZXcvc2xlbmRlcm1hbi1rYXRobGVlbi1oYWxlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). What to Watch Tatiana Maslany is the giant, green protagonist in “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” [a Marvel comedy series on Disney+](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xNy9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vc2hlLWh1bGstdGF0aWFuYS1tYXNsYW55Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Late Night Trevor Noah on [Trump’s jailbird friends](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wOC8xOS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vdHJldm9yLW5vYWgtZG9uYWxkLXRydW1wLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). News Quiz How well did you [keep up with the headlines this week](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMi8wOC8xOS9icmllZmluZy9uZXdzLXF1aXotbGl6LWNoZW5leS1zYWxtYW4tcnVzaGRpZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)? Now Time to Play ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ The pangram from yesterday’s Spelling Bee was officially. Here is [today’s puzzle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Here’s [today’s Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), and a clue: Polemology: the study of ___ (three letters). And here’s [today’s Wordle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TEaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXMvd29yZGxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). After, [use our bot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMi91cHNob3Qvd29yZGxlLWJvdC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) to get better. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. P.S. Ken Bensinger is joining The Times’s Politics desk [to cover right-wing media](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0Y28uY29tL3ByZXNzL2tlbi1iZW5zaW5nZXItam9pbnMtcG9saXRpY3MtcmVwb3J0aW5nLXRlYW0vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMjA4MTkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9Njk2OTgmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMTgwNSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuoGaf9inAwyYlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Here’s [today’s front page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TVaHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMwMS5ueXQuY29tL2ltYWdlcy8yMDIyLzA4LzE5L255dGZyb250cGFnZS9zY2FuLnBkZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). “[The Daily](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0S1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vdGhlZGFpbHk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIyMDgxOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02OTY5OCZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAxODA1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi6gZp_2KcDDJiUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)” is about cosmic questions. Matthew Cullen, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Tom Wright-Piersanti and Ashley Wu contributed to The Morning. You can reach the team at themorning@nytimes.com. [Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRk4e4GP0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvbW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjIwODE5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY5Njk4Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDE4MDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLqBmn_YpwMMmJSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Need help? 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