The Evening: A deadly drone mix-up

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

January 29, 2024

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 image shows a base from above and the surrounding terrain.
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.

The courtyard of a school. Children and adults are seen, along with a small child on a bike. Colorful fabric hangs from the building's balconies above the courtyard.
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 shown in profile speaking at a lectern.
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.

A group of buildings, with scaffolding and cranes on top of them.
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

TIME TO UNWIND

Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle sit beside each other at a conference room table. An open laptop sits on the table in front of them.
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.

A man in a suit sits with his arm around the waist of a woman in a black dress. They are in a nightclub with four glasses of champagne on the table in front of them.
Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco as Henry and Karen Hill in "Goodfellas." Warner Brothers

Dinner table topics

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WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

A cast-iron skillet containing a cheesy broccoli casserole with browned breadcrumbs on top.
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.

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ONE LAST THING

A man stands staring off into the distance in front of a one-story brick building with a mural on the side that says
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.

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Writer: Matthew Cullen

Editorial Director: Adam Pasick

Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe

Photo Editor: Brent Lewis

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