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Top stories
– CDC website wording now says a vaccine-autism link cannot be ruled out, reversing the agency’s long-standing statement that vaccines do not cause autism. The change echoes views held by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that vaccines pose risks, though NPR reports there is no new scientific evidence supporting a vaccine‑autism connection. CDC scientists say they did not personally change the page’s wording, and the Department of Health and Human Services declined to identify who ordered the revision. A headline on the CDC page continues to assert that vaccines don’t cause autism but includes an asterisk saying the agency will not remove that line because of an agreement with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who provided a key confirmation vote for Kennedy.
– The Trump administration’s chief negotiator delivered a new 28-point peace proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Supporters say the plan keeps hopes for ending the war alive; critics note it would demand major territorial concessions Ukraine has repeatedly rejected. Analysts say the administration appears focused on securing a yes from Kyiv, prioritizing an end to fighting over resolving every detail. Russia is widely seen as seeking strategic territory, while Ukraine is seeking firm security guarantees from the U.S. and allies.
– President Trump will host New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office today for their first in-person meeting. Mamdani, 34, rose to national attention after his primary victory and has been branded a “communist” by the president on social media. The meeting will test Mamdani’s transition from activist to elected official and his ability to balance policy priorities with political diplomacy. The interaction also carries consequences: Trump previously threatened to cut federal funding to New York if Mamdani won.
– State and local election officials from both parties say they are preparing for possible administration interference ahead of next year’s midterms. Trump has promoted false claims about U.S. voting and issued an executive order proposing major changes to election systems; courts have largely blocked that order. Officials are now watching for other potential executive actions that could affect how elections are run.
Deep dive: Climate tipping points
The World Meteorological Organization says the planet has warmed roughly 1.3°C. Communities already face more intense storms, flooding and heatwaves, and scientists warn that passing 1.5°C could trigger large, self‑reinforcing shifts—so‑called tipping points—that play out over decades or centuries and have long-term global consequences. Key risks include:
– Coral reef die-offs from heat stress, threatening fisheries, livelihoods and biodiversity.
– Rapid melt of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, locking in long-term sea-level rise.
– Thawing Arctic permafrost, which can damage infrastructure and release greenhouse gases.
Follow NPR’s reporting from COP30, the U.N. climate meeting in Brazil, for more updates.
Weekend picks
– Movies: Wicked: For Good, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo — a sequel with more songs and spectacle; NPR reviews whether it measures up to the original.
– TV: The Beast In Me follows a writer who suspects her new neighbor, a real estate tycoon, may have killed his first wife.
– Books: Three new poetry collections explore identity, suffering and hope.
– Music: Cabin In The Sky, De La Soul’s first full-length since 2023, features 20 tracks with guests including Black Thought and Nas.
– Gaming: Kirby Air Riders, a racing game with simple controls and deep customization, competes with Mario Kart World.
– Food: With Thanksgiving approaching, NPR offers a roast-turkey guide and a viral mac-and-cheese recipe.
3 things to know
1. ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula was recalled after being linked to a botulism outbreak affecting infants in more than a dozen states; some product may still be on store shelves.
2. An overdue Labor Department report showed U.S. employers added 119,000 jobs in September and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%.
3. A new PNAS study quantifies how little plastic can be lethal to marine animals: for an Atlantic puffin, ingesting less than three sugar-cube-sized pieces of plastic can be deadly.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.