President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are done with their meeting.

Here Xi Comes

The Story

President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are done with their meeting.

What did they agree on?

Reopening military-to-military communication. Talks between the US and Chinese military broke down last year when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) visited Taiwan. Now, amid spy balloons and tensions in the sky and sea, Biden has pushed Xi to reopen talks to avoid dangerous miscommunication. They also agreed for Beijing to rein in fentanyl. US officials say China produces key chemicals used to create the deadly narcotic in labs, including in Mexico. Last year, more than 72,000 people in the US died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to the CDC. Now, China and the US have reportedly agreed to curb the flow of fentanyl via an anti-drug working group. 

What’s everyone saying?

Xi said “Planet Earth is big enough” for both superpowers and that the two are “fully capable of rising above differences.” During a solo press conference, Biden described his conversations with Xi as “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had.” But the president doubled down on calling Xi a “dictator” and said it’s important to “trust, but verify” his relationship with China's president. China’s foreign ministry says that Biden’s comments were “extremely incorrect and irresponsible political manipulation.” Still, US allies and experts see the fact that the meeting happened as a win and as a step toward cooling tensions.

theSkimm

As US and China relations sit at a 40-year low, the leaders of two world superpowers are focusing on damage control. Now, at a time when there are two wars, many — especially Biden — are hoping that US-China relations could be one less thing to worry about.

The Latest

• Hundreds of patients and thousands of civilians are still stuck inside Shifa Hospital, and 43 patients have reportedly died due to a lack of oxygen. Israel released a video it said showed Hamas weapons in the hospital. Hamas has denied the claims.

• The UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a “humanitarian pause” in Gaza, with the US, Britain, and Russia abstaining. Israel’s prime minister has rejected calls for a ceasefire and says it has struck the house of Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh.

What’s one step closer to avoiding ‘lights out’...

The US. Yesterday, the Senate voted 87-11 to pass a temporary government funding bill — averting a shutdown. Nearly all Democrats and about half the GOP in the upper chamber voted in support. The measure maintains government funding at current levels. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the bill “far from perfect” but said it'll give lawmakers more time to develop a long-term plan. However, Congress only has a couple of months before it faces the same uphill battle. The Senate’s passage comes one day after the House gave the bill the OK. It now goes to President Biden, who’s expected to sign the measure into law before tomorrow's deadline.

What’s saying ‘tradition is tradition’... 

New Hampshire. Yesterday, state officials announced its presidential primary will be scheduled for Jan 23. For more than 100 years, New Hampshire has always held the first primary election (after the Iowa caucuses, coming up Jan 15). President Biden and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) wanted South Carolina to have the honor in 2024, saying it’s a more diverse state. Biden lost New Hampshire during the 2020 primaries, but South Carolina was his first big win. The New Hampshire state secretary reportedly said changes to the schedule could set a “dangerous” precedent because it would give the DNC too much power. Now, the move means Biden will be left out of NH's primary ballot, and voters will have to write him in.

What’s going to be a hot topic in Turkey…

Sweden. Today, the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee will be debating Sweden’s NATO bid. After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Sweden and Finland decided it was time to join NATO. However, Turkey has stood in the way of Sweden’s membership, saying the Nordic country harbors Kurdish militants that Turkey considers terrorists. It looks like things are moving forward though. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reportedly signaled that today's meeting is a formality. The committee and the rest of parliament would have to sign off before Erdoğan gives final approval. This step also means Hungary is the only NATO country that hasn’t started the ratification process for Sweden.

What’s turning things up a notch…

Texas. Earlier this week, the state House passed an immigration bill that makes illegal entry into Texas from another country a state crime. The bill's being called one of the strictest immigration policies in the US. The measure gives Texas officers the power to arrest undocumented migrants and state judges the ability to deport them. When an undocumented migrant is caught, they may be held at a detention center before going through a trial or deportation. Human rights advocates worry the policy could lead to racial profiling and undercut the protections of asylum seekers. Experts say it could lead to lawsuits and potentially strain relations with Mexico. Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says he “look(s) forward to” getting the bill “across the finish line.”

Who’ll be pouring one out for Red Cup Day…

Starbucks. Today, thousands of employees are expected to walkout on the job, across hundreds of locations. It comes as more Starbucks stores look to unionize and ask for better work conditions and pay.

While Jimmy Kimmel is handing out awards…

Kevin Hart is taking one home.

Who’s got Rory Gilmore dreams…

Travis Scott.