Wednesday Briefing: Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers are missing

Also, Julian Assange’s appeal and a U.S. cease-fire proposal in Gaza. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~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~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Continue reading the main story](#) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzQ3JmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyNDAyMjAmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjBXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VyaWVzL2FzaWEtYXVzdHJhbGlhLW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) February 21, 2024 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvYW1lbGlhLW5pZXJlbmJlcmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) By [Amelia Nierenberg](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvYW1lbGlhLW5pZXJlbmJlcmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Writer, Briefings Good morning. We’re covering missing Ukrainian soldiers and Julian Assange’s appeal. Plus, Hong Kong’s shoppers head to Shenzen. [Two soldiers firing a howitzer.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvdWtyYWluZS1wcmlzb25lcnMtYXZkaWl2a2EtcnVzc2lhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) The fall of Avdiivka may be more important than it initially seemed. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times Ukrainian soldiers are missing after Avdiivka’s fall Hundreds of Ukrainian troops [may have been captured by Russia, or disappeared](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvdWtyYWluZS1wcmlzb25lcnMtYXZkaWl2a2EtcnVzc2lhLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), during Ukraine’s chaotic retreat from the eastern city of Avdiivka. The loss could deal a blow to Ukraine’s already weakening morale. Russia’s capture of the small city was seen as a symbolic loss for Ukraine: Avdiivka had become an emotional center of the fight. But the U.S. had said that it was not a significant strategic setback. The capture of hundreds of soldiers could change that. Two soldiers with knowledge of the retreat estimated that 850 to 1,000 soldiers appear to have been captured or are unaccounted for, a range that Western officials said seemed accurate. Unverified videos posted to social media also showed Russian forces executing Ukrainian troops in and around the city. Ukraine already needed more troops, and it cannot afford to lose experienced fighters. The country also wants to mobilize 500,000 more people, an effort that was already meeting political resistance and is stalled in Parliament. The capture of hundreds of soldiers could complicate recruitment efforts, and military officials have tried to downplay both the number and significance of the missing soldiers. Analysis: Some Ukrainian soldiers and Western officials said the withdrawal was ill-planned and began too late. Those failures were directly responsible for missing soldiers, they say. [Stella Assange, wife of Julian Assange, leaves court in London, surrounded by supporters and members of law enforcement.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2Fzc2FuZ2UtdXMtZXh0cmFkaXRpb24tdWstY291cnQtY2FzZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Stella Assange, center, leaving the court in London yesterday. Daniel Leal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Julian Assange’s final appeal? Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, has been in a British prison for nearly five years, fighting a U.S. extradition order. A hearing in London that began yesterday and is scheduled to continue today may be [his last chance to stay in Britain](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QOAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2Fzc2FuZ2UtdXMtZXh0cmFkaXRpb24tdWstY291cnQtY2FzZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). Assange’s wife, Stella Assange, says that his health has declined in prison, and his lawyers say he would face espionage charges in the U.S. that could amount to a 175-year prison sentence. Lawyers for the U.S. have said that he was more likely to be sentenced to four to six years. Background: The charges date to events in 2010, when WikiLeaks published documents leaked by Chelsea Manning, an Army intelligence analyst, that exposed hidden diplomatic dealings and included revelations about civilian deaths in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [From left, U.N. Security Council members from Switzerland, the U.K., the U.S. and Algeria.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDI0LzAyLzIwL3dvcmxkL2lzcmFlbC1oYW1hcy13YXItZ2F6YS1uZXdzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Thirteen of the 15 U.N. Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution. Seth Wenig/Associated Press The U.S. drafts a cease-fire deal For the third time, the U.S. used its veto on the U.N. Security Council to kill a resolution that demanded an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Algeria had put the resolution forward, and diplomats and U.N. officials have said that a cease-fire is necessary for Gaza to get the aid that it needs. But in a shift, the U.S. [has drafted an alternative resolution](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4RmAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9pc3JhZWwtaGFtYXMtd2FyLWdhemEtbmV3cy9mb3ItdGhlLXRoaXJkLXRpbWUtdGhlLXVzLXZldG9lcy1hLXJlc29sdXRpb24tY2FsbGluZy1mb3ItYW4taW1tZWRpYXRlLWNlYXNlLWZpcmUtaW4tZ2F6YT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZzbWlkPXVybC1zaGFyZSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), which is still in the early stages of negotiations. It calls for a temporary halt in fighting “as soon as practicable” — and for the release of hostages. It also states that Israel’s army must not carry out an offensive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, under the current conditions. Reasoning: The U.S. said the resolution would jeopardize its negotiation efforts to broker a deal to release hostages in exchange for a temporary cease-fire. Those negotiations have stumbled. Other developments: - Israel ordered evacuations in Gaza City, as the [U.N. suspended food deliveries](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9pc3JhZWwtZ2F6YS1jaXR5LXVuLWZvb2QuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) to the north because of looting. - Prince William [called for an end to the fighting in Gaza](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QYAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9wcmluY2Utd2lsbGlhbS1pc3JhZWwtaGFtYXMtZ2F6YS1zdGF0ZW1lbnQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) “as soon as possible” in a rare, if measured, public statement. - South Africa said that Israel’s policies toward Palestinians were “[a more extreme form of apartheid](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QaAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlZWFzdC9pY2otc291dGgtYWZyaWNhLXBhbGVzdGluaWFuLWlzcmFlbC11bi1jb3VydC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~).” [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjczNzUyJmxpPU1CQUUmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPU1CQUVfMjAyNDAyMjAmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjBXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) THE LATEST NEWS [Rows of people, photographed from the back, wearing white coats. They seem to be in an auditorium. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xOS93b3JsZC9hc2lhL3NvdXRoLWtvcmVhLWRvY3RvcnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Some South Korean physicians say the real cause of doctor shortages is harsh conditions and low wages. Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA, via Shutterstock - Hundreds of doctors in South Korea walked off the job to protest a government plan to [admit more students to medical school](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xOS93b3JsZC9hc2lhL3NvdXRoLWtvcmVhLWRvY3RvcnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Autocrats are [abusing Interpol resources](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2ludGVycG9sLXN0cm9uZ21lbi1hYnVzZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) to pursue dissidents, a Times investigation found. - A judge charged the widow of the assassinated Haitian president with [conspiring in his 2021 murder](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QVAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMTkvd29ybGQvYW1lcmljYXMvaGFpdGktYXNzYXNzaW5hdGVkLXByZXNpZGVudC13aWZlLWFjY3VzZWQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - President Biden raised $42 million for his re-election campaign in January, a bright spot [as his polling numbers remain stubbornly low](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvYmlkZW4tY2FsaWZvcm5pYS1mdW5kcmFpc2luZy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). The War in Ukraine - The Biden administration said it is [preparing “major sanctions” against Moscow](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvdXMvcG9saXRpY3MvdXMtc2FuY3Rpb25zLXJ1c3NpYS1uYXZhbG55Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) in response to the death of the Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. - A Russian pilot [who defected to Ukraine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL3J1c3NpYW4tcGlsb3QtbWFrc2ltLWt1em1pbm92LXNwYWluLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) and handed over his military helicopter is believed to have died in Spain. - Polish farmers blocked much of Ukraine’s western border to [protest an influx of cheap Ukrainian grain](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL3VrcmFpbmUtcG9sYW5kLXByb3Rlc3QtZmFybWVycy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) and other products. - Russia said that it had arrested a dual Russian-U.S. citizen on state treason charges for raising funds for Ukraine. Lawyers said she was [accused of donating $50](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL3J1c3NpYS1hcnJlc3QtdXMtY2l0aXplbi10cmVhc29uLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) to the war effort. International [An aerial view of a cloudy Cape Town. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QQAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvYWZyaWNhL3NvdXRoLWFmcmljYS1jYXBlLXRvd24tc2hpcC1jb3dzLXNtZWxsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) The stench wafted inland to Cape Town. Nardus Engelbrecht/Associated Press - An “unimaginable” smell [blanketed Cape Town](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QQAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvYWZyaWNhL3NvdXRoLWFmcmljYS1jYXBlLXRvd24tc2hpcC1jb3dzLXNtZWxsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) this week. The culprit: A docked ship that holds 19,000 cows. - French officials hope Olympic funding can transform a Paris suburb known for poverty. [Government programs have failed there before](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QbAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvZXVyb3BlL2ZyYW5jZS1vbHltcGljcy1wYXJpcy1zdC1kZW5pcy1wb3ZlcnR5LWltbWlncmFudHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - They arrived in New York City fleeing political persecution. [Then the city evicted them](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QVAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvbnlyZWdpb24vYXN5bHVtLXNlZWtlcnMtaG9tZWxlc3MtZXZpY3Rpb25zLW5ldy15b3JrLWNpdHkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), leaving them wondering if they should have come. - In South Korea, [women generally outnumber men](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QFAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvd29ybGQvYXNpYS93b21lbi1zcG9ydHMtZmFucy1zb3V0aC1rb3JlYS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) in the stands of sporting events. Experts say it has to do with stadium safety and the influence of K-pop fan culture. A Morning Read [A worker showing chicken to two customers at a market stall. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvYnVzaW5lc3MvaG9uZy1rb25nLXNoZW56aGVuLXNob3BwaW5nLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Hong Kong remains one of the most unaffordable cities in the world. Gilles Sabrié for The New York Times People from mainland China used to come to Hong Kong to shop. Now, that flow is reversed: China’s stalling economy has led to a steady decline in prices. Each weekend, [Hong Kong residents head across the border to Shenzhen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvYnVzaW5lc3MvaG9uZy1rb25nLXNoZW56aGVuLXNob3BwaW5nLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) for lower prices on everything from groceries to dental implants. Lives lived: Damo Suzuki, a Japanese vocalist best known for his role with [the influential German experimental rock group Can](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9hcnRzL211c2ljL2RhbW8tc3V6dWtpLWRlYWQuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), has died at 74. We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. [Subscribe to The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uL2FsbC1hY2Nlc3M_Y2FtcGFpZ25JZD04Skg3TCZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)[.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uL2FsbC1hY2Nlc3M_Y2FtcGFpZ25JZD04Skg3TCZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) ARTS AND IDEAS [Two views of Aerith, a character from the video game Final Fantasy VII, one from the first game and the other from the upcoming remake.](~/AAAAAQA~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~~) A death that still haunts gamers In 1997, Final Fantasy VII shocked players with a plot twist: A key character, Aerith, was killed. It was an inconceivable notion when games were known for giving playable characters extra lives. As Aerith died, so did a narrative trope that had restricted the medium’s dramatic potential. Now, [the game’s creator is returning to that pivotal moment](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QCAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMjAvYXJ0cy9maW5hbC1mYW50YXN5LXZpaS1yZWJpcnRoLWFlcml0aC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). Final Fantasy VII is being remade. Its second installment, Rebirth, will be released on Feb. 29. It is expected to end with Aerith’s climactic death — or, perhaps, some speculate, her rescue. Fans are desperate to find out. RECOMMENDATIONS [Wide noodles with shrimp in a white bowl garnished with green onions.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyNTA2Ny1jYWp1bi1zdHlsZS1zaHJpbXAtYWxmcmVkbz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Hadas Smirnoff. Cook: Cajun-style shrimp [add zest](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyNTA2Ny1jYWp1bi1zdHlsZS1zaHJpbXAtYWxmcmVkbz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) to fettuccine Alfredo. Read: “[The Fox Wife](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjQvMDIvMTEvYm9va3MvcmV2aWV3L25ldy1oaXN0b3JpY2FsLWZpY3Rpb24tYm9va3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)” is a witty and suspenseful historical novel from China. Rest: A noise machine and some boundaries can help you [sleep with a dog in the bedroom](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL3dpcmVjdXR0ZXIvYmxvZy9hc2std2lyZWN1dHRlci1kb2ctc2xlZXAtaW4tYmVkcm9vbS8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Relax: Try [an eye massager](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP4QLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL3dpcmVjdXR0ZXIvcmV2aWV3cy90aGVyYWJvZHktc21hcnRnb2dnbGVzLWV5ZS1tYXNzYWdlci1yZXZpZXcvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbWJhZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NDMmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyUzQS1hc2lhLXBhY2lmaWMtZWRpdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NjkzJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1BsT1WW8C8zDUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). Play [Spelling Bee](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), the [Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), [Wordle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXMvd29yZGxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) and [Sudoku](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zdWRva3UvZWFzeT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD03JmVtYz1lZGl0X21iYWVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjQzJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmclM0EtYXNpYS1wYWNpZmljLWVkaXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODY5MyZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdQbE9VlvAvMw1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Find [all our games here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt5gbP0TSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYmFlXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY0MyZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJTNBLWFzaWEtcGFjaWZpYy1lZGl0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg2OTMmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUGxPVZbwLzMNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). That’s it for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. — Amelia We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at [briefing@nytimes.com](mailto:briefing@nytimes.com?subject=Briefing%20Feedback). 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