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The Short List: Paris drone mystery; Brooklyn ISIL recruits; Jodi Arias' fate

Compiled by Alia E. Dastagir and Cara Richardson
USA TODAY
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Journalists arrested after flying a drone in the City of Love

They say it was in the name of journalism. Three Al-Jazeera journalists were arrested today after illegally flying a drone in Paris while filming a report on — wait for it — drones. The journalists were working on a story on the city's mystery drones, which have been spotted flying over famous landmarks in the French capital for two straight nights (the devices are banned in Paris). There's no known link between the arrests and the other drones. The city, understandably, is still on edge after the attack at Charlie Hebdo, and the mystery drones aren't helping. French authorities have said the strange drones currently present no threat, but the government is trying to find ways to counteract them. In the U.S., the FAA this month released some guidelines on drone use. One New York City councilman wants them banned in the Big Apple.

What else is in #theshortlist:

• Latest ISIL recruits found in Brooklyn
• Sound from 'American Sniper' trial you haven't heard before
• Jury to decide whether Jodi Arias gets to live
• LeBron's son is getting recruited — and he isn't even in middle school

Short on time? Listen to today's column:

One of the Brooklyn men accused of planning to join ISIL offered to kill Obama

Three Brooklyn men were arrested today and accused of planning to fight for the Islamic State in Syria. One of the men offered to kill President Obama and plant a bomb on Coney Island if the terror group ordered him to, the Justice Department said. Police arrested Akhror Saidakhmetov, 19, a citizen of Kazakhstan and resident of Brooklyn, at John F. Kennedy Airport as he tried to board a flight to Istanbul. The complaint also charges Abdurasul Hasanovich Juraboev, 24, and Abror Habibov, 30, both citizens of Uzbekistan living in Brooklyn. The feds have been monitoring Juraboev and Saidakhmetov since the summer. If convicted, the men could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Fighters from the Islamic State parade in a commandeered Iraqi armored vehicle down a main road in the northern city of Mosul, Iraq, on June 23, 2014.

New video shows emotional testimony during 'American Sniper' trial

Last night, Eddie Ray Routh was sentenced to life in prison in the shooting deaths of American Sniper Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield. Today, we finally saw what happened in the courtroom. The judge didn't allow testimony at the nine-day murder trial to be broadcast until after a jury reached a verdict. Now we have video that shows emotional testimony from Kyle's widow, Taya, and Judy Littlefield, Chad's mother, as well as graphic photos from the crime scene, revealing testimony from Routh's confession to police and details into his mental troubles after leaving the military. You can watch the footage below.

Jurors begin deciding whether Jodi Arias should live or die

The fate of Jodi Arias is now in the hands of a jury. The prosecution and defense in the sentencing retrial of Arias, who was convicted in 2013 of killing her boyfriend Travis Alexander, gave closing arguments and rebuttals yesterday and today. Now the decision of whether Arias should live or die is up to the 12 jurors who sat through five months of testimony. Arias, 34, was found guilty of first-degree murder, but those jurors deadlocked in the sentencing phase, so she's getting another go 'round with a different jury. Alexander was stabbed 27 times, his throat was slashed and he was shot once in the head. His decomposing body was found days later in the shower of his Mesa, Ariz., home.

Jodi Arias looks back at the gallery in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, during the sentencing phase retrial.

LeBron isn't happy that his 10-year-old is getting college letters

LeBron James Jr. is already showing signs of following in his father's footsteps. He's led his team to an AAU national championship, balled out during the John Lucas All-Star weekend, and more or less is an absolute terror on the court. He also isn't in middle school yet. That hasn't deterred college coaches, though. LeBron Sr. says some have started sending letters to his son. During media availability at Cavaliers' practice on Tuesday, the elder James said, "It's pretty crazy. It should be a violation. You shouldn't be recruiting 10-year-old kids." So, college coaches need to chill. Then again, when LeBron is saying his son "plays just like I did," how can you fault them for trying?

LeBron James

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Extra Bites

Can you hear me now? Our favorite photo from the Day in Pictures.

The left ear of dachshund Stromer flutters in the wind as he stands on a dike during stormy weather in Norddeich, northern Germany, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015.

It's cold out, so let's all fantasize about a warm weather vacation. We learned today that the new Royal Caribbean cruise ship will be the world's largest. Check out our guide to the hottest cruise ships on order.

Here's some advice on cutting cable but still finding your favorite shows.

The first trailer for the new Frozen short, Frozen Fever, has hit the Internet and it's chock full of everything we loved about the original. And if you missed it, Queen Elsa is racking up quite the arrest record.

Baby + dog = epic cuteness. We include this video in tonight's Short List simply to make you smile.

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This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.

Contributing: Jane Onyanga-Omara, Rick Jervis, Donna Leinwand Leger, USA TODAY; Mike Foss, USA TODAY Sports; William Pitts, KPNX-TV, Phoenix

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