Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,188 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Activists sentenced in Hong Kong

• Bible lessons in Texas public schools

• $12k to change your eye color

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Big Story

Ukraine Uses US ATACMS Missiles on 1,000th Day of War

Ukraine used US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russia for the first time.

• The ATACMS, or Advanced Tactical Military System, are supersonic ballistic missiles that can hit targets 190 miles away, doubling Ukraine’s attack range.

• Ukraine said it successfully targeted a Russian arms depot about 70 miles inside Russian territory. Russia claimed it shot down most of the missiles, but Ukraine reported secondary explosions at the targeted depot.

• Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use the ATACMS has caused tensions. Moscow called the approval an escalation and warned it could make Washington a direct combatant in the war. Military experts think the missiles won’t impact the war because of their delayed use and shorter range than Russia’s long weapons.

• In response to Biden’s decision, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an updated nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold for using atomic weapons to include attacks threatening Russia’s territorial integrity.

• Meanwhile, yesterday marked the 1,000th day of the war. Russian casualties are reported to be around 700,000, while Ukraine reports 150,000 deaths.

Big Story

Move to Stay Healthy

A new study shows that sitting too much increases the risk of heart disease, even for people who exercise regularly.

• Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that sitting more than 10.6 hours a day raised the risk of heart failure and death from heart disease by 40-60%. And, All sedentary behavior was linked to higher risks of all types of heart disease.

• Even people who meet the recommended guidelines for exercise (150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week) still face risks from sitting too much. The study showed that while physical activity could lower the risk of some heart diseases, it only partly reduced the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death.

• Staying active is important, but avoiding long periods of sitting is also crucial for heart health. Experts say you can find a balance at work by using an adjustable standing desk or taking regular breaks to walk around. At home, it’s best to limit marathon sessions on the couch.

Big Story

Hong Kong Activist Sentenced

Hong Kong's High Court sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to jail for up to 10 years under a national security law imposed by Beijing.

• Chinese and Hong Kong governments created the law in 2019 after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. It criminalizes anything that undermines the power of the central government.

• Benny Tai, seen as the group's organizer, received the longest sentence of 10 years. Others received sentences ranging from four to nine years. The activists were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion after organizing a 2020 unofficial primary election to select candidates for a legislative election.

• Prosecutors claimed their actions aimed to cripple the ruling government. Some Western governments, including the US and Australia, condemned the trial, saying it suppressed fundamental freedoms. Families of the jailed also spoke out, calling the punishments unfair.

Quick Stories

U.S. News

• President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz, the TV host and former Senate candidate, to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS oversees health coverage programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Obamacare marketplace. (More)

• Texas education officials gave initial approval to let public schools teach lessons about the Bible. The State Board of Education voted 8-7 to allow Bible teachings in kindergarten to fifth grade. (More)

• Incoming Senate GOP leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is clashing with Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) over judicial confirmations. Schumer is pushing to confirm dozens of President Biden's nominees before year’s end, while Thune works to slow him down. (More)

World

• Gangs attacked Pétionville, a wealthy area in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Residents joined police to fight back, killing 28 suspected gang members and seizing ammunition. The attack was led by ex-officer Jimmy Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm group. (More)

• Denmark finalized plans for the world’s first agricultural emissions tax, including livestock farts. Starting in 2030, farmers will pay 300 kroner ($43) per ton of methane emissions, increasing to 750 kroner ($68) by 2035. (More)

• Gaza's Hamas-run interior ministry reported at least 20 people were killed in an operation against "gangs" accused of looting aid trucks in the enclave. The looting has caused food prices in Gaza to skyrocket even though there are caps on price hikes. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed mixed on Tuesday (S&P +0.40%, Nasdaq +1.04%, Dow -0.28%). Gains in Nvidia and Walmart drove the Nasdaq higher. (More)

• CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group, and Cigna are suing the FTC, saying the FTC's case against middlemen in the drug supply chain over high insulin prices is unconstitutional. In September, the FTC sued the companies, accusing them of using a bad rebate system to increase their profits while raising insulin prices for Americans. (More)

• Blackstone is buying Jersey Mike's Subs in a deal worth about $8 billion, including debt. The sandwich chain confirmed the agreement, which is expected to close in early 2025. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• The New York Jets fired their general manager, Joe Douglas, two days after losing 28-27 to the Indianapolis Colts. Douglas was in the final year of his contract, and team owner Woody Johnson decided to let him go after the Jets started the season 3-8. (More)

• Rafael Nadal’s legendary tennis career ended after Spain lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. The 38-year-old announced last month that this would be his final tournament. He retires with 22 Grand Slam titles. (More)

• A New York priest, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, has been removed from his role after being accused of mishandling significant church funds. The Diocese of Brooklyn also said he violated policy by allowing pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film her "Feather" music video at his church in 2023. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Scientists discovered that rats can be taught to drive tiny cars and actually enjoy it. A study in 2019 showed that rats could learn to steer a car made from a plastic cereal container by grabbing wires to move it forward. The rats even chose longer routes to get treats. (More)

• Clayton P. Turner is now the associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) in Washington. Turner will oversee strategy, leadership, and programs advancing critical space technologies for current and future missions. (More)

• Vaccine exemptions among US kindergartners rose to 3.3% in the 2023-24 school year, up from 3% the year before, according to CDC data. This is a significant increase compared to 2013-14 when only 2.1% had exemptions. The trend was seen in 40 states and Washington, D.C. (More)

Extra Credit

👕 What do dryer sheets actually do?

🎢 Twenty-two riders got stuck for hours on a California park ride.

📒 11,000 Post-it notes become an animation.

👀 A $12K surgery can change eye color.