Daily Briefing: A house explosion in Virginia
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A man who shot at police officers trying to enter his Virginia home before the house exploded is believed to be dead. Also in the news: President Joe Biden addressed “appalling” reports that Hamas used rape to terrorize women and girls during its attack on Israel on Oct. 7. More than 35 members of Congress have announced they are not seeking reelection in 2024.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Charged Lemonade at Panera Bread proved to be lethal yet again, a lawsuit alleges.
Here we go with Wednesday's news.
Suspect who shot at police from Virginia home that exploded is dead
Details have emerged about numerous grievances a man expressed against neighbors and others via social media and in lawsuits prior to his killing in a Virginia home explosion. James Yoo, 56, fired a “flare-type gun” from inside the duplex he owned more than 30 times early Monday evening in Arlington. Police were trying to enter the home with a search warrant when the suspect fired multiple gunshots. And then just before 8:30 p.m., the house exploded. The blast — which was felt for miles — tore apart the house, shooting flames and debris into the air. Questions about the incident continue to swirl on Wednesday and have left many in the area unsettled. Read more
Israel sweeps into major city in south Gaza
Israeli troops entered Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip's second-largest city, on Tuesday in what the Israeli military described as some of the most intense fighting of the war.
The fighting further limits the area where Palestinians can seek safety and has largely halted the distribution of vital aid.
The U.N. said the fighting has made it impossible to distribute essentials like food, water and medicine to most people in southern Gaza. Meanwhile, the United States, Qatar and Egypt say they are working on a longer truce even though Israel called its negotiators home over the weekend.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his belief the Israeli military would have to maintain security control of the Gaza Strip for an indefinite time, long after the war ends. His statement seemed to defy U.S. opposition of Israeli "reoccupation'' of the territory.
Reports that women and young girls have been subjected to horrific sexual abuse by Hamas militants have surfaced. President Joe Biden said survivors and witnesses have shared horrific accounts of “unimaginable cruelty” over the past few weeks.
Want to read deep-dive weekday updates about the conflict? Sign up for USA TODAY's Israel-Hamas War newsletter.
More news to know now
Only four contenders will appear at the 4th Republican primary debate Wednesday in Alabama.
House Republicans plan to vote next week to formally authorize their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
Donald Trump says he will be a ''dictator'' — but only on ''day one.''
A Boston tourist was killed by a shark while paddleboarding in the Bahamas.
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On today's The Excerpt podcast, what employees can do to prepare for layoffs. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
Is Washington broken?
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., on Tuesday became the latest in a string of lawmakers to announce they will not run for reelection in 2024. Almost a dozen House GOP members alone announced in October and November their plans to retire from office at the end of their terms. McHenry said he's “confident” in the House’s future, but some congressional leaders who are on their way out do not share McHenry’s vote of confidence, citing division and extreme politics as reasons for their departures. Read more
Democrats are offering Republicans a border security option. Will GOP lawmakers play ball?
Liz Cheney says she's ready to consider a third party.
Texas mother asks court to allow emergency abortion
Kate Cox is 20 weeks pregnant and her baby has Edwards' syndrome, a lethal genetic condition that causes severe developmental delay. Doctors advised the Dallas woman to get an abortion because there was "virtually no chance" her baby would survive, and continuing the pregnancy poses grave risks to her health and fertility, according to the court filing. But the state's restrictive anti-abortion laws stand in the way. Cox, her husband Justin and her OB-GYN are asking the court to temporarily block Texas' overlapping abortion bans and to authorize the termination of Cox's pregnancy. Read more
Where are the best U.S. hospitals to give birth?
Republican Tommy Tuberville's military holds in protest of abortion policy come to an end.
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Aaron Rodgers defended Zach Wilson following reports the Jets QB was reluctant to start again.
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A high-speed rail project would connect Las Vegas to Southern California.
New NCAA subdivision would pay athletes via trust fund
NCAA president Charlie Baker sent a letter to Division I members proposing the creation of a new competitive subdivision whose schools would be required to provide significantly greater compensation for their athletes than current association rules allow. Under Baker’s plan, “within the framework” of Title IX, the federal gender-equity law, schools in this new group would have to “invest at least $30,000 per year into an enhanced educational trust fund for at least half of the institution’s eligible student-athletes.” For now, the particulars of how and when athletes would be able to access these payments would be left up to the schools. Read more
What does Baker's plan mean? The NCAA is opening the door for big-money schools to branch off from everyone else, and directly pay their athletes.
Biden promised to reform Title IX. Students are tired of waiting.
Photo of the day: 2023 Elle Women in Hollywood Celebration
At the Elle Women in Hollywood celebration Tuesday night, awardees America Ferrera, Jennifer Lopez, Jodie Foster, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Greta Lee, Fantasia Barrino Taylor, Lily Gladstone and Eva Longoria each took to the stage to reflect on their careers in the industry. The women will grace Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood December/January issue.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.
Associated Press contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel-Hamas war, Virginia explosion, McHenry retires, Texas abortion law, NCAA, Hollywood: Daily Briefing
