Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,195 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Biden approves HIV-positive to HIV-positive organ donations

• Costco drops books

• $2m treasure hunt

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Big Story

Hamas Releases Proof of Life Video

Hamas released a video showing proof of life for US citizen Edan Alexander, who has been held hostage in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.

• In the video, Alexander pleads with President-elect Trump to negotiate for his release, saying he has been held captive for over 420 days. One hundred one people, including seven Americans, are still in captivity. (See video via X)

• Efforts to secure a deal for the hostages and establish a ceasefire in Gaza have been stalled for months. Talks between US and Israeli officials suggest that Hamas may be willing to compromise on several sticking points in the negotiations. But they want Israel to be more flexible too.

• Alexander's parents issued a heartfelt plea to President-elect Trump, President Biden, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to secure a deal and bring all hostages home.

• Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian aid has stopped sending supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing because of security concerns. Armed gangs looted two recent aid convoys near the crossing.

Big Story

UN Plastic Talks

Countries at the UN meeting in South Korea failed to agree on a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.

• Over 100 nations wanted to limit plastic production, but oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia only supported addressing plastic waste. The meeting ended without a deal, and talks will continue later at a session called INC 5.2.

• Key disagreements included capping production, managing harmful chemicals, and funding for developing countries to implement the treaty.

• The divisions were similar to disagreements at the recent COP29 climate summit, where Saudi Arabia also blocked efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.

• Experts warn that plastic production could triple by 2050 and microplastics are already found in food, water, and human tissue. Over 3,200 chemicals in plastics pose serious health risks, especially to women and children.

Big Story

HIV-positive Organ Donors

The Biden administration has approved a new rule allowing people with HIV to receive kidney and liver transplants from HIV-positive donors.

• The change removes the requirement for such transplants to be part of clinical research, which had been in place since the 2013 HIV Organ Procurement Equity (HOPE) Act. Before the HOPE Act, there was a federal ban on using organs from HIV-positive donors.

• Health and Human Services officials believe the rule will increase the availability of critical organs and reduce stigma for people with HIV. The decision is based on strong evidence showing that kidney transplants between HIV-positive donors and recipients are as safe and effective as those from non-HIV donors.

• While the rule currently applies only to kidneys and livers, the National Institutes of Health is considering updating research criteria for other organs like the heart, lungs, and pancreas.

Quick Stories

U.S. News

• President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former aide Kash Patel to lead the FBI. Patel served as chief of staff at the US Department of Defense during Trump's first term. Additionally, Trump plans to nominate Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to head the Drug Enforcement Agency. (More)

• An Arctic blast is hitting the northern Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes, bringing snow, frost, and dangerously cold winds during one of the year’s busiest travel times. Around 7 million people from Wisconsin to New York are under winter alerts, with some lasting until Tuesday morning. (More)

• President Joe Biden granted a full pardon to his son Hunter on Sunday, ahead of his sentencing for gun and tax convictions. President-elect Donald Trump can’t reverse the clemency. It breaks Biden's earlier pledge not to pardon Hunter, a promise he maintained even after dropping out of the 2024 race. (More)

World

• The Syrian military sent reinforcements and launched airstrikes Sunday to reclaim Aleppo after insurgents seized the city. Iran, a key ally of President Bashar Assad, pledged support, though it’s unclear how it will assist. (More)

• Sex workers in Belgium can now sign formal employment contracts, gaining labor rights equal to other professions. The new law also gives them the right to refuse clients, choose their services, and stop at any time. This follows Belgium’s sex work decriminalization in 2022. (More)

• Georgia's decision to halt its EU membership bid has triggered a political crisis, with around 100,000 protesters flooding the streets to demand new elections. Police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and force, with videos showing officers attacking unarmed protesters. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed higher on Friday (S&P +0.56%, Nasdaq +0.83%, Dow +0.42%). Friday’s early closing capped off a winning week and month for all three major indexes. (More)

• Starting in January, Costco will phase out its year-round book section in hundreds of stores, with plans to offer books only during the holiday season from September to December. The section could return in the future. (More)

• This Black Friday, many shoppers skipped the long store lines and shopped online instead. Their clicks set a new record, with online spending hitting $10.8 billion—a 10% increase from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Oregon held onto No. 1 for the seventh straight week in the AP Top 25, while Ohio St. dropped out of the top 5. The shake-up sets up two top-five matchups for conference championships: Oregon vs. No. 3 Penn State in the Big Ten Championship and No. 2 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia in the SEC Championship. (More)

• "Brain rot" has been named Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year, highlighting concerns over excessive social media use and mind-numbing content. Oxford defines "brain rot" as the decline of mental or intellectual abilities due to consuming trivial or unchallenging online content. (More)

• US skier Mikaela Shiffrin suffered a puncture wound and muscle trauma in her abdomen during a giant slalom crash on Saturday but avoided serious organ or bone damage. Her return timeline hasn’t been set. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• The sun has entered a busy phase, known as solar maximum, with increased activity, including giant flares and streams of charged particles. It is expected to continue for the next year, bringing more solar storms and stunning auroras. (More)

• A study in the UK found that people who went to bed and woke up at the same time each day were less likely to have strokes, heart attacks, or other cardiovascular issues. The risk was higher for those with irregular sleep patterns, even if they got enough sleep. (More)

• Archaeologists believe a shipwreck found off the southeast coast of Kenya could be the remains of the Portuguese galleon São Jorge, which may have sunk during Vasco da Gama's final voyage. The ship is believed to have sunk over 500 years ago and now rests on a coral reef. (More)

Extra Credit

🌎️ Take a selfie with Earth using a YouTuber’s satellite.

💎 Crypto investor buries $2M worth of treasure across the US.

🎵 The top streamed song on Spotify every year during the last decade.

💵 How much you need to retire in each state.