1
Five former Memphis officers were charged with murder yesterday.
- Why? For fatally beating Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, during a traffic stop earlier this month. The officers, who are also black, were fired last week.
- What happened? Bodycam footage showed Nichols being kicked, punched, beaten and tasered, his family’s lawyers said.
- This evening: The images are released publicly. Officials are bracing for protests.
2
Former US presidents were asked yesterday to search for classified documents.
- Why? The National Archives’ request came after papers were found at the homes of President Biden, former Vice President Mike Pence and former President Donald Trump.
- Who has been asked? The list is likely to include Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, and former Vice Presidents Dick Cheney, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle.
- An exception: Former President Jimmy Carter. The law requiring presidents to hand over their documents came into effect after he left office in 1981.
3
Experts still expect an economic slowdown this year.
- The numbers: The US economy grew 2.1% in 2022, according to figures released yesterday, with six months of solid growth through the end of the year.
- That’s good news, but not the full picture: Rate hikes – designed to lower prices by cooling the economy – have not yet had their full effect, experts say. Another rate hike is expected next week.
4
Israeli forces carried out a deadly attack on a Palestinian town yesterday.
- What to know: Nine people were killed in the city of Jenin, Palestinian officials said. It was one of the deadliest operations in the occupied West Bank in nearly two decades.
- The bigger picture: The raid has raised fears of more violence. Israel is struggling to contain a growing insurgency led by young Palestinians.
5
Blood donation rules for gay and bisexual men are relaxed.
We’ll know who’s going to the Super Bowl on Sunday.
A new study identified ways to slow memory loss and lower the risk of dementia.