A rebuke of Israeli violence
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers who have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank. A big storm is expected to slam California with heavy rain and snow. And why some Republicans have bad blood with Taylor Swift.
👋 Hi pals! Laura Davis here. The weekend is on the horizon! Let’s get you caught up on Thursday’s news.
But first: What's it gonna be, Punxsutawney Phil? 🧐 Will spring arrive early or winter linger for another six weeks? We'll find out tomorrow – Groundhog Day. So, just how accurate is the proselytizing critter? See the data.
Biden sanctions West Bank settlers
President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. to impose financial sanctions on Israeli settlers who have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank in his administration's most significant action to try to calm West Bank violence amid the Israeli-Hamas war. The sanctions, which Biden authorized Thursday, target four Israelis who engaged in actions that "undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank" through violence aimed at Palestinian civilians. While much of the world's attention has been focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank have surged since Oct. 7. 👉 What to know about the sanctions.
Lloyd Austin breaks silence on controversial hospital stay
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized publicly for the first time for keeping secret his January hospitalization related to cancer treatment, saying the medical challenges were a "gut punch" and his initial instinct was to keep it private. Austin has faced bipartisan criticism for concealing his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization from the White House, Congress, his own staff and the public. Austin underwent surgery for prostate cancer on Dec. 22, then was taken on Jan. 1 by ambulance from his home in northern Virginia to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for complications that had developed. 👉 What to know.
Real quick
Did a 'Wheel of Fortune' player get cheated out of $40,000?
Gypsy Rose's 'fans' turned on her. Experts aren't surprised.
School employees win $1M prize using a unique strategy.
How a cat, Taylor Swift and The Beatles help put a sassy spin on a spy movie.
Dave Ramsey answered a question about child care. Parents tore him apart.
Support the Short List and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.
California braces for 'Pineapple Express'
The first of two weather systems known as a "Pineapple Express" hit the West Coast on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain showers and mountain snow as residents braced for potentially dangerous conditions.
What is a "Pineapple Express"? It's an atmospheric river that builds up in the tropical Pacific and when it lands in the western United States, it can cause heavy rain and snow.
In the forecast: Satellite images of the first storm on Wednesday showed clouds along the coast from Los Angeles to Juneau, Alaska, according to AccuWeather. The "plume of moisture" will move along the West Coast and transition into Southern California overnight Wednesday, which is expected to create heavy rain across the region and state. 🌧️ Here's the full forecast.
Taylor Swift's political reputation
She's getting a bit of a political reputation. And some Republicans seem concerned. Taylor Swift: A young, self-made billionaire; a pop star with a massive, dedicated fanbase. She's already shown she can motivate potential voters, and her fans tend to be younger and more liberal than the United States as a whole. Plus, she has been critical of former President Donald Trump. Is she some sort of Pentagon plant, ginned up by secret liberal forces to swing the 2024 presidential election? Some Republicans have suggested so. So why is Swift suddenly showing up in these conversations? In a word: power. 🗳️ Here's a look at what's happening.
Another one: Taylor Swift could make Grammy Awards history this weekend.
A break from the news
🍄💊 Microdosing is super popular. What you should know.
✈️ Which destinations could have the best flight deals this year?
💌😂 Impress your sweetie (or do the complete opposite) with these Valentine's Day jokes and puns.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel-Hamas war, Taylor Swift's influence on politics: Thursday's news
