5 things you need to know Friday
America honors veterans with ceremonies (and freebies)
Across the nation on Friday, Americans will mark Veterans Day in local and national events. In a somber ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, D.C., President Obama will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and deliver remarks. In other towns and cities (like these in Wisconsin), current service members, veterans and ordinary citizens will honor those who died or otherwise served in defending the nation. Many national chains are saying "thank you" to veterans and active military members with freebies and deals on food and drinks (some of which require proof of service).
U.S.-Mexico soccer match has added intrigue following Trump's win
What international sporting event almost immediately follows Donald Trump’s election? Mexico plays the United States in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, Friday evening. Trump, now the President-elect, stirred controversy early in the race for the White House with a series of incendiary comments about Mexico and his wish to build a wall between the countries. "I certainly think given the way everything has gone the last few months there is an added layer to this game," U.S. captain Michael Bradley said.
In China, Singles Day means shopping more than romance
Just as Presidents Day in the U.S. has become more associated with sales than national leaders, Singles Day in China, which begins Friday at midnight Beijing time, has become a day of shopping for bargains rather than a romantic partner. Dreamed up in 2009 by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba as an opportunity for unmarried people to buy items they wanted for themselves or friends, the event has become the world’s biggest one-day sale, racking up $14.3 billion in receipts last year. The shindig launches with a four-hour, star-studded live TV show produced by David Hill, known for doing the Academy Awards and several Super Bowl shows.
Nintendo is going retro and releasing a mini-NES console, with 30 classic games
You might want to put this on your holiday shopping list. Nintendo's first video game console is making a comeback with a miniature, collector's edition of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The device, which costs, $59.99, goes on sale Friday. Instead of classic game cartridges, the mini NES will include 30 games built into the system. Titles include Donkey Kong, Mega Man 2, Super Mario Bros., Tecmo Bowl and The Legend of Zelda.
Championship chess in NYC with $1 million tournament purse? Check
A Norwegian who’s the highest-rated player in chess history faces Russia’s top contender in the World Chess Championship, which gets underway Friday in New York. The games will last as long as six hours each, played over three weeks. Magnus Carlsen of Norway is the defending champion. Trying to wrest away his title is Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin. The tournament's prize purse of more than $1 million will be divided 60-40 between the two. Fun fact about chess: Brains get most of the exercise. But the International Olympic Committee considers chess a sport that requires physical endurance.
And the essentials:
Weather: Another sunny, mild day is forecast for most of the U.S. on Friday. Only a few spots will see rain, in the Northwest and Northeast.
Stocks: Global shares were mixed Friday and the dollar steadied, as expectations grew that President-elect Donald Trump’s trade policies might fuel inflation.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Gypsy on PBS.
Be inspired: This dad left 190 chocolate "goodnight kisses" for his son while he was deployed.
Most popular: See our top stories in one nightly digest on Facebook Messenger.
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Contributing: The Associated Press