👋 Welcome to the new Your Morning newsletter featuring the latest news across America. Let us know what you think!
Here’s what’s happening today:
Israeli forces rescue 2 hostages in Gaza raid that killed at least 67 Palestinians
What to know: Israeli forces rescued two hostages Monday, storming an apartment in the southern Gaza Strip. The operation killed at least 67 Palestinians, according to a spokesperson for the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
Hostages: Israel identified the rescued hostages as Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, who were abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in the Oct. 7 attack. They were among roughly 250 taken captive. According to reports, more than 100 captives are still held by Hamas and other Gaza militants.
Zoom in: To assist hostage rescue forces, the IDF launched airstrikes on the area near the Rafah apartment. Palestinians have fled to the city on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip to escape fighting in the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has described Rafah as the last remaining Hamas stronghold in Gaza. On Sunday, the White House said President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should not carry out a military operation in Rafah without a “credible and executable” plan to protect civilians.
Palestinian deaths: More than 12,300 Palestinian minors have been killed in Israel’s war against Hamas, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza told The Associated Press on Monday morning. The outlet says that means minors make up roughly 47% of the 28,176 Palestinians killed so far. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Millions brace for ‘Super Bowl Monday’ after Chiefs beat 49ers in overtime
‘Super Bowl Flu’: As the dust settles in Allegiant Stadium where 65,000 fans cheered on their teams Sunday, an estimated 16 million Americans are predicted to call in sick to work Monday. Advocates for making the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday are renewing their push, citing impacts of the “Super Bowl Flu” on the workforce. Read more >
The game: Patrick Mahomes rallied the Kansas City Chiefs back from a 10-point deficit to their second straight Super Bowl title, beating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime Sunday. The victory made the Chiefs the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in 19 years. It’s just the second Super Bowl ever to go to overtime. Now, the team’s chasing a three-peat.
The commercials: Advertisers tried capturing viewers’ attention mostly with celebrity-filled messages. Oreo featured Kris Jenner. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lopez and Tom Brady starred in a Dunkin’ ad. Beyoncé broke the internet in a Verizon commercial, and an Uber Eats commercial brought together characters from shows including “Suits” and “Friends.” There did not seem to be many political ads, other than a 30-second, retro-styled spot by the super PAC backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential run.
The entertainment: Usher performed his star-studded 13-minute halftime show, featuring hits like “Yeah!” with Ludacris and “My Boo” with Alicia Keys. Fans also kept their eyes on another Grammy award winner in the stadium. Taylor Swift made it to the Super Bowl after flying across nine time zones from one of her concerts in Tokyo. The superstar watched as her boyfriend Travis Kelce held the Lombardi Trophy and shouted a chorus of “Viva Las Vegas.”
What’s next: Fans will celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday at the Super Bowl Victory Parade in Kansas City, Missouri.
What to know about a shooting at Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas
What happened: A woman opened fire in celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch Sunday in Houston before the church’s 2 p.m. Spanish service was set to start. As worshippers ran to find safety, two off-duty officers confronted and killed the shooter. Two other people were shot and injured, including a 5-year-old boy who was in critical condition.
Chinese migrants fastest growing group entering the US
What’s going on: Officials at the U.S.-Mexico border reported a significant rise in the number of Chinese migrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally, with more than 4,000 apprehended since January. The spike in Chinese migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. comes amid tightening visa restrictions for Chinese nationals. Read more >
What we’re watching 👀
We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!
- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday afternoon for an apparent medical issue, the Pentagon announced Sunday.
- President Joe Biden hosts Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah at the White House.
🌎 News Across America 🌎
Voters in New York’s third congressional district will decide Tuesday who will complete the remaining 11 months of disgraced former Rep. George Santos’ unfinished term. Read more >
A recent case of Alaskapox virus resulted in the death of an elderly man on the Kenai Peninsula. The type of orthopoxvirus was first discovered in 2015 near Fairbanks. Read more >
A Waymo autonomous vehicle was set on fire Saturday night in San Francisco, as several Lunar New Year celebrations took place in Chinatown. Read more >
Officials in downtown Sacramento cleared homeless camps from Cesar Chavez Park amid scheduled filming for a new movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Read more >
☀️ Good NewsNation ☀️
Community rallies behind horse recovering from traumatic fire: They say a man’s best friend is a dog, but for Lt. Charlie Holland with the Powhatan Fire Department in Virginia, it’s a horse, and not just any horse. The 12-year-old show horse named Shaq was rescued from a burning barn in January, and now the community is coming together to support Shaq as he recovers from the fire. Read more >
