9 AM ET: Iran's wake up call, Biden's good news, Medicare negotiations & more
Feb 1, 2024
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US intelligence reveals Iran's surprise at drone strike that killed American service members. UN aid agency in Gaza facing crisis. Biden surpasses Trump in poll and fundraising. Medicare begins negotiations. California prepares for heavy rain.
Iran seeks to harass US and Western interests through proxy groups without provoking a significant response.
The UN's main aid agency in Gaza faces allegations of staff involvement in terror attacks and funding cuts.
Deep dives
Iran surprised by drone strike, seeking to avoid all-out war
US intelligence suggests that Iran was surprised by the drone strike in Jordan that killed three American service members. Iranian leaders are getting nervous about the actions of its proxy groups in the region. Tehran is trying to calibrate its approach in a way that harasses US and Western interests through proxy groups without provoking a significant response. Houthi rebel attacks on commercial shipping are also having an impact on the global economy.
UN agency in Gaza under scrutiny, funding paused
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the UN's main aid agency in Gaza to stop its work completely, following allegations that some of its staff were involved in terror attacks. Several countries have paused their funding for the agency, raising concerns about the dire situation in Gaza. The UN Secretary General is horrified by the allegations and warns against cutting funding. The US demands that the agency restores donor confidence before resuming funding.
US intelligence suggests Iran was surprised by the drone strike Sunday that killed three American service members in Jordan. The UN's main aid agency in Gaza is in crisis. President Joe Biden is edging ahead of former President Donald Trump in a recent poll and donation cash. Medicare price negotiations start today. Plus, California is in for some seriously wet weather.