Iran missile hit US troop housing in Jordan

This is an edition of the What’s News newsletter, which helps you catch up on the headlines and understand the news, free in your inbox daily. If you’re not subscribed, sign up here.

1. The Iranian ballistic missile attack on a Jordanian air base that killed two U.S. servicemembers struck prefabricated housing units where troops lived and slept.

The attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base was one of three separate missile strikes on the base in 24 hours last week, which killed two soldiers from Army air and missile defense units, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter. The remains of a third person were found at the location and are being examined. That three missiles were able to slip through U.S. air defenses points to the challenges in protecting troops against Iranian missile and drone attacks. Meanwhile, mediators worked to push the U.S. and Iran into a new ceasefire.

2. The proposed merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery hit its first significant speed bump when a judge granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting them from closing the deal.

The federal court said that during the pause, it would consider whether the merger should remain blocked pending the resolution of an antitrust challenge brought by a dozen states. The 14-day restraining order means Paramount won’t close the deal before the end of the month as it had hoped. The company said it’s confident the evidence will demonstrate that the states’ antitrust arguments are meritless.

3. The Qatari-gifted luxury jet that Trump is using as Air Force One will get an upgrade this fall, putting it out of commission for roughly a month.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new plane is “perfectly safe for the President’s travels” and didn’t elaborate on the enhancements. Trump will fly an older version of Air Force One meanwhile, Leavitt said. WSJ previously reported he left Turkey on an older Air Force One earlier this month in part because of concerns over the jet’s defensive capabilities. The switch came after U.S. officials received Israeli intel about a possible assassination plot. Proximity to Iran as hostilities were resuming was also a factor.

4. The FDA walked back an earlier statement that a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms tested positive for cyclospora, but noted that tests are continuing on products pulled from the market.

The agency said that the false positive doesn’t change its continuing investigation and that the Taylor Farms voluntary recall remains in place. Government agencies last week linked shredded iceberg lettuce, including products served at Taco Bell restaurants, to thousands of reports of foodborne illness in five states. “We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues,” Taylor Farms said.

The Number

What U.S. media rights to the 2030 and 2034 World Cup tournaments could fetch, according to some TV and media executives. Others tracking sports-rights deals counter that such a price tag is wishful thinking. Now that FIFA has wrapped up the most popular World Cup ever, soccer’s governing body is racing to cash in, but it’s facing headwinds.

Quoted

Catch Up

Trump, Pushing Back on Mamdani, Says Netanyahu Won’t Be Arrested if He Comes to U.S. (Read)Darline Graham Says She Will Run for Her Brother’s Senate Seat (Read)Ex-Army Soldier Ignited Gasoline Outside a Federal Building in New York, FBI Says (Read)DOJ Sought Phone Records Tied to Relatives of New York Times Reporters (Read)China’s Top AI Event Delivers Message to the U.S.: We’re Coming for You (Read)

This Week in History

July 23, 1996

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team won their first Olympic gold medal.

The Summer Games in Atlanta marked the first time since 1952 that the Russian team competed but didn’t win gold. (In 1984, the Soviet Union boycotted the games, and in 1992, athletes from some of the former Soviet republics competed as the Unified Team.) In 1996, Russia was awarded the silver medal and Romania, the bronze.

American gymnast Kerri Strug was the star of the show. After her first vault, she landed with a grimace and fell, clutching her injured ankle. After hobbling back for another go, she scored a 9.712, clinching the team’s historic win. Strug had to be carried to the podium for the medal ceremony.

Since the so-called Magnificent Seven’s win three decades ago, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team has taken the gold in 2012, 2016 and 2024.

Take a Break

Tom Hiddleston’s fascination with the classics drives “Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston,” a National Geographic series premiering on Wednesday for which the actor brushed up on his Latin. Hiddleston, who spoke with WSJ about his morning routine, swears by regular runs, soft boiled eggs and Arsenal football.

Beyond the Newsroom

WSJ | Buy Side: Federal student loan rates for the 2026-2027 academic year are slightly higher than the previous year.

Today’s newsletter was curated by Zlati Meyer in collaboration with Leigh Kamping-Carder in New York. Follow Zlati on X at @Zlatimeyer and Leigh at @Leigh_KC.

Sign up for WSJ newsletters on markets, tech, careers and more.