Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
Get the news
Log In or Subscribe to skip
53 1 [h=6]Share This Story![/h]Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about
[h=4]The Short List: Self-driving cars; 'Racial Thursdays,' Netanyahu's flip-flop[/h]Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed on Tesla, "Racial Thursdays" and Benjamin Netanyahu's flip-flop on Palestine.
{# #}
[h=4]Sent![/h]A link has been sent to your friend's email address.
[h=4]Posted![/h]A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
[h=6]Join the Nation's Conversation[/h]To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs
Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed.(Photo: Erik S. Lesser, epa)
If you're dreaming of your car driving you to work, read on
Autopilot. It's what driving dreams are made of. Tesla announced updates today to its Model S electric car that could lead to a self-driving system within a matter of months. The sedans will get an automatic steering feature that basically allows them to drive themselves on either open highways or on private property. They're currently being tested on a route between San Francisco and Seattle. Tesla isn't alone. Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti offer similar systems that allow their luxury cars to drive themselves on the freeway (though they're not as high-tech as systems under development by others, like Google, that would be able to steer the car in any traffic). Tesla also announced a software update today that will make it "basically impossible" for the battery on your Model S electric car to run out of juice. So now there's no excuse for not going electric (except for the $70,000 starting price tag).
[h=2]UP NEXT[/h][h=2]03[/h]
The German automaker brought its F015 autonomous car to San Francisco this week to showcase self-driving luxury. Reporter Marco della Cava hitched a ride. Chris Wiggins for USA TODAY
What else in #TheShortList:
• Soldiers come forward about Army unit's alleged "Racial Thursdays"
• Two days after his victory, Netanyahu does a reversal on Palestine
• If you want a piece of the Target breach settlement, you better get your paperwork in order
• What if the price of freedom was that you had to vote?
An Army unit allegedly hurled racial slurs at each other every Thursday
On Thursdays we use racial slurs (and on Wednesdays we wear pink?). The Army is investigating allegations by soldiers in an Alaska platoon that the unit leader encouraged them to use racial slurs against each other every Thursday as a way to build morale. They were known as "Racial Thursdays." Two soldiers described the possible hazing to the Army Times and asked that their names not be used to protect their privacy. One of the soldiers said a Hispanic member of the platoon was called demeaning names for an entire day and nearly got into a fight over the slurs. Really feeling the camaraderie.
Stryker vehicles sit in a storage yard at the Port of Anchorage in Alaska, awaiting transport to Fort Wainwright, after a deployment.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: 2007 photo by Al Grillo, AP)
Bibi flip-flops on Palestinian statehood
Before this week's Israeli elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no way he would support the creation of a Palestinian state. Just two days after his party won the most seats and Netanyahu was headed toward his fourth term, he's now changing his tune. "I don't want a one-state solution. I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution," Netanyahu said in an interview today on MSNBC. Netanyahu explained he's committed to Palestinian statehood but said conditions in the region have to improve before a two-state solution can move forward. It was a 180-degree turn from Monday when he said he was opposed to a Palestinian state. Oh, and on Tuesday, when he reiterated the pledge after casting his ballot. His comments earlier this week fueled tension between Netanyahu and the White House (you'll remember President Obama wasn't too jazzed about the Israeli leader speaking to Congress last month without his approval). What do you think about Netanyahu's walk-back? Tweet us using #TheShortList.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks March 18 at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem after his Likud Party's victory in Israel's general election.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Thomas Coex, AFP/Getty Images)
Victims of Target's data breach can get in on the $10 million settlement — but only if they have proof
The good news: Victims of Target's 2013 data breach are entitled to a piece of a $10 million settlement with the retailer. The bad news: They may have a hard time collecting. That's because the burden of proof is on the consumers, who will be asked to submit documentation of loss on a claims form. Target may end up paying out only a small portion of the $10 million because that pot of money is only available to consumers who can demonstrate they had a loss. Victims will be eligible for up to $10,000 each. They have to be able to show that they had a least one of the following: 1) Unauthorized, unreimbursed charges on a credit or debit card. 2) Time spent addressing unauthorized charges. 3) Costs to hire someone to help correct a credit report. 4) Higher interest rate on an account or paid higher interest fees. 5) Loss of access or restricted access to funds. 6) Fees paid on accounts. 7) Credit-related costs, such as credit monitoring or buying credit reports.
[h=2]UP NEXT[/h][h=2]03[/h]
Target says it has offered to pay $10 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought against it following a massive data breach in 2013. The retailer says the funds will be kept in an interest bearing escrow account. The Street
Obama says it might be time for mandatory voting
What if you were forced to vote when election season rolled around? President Obama doesn't think it's a bad idea. Getting more people to vote would "completely change the political map in this country," he said while taking questions at the City Club of Cleveland. He said a mandatory voting law would "counteract money more than anything." Australia has mandatory voting. About two dozen countries have some form of compulsory voting, including Belgium, Brazil and Argentina. It isn't a new concept. Political scientists have mused on the idea of requiring people to vote because of consistently poor turnout in U.S. elections. Critics aren't really sure it's practical. And big picture, others say freedom also means the freedom not to do something.
[h=2]UP NEXT[/h][h=2]03[/h]
President Obama praised compulsory voting Wednesday, mentioning Australia, which fines citizens who don't go to the polls.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook
Stories you're clicking on today:
Judge sends message with sentence in teacher sex case
Food Network death tied to teen who vanished
Gaye's family files 'Blurred Lines' injunction
Jim Boeheim says NCAA got it wrong, plans to appeal
CBS soap reveals character is transgender
Extra Bites
Demons are sort of cute when they smile. More photos in our Day in Pictures gallery.
Tibetan monks dressed as demons attend the Beating Ghost Festival at the Yonghe Temple in Beijing. People believe the festival will expel evil spirits and shake off troubles.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Wang Zhao, AFP/Getty Images)
Have you seen it? Firefighters rescue a dog from a pond in Texas. We love happy endings.
[h=2]UP NEXT[/h][h=2]03[/h]
A small black dog is being called a survivor after he was rescued from a pond by firefighters in DeSoto, Texas. (March 19) AP
One Direction is one man down on its world tour. Zayn Malik is flying home because of stress.
The Pew Research Center came out with an interesting new report today that found many people in developing countries think the Internet has a positive influence on education and a negative influence on morality.
Speaking of morality, Ashley Judd is fighting back against Twitter trolls: "The way things happen on social media is so abusive, and everyone needs to take personal responsibility for what they write, and not allowing this misinterpretation and shaming culture on social media to persist. And by the way, I'm pressing charges."
** So, you know those quotes from Kendall Jenner we told you about yesterday where she was supporting her dad Bruce's transition? Apparently they were made up. Today, Us Weekly conceded the story was, indeed, fabricated.
What else is on our reading list:
Voices: Schock case a reminder of why reporting matters
Deadly bacteria outbreak inflames disinfection concerns
Your official 'Empire' finale cheat sheet: Here's what happened to everyone...
For a daily bit of fluff on your phone, add DISTRACTME on the YO app. We promise you'll have fun.
Want The Short List in your inbox each day? Sign up here.
This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.
Contributing: David Jackson, Marco della Cava, Gregory Korte, Chris Woodyard, Hadley Malcolm, Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY; Michele Chabin, Special for USA TODAY; Michelle Tan, Army Times
0) { %> 0) { %>
0) { %>
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed