The Evening: Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers feared missing

Also, the Supreme Court declined to hear a case on race and admissions. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP4QzAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9keW5hbWljL3JlbmRlcj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcGFpZF9yZWdpPTImcHJvZHVjdENvZGU9TkUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVyaT1ueXQlM0ElMkYlMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVyJTJGZjUxY2E4Y2ItMWM4MS01N2ZkLTkyN2UtMTFkMDk4NzJjNTFiJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~)[Continue reading the main story](#) [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTUwJmxpPU5FJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1ORV8yMDI0MDIyMCZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwVwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [The Evening](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VyaWVzL3VzLWV2ZW5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) February 20, 2024 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbWF0dGhldy1jdWxsZW4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) By [Matthew Cullen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbWF0dGhldy1jdWxsZW4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Tuesday. - Missing Ukrainian soldiers - A case on race and admissions - Plus, George Washington’s chef [Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms turning away from a howitzer with their fingers in their ears as smoke comes out of the weapon.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy91a3JhaW5lLXByaXNvbmVycy1hdmRpaXZrYS1ydXNzaWEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Ukrainian soldiers firing a howitzer at Russian targets near Avdiivka, Ukraine, last week. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times Ukraine’s latest loss may be worse than expected The fall of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka to Russia over the weekend was a major symbolic loss for Ukraine and the West. But while American officials initially argued that it was not a significant strategic setback, that calculous could soon change. My colleagues reported today that [hundreds of Ukrainian troops may have disappeared or been captured](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy91a3JhaW5lLXByaXNvbmVycy1hdmRpaXZrYS1ydXNzaWEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) during Ukraine’s chaotic retreat from Avdiivka. Two soldiers with knowledge of the retreat estimated that 850 to 1,000 troops had been captured or were missing, a range that Western officials said seemed accurate. The devastating losses could deal a blow to Ukraine’s morale, which has eroded after last year’s failed counteroffensive and the recent removal of a top commander. Officials have said they want to mobilize up to 500,000 more people, but the capture of soldiers could make the effort to recruit them more challenging. In the U.S., the Biden administration said it was [preparing “major sanctions”](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy91cy1zYW5jdGlvbnMtcnVzc2lhLW5hdmFsbnkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) against Russia in response to the death of the opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. In Spain, police said the body of Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine, [was found riddled with bullets](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvcnVzc2lhbi1waWxvdC1tYWtzaW0ta3V6bWlub3Ytc3BhaW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). [School buildings viewed from across a reflecting pool with a metal sculpture in the foreground.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9zdXByZW1lLWNvdXJ0LXJhY2Utc2Nob29sLWFkbWlzc2lvbnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va.  Kenny Holston for The New York Times Justices declined to hear a case on race and admissions The Supreme Court today cleared the way for the use of [admissions criteria intended to diversify the student body](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9zdXByZW1lLWNvdXJ0LXJhY2Utc2Nob29sLWFkbWlzc2lvbnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) of an elite public high school in Virginia, declining to hear a challenge to the school’s policy. By turning down the case, a majority of the court’s justices signaled that they were not ready to revisit the role that race can legally play in school admissions, months after the court sharply curtailed affirmative action programs in higher education. The case centered on Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va., which adopted what it said were race-neutral admissions standards amid concerns about how few Black and Hispanic students attended the school. The school board eliminated a rigorous entrance examination and offered admission to the top students from each of the area’s middle schools rather than the top applicants from any school. A group of parents objected to the plan and sued to stop it. [U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks before a vote at the U.N. Security Council. She is seated in the council chambers with U.S. diplomats behind her. ](~/AAAAAQA~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) The United Nations Security Council meeting today.  Mike Segar/Reuters The U.S. vetoed a U.N. resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza The U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution put forth by Algeria that would have called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, saying it would jeopardize an ongoing effort to broker a deal that would release hostages from Gaza. It was the [third time Washington had blocked a call for an end to fighting](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP4RIAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9pc3JhZWwtaGFtYXMtd2FyLWdhemEtbmV3cy9mb3ItdGhlLXRoaXJkLXRpbWUtdGhlLXVzLXZldG9lcy1hLXJlc29sdXRpb24tY2FsbGluZy1mb3ItYW4taW1tZWRpYXRlLWNlYXNlLWZpcmUtaW4tZ2F6YT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZzbWlkPXVybC1zaGFyZSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). However, in a shift, the U.S. drafted an alternative resolution that calls for a temporary halt in fighting “as soon as practicable” and for the release of hostages. The resolution, which is still in the early stages of negotiations, also states that Israel’s army must not carry out an offensive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, under the current conditions. [Steve Garvey walks with Estela Lopez, executive director of the Los Angeles Downtown Industrial Business Improvement District, while cameramen and other individuals walk with him. A homeless camp is visible against a wall in the background.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9zdGV2ZS1nYXJ2ZXktY2FsaWZvcm5pYS1zZW5hdGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Steve Garvey, center, during a campaign stop in Los Angeles. Richard Vogel/Associated Press A baseball star is disrupting California’s senate race Steve Garvey, a Republican who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1970s, is running a long-shot bid to succeed the late Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. With just two weeks before the state’s primary, he has done little campaigning and raised just a sliver of the money he would probably need to win. Yet the 75-year-old political novice [could still beat out experienced Democrats](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9zdGV2ZS1nYXJ2ZXktY2FsaWZvcm5pYS1zZW5hdGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) for second place in California’s unusual “jungle” primary, which would advance him to November’s general election. Representative Adam Schiff, the Democrat leading the race, has spent $10 million on ads that ostensibly attack Garvey, but that have most likely rallied Republicans to his side. More top news - Kansas City: Two men were [charged with murder](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9tdXJkZXItY2hhcmdlcy1rYW5zYXMtY2l0eS1zdXBlci1ib3dsLXJhbGx5Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) in last week’s Super Bowl parade shooting. Prosecutors said additional arrests were possible. - Politics: President Biden raised $42 million in January for his re-election campaign, a bright spot [as his polling numbers remain stubbornly low](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9iaWRlbi1jYWxpZm9ybmlhLWZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - Russia: Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Aleksei Navalny, has long shunned the spotlight, but his death in prison [may make that impossible](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUveXVsaWEtbmF2YWxuYXlhLXJ1c3NpYS1uYXZhbG55LXdpZmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Inflation: Food companies are reporting that they are [no longer raising prices](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9idXNpbmVzcy9lY29ub215L2Zvb2QtcHJpY2UtaW5mbGF0aW9uLWNvb2xzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) as steeply. - Julian Assange: The WikiLeaks founder has been in prison for nearly five years, fighting a U.S. extradition order. A hearing this week is his last chance [to be granted an appeal in Britain](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvYXNzYW5nZS11cy1leHRyYWRpdGlvbi11ay1jb3VydC1jYXNlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - Interpol: For years, autocrats have used the world’s largest police organization to [pursue political enemies](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvaW50ZXJwb2wtc3Ryb25nbWVuLWFidXNlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - South Africa: The source of an “unimaginable” smell that wafted over Cape Town this week [was a ship full of 19,000 cows](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93b3JsZC9hZnJpY2Evc291dGgtYWZyaWNhLWNhcGUtdG93bi1zaGlwLWNvd3Mtc21lbGwuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Space: New satellites that orbit the Earth at very low altitudes [are raising privacy concerns](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9zY2llbmNlL3NhdGVsbGl0ZXMtYWxiZWRvLXByaXZhY3kuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - Science: Scientists have diagnosed Down syndrome from DNA in the ancient bones of seven infants, [one as old as 5,500 years](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9zY2llbmNlL2Rvd24tc3luZHJvbWUtZG5hLWJvbmVzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). TIME TO UNWIND [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~/RgRnt61dP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9hcnRzL2ZpbmFsLWZhbnRhc3ktdmlpLXJlYmlydGgtYWVyaXRoLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) The death that has haunted gamers for decades In 1997, Final Fantasy VII changed video games forever with a twist: A key character, Aerith, was killed. Her death was inconceivable at a time when games were known for giving playable characters extra lives. Now, [the game’s creator is returning to that pivotal moment](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9hcnRzL2ZpbmFsLWZhbnRhc3ktdmlpLXJlYmlydGgtYWVyaXRoLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Final Final VII is being remade in three installments, the second of which, 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. [A black and white silhouette of Hercules Posey, who has a hat and a cane.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9kaW5pbmcvaGVyY3VsZXMtcG9zZXktZ2VvcmdlLXdhc2hpbmd0b24tY2hlZi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) A silhouette of Hercules Posey, based on a description by George Washington’s step-grandson. Sally Wern Comport, via Mount Vernon Remembering Washington’s chef More than 200 years ago, President George Washington would celebrate his birthdays with elaborate meals cooked by his celebrated chef, Hercules Posey. Once known for his culinary genius, Posey’s story has been mostly lost to history because of his status as an enslaved person. But a group of historians are now [working to give Posey his due](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9kaW5pbmcvaGVyY3VsZXMtcG9zZXktZ2VvcmdlLXdhc2hpbmd0b24tY2hlZi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~), and are researching his complex cuisine, which featured American ingredients and dishes from the Far East, Caribbean and India. Posey also made simple fare, including hoecakes — cornmeal pancakes that were among the president’s daily favorites. Want to give them a try? [Here’s a recipe](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyNTA5My1ob2VjYWtlcz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD), based on archival sources. [A row of small, identical houses line a street, with wires running overhead.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xNy9idXNpbmVzcy9lY29ub215L3RoZS1ncmVhdC1jb21wcmVzc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Elm Trails subdivision from Lennar Homes in San Antonio. Josh Huskin for The New York Times Dinner table topics - The great compression: Thanks to soaring housing prices, the era of [the 400-square-foot subdivision house is upon us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xNy9idXNpbmVzcy9lY29ub215L3RoZS1ncmVhdC1jb21wcmVzc2lvbi5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). - Towering hair: The bouffant has recently reappeared [on runways, red carpets and TV](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xNi9zdHlsZS9iaWctaGFpci1ib3VmZmFudC1zdHlsZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). - “Wild” ice skating: When a two-week window of cold, clear weather froze lakes south of Anchorage, [our writer was ready](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC90cmF2ZWwvYWxhc2thLWljZS1za2F0aW5nLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). - Ease the ache: We asked alcohol researchers to explain what will — and won’t — [prevent a hangover](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93ZWxsL2VhdC9iZWVyLWJlZm9yZS1saXF1b3ItaGFuZ292ZXIuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTQ3JmxpPU5FJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1ORV8yMDI0MDIyMCZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwVwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) WHAT TO DO TONIGHT [A pot filled with shredded fish and greens mixed with red sauce.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyMDI5Ny1lZm8tcmlyby1zdGV3ZWQtYW1hcmFudGgtZ3JlZW5zP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Johnny Miller for The New York Times Cook: Efo riro (stewed amaranth greens) is [a rich vegetable side dish](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyMDI5Ny1lZm8tcmlyby1zdGV3ZWQtYW1hcmFudGgtZ3JlZW5zP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) that can be cooked with or without fish or meat. Watch: “Badland Hunters” is one of the best [science fiction films to stream right now](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xNi9tb3ZpZXMvc2NpZW5jZS1maWN0aW9uLW1vdmllcy1zdHJlYW1pbmcuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Read: In “[Remembering Peasants](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC9ib29rcy9yZXZpZXcvcmVtZW1iZXJpbmctcGVhc2FudHMtcGF0cmljay1qb3ljZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~),” a historian presents a stirring elegy for a vanishing culture. Cut back: Here are some of our favorite [methods for limiting smartphone use](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNC8wMi8xNi9zbWFydGVyLWxpdmluZy93aXJlY3V0dGVyL2xpbWl0LXBob25lLXVzZS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~). Exercise: Could you pass the Presidential Physical Fitness Test today? [Give it a try.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8yMC93ZWxsL21vdmUvcHJlc2lkZW50aWFsLWZpdG5lc3MtdGVzdC1hZHVsdC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Rest: Experts say that lounging in bed a little longer than normal is [generally time well spent](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMi8xNy93ZWxsL2JlZC1yb3R0aW5nLWh1cmtsZS1kdXJrbGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). Compete: Take this week’s [Flashback history quiz](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNC8wMi8xNi91cHNob3QvZmxhc2hiYWNrLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Play: Here are today’s [Spelling Bee](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~), [Wordle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXMvd29yZGxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) and [Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). Find [all our games here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTcmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmVfMjAyNDAyMjAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE1NjUzJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNTg3MDAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTUxNjMwJmxpPU5FJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1ORV8yMDI0MDIyMCZ0ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1ldmVuaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwVwNueXRCCmXUXSjVZakqU3dSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) ONE LAST THING [A blurred black and white photograph of the actor Jeffrey Wright sitting at a table. He is shown in motion, moving from touching his forehead in thought to resting his chin on his hands on the table.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNC8wMi8xOC9tYWdhemluZS9vc2NhcnMtMjAyNC1ncmVhdC1wZXJmb3JtYW5jZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Jeffrey Wright. Dana Scruggs for The New York Times Hollywood’s curmudgeon of the year Within the past year, the actor Jeffrey Wright has starred in films in which he has played a barking general (“Asteroid City”), a gossipy congressman (“Rustin”) and a snobby novelist (“American Fiction”). All three performances were so convincingly unsmiling and self-serious that our critic Wesley Morris declared Wright the year’s best curmudgeon. Ahead of the Oscars on March 10, Wesley handed out several other distinctions that are unlikely to ever be etched on an Academy Award trophy, including the best drunk, the best acting above the nose and the best nervous breakdown. [Check out all of his picks.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNC8wMi8xOC9tYWdhemluZS9vc2NhcnMtMjAyNC1ncmVhdC1wZXJmb3JtYW5jZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Have a standout evening. Thanks for reading. 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~/RgRnt61dP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01NyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9uZV8yMDI0MDIyMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTU2NTMmbmw9dGhlLWV2ZW5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE1ODcwMCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZdRdKNVlqSpTd1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) or [contact us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRnt61dP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LXVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTU3JmVtYz1lZGl0X25lXzIwMjQwMjIwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNTY1MyZubD10aGUtZXZlbmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTU4NzAwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpl1F0o1WWpKlN3Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. 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