QUICK HITS

1 Official says Russia, U.S. could yet reach prisoner deal: Russia and the United States have repeatedly been on the verge of agreement on a prisoner exchange, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said, adding that a deal is still possible before year’s end. The Biden administration has been trying to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and executive Paul Whelan.

2 AMC leader departs: AMC Networks Inc., airer of TV programs including “The Walking Dead,” said Christina Spade stepped down as chief executive officer, an abrupt departure less than three months after she took the top job. The board “is currently finalizing who it will name as a replacement,”according to a statement. No reason was given for Spade’s departure. Turnover at the top adds to the challenges faced by AMC, which is shifting to the streaming age as cord-cutters drop their cable packages.

3 Consumerconfidence down: U.S. consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in November amid ongoing high inflation, rising interest rates, and layoffs in the tech sector. The Conference Board reported its consumer confidence index fell to 100.2, down from 102.2 in October. November’s figure is the lowest since July.

4 Bat endangered: The Biden administration declared the northern long-eared bat endangered in a last-ditch effort to save a species driven to the brink of extinction by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease. The bat is found in 37 eastern and north-central states, plus Washington, D.C.

5 Singaporeending sexban: Singapore repealed a controversial legal ban on sex between men while simultaneously amending its constitution to ensure only parliament has the right to define marriage that is currently that between a man and a woman.