promoearn: The queen rules on 'Megxit'

Monday, January 13

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the State Opening of Parliament in the Houses of Parliament in London on Oct. 14, 2019.

Queen Elizabeth is "supportive" of Prince Harry and Meghan's plan. Astros fire manager, GM after MLB's cheating investigation. It's Monday's news.

Queen Elizabeth breaks her silence on "Megxit." Thousands flee a rumbling volcano. And a cheating scandal rocks MLB.

It's Ashley with the latest news to know.

But first, *slow claps* for a job well done: Diego the tortoise legit saved his species from extinction thanks to his sexual escapades. He's now the proud father of hundreds. 🐢

The Short List newsletter is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe here!

Listen up, haters: The queen has spoken

Queen Elizabeth II said she is "entirely supportive" of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's decision to step away from senior royal duties. The queen gave her grandson and his wife her backing Monday, saying, "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family." Prince Harry, his brother, Prince William, and his father, Prince Charles, joined the queen Monday for a "royal summit" to address the turmoil after the couple dropped their bombshell announcement with little warning. The queen promised that "final decisions" will be reached in coming days, according to a statement.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, pictured on Oct. 3, 2018 in Peacehaven, United Kingdom.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

30,000 flee lava and ash in the Philippines

Lava, ash, thunder and lightning spewed from the Taal Volcano in the Philippines on Monday as thousands of residents fled the region along roads choked by cars and ominous darkness. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that a "hazardous explosive eruption" was possible within hours to days. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered families in nearby communities to evacuate to safer ground, a process made difficult by the poor visibility and, for many, a lack of transportation. Hundreds of thousands of people may flee the region, officials said. Officials warned that the "worst-case scenario" for Taal could be similar to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo that killed 800 people and rendered 200,000 homeless in 1991.

Lightning strikes as a column of ash surrounds the crater of Taal Volcano as it erupts on Jan. 12, 2020 as seen from Tagaytay city, Cavite province, Philippines.

Ezra Acayan, Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

•	A father of four who worked as a chemist is accused of cannibalizing his Grindr date.
•	You'd never guess who was called as a prospective juror in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes trial? Gigi Hadid.
•	A billionaire entrepreneur looks for what money can't buy: love. Yusaku Maezawa is taking applications for a "life partner" for his trip around the moon.
•	Burger King was condemned by a conservative "moms" group for using "the d-word" in an ad campaign. Damn.
•	Abby Huntsman is leaving "The View."

Once a cheat, always a cheat? MLB isn't taking any chances

Major League Baseball dealt the most severe punishment against a team in its history Monday by suspending Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch in a cheating scandal. Then Astros owner Jim Crane dropped another bombshell: He fired them. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Luhnow and Hinch for a year for their role in using electronic equipment to steal signs. He fined the organization $5 million and stripped them of first- and second-round draft picks in 2020-2021. Crane said his decision to fire the pair was made after MLB released the findings from the sign-stealing investigation.

The shooting at Pensacola Navy base was an 'act of terrorism'

A shooting by a Saudi pilot on a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, in December was an act of terrorism motivated by "jihadist ideology," Attorney General William Barr said Monday. The Justice Department's findings were announced about a month after the Saudi pilot fired on service members at Naval Air Station Pensacola, killing three Americans and injuring eight before a deputy fatally shot him. Investigators found that on Sept. 11 last year, the shooter posted on social media that "the countdown has begun." He visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City over Thanksgiving weekend, and he posted "anti-American, anti-Israeli and jihadi messages" on social media two hours before the attack, Barr said.

Oscar nominations: 'Joker' leads with 11 nods, including best picture

The highly anticipated 2020 Oscar nominees were announced Monday, and "Joker" scored big with 11 nominations, including best picture and best actor for Joaquin Phoenix. "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," "1917" and "The Irishman" each scored 10 nods. But here's what you really want to know: Which contenders were snubbed from Academy Award glory? Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong'o and Robert De Niro, for starters. Regardless, winners will be announced during the 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony Feb. 9 (ABC, 8 p.m. ET/5 PT).

•	Why do snubs for women and people of color keep happening?

Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes the arch-villain by the end of "Joker."

NIKO TAVERNISE/WARNER BROS.

Real quick

•	Eight people were rushed to hospitals in Colorado Springs after a man went on a stabbing rampage.
•	The Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to a law barring women from going topless in public.
•	The shooters in the deadly Jersey City attack had "greater acts of mayhem" planned, authorities say.
•	Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced the tech giant is donating to Australia's wildfire relief efforts, but many critics say it's not enough.

And then there were 15 in the presidential race

Sen. Cory Booker dropped out of the 2020 race for the White House. The senator from New Jersey announced his decision Monday, citing a lack of fundraising. The slate of 2020 presidential candidates remains crowded – 12 Democrats and three Republicans, including President Donald Trump. We still have a long way to go until the general election Nov. 3, when voters will determine who will hold the Oval Office for the next four years. Speaking of elections: Today's a great day to register to vote.

•	Who's still running for president in 2020? Check out our interactive guide.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J, gestures as he arrives to participate in the first Democratic debate in Miami on June 26, 2019.

Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

A break from the news

•	Still committed to those New Year's resolutions? (I believe in you.) Here are 4 fun savings challenges for 2020.
•	Tiger Woods' 10-year-old son has a beautiful golf swing.
•	The 5 best Amazon deals you can get Monday.