The Short List

Sat Feb 24 2024

John Riley | Audience Editor

Ukraine today marks two years since the start of Russia's devastating invasion. A Mexican drug cartel is using a timeshare scheme to steal millions from Americans. And younger Baby Boomers are feeling the pressure as retirement age nears.

👋Good morning! John Riley here again with The Short List weekend edition✨, home to some of the best stories of the week from USA TODAY. It was quite a week for news, so let's get right to it.

But first: Can Haley hang on? Today's South Carolina primary could be Republican Nikki Haley's last chance to save her ailing presidential run against frontrunner Donald Trump. Follow USA TODAY tonight for the latest news and results.

Weary Ukraine fights on, two years after Russian invasion

🔵Two years into its brutal struggle, Ukraine has weathered Russia's onslaught − at a cost of tens of thousands of lives. But some experts warn that Ukraine's future as a nation looks bleak. "Russia is playing the long game, and Ukraine is fighting for its continued existence," said Mary Kate Schneider, director of global studies at Loyola University Maryland. Read more

•	Before and after: Photos show devastation from two years of war
•	Ukraine war fact check: What's true and false
•	Trump threatens NATO: 'No, I would not protect you'

Thousands of Americans duped by Mexican timeshare scam

⚠️ Over the last decade, thousands of Americans — many of them elderly ― have fallen prey to a timeshare fraud scheme by one of Mexico's most violent cartels, a U.S. government investigation found. Operating more than two dozen call centers, the cartel has built a business venture that now rivals drug trafficking in its profitability. Read more

•	FBI warns of timeshare fraud: CJNG scam takes deadly turn

Beware, 'Beatlemania boomers': Your retirement may be at risk

💵The youngest baby boomers, born in the era that spawned Beatlemania (1960-65), have less retirement wealth and much less retirement savings than older boomers, a new report finds. Why? Blame the Great Recession from late 2007 through mid-2009, which hit when late boomers were in their top earning years. Read more