Wednesday Briefing: A success and a setback for Ukraine

Also, the U.S. hit Iran-backed fighters in Iraq. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4RTAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9keW5hbWljL3JlbmRlcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcGFpZF9yZWdpPTImcHJvZHVjdENvZGU9TUJBRSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXJpPW55dCUzQSUyRiUyRm5ld3NsZXR0ZXIlMkY0N2RkYTcxOS1hOWYxLTUyNDctOGRjYi00NjhkZWI2YmE3YWImdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwNTUmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Continue reading the main story](#) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzQ3JmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMzEyMjYmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjZXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VyaWVzL2FzaWEtYXVzdHJhbGlhLW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) December 27, 2023 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvYW1lbGlhLW5pZXJlbmJlcmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) By [Amelia Nierenberg](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvYW1lbGlhLW5pZXJlbmJlcmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Writer, Briefings Good morning. We’re covering a Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and a U.S. strike against Iran-backed fighters in Iraq. Plus this year’s cultural highlights from Africa. [A warship in the water passing a bridge.] The Novocherkassk in 2020.  Yoruk Isik/Reuters A win and a loss for Ukraine In [one of the most significant strikes against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet](~/AAAAAQA~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-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) in months, Ukrainian missiles yesterday hit a warship moored in Crimea. But the success was tempered by a retreat from the eastern city of Marinka after a monthslong battle. Ukraine’s top military commander compared the fight for the city to the scorched-earth battle for Bakhmut, which fell to Russia in May. Like Bakhmut, Marinka holds limited strategic value, but is now a trophy in ruins for Moscow. Hours earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force said it had destroyed the Russian ship, the Novocherkassk. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the ship had been damaged. The developments underscored the diverging fortunes of the two combatants. Ukraine has racked up naval successes in the Black Sea and Crimea. But its ground campaign is faltering, and Russia is attacking eastern battlefields after blunting Ukraine’s counteroffensive. The big picture: Ukraine signaled that it was girding for a protracted war against Russia. On Monday, the government introduced a bill that would lower the age of people who could be drafted into the military to 25 from 27. Military officials have said that a large-scale mobilization of up to 500,000 soldiers may be necessary. [Burned vehicles and debris from a strike scattered around an open stretch of land.] The site of a U.S. airstrike in Iraq yesterday. Alaa Al-Marjani/Reuters The U.S. hit Iran-backed groups in Iraq U.S. officials said that airstrikes the U.S. conducted yesterday in Iraq most [likely killed militants and destroyed three facilities](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QHAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjUvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvYWlyc3RyaWtlcy1jaHJpc3RtYXMtaXJhbi1pcmFxLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) used by Iranian proxies to target U.S. and coalition troops. The strikes were in retaliation for a series of assaults, including a drone attack hours earlier on Erbil air base in Iraq. That attack injured three American service members, one of them critically, a U.S. official said. The U.S. blames Iran, and the militias aligned with it, for a near-daily barrage of rocket and drone attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. tries to use retaliatory airstrikes to deter such groups while avoiding a wider war. Separately, Iran said Monday that Israel had [killed one of its high-level military officials](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QSAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9pc3Jhbi1taWxpdGFyeS1vZmZpY2lhbC1pc3JhZWwtc3lyaWEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) in a missile strike in Syria. Israel declined to comment directly on Iran’s accusation that it was behind the killing. But Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said the country was already “in a multifront war” and “under attack” from Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Iran. He said that Israel had “already responded and taken action” in six of the seven. In Washington: A member of Israel’s war cabinet, Ron Dermer, plans to [meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4RfAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMy8xMi8yNi93b3JsZC9pc3JhZWwtaGFtYXMtd2FyLWdhemEtbmV3cy9hLW5ldGFueWFodS1hZHZpc2VyLWhlYWRzLXRvLWRjLWFmdGVyLXRoZS1pc3JhZWxpLWxlYWRlci1wbGVkZ2VkLXRvLWRlZXBlbi10aGUtd2FyP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwNTUmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnNtaWQ9dXJsLXNoYXJlJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, amid divisions between the U.S. and Israel over the war in Gaza. Other updates from the war: - Nearly two million people are [crowding in southern Gaza](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QVAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9nYXphLXNvdXRoLWRpc3BsYWNlZC1kYW1hZ2UuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) as fighting intensifies. - The Oct. 7 attack has left Israelis deeply traumatized and is expected to [reshape the country for years to come](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QMAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9pc3JhZWwtbmV0YW55YWh1LXBvbGl0aWNzLW1vb2QuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). [Donald Trump, wearing a blue suit and red tie, stands in front of a crowd holding Trump 2024 signs. ] “We will impose stiff penalties on China and all other nations as they abuse us,” Donald Trump said at a recent rally. Max Whittaker for The New York Times Trump plans a trade split from China If Donald Trump returns to the White House after next year’s election, he plans to [wrench apart the economies of the U.S. and China](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMi8yNi91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC0yMDI1LXRyYWRlLWNoaW5hLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) and impose a new tax on most imported goods. He has said that he wants to bar Americans from investing in China, restrict Chinese ownership of U.S. assets and phase in a complete ban on imports of key types of Chinese-made goods, like electronics, steel and pharmaceuticals. Trump’s plans have drawn warnings from trade experts who say that the costs would be borne by U.S. consumers and producers, and that the plans would risk alienating allies. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzUyJmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyMzEyMjYmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjZXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) THE LATEST NEWS Around the World [Aleksei A. Navalny looks toward a video camera with his arms outstretched, palms up, while in a room painted green.] Aleksei Navalny had disappeared on Dec. 5. Associated Press - The Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny published a letter describing his transfer to a remote Arctic prison and featuring [a heavy dose of irony and humor](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL25hdmFsbnktcnVzc2lhLXByaXNvbi1sZXR0ZXIuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Holiday spending [increased in the U.S.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QPAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvYnVzaW5lc3MvZWNvbm9teS9jaHJpc3RtYXMtaG9saWRheS1zcGVuZGluZy1yZXRhaWwuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) despite lingering inflation. Still, analysts are divided on whether the country’s economy [can avoid a severe downturn](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMi8yNi9idXNpbmVzcy9zdG9ja3MtMjAyNC1vdXRsb29rLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) next year. - A parliamentary panel in Turkey [approved Sweden’s bid to join NATO](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMi8yNi93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvdHVya2V5LXN3ZWRlbi1uYXRvLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), bringing the Nordic country one step closer to joining the alliance. - Scientists are busy trying to understand whether record heat in 2023 is a sign that [global warming is accelerating](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QAAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvY2xpbWF0ZS9nbG9iYWwtd2FybWluZy1hY2NlbGVyYXRpbmcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Other Big Stories - New York City officials put forward a plan to [build affordable housing](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMi8yNi9ueXJlZ2lvbi9hZmZvcmRhYmxlLWhvdXNpbmctcGxhbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwNTUmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) in wealthier neighborhoods. - Ye, the artist once known as Kanye West, [apologized to Jews](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvYXJ0cy9rYW55ZS13ZXN0LWFwb2xvZ3ktYW50aXNlbWl0aXNtLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) for antisemitic comments. - More than 50 prominent French celebrities signed a public letter [supporting Gérard Depardieu](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2ZyYW5jZS1kZXBhcmRpZXUtbGV0dGVyLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), the movie star accused of sexual assault. A Morning Read [A drone hovers over the dorsal fin of an orca swimming in waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington State.] Bob Friel/Seadoc Society How do veterinarians [monitor the health of wild orcas](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjYvc2NpZW5jZS9vcmNhcy1raWxsZXItd2hhbGVzLXZldGVyaW5hcmlhbnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)? With breath-collection drones, infrared cameras and directional microphones: tools that they have developed to perform exams on wild, multi-ton marine mammals that might surface for only seconds at a time. We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. [Subscribe to The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uL2FsbC1hY2Nlc3M_Y2FtcGFpZ25JZD04Skg3TCZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)[.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uL2FsbC1hY2Nlc3M_Y2FtcGFpZ25JZD04Skg3TCZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA [Five people, in festive outfits, smiling and celebrating in front of a city scape. ] The cast, director and producer of “Goodbye Julia” at the Cannes Film Festival. Loic Venance/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Celebrating artists It was a big year for Africa’s cultural industry. Lynsey Chutel, our Briefings writer in Johannesburg, shared some highlights and what to watch in 2024. Watch: Independent African films like “[Goodbye Julia,](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TpaHR0cDovL21hZC1kaXN0cmlidXRpb24uZmlsbS9tb3ZpZXMvbW92aWUxMTE1MzcxLnBocD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)” which explores the complexities of life in Sudan and South Sudan, were celebrated at global film festivals and [broke](~/AAAAAQA~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) some regional box-office records. Streaming services have brought new audiences to African telenovelas and miniseries, like the Nigerian legal drama “[Agu](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly9zdG9yaWVzLnNob3dtYXguY29tL3phL29yaWdpbmFscy9hZ3U_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~)” and a historical drama about the 18th-century Zulu king “[Shaka iLembe](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW1kYi5jb20vdGl0bGUvdHQxODc0NzU1MC8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~).” Read and then watch: An ever-evolving genre, African fantasy is set to reach even wider audiences thanks to upcoming screen adaptations. The director of “The Woman King,” Gina Prince-Bythewood, has agreed to [develop a screen adaptation](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly9kZWFkbGluZS5jb20vdGFnL2NoaWxkcmVuLW9mLWJsb29kLWFuZC1ib25lLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) of “Children of Blood and Bone,” the first book in the best-selling “Legacy of Orisha” series by the Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi. Listen and dance: Amapiano, the synth-heavy South African dance music created by Gen Z producers, reverberated at Coachella 2023 and then on TikTok. “Water” went global and garnered [a Grammy nomination](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ3JhbW15LmNvbS9hcnRpc3RzL3R5bGEvNTQxNzI_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) for the performer Tyla. With Afrobeats artists incorporating the sound into this already popular genre, and [a nod from Rihanna](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AY29tcGxleG11c2ljL3ZpZGVvLzczMTQ3MzgxOTE5MDUzOTM5NjM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), amapiano is taking over global dance floors. RECOMMENDATIONS [A piece of salmon with crisp skin sits on soft, oily tomatoes and lemon slices in a white bowl.] David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Cook: An air fryer can help you make [a perfect salmon](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4ReAWh0dHBzOi8vY29va2luZy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9yZWNpcGVzLzEwMjM5NzYtYWlyLWZyeWVyLXNhbG1vbj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwMjUmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD05MzM4ODgxNiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTY3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1lNTRiZTY5YWRkM2Q2ZGMxMTFhODIwNzZhMzQxODMwZiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Drink: [Sparkling wine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjEvZGluaW5nL2RyaW5rcy9zcGFya2xpbmctd2luZXMtbmV3LXllYXJzLWV2ZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwNTUmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) is often cheaper than champagne and just as festive. Listen: Close out 2023 with these [13 songs](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP4QJAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMjIvYXJ0cy9tdXNpYy9wbGF5bGlzdC1yeWFuLWdvc2xpbmctY2VudHJhbC1jZWUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Watch: Adam Driver stars in “[Ferrari](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMi8yNC9tb3ZpZXMvZmVycmFyaS1yZXZpZXctbWljaGFlbC1tYW5uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~),” a portrait of the Italian racecar impresario. Care: Here are answers to the [10 top health questions](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8xMi8yNi93ZWxsL2hlYWx0aC1xdWVzdGlvbnMtMjAyMy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwNTUmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) of 2023. Play [Spelling Bee](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), the [Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), [Wordle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXMvd29yZGxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) and [Sudoku](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zdWRva3UvZWFzeT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyMzEyMjYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTExMDU1Jm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1MzU5OSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZYMiP4tluW2E8FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Find [all our games here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0TSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjMxMjI2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExMTA1NSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTM1OTkmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmWDIj-LZblthPBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). That’s it for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. — Amelia P.S. Three short documentary films from The Times are [shortlisted as Oscar contenders](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnbcQiP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0Y28uY29tL3ByZXNzL3RoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1oYXMtMy1vc2Nhci1jb250ZW5kZXJzLTIvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDIzMTIyNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTEwNTUmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTUzNTk5JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgplgyI_i2W5bYTwUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). 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