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U.S. air defenses at a remote military outpost in Jordan failed to stop a deadly drone attack yesterday because it arrived at the same time that an American drone was returning to base, American officials said.
Three U.S. service members died in the strike, the first known American military deaths in the conflict that has spilled over from the Israel-Hamas war. The Pentagon identified the dead soldiers as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46; Spec. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24; and Spec. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23.
The returning American craft prompted confusion over whether the hostile drone — which U.S. officials said had the “footprints of Kataib Hezbollah,” an Iran-affiliated group in Iraq — was friendly, and air defenses were not immediately activated. The drone landed near the living quarters of Tower 22, an American resupply base in northeast Jordan near Syria and Iraq. Two other nearby attack drones were shot down.
President Biden, who has vowed to retaliate, could order strikes on Iran’s proxy forces, a major escalation of the attacks he has already conducted in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. But those strikes haven’t deterred the militias.
The future of the U.N.’s largest Gaza agency is in doubt
More than a dozen countries, including the U.S., have halted donations to the U.N. aid agency in Gaza after Israel accused its employees of participating in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks. Israel has presented intelligence to the U.S. detailing the allegations, including that one worker kidnapped a woman and another took part in a massacre at a kibbutz.
The U.N. is investigating the accusations. But Israeli officials, many of whom have long accused UNRWA of being influenced by Hamas, are debating whether they miscalculated in sharing the evidence. The agency warned that without renewed funding its operations could cease by the end of February, leaving a vacuum in the distribution of food and aid — a role some Israeli security chiefs do not want to have to fill.
Biden wants the election to be all about Trump
More than nine months from Election Day, President Biden and Donald Trump are framing their general election pitches. Biden has sent two trusted White House operatives to run what is set to be one of the longest races in recent history.
His campaign has drafted wish lists of potential surrogates, including social media influencers and the endorsement of their wildest dreams: Taylor Swift. Biden is making an extraordinary gamble, betting that Trump remains such an animating force that Biden can turn the 2024 election into a referendum on his predecessor.
Hollywood is cutting back. But streaming is up.
In 2023, Americans spent 21 percent more time streaming television shows and movies from their television sets than they did in the previous year, according to Nielsen. With all that extra time, viewers tuned in to a lot of reruns.
Topping the list was “Suits,” the USA Network’s legal procedural that aired from 2011 to 2019. With 57.7 billion minutes of viewing time last year, the unexpected hit became the most streamed show on television in a single year, according to Nielsen. Another popular rerun: “Friends,” with 25 billion minutes.
Just two teams remain
The Super Bowl LVIII showdown in Las Vegas is now set, after the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens were eliminated last night. In less than two weeks, the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs will defend their crown against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of the 2020 title game.
For the 49ers, it is a chance to win their sixth Super Bowl, which would tie them with the Patriots and Steelers for the most. The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in two decades to win two straight titles, laying claim to a genuine dynasty.
Part gas station, part local hot spot
Many gas stations in the South — particularly those run by immigrants — are known as much for their food as their fuel. Customers can pick up samosas and shotgun shells, or a garlic-butter shrimp banh mi with a lottery ticket and a full tank. A photojournalist whose favorite childhood restaurants also pumped gas documented them in a new book.
“These places hold great mystery,” Kate Medley, the photographer, said. “You’re rolling down the road and they catch your visual attention. Then you wonder what’s behind that glass door when you hear that little bell ring.”
Have a delectable evening.
Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew
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