Under pressure

The Ukrainian soldiers who told off a Russian warship may still be alive. It's Monday's news. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Short List   Monday, February 28 Under pressure The Ukrainian soldiers who told off a Russian warship may still be alive. It's Monday's news. Pressure builds against Russia as its forces edge closer to Ukraine's capital city. A climate change report from a U.N. panel outlines a grim future for the planet. And turns out RV life is not for everyone. 👋 It's Laura. It's Monday, which means I've got Monday's news – just for you! But first, cheater cheater, pumpkin eater! 🤓 The "MSAT" test by the artist collective MSCHF offers a cash prize for the best score on its SAT-inspired online test. And cheating is allowed. The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here. Support for Ukraine builds as Russia edges closer to Kyiv Countries tightened the vise around Russia's economy on Monday,  announcing new sanctions on its central bank and individuals, and Switzerland has broken its neutral stance to join the European Union in its actions. The moves came as Ukrainian and Russian delegations met at the Belarusian border for their first direct talks since Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office said it would demand an immediate cease-fire. In response to Russia's invasion, the U.N. was meeting in two separate forums: The General Assembly gathered for only its 11th emergency meeting, and the 15-member Security Council came together again to discuss the crisis. Battered by global sanctions, Russia's Central Bank dramatically increased interest rates to try to slow the ruble's plunge. Russia's conventional military assault on Ukraine moved toward the end of its fourth day with fighting in the streets of the country's second-largest city, Kharkiv, and troops moving closer to the capital, Kyiv. The latest updates. • Airbnb nonprofit to offer free housing to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. • 'We left Dad in Kiev': Families say goodbye as Ukrainians fight to save their home. • Thousands of Russian anti-war protesters arrested: What are the freedom of speech laws in Russia? Protesters rally in Barcelona, Spain, after Russia's Vladimir Putin ordered his military to advance on Ukraine. PAU BARRENA, AFP via Getty Images Are Snake Island soldiers alive? A group of Ukrainian soldiers who garnered worldwide attention after telling a Russian warship to "Go f--- yourself" may be alive, according to Ukrainian officials.  The soldiers on Snake Island, a small island in the Black Sea, rose to fame last week after a Russian warship asked them to surrender or be bombed, according to a tweet from the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia. Ukrainian officials said last week that all 13 of the soldiers were killed. But the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said in a statement that the soldiers may have been captured by Russian forces and were still alive.  • Fact check roundup: What's true and what's false about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. • Doctor's message after hospital staff unable to save Ukrainian girl: 'Show this to Putin.' • The news comes to you: Get the latest updates on the situation in Ukraine. Sign up here. What everyone's talking about • 🇺🇸 President Biden's first State of the Union address is Tuesday. Here's how to watch. • 'Modern-day Winston Churchill': What to know about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. • Jake Gyllenhaal knows cyberbullying all too well. But are stars responsible for toxic fan behavior? • Sexual abuse rocked their church. Though their families weren't victims, they bear scars. • Why are Easter and Passover so late in 2022? Blame the moon and a cacophony of calendars. 💌 The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.  'Parts of the planet will become uninhabitable' Life in some locations on the planet is rapidly reaching the point where it will be too hot for the species that live there to survive, international climate experts said in a report Monday.  "With climate change, some parts of the planet will become uninhabitable," said German scientist Hans-Otto Pörtner, co-chair of Working Group II for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which produced the report released in Berlin. The report assesses scientific literature documenting the devastating effects of human-caused climate change on society and ecosystems worldwide. The group studied the vulnerability of people and ecosystems to the changing climate and how adaptation could help reduce the risks, said Pörtner and co-chair Deborah Roberts of South Africa.  • Supreme Court wrestles with EPA authority to regulate carbon in major climate dispute. • As Hawaii declares climate crisis, schools hope Indigenous knowledge will save the islands. Kayakers paddle down a portion of Interstate 676 after flooding from heavy rains from hurricane Ida in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 2, 2021. Flash flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida killed at least 44 people in four northeastern US states one night, including several who perished in basements during the historic weather event officials blamed on climate change. BRANDEN EASTWOOD, AFP via Getty Images RV sales surged amid COVID, and not everyone is thrilled It didn't take long for Karin Smith to realize the RV life was not for her.  The Jupiter, Florida, resident and single mom bought a 1995 Fleetwood Bounder in January 2021, hoping for peace of mind amid skyrocketing rent and a way to see America with her son. But owning an RV was more complicated than she thought. "It just started to feel like a money pit," she said. "I really started thinking about things like: Is this safe? What would I do with Wi-Fi? I work remotely; do I work listening to neighbors argue or 14 people having a party next door for two days? It all just fell apart." She ended up selling the RV six months after she bought it. She never got behind the wheel. Smith is just one of many Americans who became RV owners during the pandemic. Many are happy with their purchase and sales show no sign of slowing, but some owners note that rising travel costs and growing crowds have made RV travel more difficult. Rising prices play a large role. It's not just gas – which is definitely taking a hit on his wallet with the national average for diesel at nearly $4 a gallon – but basics like campground spots and RVs themselves. More RV owners reflect on their pandemic buys. • Planning RV travel for the first time? 8 tips newbies should know before their first trip. Karin Smith's RV, which was sold off roughly six months after she bought it. Karin Smith Real quick • Dictionary.com jabs Republican lawmaker's tweet criticizing 'millennial leftists.' • Derek Jeter steps down as Marlins CEO after five years. • Supreme Court takes up battle over adoption of Native American children. • Target plans to open 250 more Ulta Beauty shops in its stores this year. 'Atmospheric river' slams Pacific Northwest An "extreme" atmospheric river was barreling into the Pacific Northwest on Monday, and with it will come the threat of flooding and avalanches,  forecasters say. Meteorologists said rainfall amounts will range from 2 to 4 inches early this week from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, and locally higher amounts are possible on the windward sides of the mountains through Wednesday. A flood watch is in effect for more than 5 million people in Washington and Oregon, the National Weather Service said, including the Seattle and Tacoma metro areas. An avalanche warning is also in effect for the mountains of Washington, and "very dangerous avalanche conditions" are expected, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center in Seattle. The foul weather is courtesy of an "atmospheric river,"  a ribbon of water vapor that can extend thousands of miles from the tropics to the western U.S. At 250 to 375 miles wide, the river of moisture provides the fuel for massive rain and snowstorms that can cause flooding along the West Coast.  • What is an 'atmospheric river'? These rivers of water vapor can extend thousands of miles. Days after record rainfall fell across the Northwest, an atmospheric river is bringing heavy rain and snow will return, bringing renewed flood risks with it. ACWT A break from the news • 🍿 Ready, set, binge: 50 best TV shows to watch on Netflix in March. • 💰 Should you itemize your taxes or take the standard deduction? • 👰 SIL-zilla: My future sister-in-law paid for my wedding dress as a gift. Now, she wants her money back. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here. MORE ARTICLES Experts respond to UN climate report on grave and mounting threat 5 Texas DAs defy governor's order on trans youth 5 things you need to know Monday Anti-War rally in Russia leads to detainments   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

The Daily Money: Russia-Ukraine war has politicized vodka

Today's top stories from USA TODAY Money. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Daily Money ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW   Monday, February 28 Subscribe to The Daily Money newsletter. Come for our roundup of each day's top stories from USA TODAY Money. Stay for the pop-culture references and financial news-inspired playlist. Welcome to another work week, Daily Money readers. Jayme Deerwester, here with you on the last day of February. 🗞 News you should know 🗞 This weekend, the governors of Texas, Ohio and New Hampshire ordered state retailers to remove Russian spirits from their shelves, joining in on a trend of Americans targeting vodka, a quintessentially Russian liquor, to protest Russia's war in Ukraine. But data shows these protests should only affect a tiny fraction of all U.S. vodka imports. Only 1.2% of U.S. vodka imports come from Russia, according to data from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States for the first half of 2021. Vodka is the only spirit listed as a Russian import in the report. But the most popular vodkas in the U.S. – including Smirnoff, Ciroc, Tito's, Absolut, Svedka, Grey Goose, SKYY and New Amsterdam – are not made in Russia. They are made in Sweden, France, the U.K. and the U.S.  Brands that are impacted include Russian Standard, Hammer and Sickle, Kutskova and Stolichnaya. That last name, commonly shortened to Stoli, is a historically Russian brand that uses some ingredients from Russia, but nearly all the Stoli sold in the West comes from Latvia, a NATO member. 🚨 More stories you shouldn't miss 🚨 UKRAINE AND YOUR ENERGY BILL:  How will the Russia and Ukraine conflict impact gas prices for consumers? FIRST COVID, NOW A LOCKOUT:  MLB labor dispute latest blow for spring training businesses 'THE SHINE CAME OFF ONCE I BOUGHT IT':  RV owners reflect on their pandemic buys. RETIREMENT PLANNING:  How to use 401(k) to maximize Social Security benefits in retirement STARTER HOMES:  Why they're still a good idea even if you can afford more. 💡 Daily insight 💡 While some retailers fail to support Black lives, there is a growing trend of shopping groups on social media created for and by Black women propelling social change. For them, shopping isn't just about products. It's about community building, bonding over buying and, sometimes, encouraging multi-generational Black wealth. But it's important to them that the brands they support foster relationships instead of just quietly taking their money. One brand that's getting the balance right, they say, is Target. "They've really been a frontrunner in establishing and honoring Black excellence and Black creativity," says Sharla Horton-Williams, who started the Black Girls in Target Facebook group. It has grown to 21,000 members. Gloria Delgadillo, part of Target's communications team, says that, "At Target, our goal is to create a shopping experience where all guests feel welcomed and represented, and we've made commitments to ensure Black guests see themselves represented, from the merchandise we offer to our marketing efforts and more." 💵 All taxes, all the time💵 Filing a tax return can be a quick process, or a time-consuming one. Often, the amount of time you'll spend working on your taxes will hinge on whether you claim the standard deduction on your return versus itemizing. Before we discuss how to make that call, let's quickly review what a tax deduction is in the first place. A tax deduction exempts a portion of your income from taxes. It's different from a tax credit, which is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax liability. The standard deduction is set by the IRS and tends to change from year to year. It's also different for each specific filing status. In 2021, the standard deduction looks like this: • $12,550 for single tax filers and married couples filing separately • $18,800 for heads of household • $25,100 for married couples filing jointly To see if you should claim the standard deduction versus itemize on your 2021 tax return, you'll need to add up your allowable deductions and see if they exceed your standard deduction. If they do, then itemizing makes sense. If your standard deduction is higher, that's what you should claim. If you're looking at breaking even, you might as well stick with the standard deduction, since it'll be less work. 🎶 Mood music 🎶 Today's lyric, inspired by our Black women's shopping groups story, comes from Secrett's "Melanin": "Yea, we some bosses. You ain't strong enough, count ya losses. If you coming, better come correct. Talkin' T's crossed eyes dotted (dotted). Yea we don't play that. We be starting trends and they take that." LISTEN WHILE YOU WORK: Remember, you can listen to this song and every track I've quoted in the newsletter in the Daily Money Mood Music playlist on Spotify. Ditching vodka to protest Russia? That brand probably isn't Russian. The most popular vodkas in the U.S. — including Smirnoff, Ciroc, Tito's, Absolut, Svedka, Grey Goose, SKYY and New Amsterdam — are not made in Russia. Markets open lower, oil prices rise as Russian ruble hits record low What does Ukraine invasion mean for energy bills? Airbnb nonprofit to host up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees Black women find community in Costco and Target online shopping groups 'A financial inconvenience': RV owners reflect on their pandemic buy Businesses fear spring training washout amid MLB's labor dispute Why you should still buy a starter home even if you can afford more Should you itemize your taxes or take a standard deduction? The Daily Money: Ready or not, it's tax season. We're here to help   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? 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