Biden & Xi, Hippo sterilization, and Nat Geo's photos of the year.

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US News, Politics, & Government

Biden holds much-anticipated meeting with China's Xi

President Biden and Chinese President Xi talked face-to-face for the first time in a year at the APEC Summit in San Francisco on Wednesday.

• Peacemaking: The goal of the meeting was to ease tensions between the two countries caused by issues including Taiwan, maritime disputes, cybersecurity and spying, economic sanctions, and human rights violations.

• What they’re saying: Biden said that preventing competition from escalating into conflict must be a priority. Xi had similar thoughts, saying that the world is big enough for two countries to prosper and each country can benefit from the other’s success.

• Positive outlook: The countries have already shown signs of goodwill in recent days. Both committed to cooperate on climate issues, more direct flights are resuming between the U.S. and China, and each has signed new economic agreements with one another.

Mom of Virginia 6-year-old who shot teacher sentenced in federal case

The mother of the 6-year-old boy accused of shooting his first grade teacher during class in Virginia was sentenced to 21 months in prison on federal charges.

• Details: Deja Taylor was charged with using marijuana while in possession of a firearm and making a false statement about her drug use when she purchased the gun.

• Background: Taylor’s son brought the gun into the classroom and intentionally shot and wounded his teacher. The firearm used in the shooting was purchased by Taylor, and ATF agents never found a lockbox, trigger lock, or key for the gun.

• More: The teacher who was shot has filed a separate $40 million dollar lawsuit against the school district, accusing them of negligence.

World

Iran increases uranium stockpile

Iran has added to its stockpile of nearly weapons-grade uranium, according to a recent report from the United Nations.

• State of play: Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment in 2015 but has since banned designated inspectors from monitoring the country’s nuclear program and pushed back against the governing agency’s objections to the ban.

• As of Oct. 28, Iran has an estimated 128.3 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity - just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The director of the U.N. nuclear watchdog group has said that Iran has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.

• Bottom line: Iran refuses to restart the nuclear deal it made in 2015 and tensions in the region are rising.

Hippos sterilization is underway in Colombia

Colombia has begun sterilizing hippopotamuses that descended from animals illegally brought to the country by late drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in the 1980s.

• Wait, what? Two male hippos, and one female underwent surgical sterilization as part of a government effort to control the population of more than 100 of the animals that swim freely in nearby waterways.

• Catch up: The hippos spread from Escobar’s estate to nearby rivers and flourished because they have no natural predators in Colombia. They are considered an invasive species there.

• What’s next: Sterilization alone is not enough to control the population which is why the government is trying to transfer them to other countries - a $3.5 million expense.

Business & Economy

Thanksgiving dinner prices falling from record high

Thanksgiving dinner costs are falling after years of rising prices and a record high in 2022.

• Main course: The shrinking costs are being driven by lower turkey prices, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving survey. Averages for side dishes including stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, and cranberries are also cheaper this year.

• Break it down: The survey found the average cost of this year’s holiday meal for 10 people was $61.17, down from $64.05 in 2022 but still 25% higher than in 2019 before the pandemic.

• Reality check: Although shoppers won’t spend as much for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, inflation is still punishing families across the country and will take some time to normalize.

Daily stock market update

US stock markets closed higher on Wednesday (S&P +0.16%, Nasdaq +0.07%, Dow +0.47%). (More)

Sports & Entertainment

MLB names 2023 Cy Young winners

Pitchers Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres and Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees each won the Cy Young Award on Wednesday.

• Snell won his second Cy Young Award, this time in the National league. He had a 14-9 record and a MLB leading 2.25 ERA - allowing the fewest runs per game.

• Cole won for the first time, boasting a 15-4 record, and an American League-leading 2.63 ERA. He was selected unanimously and is the first Yankee to win the award since Roger Clemens in 2001.

Jimmy Kimmel to Host 2024 Oscars Ceremony

Jimmy Kimmel will host the upcoming 2024 Oscars ceremony, marking his fourth time running the show.

• Encore: Kimmel will join a list of entertainment legends who have hosted at least four times including, Whoopi Goldberg, Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, and Bob Hope.

• Contenders: Summer blockbusters “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are expected to be heavy favorites in the best picture race.

• Watch: The ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Science, Health, & Tech

Mystery dog illness on the rise

Veterinarians announced that they are seeing a growing number of coughing dogs.

• What’s happening? Vets are unsure of what is causing the illness but say it’s highly contagious and can be fatal. Reported symptoms so far have mirrored kennel cough and they include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy.

• What to do: Experts advise getting dogs with a consistent cough examined by a vet and recommend keeping any sick dogs away from other dogs for two weeks after their cough goes away.

Women are living longer than men

A recent study showed a widening life expectancy gap between men and women in the U.S.

• Details: The life expectancy gap swelled to 5.8 years in 2021 due to higher male mortality rates form the pandemic, accidental injuries, drug overdoses, and suicides.

• Next steps: Researchers said the results raise questions about whether more specialized care for men should be developed, especially focusing on mental health. Investment into prevention and care should be paramount to prevent the trend from becoming entrenched.

Bonus Material

National Geographic reveals the year’s best photos.

Ranking Hallmark Channel’s best Christmas movies before the holidays.

When a horse gets loose on a plane.

A historic red Ferrari just sold for $52 million at auction.

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