Daily Briefing: 'Why does this matter to America'
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President Joe Biden argued in an Oval Office address that U.S. leadership abroad and congressional aid to Israel and Ukraine is essential. Also in the news: Jim Jordan is giving it a third go at becoming House speaker on Friday and Hollywood film and TV actors near their 100th day of strike.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Is Wi-Fi on the school bus for ... doing homework ... or watching TikToks?
Now here we go with Friday's news.
Biden to ask Congress for more support to Ukraine and Israel amid wars
The president has made his case for the U.S. backing Israel and Ukraine in their respective wars with Hamas and Russia.
In an address to the public Thursday night, Biden sought to drive home the value of continued U.S. support for the close allies to a war-weary public less than a day after his visit Israel to meet with the country's prime minister.
''Why does this matter to America'': The U.S. president said it is vital to America's national security to prevent dictators and terrorists from spreading chaos and destruction.
Biden will detail a request to Congress on Friday to pay for more weapons for Ukraine, buy new equipment for the American military to replace what it has sent Kyiv and replenish the Iron Dome air defense system that protects Israel.
The latest in the conflict: An explosion at a Greek Orthodox church last Thursday in Gaza City where displaced Palestinians were taking refuge came after a blast earlier this week that rocked the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital. According to a preliminary U.S. intelligence analysis, the hospital death toll was on the "low end" of 100 to 300.
Here's more from USA TODAY on the Israel and Hamas war. You can sign up for our weekday briefing on the conflict here:
Israels and Palestinians are struggling to bury their dead.
Gaza's dwindling water and electricity supply could turn hospitals into ''morgues.''
Violence and bigotry toward Palestinian Americans is spiking across the U.S.
When your social media posts about the war hurt more than help.
Jim Jordan vows to stay in speaker's race
Lawmakers looked like they were coming close to a deal after Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, backed a plan empowering Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., as speaker until January to get the House moving again. McHenry has already been serving as an interim speaker with limited powers, and Jordan has lost two speaker elections on the House floor. But after an hours-long, closed-door meeting, House Republicans appeared to reject the plan, putting the lower chamber − and the nation − back at square one. But Jordan vowed not to give up his bid for the speakership. Read more
Wait — who is Patrick McHenry?
Is it possible division over House speaker could affect the GOP in 2024?
More news to know now
An American journalist was detained in Russia for failing to register as a foreign agent.
An NYC woman is in critical condition after a man shoved into a moving subway train.
Democrats denounced Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's razor wire along the New Mexico-Texas border.
Black women lead way for a FDA chemical hair straightener ban.
For subscribers: After coma, this Texas student didn't know lupus ran in her family.
On today's 5 Things podcast, a look at a man who links Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
Sidney Powell pleads guilty in Georgia election conspiracy case
A second co-defendant with Donald Trump in the Georgia election conspiracy case, Sidney Powell, pleaded guilty Thursday to a half-dozen misdemeanors dealing with a conspiracy to interfere in the 2020 election. Powell, an election lawyer who baselessly claimed widespread election fraud in 2020, had been charged with racketeering and six other counts as part of a wide-ranging scheme to overturn the election so Trump could remain in power. Powell is the second co-defendant to plead guilty in the case, after Scott Hall. Read more
Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley are battling to be the main alternative to Donald Trump.
Trump has found a new place for his 2024 campaign: The courthouse.
Hollywood actors strike nears 100th day
There is no end in sight for film and TV actors who are striking in what has become the longest work stoppage in the industry's history. The strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists hits its 100th day on Saturday, while writers are busy back at work after ending their strike. Negotiations unraveled earlier this month, when studios said discrepancies with actors' demands were too significant to find common ground. The actors union decried their opponents’ “bullying tactics” and said they were wildly mischaracterizing their offers. The prolonged strike means films and TV shows will remain sidelined indefinitely, as buzzy films like "Killers of the Flower Moon" hit theaters. Read more
An Osage actor brought family connections to ''Killers of the Flower Moon.''
Starbucks and its union filed dueling lawsuits over pro-Palestine social media posts.
''Priscilla'' LA premiere canceled as celebrities react to the Israel and Hamas war.
Quick hits
Jacksonville hung on against New Orleans in Thursday Night Football.
A steamy tub affair was a highlight on ''The Golden Bachelor.''
Shop early Way Day deals now.
Britney Spears' abortion comments spark talk about men's role in reproductive health care.
A controversial Diamondbacks pitching change stunned at a crucial NLCS game.
Winter is expected to be unusually warm this year
Ready or not, winter is coming − but how bad is it going to be? Federal forecasters from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center gave us their answer Thursday in an annual winter outlook. NOAA said the U.S. winter of 2023-24 will probably be dominated by the effects of what could be a powerful El Niño. That means a mild, dry winter is likely on tap for much of the northern tier of the U.S., while the southeastern U.S. should see a wetter-than-average winter. Read more
Greenland's melting ice could ruin the Earth's coastal cities.
Tropical disease is now endemic in the U.S. And it's coming via dogs.
Photo of the day: Rolling Stones and Lady Gaga belt at 'Hackney Diamonds' debut
The Rolling Stone's latest album, “Hackney Diamonds,” their first new material since 2005’s “A Bigger Bang,” arrived Friday. Hours before the clock struck midnight, the legendary rock band rooted by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards roared through a seven-song set that blurred the lines between vintage and fresh – featuring a kinetic Lady Gaga as a surprise guest. Read more
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: Aid to Israel and Ukraine, Jim Jordan House Speaker vote, Sidney Powell pleads guilty, Hollywood strike, Rolling Stones: Daily Briefing
