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☆ No Attack Detected on Iraq's Al-Harir Air Base Hosting US Forces -Security Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

CAIRO (Reuters) -No attack on the al-Harir air base hosting U.S. forces in northern Iraq was detected on Saturday, three security sources told Reuters, shortly after Islamic Resistance in Iraq militants claimed to have targeted the base. On Friday, the U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's drone attack in northeastern Jordan that killed three U.S. troops. Since the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza began in October, the U.S. military has come under attack at least 100 times in Iraq and Syria, usually with a mix of rockets and one-way attack drones. (Reporting by Timour Azhari and Enas Alashray; editing by Mark Heinrich)Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters.

Persons: Timour Azhari, Mark Heinrich, Thomson Organizations: Reuters, Iraq, U.S ., Revolutionary Guard, Thomson Reuters Locations: CAIRO, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Gaza

☆ In South America, African-Inspired Religions Gain More Followers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Followers of African-based religions are on the rise in South America new data shows, a reflection of how the region's African heritage is gaining a greater voice beyond Brazil where such traditions are widely recognized. Surveys on religious beliefs in Argentina and Uruguay point to a rising number of people who identify with African-inspired faiths. Over 2% of Uruguayans identify as followers of African-inspired faiths like Umbanda. Oral histories and traditions associated with the African-based religions have long been misunderstood or demonized as "witchcraft," she said. "We've made strides in terms of the laws around practicing our religion, that in theory protect against discrimination," she said.

Persons: Lucinda Elliott, Mother Susana Andrade, Mae Susana de Oxum, Sasha Curti, Ramirez, Curti, Candomblé, Yemanjá, WE'VE, Victoria Sotelo, Greta Pena, stigmatization, Andrade, We've, Aurora Ellis, David Gregorio Organizations: Uruguayan, Federation of, University of the, Diaspora, Argentina's National Institute Locations: Candelaria Grimberg MONTEVIDEO, Africa, Federation of Uruguay, South America, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguayan, University of the Republic, Argentine, Paraguay, European Argentina, Candelaria, Buenos Aires

CAIRO (AP) — The U.N. food agency said Friday it has received reports of people dying from starvation in Sudan, where raging fighting between rival generals is hampering the distribution of aid and food supplies to those most hungry. The conflict erupted last April in the capital, Khartoum, and quickly spread to other areas of the country, after months of simmering tensions between the two forces. World Food Program said that some 18 million people across Sudan currently face acute hunger, with the most desperate trapped behind the front lines of the conflict. Photos You Should See View All 45 Images"Life-saving assistance is not reaching those who need it the most, and we are already receiving reports of people dying of starvation,” said Eddie Rowe, WFP's director for Sudan. Burhan and Dagalo are yet to meet in person since the conflict began.

Persons: Abdel Fattah Burhan, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, ”, Eddie Rowe, Burhan Organizations: Sudanese, Rapid Support Forces, Food Program, The United Nations Locations: CAIRO, Sudan, Africa, Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, Gezira, Sudan’s, Saudi Arabia, United States

☆ Heavy snow, rain threaten travel chaos during China’s Lunar New Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Heavy snow and rain is forecast to hit central and eastern China in the coming days, threatening travel plans for hundreds of millions of Chinese workers heading home for the Lunar New Year. However, Xu Jun, chief forecaster from the Central Meteorological Observatory, told CCTV the forecast snowfall won’t be as heavy or widespread as that experienced around the holiday season 16 years ago. “The rain and snow overlap with the peak period of Spring Festival travel. This has posed risks to safe (travel) and brought inconvenience to the transportation,” weather expert Wang Lijuan, from China Meteorological Administration, told CCTV. Xu, from the Central Meteorological Observatory, told CCTV freezing rain could affect many provinces over an area as wide as 43,000 square kilometers (16,600 square miles).

Persons: Xu Jun, Wang Lijuan, Xu Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Central Meteorological Observatory, Meteorological, Festival, China Meteorological Administration, Central Meteorological Locations: Hong Kong, China, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Liaoning, Hubei, Zhengzhou, China's, Xinjiang, Anhui, Weibo, Mohe, Heilongjiang

☆ You may be eating predigested food. Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Aleksandr Zubkov/Moment RF/Getty ImagesBypassing the digestive systemMuch like the regurgitated food mother birds feed their babies in the nest, ultraprocessed food is quick and easy to digest, according to experts. “So the question is, which degree of processing remains compatible with human food system sustainability and global health? Some food processing may be goodHumans have processed food for centuries — the first evidence of fermentation was some 13,000 years ago. Alexander Donin/iStockphoto/Getty ImagesThe ingredients used in many ultraprocessed foods, however, have been subjected to much more than a bit of heat. “The other way I put it is that individuals who are trying to control their weight in today’s food environment are fighting an entire food system on their own.

Persons: starchy, “, ”, Chris van Tulleken, van Tulleken, Aleksandr Zubkov, that’s, didn’t, David Katz, ” Katz, we’ve, ’ you’ve, it’s, Kevin Hall, Hall, ” Hall, Giulia Menichetti, Menichetti, Anthony Fardet, Fardet, ” Fardet, Alexander Donin, Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard, ” Nestle Organizations: CNN, Industry, University College London, BBC, Getty, True Health Initiative, National Institute of Diabetes, Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham, Women’s Hospital, Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, New York University Locations: Europe, United States, Bethesda , Maryland, Boston, Paris

As of early Thursday, a vast roster of popular songs were disappearing from the social media platform's library. The complete removal of UMG-licensed music will likely take a few days — but chances are, avid TikTokers are already seeing the effects. Artists will also not be able to post the audio of their UMG-licensed songs on TikTok. “It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters,” TikTok said. Mall stressed the overall consequences of pulling music from social media platforms like TikTok — particularly for younger developing artists.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Bunny, Drake —, TikTok, UMG, ”, Andrew Mall, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, ” UMG, ” TikTok, we're, “, UMG's Virgin EMI Records Ted Cockle, Cockle, Alexandra J, Roberts, SZA, Drake, Billie Eilish —, Jessica Henig, it's, Henig, Michelle Chapman Organizations: Universal, Group, Associated Press, “ Universal, Northeastern University, UMG, Universal Music, UMG's Virgin EMI Records, Music Management, ”, Associated, Virgin EMI, AP Locations: UMG, New York

Israel's military said Wednesday that its forces killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza over the past day and targeted militant infrastructure in a school. The latest deaths bring the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s offensive to 26,900, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. Here's the latest:150 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN GAZA IN THE PAST 24 HOURS, HEALTH MINISTRY SAYSRAFAH, Gaza Strip — Gaza’s Health Ministry says 150 people have been killed in the last 24 hours and another 313 were wounded. The nearly four-month war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted another 250. The military said Wednesday that its forces killed more than 15 Hamas militants in northern Gaza over the past day and targeted militant infrastructure in a school.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ‘, Biden, Jordan, — Biden, he’s, —, Khan Younis, “, Joe Biden’s, Jordan that’s, Yemen’s Houthi, U.N, Israel ”, Antonio Guterres, Houthi, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Arleigh Burke, Yahya Saree, ” Saree Organizations: Gaza’s Health Ministry, Gaza, Health Ministry, West Bank, MINISTRY, AS BIDEN, U.S . Navy, UN, GENEVA, UNRWA, Israel, World Health Organization, UNICEF, International Organization for Migration, Food, U.S . State Department, EU AIMS, The European Union, ’, SEA, U.S . military’s, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iran, EU, Jordan, israel, GAZA, RAFAH, Hama, Gaza City, Khan, IRAN, JERUSALEM, Islamic Republic, Tehran, The U.S, Syria, Red, U.S, United States, ”, U.N, BRUSSELS, Yemen, Belgium, Germany, Iranian, British

Alina Muller has already accomplished plenty in the 10 years since scoring Switzerland’s bronze-clinching goal to become, at 15, the youngest women’s hockey player to win a medal at a Winter Olympics. Another first comes Thursday when she takes part in the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s 3-on-3 showcase game as part of the NHL’s All-Star weekend festivities in Toronto. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesNHL chief content officer Steve Mayer said the league has liked to use All-Star Weekend as a way to lean into women’s hockey. Like I must have done something right in life,'” said Team King coach and former Canadian national team player Cassie Campbell-Pascall. The team set a pro women’s hockey attendance record with 13,316 turning out for its home-opening 3-0 win over Montreal.

Persons: Alina Muller, Muller, it's, ”, it’ll, — Kendall Coyne, Steve Mayer, ” Mayer, “, Justin Trudeau, Ottawa’s, Mueller, Alex Carpenter, King —, Billie Jean King —, Hilary Knight, Coyne Schofield, Marie, Philip Poulin, Kloss —, Ilana Kloss —, Carpenter, Taylor Heise, Sarah Nurse, Brianne Jenner, Cassie Campbell, there’s, ” What’s, Pascall, Meghan Duggan, Campbell, “ It’s, Renata, Louis, we’ve, we’re, Toronto’s, Nicole Hensley, Paul, ” Hensley, that’s, Stephen Whyno, ___ Organizations: Professional, Boston, NHL, Canadian, Northeastern, Canada's, Campbell, Canada, ” Scotiabank, Toronto, Mattamy Athletic Centre, Montreal, Scotiabank . Minnesota, Xcel Energy, U.S, AP Locations: Toronto, Europe, Asia, Switzerland, United States, St, Minnesota

☆ Inside TikTok's fight against the most powerful music label in the industry and what could happen next
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Music licensing talks are heating up between TikTok and Universal Music Group as negotiations have left the conference room and entered the public sphere. "Their core mission is to generate as much money as they can from their recordings for their shareholders," David Herlihy, a copyright lawyer and music industry professor at Northeastern University, told BI. The company is in the process of launching a dedicated streaming app, TikTok Music, and has worked closely with artists on influencer listening parties, livestreams, and in-person events. But TikTok, as a global social giant, is an important product for music artists and labels. This is why the music industry is seeking to capture more value."

Persons: Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, TikTok, It's, David Herlihy, David, Goliath, UMG, Tatiana Cirisano, Jonny Kaps, MIDiA's Cirisano Organizations: TikTok, Universal Music Group, Business, Hollywood, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Northeastern University, Music, MIDiA Research, YouTube, Universal, SiriusXM Locations: India, Australia

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The number of western monarch butterflies overwintering in California dropped by 30% last year, likely due to how wet it was, researchers said Tuesday. Volunteers who visited sites in California and Arizona around Thanksgiving tallied more than 230,000 butterflies, compared to 330,000 in 2022, according to the Xerces Society, an environmental nonprofit that focuses on the conservation of invertebrates. Scientists say the butterflies are at critically low levels in western states because of destruction to their milkweed habitat along their migratory route due to housing construction and the increased use of pesticides and herbicides. On the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, another monarch population travels from southern Canada and the northeastern United States to central Mexico. Scientists estimate that the monarch population in the eastern U.S. has fallen by about 80% since the mid-1990s, but the drop-off in the western U.S. has been even steeper.

Persons: Emma Pelton Organizations: FRANCISCO, Volunteers, Xerces Society Locations: California, Arizona, Pacific Northwest, Rocky, Canada, United States, Mexico, U.S

At least two people were hospitalized after an Amtrak train derailed when it hit a truck carrying milk in a rural area in northeastern Colorado. The crash happened at around 10 p.m. Monday near Keenesburg, a town of about 1,300 people roughly 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of Denver, Amtrak said. The Colorado State Patrol said at least two people were taken to the hospital, KUSA-TV reported. There were 69 passengers on board the California Zephyr, which runs between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay area, Amtrak said, noting that the passenger cars remained upright. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Organizations: Amtrak, The Colorado State Patrol, California Zephyr, San, Associated Press Locations: Colorado, Keenesburg, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco Bay

☆ Iraqi, Jordanian Foreign Ministers Hold Call After Attack on U.S. Outpost in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in a phone call with his Jordanian counterpart on Tuesday, condemned an attack on a U.S. military outpost on Jordanian territory near the border with Syria, state media reported. Hussein and Ayman Safadi stressed the need to distance the two countries and the region from military threats by any side, Iraqi state media added. That attack killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded more than 40 troops. Iraq's government is backed by parties and militias close to Iran, though not directly by the hardline groups that have been firing on U.S. forces, Western and Iraqi officials say. Baghdad has condemned the attacks while also saying regional escalation would continue as long as the Gaza war went on.

Persons: Fuad Hussein, Hussein, Ayman Safadi, Israel, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Timour Azhari, Enas, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Reuters, Iraqi, Jordanian, Sunday, U.S, U.S . Defense Locations: Syria, Iran, U.S, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Hamas, Jordan, Israel, Western, Baghdad, Gaza

☆ Biden Says He Has Decided How to Respond to Attack on US Troops in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Jeff MasonWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he has made up his mind on how to respond to a drone attack that killed U.S. service members in Jordan, as he weighs punishing Iran-backed militias without triggering a wider war. He said the United States does not need a wider war in the Middle East, echoing comments from other officials on Tuesday that the United States does not want a war with Iran. Biden has been weighing his options and the expectation has been that there will be retaliatory strikes, but the timing of the response has been unclear. Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, officials said on Sunday. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Persons: Jeff Mason WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Jeff Mason, Doina Chiacu, Chizu Nomiyama Organizations: White, U.S Locations: Jordan, Iran, Florida, United States, U.S, Syrian

☆ Drone that killed US troops in attack slipped past defenses because there was confusion on whether or not it was American: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A drone attack on a US military base in Jordan killed three troops and injured dozens more. AdvertisementThe drone that struck a US military base in Jordan and killed several American troops managed to slip past defenses because it was confused at the time with another unmanned aircraft, according to multiple reports. Three US service members were killed and at least 34 more were injured after a one-way attack drone hit Tower 22, a small logistics outpost in northeastern Jordan, early Sunday local time. As the enemy drone approached the base, an American drone was also returning to the site, leading to confusion over whether the attacking system was a friendly aircraft or not, according to Monday reports from CNN and The Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed US officials. There, American forces provide logistics support to the US-led coalition working to defeat the Islamic State.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Pentagon, Service, CNN, Street, Command, Army, Air Force, Islamic, US, Defense, The Washington Institute for Near, Policy, American, Institute for Locations: Jordan, Iran, American, Jordan's, Iraq, Syria, Islamic State, Tehran, Washington, United States, Israel

☆ Dollar steady in cautious start to busy data, Fed week
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. one hundred dollar bills are being shown in this picture illustration taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 15, 2023. The dollar started the week on a steady footing as investors took stock of U.S. economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve policy meeting this week, while escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept risk sentiment in check. But since then, strong economic data and pushback from central bankers have prompted traders to adjust expectations. Beyond the Fed, investors will also watch for a slew of economic data including a U.S. payrolls report that will help gauge the strength of labor market. Elsewhere, the Australian dollar rose 0.21% to $0.659, while the New Zealand dollar gained 0.18% to$0.610.

Persons: Marc Chandler, Chandler, Jerome Powell, Paul Mackel, Sterling, Joe Biden, bitcoin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Federal, HSBC, Bank of England, U.S, New Zealand Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, U.S, Bannockburn, Jordan, Syrian, Iran, Israel

☆ Political Pressure Builds on Biden to Strike Iran After US Deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

That allowed Biden the political space to mete out U.S. retaliation, inflicting costs on Iran-backed forces without risking a direct war with Tehran. Republicans accused Biden of letting American forces become sitting ducks, waiting for the day when a drone or missile would evade base defenses. In response, they say Biden must strike Iran. "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East." "Unless the U.S. prepared for an all out war, what does attacking Iran get us," the official said.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, he's, Biden, Tom Cotton, Mike Rogers, they've, Rogers, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Barbara Lee, Seth Moulton, —, Moulton, Jonathan Lord, Lord, Charles Lister, Lister, Israel, Qassem Soleimani, Simon Lewis, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: Republican U.S, Republican, U.S, Representatives, Tehran, Biden, Democratic, Iranian, Center, New, East Institute, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Israel, Jordan's, Tehran, United States, Gaza, New American, Washington, U.S, Damascus, Jan

☆ Qatar Hopes US Retaliation Won't Undercut Hostage Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Qatar's prime minister on Monday said he hoped U.S. retaliation for an attack that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan would not undercut progress toward a new Israel-Hamas hostage release deal in weekend talks. According to Israel, some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in the attack, which sparked Israel's war to eliminate Hamas. In a major escalation, three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrianborder, U.S. officials said on Sunday. Speaking at Washington's Atlantic Council think tank, the Qatari prime minister said U.S. retaliation "will definitely have an impact ... One way or another it will definitely have an impact on regional security and we hope things get contained." (Reporting by Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed and Andrew Mills; Editing by Ros Russell)

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin, al, William Burns, Sheikh Mohammed, Joe Biden, Jonathan Landay, Arshad Mohammed, Andrew Mills, Ros Russell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Qatari, CIA, Israel, Yemen's, Washington's Atlantic Council Locations: Jordan, Israel, al Thani, Washington, Iran, Qatar, United States, Gaza, East, Yemen's Iran, Red, U.S, Syrian

☆ Safe-haven gold gains as Middle East worries mount
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold bars arranged at the Korea Gold Exchange store in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Gold prices rose on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East lifted bullion's safe-haven appeal, while moves were limited as traders awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell's remarks this week for cues on interest rate trajectory. There is enough instability still in the Middle East to keep investors interested in gold as part of a safe-haven play, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. Traders are betting on six quarter-point rate cuts for 2024 in the U.S., up from five cuts a week ago, according to LSEG's interest rate probability app IRPR. Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding bullion.

Persons: Jerome Powell's, Tim Waterer, Evergrande, Waterer, Powell Organizations: Korea Gold Exchange, U.S . Federal, KCM Trade, Investors, U.S, Fed, Traders Locations: Seoul, South Korea, U.S, Jordan, Syrian

☆ White House Calls Talks on Hamas Hostage Deal Constructive, Promising
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday that talks to secure a new release of hostages held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza were constructive and promising but there was still a lot of work to be done. "I think it's fair to describe them as constructive," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on CNN. That could really make a difference in terms of getting more hostages out, getting more aid in and actually getting the violence to come down." "But we feel pretty good about the discussions and where they're going and the promise of something potentially pretty significant. "Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in Hamas' cross-border rampage on Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

Persons: William Burns, Brett McGurk, John Kirby, Joe Biden, Burns, Kirby, We're, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Mark Heinrich Organizations: WASHINGTON, Palestinian, Hamas, CIA, U.S . Middle East, House, CNN, Israel, Yemen's Locations: Gaza, U.S, Israel, East, Yemen's Iran, Red, Iran, Jordan, Syrian

☆ Three U.S. service members killed, 34 wounded in Jordan drone attack linked to Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A drone is launched during a large-scale drone combat exercise of Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Semnan, Iran Jan. 6, 2021. Three U.S. service members were killed and dozens wounded during an unmanned aerial drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, President Joe Biden and U.S. officials said on Sunday. Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack. The deaths marked the first fatalities of U.S. troops in the region since war began in Gaza. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: U.S, Sunday, Reuters, Hamas, White Locations: Islamic Republic of Iran, Semnan, Iran, U.S, Jordan, Syrian, Syria, Iraq, Iranian, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Red

☆ Three US Service Members Killed, 34 Wounded in Jordan Drone Attack Linked to Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Kanishka Singh and Phil StewartWASHINGTON (Reuters) -Three U.S. service members were killed and dozens wounded during an unmanned aerial drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, President Joe Biden and U.S. officials said on Sunday. Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack. The deaths marked the first fatalities of U.S. troops in the region since war began in Gaza. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Phil Stewart in WashingtonEditing by Heather Timmons and Matthew Lewis)

Persons: Kanishka Singh, Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Phil Stewart, Heather Timmons, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S, Sunday, Reuters, Hamas, White Locations: U.S, Jordan, Syrian, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Iranian, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Red, WashingtonEditing

☆ Iran-Backed Attacks on US Troops in the Middle East Since Oct. 7
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

About 2,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State militants. Here is a timeline of major attacks since then:OCT. 18 - U.S. forces in Iraq are targeted in two separate drone attacks. OCT. 19 - U.S. forces in Syria bring down two drones targeting them, leading to some minor injuries. OCT. 26 - An Iran-backed militia launches a drone at an air base that penetrates U.S. air defenses and crashes into the barracks housing American troops but fails to detonate. DEC. 25 - A one-way drone attack in Iraq by Iran-aligned militants leaves one U.S. service member in critical condition and wounds two other U.S. personnel.

Persons: Ahmed Aboulenein, Diane Craft Organizations: WASHINGTON, Sunday, U.S, Islamic, DEC Locations: Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Israel, U.S

☆ Skeletons with buckets on their feet and rings around their necks discovered in a Dark Ages graveyard, say reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewHuman remains found in a 1,000-year-old cemetery were ceremonially adorned with buckets on their feet and rings around their necks, archaeologists discovered, say reports. The mass grave holding over 107 skeletons in what is believed to be a pagan-era cemetery were discovered near Kyiv, Ukraine. AdvertisementResearchers Vsevolod Ivakin and Vyacheslav Baranov, who led the excavation, described the weapons typical for Kyivan Rus and northeastern Europe. Vyacheslav Baranov | National Academy of Sciences of UkraineA stone altar found at the site could have been used for pagan or early Christian rituals. AdvertisementThe ongoing research is a collaboration between several research centers, with funding provided by the German Research Foundation, alongside other organizations.

Persons: —, Vsevolod Ivakin, Vyacheslav Baranov, Baranov, Volodymyr the Great Organizations: Service, Business, National Academy of Sciences of, Archaeological Institute of America, Independent, Research, German Research Foundation Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Roman, Italian, Rus, Europe, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Chicago, Pomeranian, Masovian, Baltics, Eastern Europe

(AP) — A truck hauling zebras and camels for a series of weekend circus performances caught fire early Saturday on a northeastern Indiana highway, prompting a police rescue of the animals, which roamed along the freeway, some munching on grass. The tractor-trailer caught fire about 2 a.m. along Interstate 69 in Grant County and a state trooper, a Grant County Sheriff's deputy and a third person rescued the five zebras, four camels and a miniature horse by leading them off the smoked-filled trailer, said Sgt. The Grant County Sheriff's Office posted photos and videos on Facebook of camels walking on the highway and later standing along its shoulder and its median with zebras and law enforcement officers. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“It’s not something we see every day,” said Deputy Brent Ressett with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The truck was bringing the animals from Florida to Fort Wayne for four weekend circus performances in the northeastern Indiana city benefitting the Mizpah Shrine Circus, said Steve Trump, its circus director.

Persons: Steven Glass, ”, Brent Ressett, Grant, Steve Trump, ” Trump, “ Organizations: Indiana State Police, Sheriff's, Sheriff’s Office, Shrine, Fort Wayne's Locations: MARION, Ind, Indiana, Grant County, Grant, Sarasota , Florida, Marion, Indianapolis, Florida, Fort Wayne

Unlike in most European countries, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, particularly when dealing with countries outside the European Union like the United States, Russia and China. “Clearly, the main task of the president is to steer foreign policy,” said Teivo Teivainen, professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki. Finland became the Western military alliance’s 31st member in April last year, much to the annoyance of Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Under the Finnish Constitution, the president decides on foreign and security policy issues together with the government. Late last year, Finland closed its border with Russia after some 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas arrived across the frontier just months after Finland joined NATO.

Persons: ”, Teivo Teivainen, —, Sauli Niinistö, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Haavisto, Jussi Halla, Olli Rehn, Niinistö, Vladimir Putin, Teivainen, Petteri, Putin, Washington —, ” Niinistö Organizations: HELSINKI, NATO, Union, University of Helsinki, Bank of Finland, Kyiv —, Hamas, Helsinki, Washington, YLE, Nordic, Kremlin Locations: Nordic, Ukraine, Russia, United States, China, Sunday’s, Finland, Ukraine —, Moscow, Sweden, Finland’s, Finnish, Moscow , Washington, Beijing, Baltic, Vainikkala

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