The Evening: A plot to kill a Sikh separatist in New York

Also, negotiators race to extend the truce in Gaza. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP4QzAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9keW5hbWljL3JlbmRlcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcGFpZF9yZWdpPTImcHJvZHVjdENvZGU9TkUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVyaT1ueXQlM0ElMkYlMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVyJTJGYzYyNzEzYmQtMTAwNS01ZDU2LWJmNDQtOTQ0ZGZkMzIzMDhiJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Continue reading the main story](#) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTUwJmxpPU5FJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1ORV8yMDIzMTEyOSZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [The Evening](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VyaWVzL3VzLWV2ZW5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) November 29, 2023 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbWF0dGhldy1jdWxsZW4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) By [Matthew Cullen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbWF0dGhldy1jdWxsZW4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday. - A plot to kill a Sikh separatist in New York - The race to extend the Gaza truce - Also, the best TV shows of 2023 [Yellow flags bearing the word “Khalistan” in capital letters flutter against an evening sky.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9ueXJlZ2lvbi9zaWtoLWFzc2Fzc2luYXRpb24tcGxvdC1jaGFyZ2VzLWluZGlhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Sikh separatists have been pressing for a state called Khalistan. Jackie Dives for The New York Times The U.S. charged an Indian man in a plot to kill a Sikh activist Federal prosecutors accused an Indian national today of [attempting to kill a Sikh separatist in New York City](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9ueXJlZ2lvbi9zaWtoLWFzc2Fzc2luYXRpb24tcGxvdC1jaGFyZ2VzLWluZGlhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). The indictment says the plan was linked to the June assassination of a separatist in Canada, allegations that could complicate relations between Washington, Ottawa and New Delhi. The hit in the U.S. was planned by an Indian government official who told the man tapped to carry it out, Nikhil Gupta, that there was a target in New York and another in California, according to prosecutors. “We have so many targets,” the official told him. Prosecutors said that Gupta hired a hit man to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. citizen and outspoken proponent of independence for the Indian state of Punjab. The supposed hit man, however, was an undercover officer, prosecutors said. [A girl lying inside the wheel rim of a large vehicle.] Avigail Idan, in a photo taken before she was kidnapped and provided by her family. Negotiators race to extend Gaza truce, as stories of hostages emerge Mediators from Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt met today with Israeli officials in Qatar in [an effort to lock in another extension of the cease-fire](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93b3JsZC9taWRkbGVlYXN0L2lzcmFlbC1oYW1hcy1ob3N0YWdlcy1nYXphLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) in Gaza before the current truce expires tomorrow morning. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. favored another short-term truce because it would allow for the release of more Israeli hostages and the delivery of more aid to Gaza. Other officials went further, saying they hoped the pauses [could lead to negotiations to end the war](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP4Q8AWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93b3JsZC9pc3JhZWwtaGFtYXMtZ2F6YS13YXItbmV3cy9zb21lLW9mZmljaWFscy1ob3BlLWJyaWVmLXBhdXNlcy13aWxsLXBhdmUtdGhlLXdheS10by10YWxrcy1vbi1lbmRpbmctdGhlLXdhcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZzbWlkPXVybC1zaGFyZSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). But Israel says it will not end its military campaign until Hamas is destroyed. Within Israel, many citizens remain focused on the safe return of the hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attacks. An additional group of [16 hostages was released today](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP4Q5AWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93b3JsZC9pc3JhZWwtaGFtYXMtZ2F6YS13YXItbmV3cz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcjaGFtYXMtcmVsZWFzZXMtYW5vdGhlci0xNi1ob3N0YWdlcy1hcy10YWxrcy1vdmVyLWV4dGVuZGluZy1jZWFzZS1maXJlLWdvLWRvd24tdG8tdGhlLXdpcmVXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). My colleague, Katie Rosman, has been covering the families of the Israeli hostages, and she spoke with the aunt of Avigail Idan, a child who was abducted after seeing her parents brutally killed. “She was kidnapped with a family who lived in her neighborhood, a mother and her three children,” Katie said. “They were given one pita a day for the five of them to share. They were not provided with showers in the 50 days that they were captive.” Avigail, who turned 4 while in captivity, was [released on Sunday with much of her hair cut off](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93b3JsZC9taWRkbGVlYXN0L2F2aWdhaWwtaWRhbi1pc3JhZWxpLWhvc3RhZ2UuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). “The family is not sure who cut it off, but the reason was, she had a really terrible case of lice,” Katie said. Katie said that the families she spoke with were experiencing relief that some of the kidnapped were home, and also immense emotional pain. Some wanted to share the stories of their relatives “as best they could, with as many details as they could,” Katie said. “But there are a lot of families who do not want to talk about what happened in captivity, in some cases out of concern that it could endanger those still held hostage, and in other cases because the trauma is too fresh to be shared.” [A physical therapist, wearing a purple shirt, dark pants and sneakers, helps an older patient in a medical gown stand up from a reclining chair in a hospital room.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9oZWFsdGgvdXMtbGlmZS1leHBlY3RhbmN5LWNvdmlkLWRlYXRocy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Michael Hanson for The New York Times U.S. life expectancy crept up but remained below 2019 levels Life expectancy in the U.S. rose last year to 77.5 years, from 76.4 years in 2021, as the threat of Covid receded, according to new C.D.C. data. The rise represents [a slow and partial recovery](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9oZWFsdGgvdXMtbGlmZS1leHBlY3RhbmN5LWNvdmlkLWRlYXRocy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) for the country, which tallied more than 1.1 million Covid deaths and lost 2.4 years in life expectancy between 2019 and 2021. In 2019, before the pandemic, life expectancy at birth was 78.8. The U.S. lags behind many other wealthy nations, both for how many years of life expectancy it lost during the pandemic and how slowly it has recovered. More top news - NATO: Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to [sustain support for Ukraine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvbmF0by1ibGlua2VuLXVrcmFpbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) despite dwindling NATO military supplies and competing crises. - Oil: Anticipating a drop in demand for 2024, major producers, led by Saudi Arabia, [are trying to reduce supply](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9idXNpbmVzcy9lbmVyZ3ktZW52aXJvbm1lbnQvb3BlYy1vaWwtcHJpY2VzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - Courts: A third trial over the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man, in 2019 began today and will examine the role of medics [who responded while he was in police custody](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS91cy9lbGlqYWgtbWNjbGFpbi1wYXJhbWVkaWMtdHJpYWwuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Cars: G.M. said that it would cut spending on autonomous vehicles after [accidents involving its self-driving taxis in San Francisco](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L2NydWlzZS1nZW5lcmFsLW1vdG9ycy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). - Religion: Pope Francis reportedly plans to evict a leading critic, the American cardinal Raymond Burke, [from his Vatican-subsidized apartment](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvcG9wZS1mcmFuY2lzLWNhcmRpbmFsLWJ1cmtlLXZhdGljYW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Wildlife: Officials added [wolverines in the lower 48 states to the Endangered Species List](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9jbGltYXRlL3dvbHZlcmluZXMtZW5kYW5nZXJlZC1zcGVjaWVzLWFjdC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). - Sports: Britain restricted the weighing of gymnasts after [a report detailed abuses](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9zcG9ydHMvb2x5bXBpY3MvYnJpdGFpbi1neW1uYXN0LXdlaWdodC1iYW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). TIME TO UNWIND [Jeremy Allen White, with hands on waist, and Ayo Edebiri, with arms crossed, both stare at something out of frame](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vYmVzdC10di1zaG93cy0yMDIzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) “The Bear,” with Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, was even better in its second season. Chuck Hodes/FX The best TV shows of 2023 Hollywood was in disarray this year: The writers’ and actors’ strikes stopped productions, and some networks, facing pressures to optimize profit, decided to cut back. But there were still plenty of great shows on television, and today our critics released their lists of the top 10. Mike Hale highlighted the [best international shows of 2023](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vYmVzdC10di1zaG93cy0yMDIzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3I2xpbmstN2FhNzhjYjJXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), several of which you probably missed, while Margaret Lyons lamented the [best shows that ended this year](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vYmVzdC10di1zaG93cy0yMDIzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3I2xpbmstNDI2YWQ3ZGRXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). James Poniewozik took the broadest view, [listing the top shows overall](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vYmVzdC10di1zaG93cy0yMDIzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). “I never rank my lists in order, because art isn’t math,” James told me. “But there’s usually a first among equals for me, and this year that’s the transcendent second season of ‘The Bear,’ FX’s restaurant dramedy.” But start with the first season, James said. “Appetizer before entree!” [A close-up view of a pair of hands holding an iPhone. The screen displays apps, and a small video window shows a person’s face. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L25hbWVkcm9wLWFwcGxlLWlwaG9uZS1wb2xpY2UuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Patrick T. Fallon/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Don’t be afraid of the iPhone’s NameDrop feature Police in New Jersey, California and elsewhere have issued warnings in recent days about NameDrop, a new iPhone feature that allows users to wirelessly exchange contact information. They say that scammers or thieves could exploit the feature to harvest a user’s personal information. But tech experts say the fears are overblown, if not entirely unfounded. [Here’s what you need to know](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS90ZWNobm9sb2d5L25hbWVkcm9wLWFwcGxlLWlwaG9uZS1wb2xpY2UuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). [A T magazine cover reads "Let Us Tell You a Story" with, from left, Harvey Fierstein, Liev Schreiber, Ethan Slater, Idina Menzel and Tina Landau sitting in a box of a theater.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS90LW1hZ2F6aW5lL2pld2lzaC10aGVhdGVyLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Clockwise from top left: Harvey Fierstein, Liev Schreiber, Ethan Slater, Idina Menzel and Tina Landau. Jason Schmidt Dinner table topics - Jews and the American theater: We explored why so many of America’s great plays and musicals [have been created and performed by Jews](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS90LW1hZ2F6aW5lL2pld2lzaC10aGVhdGVyLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - A busy bear: For nearly 1,000 straight days, Jason Chou has inserted Paddington, the anthropomorphized bear, [into absurd situations](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9zdHlsZS9wYWRkaW5ndG9uLXBob3Rvc2hvcC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). - An opera legend: Maria Callas was the genre’s defining diva. Our critic argues that [she still is](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL211c2ljL21hcmlhLWNhbGxhcy1jZW50ZW5uaWFsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - Social Q’s: We spied on our teenage daughter with a hidden camera. [Now what do we do](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9zdHlsZS9oaWRkZW4tY2FtZXJhLXN1cnZlaWxsYW5jZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)? [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTQ3JmxpPU5FJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1ORV8yMDIzMTEyOSZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) WHAT TO DO TONIGHT [Thai tea tres leches on a green plate.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9tYWdhemluZS90aGFpLXRlYS10cmVzLWxlY2hlcy1yZWNpcGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Linda Xiao for The New York Times Cook: The longer this [Thai tea tres leches cake](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9tYWdhemluZS90aGFpLXRlYS10cmVzLWxlY2hlcy1yZWNpcGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) soaks, the better. Listen: Our pop music critic [put together a playlist](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOC9hcnRzL211c2ljL2FtcGxpZmllci1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLWRvbGx5LXBhcnRvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) of the best tracks from Dolly Parton’s new album, alongside her older hits. Read: Here are six great paperbacks [to read this week](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMy8xMS8yNy9ib29rcy9yZXZpZXcvbmV3LXBhcGVyYmFja3MteXUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Celebrate: Watch the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony [tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOC9ueXJlZ2lvbi9yb2NrZWZlbGxlci1jZW50ZXItdHJlZS1saWdodGluZy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). Multitask: It’s tough to balance child care and regular exercise, but there are ways [to make real fitness gains alongside your kids](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93ZWxsL21vdmUvZXhlcmNpc2Uta2lkcy1wYXJlbnRzLWZhbWlseS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). Fact-check: Can sleep trackers [really help you get a better night’s sleep](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS93ZWxsL2xpdmUvc2xlZXAtdHJhY2tlcnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)? Construct: Here’s expert advice on [how to avoid gingerbread house disasters](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvaG93LXRvLWJ1aWxkLWdpbmdlcmJyZWFkLWhvdXNlLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Play: Here are today’s [Spelling Bee](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), [Wordle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXMvd29yZGxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) and [Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Find [all our games here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTUxNjMwJmxpPU5FJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1ORV8yMDIzMTEyOSZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) ONE LAST THING [Brenda Lee, with blond hair and dressed in a lacy red outfit, sits on a chair looking toward the camera.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL211c2ljL2JyZW5kYS1sZWUtY2hyaXN0bWFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Brenda Lee at home in Nashville. Gabriel McCurdy for The New York Times She’s still ‘Rockin’’ 65 years later When Brenda Lee was 13 years old, in 1958, she walked into a Nashville studio and recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” — a song that, to her surprise, became [one of the biggest Christmas hits of all time](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMS8yOS9hcnRzL211c2ljL2JyZW5kYS1sZWUtY2hyaXN0bWFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyMzExMjkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTA4OTEwJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTEyOTEmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmVfysJnZZeHlhlSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Her career flourished over the following decades, but the holiday tune has remained her signature song. Now, thanks to streaming, back-catalog Christmas music has become more lucrative than ever. “Rockin’” has hit No. 2 on the December charts three years in a row. And for its 65th anniversary, Lee’s label is giving the song an extra push, including a new music video and even a TikTok account. “I think I’m making more now than I did when I was singing,” she said. Have a festive evening. Thanks for reading. Jillian Foley was our photo editor today. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) [Evening Briefing Newsletter Logo] Writer: Matthew Cullen Editorial Director: Adam Pasick Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe Photo Editor: Brent Lewis Need help? Review our [newsletter help page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDIzMTEyOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMDg5MTAmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MTI5MSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZV_Kwmdll4eWGVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) or [contact us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnSkfKP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LXVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjMxMTI5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTEwODkxMCZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUxMjkxJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplX8rCZ2WXh5YZUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. 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