Meta warns that China is stepping up its online social media influence operations China has become the third most common source of foreign influence operations, behind Russia and Iran, according to the owner of Facebook and Instagram. Read more on NPR

Uncle Sam wants you to help stop insurers’ bogus Medicare Advantage sales tactics The Biden administration is cracking down on deceptive or misleading Medicare Advantage and drug plan sales tactics. And it’s counting on beneficiaries to help catch offenders. Read more on NPR

Biden administration proposes strictest lead pipe rules in more than three decades Most cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency aimed to prevent like the ones in Flint, Mich. and Washington, D.C. Read more on NPR

Shane MacGowan, irascible frontman of The Pogues, has died at age 65 Shane MacGowan was a famously hard-drinking but brilliant musician who shot to fame in the 1980s with the folk punk band The Pogues. Read more on NPR

Global climate talks begin in Dubai, with an oil executive in charge This year’s United Nations climate summit is being held in the petroleum-dependent United Arab Emirates, as the Earth closes out its hottest year ever recorded. Read more on NPR

Up First briefing: Truce in Gaza extended for 7th day; Henry Kissinger dies at 100 Israel and Gaza agreed to extend their truce for one more day. Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in U.S. foreign policy, dies at 100. Read more on NPR

What works for treating the common cold? Many doctors say ‘not much’ One common decongestant, phenylephrine, was found ineffective this fall. Doctors are skeptical about the rest of the over-the-counter cold cures lineup. Read more on NPR