The Evening: A deadly drone mix-up

Also, China's troubled property giant will be dismantled.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 29, 2024 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Monday. A deadly drone mix-up Biden's plan for re-election Plus, "Suits" tops the streaming charts A satellite photo shows Tower 22 in northeast Jordan, last year. Planet Labs PBC/Associated Press A drone mix-up was cited in the deaths of 3 U.S. troops 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. He could also go after Iranian suppliers of drones and missiles, perhaps even inside the country's territory. But that could open another front in the war, with a far more powerful adversary. My colleague David Sanger reported on Biden's options. A school affiliated with UNRWA in Khan Younis, Gaza, in October. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times 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. In related news, a U.N. team arrived in Israel to examine reports of sexual violence during the Oct. 7 attack. President Biden in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday. Kenny Holston/The New York Times 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. Evergrande Mansions in Guangdong, China. Gilles Sabrié for The New York Times China's troubled property giant will be dismantled Evergrande, which was once China's biggest real estate firm and is now over $300 billion in debt, was ordered today by a judge in Hong Kong to liquidate. Valuable assets may be off limits because property in China has become intertwined with politics. Whether creditor rights are respected, one restructuring specialist said, "will have long-term implications for investment into China." More top news Russia: Amid crumbling U.S. support for Ukraine, European nations and NATO are making plans to take on Russia by themselves. Business: Walmart, the nation's largest private employer, is raising salaries and offering stock grants for store managers as it looks to retain them. Education: Professors at the University of Pennsylvania have begun to organize against what they view as a plan by a billionaire to upend academic freedom. Court: A former I.R.S. contractor accused of leaking the tax documents on Donald Trump and other wealthy Americans was sentenced to five years in prison. South Africa: The governing African National Congress moved to kick out former President Jacob Zuma, punishing him for endorsing a rival party. Weather: A substantial atmospheric river is expected to bring excessive rain and mountain snow to the West this week. Health: Teenagers who use cannabis, alcohol and nicotine are more likely to have underlying psychiatric symptoms, new research found. Law: Alex Murdaugh, the South Carolina lawyer convicted of murdering his wife and son, may get a new trial. Canada: A former National Hockey League player has been charged with sexual assault, and four more players are expected to turn themselves in to the police. Sports: Kamila Valieva, the Russian figure skater whose positive drug test roiled the 2022 Olympics, was issued a four-year ban. TIME TO UNWIND Patrick Adams and Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, in "Suits."  Christos Kalohoridis/USA Network, via Everett Collection 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. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs after winning the A.F.C. Championship yesterday. Matt Slocum/Associated Press 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. Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco as Henry and Karen Hill in "Goodfellas." Warner Brothers Dinner table topics Mob wife aesthetic: It's a social media fashion trend that focuses on conspicuous signifiers of wealth earned outside the rule of law. Gordon Ramsay isn't leaving: Reality TV's most enduring antihero still reigns supreme. How long can he keep it up? Edibles vs. smoking: The health risks of cannabis depend in part on how you use the drug. A reader asked: As someone who hates kids, do I have to make nice with my nephew? Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT WHAT TO DO TONIGHT Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist. Mariana Velásquez. Cook: This chicken broccoli rice casserole recipe is streamlined for weeknight ease. Watch: "All-Time High" is one of the best action movies to stream right now. Read: In Sheila Heti's new book, she presents 10 years of diaries in an unorthodox arrangement. Take stock: It's a good time to review your retirement plan. Here's how to start. Style: Our fashion critic says a classic button-up is a good option when you're losing weight. Prepare: Wirecutter picked out 26 of the best inexpensive Valentine's Day gifts. Compete: Take this week's Flashback history quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ONE LAST THING Starch Down in Prichard, Ala., is known for the Stupid Fry — fries topped with chicken, ranch dressing, honey mustard, onions, bell peppers and hot sauce. Kate Medley 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 We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story Writer: Matthew Cullen Editorial Director: Adam Pasick Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe Photo Editor: Brent Lewis Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Evening, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018