The Short List

Wed Jul 24 2024

Laura L. Davis | Audience Editor

@lauradavis

Amid protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech to Congress. The FBI revealed more about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. And the Winter Olympics are headed back to the USA.

👋Hey, there! Laura Davis here. We've made it to Wednesday! Now, let's get you caught up with the news.

🌌 But first: Some out-of-this-world pictures! NASA releases eye-popping, never-before-seen images of nebulae, galaxies in space.

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Netanyahu addresses Congress, with protests nearby

As his nation battles against Hamas in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of Congress, laying out the ongoing threats in the region – and criticizing his Democratic critics in Washington and pro-Palestinian protesters across the U.S.

Not exactly a warm welcome: Scores of Democratic lawmakers skipped his address in protest of Netanyahu's leadership in the war, which has left almost 40,000 Palestinian civilians dead.

Outside the building: A crowd chanting "free Palestine" and "Netanyahu you can't hide" gathered outside the Capitol building to protest the visit and discourage Congress from further funding Israel's war in Gaza. As the demonstration grew and officers claimed they encountered violent behavior, Capitol Police deployed pepper spray on some of the protesters.

🗣️ Here's everything that happened during Netanyahu's visit, speech.

Protestors gather to rally against Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, as he is addresses the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC.

Megan Smith, USA TODAY

Trump shooter searched JFK assassination, FBI director says

Revealing details for the first time, FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed Wednesday that the gunman who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump searched for the distance between President John F. Kennedy and his assassin when he was shot. Wray also said the shooter at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, this month flew a drone over the area two hours before the campaign speech and had two "relatively crude" explosives in his car. On July 6, the shooter registered for the July 13 rally – the same day as he Google searched about Lee Harvey Oswald. 🔍 More revelations from the FBI.

•	Despite GOP claims, the shooter's motive doesn't look partisan so far.

FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed Wednesday that the AR-style rifle the shooter used had a collapsible stock, which he said may help explain how no one saw the man carrying the gun.

Nathan Howard, REUTERS

Real quick

•	Birthday dinner drama: Would you order fajitas or are you a good friend?
•	Poisoning dangers: Lead paint is just the beginning.
•	Basic income study: How far does $1,000 a month go?
•	It's a taco-shaped fossil unlike any we've seen before.
•	All the revelations from 'Dirty Pop,' Netflix's new Lou Pearlman doc.
•	Polyamory, pregnancy and what happens when a baby enters the picture.

Support the Short List and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Fact-checking the presidential race, as Harris steps in

Kamala Harris was not born in Canada. President Joe Biden is still the president. The flag at the U.S. Capitol was lowered to half-staff after the death of Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on July 19. Several significant political developments have happened recently – and the misinformation stream has been flowing at full force. As Harris suddenly stepped into the role of presidential candidate, the facts competed with a growing amount of disinformation about everything from Harris' work on the U.S. border to Biden's status as president. 👀 We've rounded up the facts.

•	Harris's campaign raises $126 million in three days.
•	Trump wants to attack Harris – but he'll also have to defend himself.
•	Swifties lash out at JD Vance over 'childless cat ladies' comment.

📺 Addressing the nation: President Joe Biden will speak to the nation at 8 p.m. on Wednesday from the Oval Office. How to watch.

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race but did not resign from office.

Elizabeth Frantz, REUTERS

The Winter Olympics are returning to Utah

The Winter Olympics are officially returning to the United States. More specifically, the Games are coming back to Utah. International Olympic Committee members voted Wednesday to formally award the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, making Utah's capital a repeat Olympic host more than three decades after it served as the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It will be the fifth time the U.S. has hosted the Winter Games. ❄️ Here's everything we know.

A break from the news

•	🖼️ Don't wanna leave the house? Explore museums from anywhere.
•	🏡 Why owning a home in retirement may not be such a good idea.
•	🐻 Watch: Tussle between bear siblings caught on trail camera.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

A baffling, dangerous explosion in Yellowstone: What happened?

Hydrothermal explosions are "one of the most important and least understood geologic hazards," Lisa Morgan, an emeritus USGS research geologist wrote.

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