US airman sets himself on fire outside Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 26, 2024
A member of the U.S. Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. And AT&T is apologizing to its customers for last week’s outage by offering a credit to their accounts. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.
Get up to speed on the stories leading the day every weekday morning. Sign up for the newsletter today!
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
U.S. Airman sets himself of fire outside Israeli Embassy in D.C.
A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington on Sunday, Feb. 24, in what appears to be a protest against Israel’s operations in Gaza. The U.S. military has confirmed that the individual is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force.
The incident occurred around 1 p.m., with Secret Service officers quickly intervening to extinguish the flames. The man was transported to the hospital in critical condition, suffering from life-threatening injuries. Authorities believe he was live-streaming the act and, at one point in the video, he reportedly declared he would “no longer be complicit in genocide.” The video has since been removed from social media.
This act of protest comes amid statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the military’s plan to evacuate civilians from “areas of fighting” in the Gaza Strip, particularly targeting the border city of Rafah. Netanyahu also mentioned that these plans could be delayed if an agreement is reached for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Zelenskyy: 31,000 Ukranian soldiers have been killed in war with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently shared insights into the significant impact of the ongoing war with Russia on his country.
On Sunday, Feb. 25, Zelenskyy confirmed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives since the onset of Russia’s invasion in 2022, describing it as a “big loss for us.” He refrained from disclosing the number of injured or missing soldiers to avoid providing critical information to Russia.
This figure is considerably lower than estimates provided by American officials last summer, which suggested nearly 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed. Zelenskyy explained his decision to reveal the death toll was aimed at countering Russia’s claims of much higher Ukrainian casualties.
The exact number of civilian casualties remains unknown, Zelenskyy added.
While Russia seldom releases details about its military losses, a U.S. intelligence report in December estimated that around 315,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded in Ukraine.
Biden to meet with Congressional leaders ahead of shutdown deadline
As the deadline to prevent a government shutdown approaches, President Biden is set to meet with congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Administration officials have highlighted the president’s intent to discuss the “urgency” of passing the government funding bill before the March 1 deadline. Among the lawmakers invited to the meeting are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In addition to the funding bill, Biden also plans to address the $95 billion national security bill that recently passed the Senate. This legislation aims to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. foreign allies.
Candidates eye Michigan after Trump defeats Haley in South Carolina
The next critical juncture in the 2024 presidential race is the Michigan primary set for Tuesday, Feb. 27.
President Joe Biden is anticipated to secure a victory on the Democratic side, while former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner, aims to extend his series of wins following a recent victory in South Carolina Feb. 24.
Despite a significant loss by about 20 percentage points in her home state, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is determined to persevere in the race. She has committed to continuing her campaign through Super Tuesday on March 5th, a pivotal day when more than a dozen states will hold elections.
In addition to the Michigan primary, the state’s Republican Party plans to conduct congressional district conventions later in the week.
In a notable development on Sunday, Feb. 25, Americans for Prosperity Action, a political network financed by billionaire Charles Koch, announced it would cease funding Haley’s campaign. The network has decided to reallocate its resources towards House and Senate races.
AT&T credits customers affected by widespread network outages
AT&T announced yesterday that it would offer a $5 service credit to some customers affected by last week’s cellphone service outage. The outage, which lasted more than seven hours, impacted over 70,000 users, the company disclosed in a letter to employees.
According to AT&T, the disruption was caused by an incorrect procedure during network expansion efforts, not a cyberattack.
“No matter the timing, one thing is clear — we let down many of our customers, including many of you and your families,” AT&T CEO John T. Stankey wrote. “For that, we apologize.”
The company specified that the $5 credit does not apply to AT&T Business, prepaid, or Cricket Wireless services. Customers eligible for the credit might wait up to two billing cycles for it to take effect.
Duke player injured after Wake Forest fans rush onto court
As the sports world eagerly anticipates the start of March Madness, there’s a growing call to end another type of madness — the controversial fan tradition of storming the court. This practice sees college basketball fans rushing from the stands onto the court to celebrate their team’s victory as the final buzzer sounds.
The debate around the safety of court storming has intensified after Duke’s Kyle Filipowski was injured Feb. 24. After Wake Forest’s victory , fans ran onto the court, colliding with the Blue Devils’ star player and causing an ankle injury as he attempted to exit the game area.
“Just like any other upset game where the fans rush the court, all hell goes crazy,” Filipowski said. “Just trying to get my way off the court, and you know, you’ve got these crazy college students just doing whatever they want. It’s got to be a little more protective when things like that happen.”
Duke’s coach, addressing reporters post-game, questioned the continuation of the tradition, asking, “When are we going to ban court storming?”
In response to the incident, Wake Forest’s athletic director expressed “sincere regret” to Duke officials during a post-game discussion, acknowledging the need for improved management by event staff and security.
The dangers of court storming were front and center last month when NCAA women’s basketball record breaker Caitlin Clark said she could’ve been seriously injured after a fan collided with her.
Filipowski himself labeled his encounter with the fans as “intentional” when speaking to a local news outlet. On social media, he emphasized the urgency for change with the statement, “This has gotta change.”
Tags: 2024 Elections, Air Force, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Election, Israel, Joe Biden, Michigan, Nikki Haley, U.S. Air Force, Ukraine
A MEMBER OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE SETS HIMSELF ON FIRE OUTSIDE THE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
AND — AT&T IS APOLOGIZING TO ITS CUSTOMERS FOR LAST WEEK’S OUTAGE BY OFFERING A CREDIT TO THEIR ACCOUNTS.
THE MORNING RUNDOWN STARTS NOW.
TODAY IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I’M KARAH RUCKER.
IN AN APPARENT PROTEST AGAINST ISRAEL’S OPERATIONS IN GAZA —
A MAN SET HIMSELF ON FIRE OUTSIDE THE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON.
THE U.S. MILITARY NOW CONFIRMING THAT MAN IS AN ACTIVE-DUTY MEMBER OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE.
AUTHORITIES SAYING THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 1 P.M. ON SUNDAY –
WITH OFFICERS FROM THE SECRET SERVICE EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE.
THE MAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION — SUFFERING LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.
THE MAN WAS SAID TO BE LIVE-STREAMING ON THE SOCIAL PLATFORM TWITCH.
AT ONE POINT IN THE VIDEO – WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN TAKEN DOWN FROM THE SITE – THE MAN SAID HE WOULD “NO LONGER BE COMPLICIT IN GENOCIDE.”
HE THEN YELLED “FREE PALESTINE” WHILE SETTING HIMSELF ON FIRE.
THE INCIDENT COMES AS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SAYS THE COUNTRY’S MILITARY HAS PRESENTED A PLAN TO ITS WAR CABINET FOR EVACUATING CIVILIANS FROM “AREAS OF FIGHTING” IN THE GAZA STRIP – AS ISRAEL IS EXPECTED TO TARGET THE BORDER CITY OF RAFAH.
NETANYAHU SAYING THAT COULD BE DELAYED IF A DEAL IS REACHED TO RELEASE THE HOSTAGES BEING HELD BY HAMAS.
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY GAVE A GLIMPSE INTO THE TOLL HIS COUNTRY IS FACING AFTER TWO YEARS OF WAR WITH RUSSIA.
ON SUNDAY – ZELENSKYY CONFIRMING 31 THOUSAND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR BEGAN IN 20-22.
SAYING QUOTE “THIS IS A BIG LOSS FOR US.”
HE DID NOT DISCLOSE THE NUMBER OF INJURED OR MISSING – SAYING THAT WOULD GIVE RUSSIA CRUCIAL INFORMATION.
THE NUMBER IS A FRACTION OF WHAT U.S. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE DEATH TOLL TO BE.
AMERICAN OFFICIALS THIS PAST SUMMER SUGGESTED CLOSE TO 70,000 UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN KILLED.
ZELENSKYY SAYS IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MANY **CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED.
WHILE RUSSIA PROVIDES FEW DETAILS ON ITS LOSSES — A U.S. INTELLIGENT REPORT IN DECEMBER – ESTIMATED THAT 315 THOUSAND RUSSIAN TROOPS HAD BEEN KILLED OR WOUNDED IN UKRAINE.
WITH THE DEADLINE TO AVERT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LOOMING – PRESIDENT BIDEN PLANS TO MEET WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON TUESDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAYING THE PRESIDENT WILL DISCUSS THE “URGENCY” TO PASS THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BEFORE THE MARCH FIRST DEADLINE.
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER AND HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON ARE AMONG THE LAWMAKERS INVITED TO THE MEETING.
BIDEN ALSO PLANS TO DISCUSS THE 95 BILLION DOLLAR NATIONAL SECURITY BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT WOULD PROVIDE AID TO UKRAINE, ISRAEL AND OTHER U.S. FOREIGN ALLIES.
NEXT STOP IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE WILL BE MICHIGAN’S PRIMARY ON TUESDAY.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO WIN ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE. AS REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS WINNING STREAK – AFTER HIS LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN SOUTH CAROLINA THIS PAST SATURDAY.
DESPITE LOSING BY ABOUT 20 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN HER HOME STATE, NIKKI HALEY HAS VOWED TO STAY IN THE RACE THROUGH SUPER TUESDAY ON MARCH 5TH.
A PRIMARY CANDIDATE HASN’T LOST BY SUCH A LARGE MARGIN IN THEIR HOME STATE IN MODERN TIMES.
HAYLEY — LOSING A MEGA-DONOR IN THE PROCESS.
A GROUP FINANCED BY BILLIONAIRE CHARLES KOCH (COKE) – ANNOUNCED IT WOULD NO LONGER BE SPENDING MONEY ON HALEY’S CAMPAIGN.
AT&T ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT SOME CUSTOMERS IMPACTED BY LAST WEEK’S CELLPHONE SERVICE OUTAGE WILL RECEIVE A 5-DOLLAR SERVICE CREDIT.
LAST THURSDAY’S OUTAGE LASTED MORE THAN 7 HOURS AND AFFECTED OVER 70-THOUSAND USERS THE COMPANY TOLD EMPLOYEES IN A LETTER.
AT&T EXPLAINED THE OUTAGE WAS DUE TO A TECHNICAL ERROR WHILE THE COMPANY WORKED TO EXPAND ITS NETWORK — RULING OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A CYBERATTACK.
THE CREDIT DOES NOT APPLY TO AT&T BUSINESS, PREPAID OR CRICKET WIRELESS SERVICES. THE 5-DOLLAR CREDIT COULD TAKE TWO BILL CYCLES TO TAKE EFFECT.
FINALLY THIS MORNING — AS THE SPORTS WORLD COUNTS DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL THE START OF MARCH MADNESS – SOME ARE CALLING FOR ONE TYPE OF MADNESS TO END — STORMING THE COURT — WHEN COLLEGE BASKETBALL FANS CELEBRATE THEIR TEAM’S WIN BY JUMPING OUT OF THE STANDS AND RUNNING ONTO THE COURT AS THE BUZZER SOUNDS.
PLAYERS AND COACHES ARE SOUNDING OFF ON THE DANGERS OF THIS TRADITION AFTER DUKE’S KYLE FILIPOWSKI (FILL-IPOW-SKI) INJURED HIS ANKLE WHEN WAKE FOREST FANS RAN ONTO THE COURT THIS PAST WEEKEND — BUMPING INTO THE BLUE DEVILS’ STAR PLAYER AS HE WAS TRYING TO WALK OFF.
AFTER THE GAME — DUKE’S COACH RAISED THE ISSUE OF BANNING COURT-STORMING.
WAKE FOREST ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SAYING HE EXPRESSED “SINCERE REGRET” TO DUKE OFFICIALS IN A POST-GAME CONVERSATION SAYING EVENT STAFF AND SECURITY MUST DO BETTER.
THIS INCIDENT COMES JUST WEEKS AFTER IOWA’S STAR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER CAITLIN CLARK FELL TO THE GROUND AS OHIO STATE FANS STORMED THEIR COURT.
THESE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES FOR THIS MONDAY.
UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACTS. THAT’S STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.
WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.
UNTIL THEN I’M KARAH RUCKER. HAVE A GREAT DAY!
MOST POPULAR
-
Getty Images
Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction overturned, victims could see new trial
-
Getty Images
Pythons decimate Florida’s wildlife, is eating them the answer?
-
Getty Images
Trump could lose Secret Service protection if found guilty
-
AP Images
Argentina asks to join NATO as Milei looks to enhance security, strengthen ties