‘Seeing wider range of attacks’: Shipping expert weighs in on Red Sea crisis
While it’s not true in every instance, the crisis in the Red Sea does have a familiar pattern. The Houthis shoot missiles at an array of potential targets. The Americans respond by shooting down those missiles with their missiles. Then both sides tell the media what they just did. Rinse and repeat. But the longer this continues, the eventual impact on American consumers continues to grow.
Only a small part of America’s trade flows through the Suez Canal, but the cumulative effect of tankers changing routes to safely deliver their shipments of liquid natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas could hit Americans in the wallet.
“So, we’re seeing it move in a different way than normally,” said Sal Mercogliano, an associate professor of history at Campbell University.
Mercogliano used to be a merchant mariner and has an extensive background in shipping.
Mercogliano said because oil tankers are “moving differently,” there are inevitable impacts to the supply chain.
“Because it’s taking longer, 3,500 extra miles, which is anywhere from seven to 14 days. And it’s putting ships on routes that they normally don’t do,” he said.
In addition to teaching history at Campbell, Mercogliano is also a YouTuber.
Starting in 2011, his channel What’s Going on with Shipping? has informed viewers about the shipping industry. Over the past several months his focus, like the world’s, has been turned to the Red Sea.
“We’re definitely seeing a wider range of attacks. It’s not just in the southern Red Sea anymore,” Mercogliano said. “It’s in the Bab al-Mandab, that very southern strait. Seeing it in the Gulf of Aden. Seeing it out in the Arabian Sea, and we’re seeing it more out into the Indian Ocean with some attacks off motherships in and around that region. So, definitely an expansion in the attacks we’re seeing.”
For those that haven’t been paying close attention, this might seem like a repeat of the Somali piracy heydays of the late 2000s. According to Mercogliano, it’s not.
“I can say right now, piracy is not even a blip on the radar. Most ships, this is not what they’re worried about,” Mercogliano said. “The Red Sea and the Houthis are the issue right now. Because the attacks, there have been three [pirate] attacks so far? In terms of thousands of ships sailing through the area? That’s small.”
Of course, the biggest question on most people’s minds, what’s it going to take to put an end to the Houthi missile attacks?
Unfortunately, Mercogliano said there’s not a whole lot of leverage the U.S. can apply against the Houthis “because it’s ideological.”
“The one group you can apply pressure to is Iran,” he said. “But it’s very hard to apply pressure against Iran, because what they see is: one of their client states is interdicting a key choke point. They already interdict the Strait of Hormuz when they want to. Now they can do the Bab al-Mandab. So, it is extremely difficult to see a prospect where this ends anytime soon without a resolution up in Israel.”
While an end to the crisis may not be in-sight, those helping defend against the Houthi attacks are about to get an assist in the effort with the European Union announcing it will be sending a naval mission to the area within the next three weeks.
Report: US secretly warned Iran of terror threat ahead of Jan. 3 attack
It’s no secret that the relationship between the U.S. and Iran is on rocky ground. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continue to launch attacks on ships in the Red Sea while other militant groups allied with Iran step up attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria. But a new report said the U.S. put aside those differences when it secretly warned Iran before a deadly terrorist attack on Jan. 3.
Video captured the moments immediately after two bombs went off at a memorial in Kerman, Iran, for Gen. Qassem Soleimani — the Iranian general killed in a U.S. strike four years ago.
“We will not be silent until justice is served,” Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy of international affairs of the judiciary, told reporters. “We have various capacities to deal with terrorist groups, and naturally, we will use all of them, such as intelligence and security capacities. And other tools we have for the administration of justice.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials privately warned Iran of a terror threat ahead of the deadly bombings. An official reportedly said the U.S. government followed a longstanding “duty to warn policy.”
“Prior to ISIS’s terrorist attack on Jan. 3, 2024, in Kerman, Iran, the U.S. government provided Iran with a private warning that there was a terrorist threat within Iranian borders,” a U.S. official said. “The U.S. government followed a longstanding ‘duty to warn’ policy that has been implemented across administrations to warn governments against potential lethal threats. We provide these warnings in part because we do not want to see innocent lives lost in terror attacks.”
In a press statement, @UN Security Council members condemned Wednesday's terrorist attack in the city of Kerman, #Iran, calling it a "reprehensible act" that left more than 100 people dead, including children and women, and 211 injured: https://t.co/s3XI3KT7IWpic.twitter.com/0O0YoVpo3k
— UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (@UNDPPA) January 5, 2024
According to documents obtained by Columbia University through the Freedom of Information Act, the duty to warn policy requires anyone in the intelligence community who “collects or acquires credible and specific information indicating an impending threat directed at a person or group has a duty to warn the intended victim(s) or those responsible for protecting the intended victim(s).”
The Journal said intel about the impending terror attack was timely enough to help Iran potentially stop the bombings. Some experts said the secret warning from the U.S. may have been an olive branch to spark meaningful dialogue and build trust with Iran.
The Houthis won’t stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, and new evidence shows Iran doesn’t really want them to. After many warnings to stop, the United States and United Kingdom started launching airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Jan. 11. However, the Houthis remain undeterred from the attacks, and on Thursday, Jan. 24, they attacked two U.S.-flagged ships.
The ships were carrying cargo for the U.S. Defense Department and the State Department. Houthis launched three anti-ship missiles, but like most of their other attacks, the U.S. Navy took out the threats with ease and the third fell harmlessly into the water.
The Houthis started this most recent waves of attacks on ships in the Red Sea after the war in Gaza broke out. Houthis are an Iranian-backed terror group and came to power in Yemen in 2014.
Iran supplies the Houthis with almost all of their weaponry. Everything from rifles and RPGs to rockets, missiles and drones. Iran routinely uses smugglers to transfer weapons to the Houthis. One recent operation to stop the transfer of arms to Yemen from Iran resulted in two U.S. Navy Seals being lost at sea.
However, the seizure did provide evidence Iran is sending its proxy in Yemen more advanced weaponry.
One analyst told the Wall Street Journal the Houthis now have the most lethal, long-range strike capabilities of any Iranian terror proxy, and that Tehran is essentially using the Houthis to test new weapons against Western targets.
There’s also evidence Houthi engineers are passing designs up the food chain as the terrorist organization and its benefactors learn and adapt their tactics based on the growing number of encounters with the U.S. and U.K. militaries.
Iran also sent advisers from its Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, another of its terror proxies in Lebanon, to help the Houthis in their efforts to attack ships in the Red Sea.
In the coming weeks, those advisers may be teaching the Houthis how to use a spate of new unmanned aerial vehicles. Iranian state television aired video showing delivery of a fleet of new UAVs. The domestically produced drones are said to be capable of performing different sorts of missions, from intelligence gathering to counter electronic warfare, and of course, combat.
Chief Commander of the Army Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi said the drones are also upgraded with the latest “self-protection, navigation and smart precision-strike systems.” He said the new drones will “definitely improve the combat power of the Army’s four branches.”
And if recent history holds true, that means the Houthis’ combat power is also going to be improved.
For their part, the U.S. and U.K. said their militaries will keep hitting Houthi launch sites and weapons caches, but it’s clear those strikes aren’t stopping the attacks.
U.S. National Security adviser Jake Sullivan is set to meet with China’s foreign minister to discuss the strikes on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. There are concerns the conflict could kick off a wider, regional war. Which could explain why neither the U.S. nor the U.K. are targeting the weapons suppliers, Iran, instead of the low level users, the Houthis.
US strikes Iran-backed militia targets in Iraq, Yemen
As tensions in the Middle East continue to grow, the U.S. announced that its forces used precision airstrikes to hit targets in Yemen and Iraq on Tuesday, Jan. 23. According to U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces conducted strikes in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen after locating two Houthi anti-ship missiles aimed at the Southern Red Sea, determining they posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and Navy ships.
Meanwhile, at the direction of President Joe Biden, U.S. forces conducted strikes in Iraq targeting Iran-backed groups, including the Kataib Hezbollah Militia, in response to an attack on U.S. forces that injured four Americans at al-Asad Airbase on Saturday, Jan. 20.
According to reports, the militia group launched a barrage of missiles at the base, two of which made it through defense systems, making it the most serious attack on the base this year by the militia group. According to Central Command, U.S. strikes hit the Iranian-backed militia group’s headquarters, training facilities, and some munitions storage areas.
“These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias,” Austin said.
Still, in a statement, the Iraqi prime minister called the strikes an “irresponsible escalation” and considered them to be “hostile acts.” With the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of groups that fall under Iraqi military authority said the strike near the Syrian border in Iraq killed one of its fighters and injured two others.
Trump, Haley clash in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 23, 2024
Voters in New Hampshire are heading to the polls this morning for the first-in-the-nation primary. And a young golf champ misses out on getting over a million dollars despite winning a PGA tournament. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.
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Trump, Haley seek victory in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary
The path to becoming the Republican nominee for president runs through New Hampshire on Tuesday, Jan. 23, as the state holds its first-in-the-nation primary. Voters are heading to the polls as the candidates in the two-person race are hoping to gain momentum.
Former President Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner, called on his supporters to get out and vote in his final rally in the Granite State Monday night, Jan. 22.
“Grab your neighbor. Grab everybody. You got to, you got to go out because we have to win by big margins. And the reason we have to do that, all, it’s very simple, you know what the reason is in November,” Trump said. “We have to send the signal that we’re not playing games. This country has gone to hell. This country has gone to hell.”
Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador during the Trump administration, told her supporters at her final campaign event in the state that it’s time for Republicans to elect new leadership.
“I voted for Donald Trump twice. I was proud to serve America in his administration. But rightly or wrongly, chaos follows him. You know I’m right,” Haley said. “Chaos follows him, and we can’t be a country in disarray and have a world on fire and go through four more years of chaos because we won’t survive it.”
In a midnight voting tradition, six voters already cast their ballots in one New Hampshire community. Dixville Notch officially started the state’s primary, where the six voters all chose Nikki Haley. While the Republican candidates are vying for 22 delegates, it’s a different story on the Democratic side.
Due to the Democratic National Committee saying New Hampshire is violating the party’s rules by holding its primary ahead of others, the DNC said none of the state’s delegates will be at stake. President Joe Biden has not even put his name on the ballot, though his supporters have launched a write-in campaign. Our Lauren Taylor has a full report on New Hampshire’s Democratic presidential primary here.
That’s when the IDF said an RPG missile was fired at a tank that was protecting the troops. At the same time, an explosion occurred in the buildings, causing the structures to collapse, killing 21 soldiers; three others were killed in fighting earlier in the day. The IDF is still investigating what caused the building explosions. So far, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the country began its operations.
Earlier on Monday, Jan. 22, Palestinian health officials said Israeli forces stormed a hospital in Southern Gaza. The IDF issued a statement reiterating its claims that Hamas “embeds itself in civilian population,” including in hospitals and schools.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and the U.K. launched a new round of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday, Jan. 22.
U.S. Central Command said the second round of attacks by the two nations struck missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, radars, and deeply buried weapon storage facilities. Central Command added that the strikes are intended to degrade the capability of the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from continuing their attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
SCOTUS rules federal agents can cut razor wire Texas installed at the border
The Supreme Court has weighed in on the latest bout in the ongoing fight on border enforcement between Texas and the federal government. The 5-4 ruling by the high court allows federal agents to cut razor wire installed by Texas. In a move to discourage illegal border crossings, Texas installed 30 miles of razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Justice Department argued that the razor wire was injuring some migrants and prevented the federal government from patrolling the border and getting migrants who needed help.
As for the SCOTUS ruling, none of the justices explained their vote, and Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott (R), said the fight for the border is not over.
“This case is ongoing, and Governor Abbott will continue fighting to defend Texas’s property and its constitutional authority to secure the border,” Mahaleris said.
Cal State faculty reach tentative deal to end strike
The largest strike by university faculty members in U.S. history ended after California State University and the union representing thousands of faculty members reached a tentative deal to raise wages. On Monday, Jan. 22, just hours after a planned five-day walkout by 29,000 professors serving nearly 460,000 students, a deal was struck to raise wages and keep teachers in the classrooms. Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 23, faculty will be back at work at the nation’s largest public university system.
Union leaders said that the walkout was needed as wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living in California. This deal solidifies 5% bumps in salary retroactively to July 2023 and another 5% bump in July 2024; the deal also increased parental leave from six to 10 weeks.
“I am extremely pleased and deeply appreciative that we have reached common ground with C.F.A. that will end the strike immediately,” Mildred García, the California State University chancellor, said in a statement. “the agreement enables the C.S.U. to fairly compensate its valued, world-class faculty while protecting the university system’s long-term financial sustainability.”
In 2023, strikes and walkouts rocked several industries as workers and unions nationwide grappled with inflation and increased cost of living as wages lagged behind.
Dexter Scott King dies at 62 after cancer battle
Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr., passed away at the age of 62. King died Monday, Jan. 22, in California after a battle with prostate cancer, the family confirmed. Dexter King served as chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, also known as the King Center, which was started by his late mother, Coretta Scott King, in 1968.
Dexter King was just seven years old when his father was assassinated; he would go on to attend his father’s alma mater, Morehouse College in Atlanta. In 2002, King took a role in a TV movie, playing his father in the “Rosa Parks Story.” Dexter Scott King leaves behind his wife, whom he married in 2013.
20-year-old PGA tour champion can’t collect $1.5 million prize
A 20-year-old golfing phenom made history on Sunday, Jan. 21, becoming the youngest amateur to win on the PGA Tour since 1910. But even though he won, he could not claim the $1.5 million prize. Nick Dunlap, a University of Alabama sophomore, won the American Express Tournament in California by one stroke.
However, because the rules say that amateurs can’t collect any prize money, the $1.5 million actually went to the second-place finisher. But because of his victory, the college student who brought his homework on his trip to the event now has the option to turn pro. Dunlap said he’s still deciding whether to finish school or join the PGA Tour.
2 Navy SEALs presumed dead in mission to stop Iranian-made weapons transfer
The U.S. military has called off a 10-day search and rescue effort for two Navy SEALs, now presumed dead, who went missing in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. According to U.S. Central Command, rescue efforts have turned into recovery efforts.
“We mourn the loss of our two naval special warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire special operations community during this time,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, U.S. Central Command Commander.
The SEALs were part of a team on a mission to stop Iranian weapons from being smuggled into Yemen, earmarked for Houthi rebels. Officials said the weapons were on board a small fishing vessel called a dhow, which Iran sometimes uses to smuggle weapons.
According to U.S. military officials, with the help of Japanese and Spanish air and naval resources, crews searched over 21,000 square miles. According to ABC News contributor and retired SEAL commander Eric Oehlerich, these types of missions pose many risks, especially when conditions are not calm.
“You have the risk of your boat capsizing in close proximity to larger vessels, you have to establish a solid ladder point, you have to climb a ladder at night over the open ocean between two ships — they’re smashing into each other — and then get on board,” Oehlerich said.
DeSantis drops out of presidential race ahead of New Hampshire primary: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 22, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis drops out of the race for the White House as the New Hampshire primary is a day away. And video captures flames shooting from a cargo plane in an incident now under investigation. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.
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Ron DeSantis drops out of race ahead of New Hampshire primary
With the New Hampshire primary one day away, the field of Republican candidates running for the presidency is down by one. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Sunday, Jan. 21, that he is ending his bid for the White House.
“Now, following our second-place finish in Iowa, we’ve prayed and deliberated on the way forward,” DeSantis said. “If there was anything I could do to produce a favorable outcome, more campaign stops, more interviews, I would do it. But I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don’t have a clear path to victory. Accordingly, I am today, suspending my campaign.”
DeSantis came in a distant second to former President Donald Trump in last week’s Iowa caucuses. In his video on social media announcing the end of his campaign, DeSantis said he is now endorsing Trump as the Republican nominee.
While he admitted the two have disagreed on issues in the past, DeSantis said he sees a majority of Republican primary voters want to give the former president “another chance.” At a rally in New Hampshire later in the day, Trump thanked DeSantis for the endorsement, calling the Florida governor “a really terrific person.”
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley told reporters the race is now down to “one fella and one lady,” adding, “may the best woman win.”
A new poll conducted by CNN and the University of New Hampshire shows Trump is the clear GOP frontrunner, with the former president holding 50% support among likely Republican voters, while Haley has 39%.
Meanwhile, two-thirds of likely Democratic voters say they will write in President Biden’s name after the president did not file to be a candidate on the state’s primary ballot following a dispute between New Hampshire and the Democratic National Committee.
2 Navy SEALs presumed dead during mission to stop Iranian weapons transfer
The U.S. military has called off a 10-day search and rescue effort for 2 Navy SEALs, now presumed dead, who went missing in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. According to U.S. Central Command, rescue efforts have turned into recovery efforts.
According to reports, during the nighttime boarding mission, one of the SEALs fell in the water; following protocol, another team member jumped in to rescue them while the rest of the team carried out the mission. Weapons were recovered, but the two operators have not been.
“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, U.S. Central Command Commander.
Netanyahu rejects Hamas’ conditions to end the war, release hostages
“I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Families of the hostages taken by Hamas held a protest outside of Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, demanding he take action to bring all of them home. A senior Hamas official speaking to Reuters said Netanyahu’s refusal to end its operations in Gaza “means there is no chance for the return of the captives.”
Netanyahu is facing international pressure to end the war. On Sunday, Jan. 21, he reaffirmed his stance that Israel should be in control over Gaza after the fighting ends, despite speaking with President Biden, who pressed the prime minister on working toward a two-state solution during a call two days earlier.
More than 90 weather-related deaths reported as cold temps swept across US
Reports are now showing just how dangerous the conditions were across the country as low temperatures gripped the nation last week.
The New York Times is reporting more than 70 people were killed in weather-related incidents; CBS News is reporting that number is likely to be more than 90.
In Mississippi, where 11 deaths have been reported, officials are warning of black ice on the roads and to only travel if necessary. Twenty-five weather-related deaths were reported in Tennessee, another 16 in Oregon, and more deaths have been recorded in:
New York
New Jersey
Illinois
Washington
Pennsylvania
Kentucky
Wisconsin
While some fatalities are still being investigated to confirm they were due to the severe weather conditions, bitter cold temperatures continued this weekend, affecting tens of millions, with many in the east expected to experience the coldest temperature of the year before a warm-up this coming week, including in northern Florida.
Cargo plane makes emergency landing after engine fire
Cell phone video taken by a witness on the ground shows flames shooting from a cargo plane in Miami shortly after takeoff, and now the FAA and the NTSB are investigating the incident.
“Oh my God, it’s on fire! Oh my God,” the witness can be heard screaming on the video.
The Atlas Air flight made an emergency landing back at Miami International Airport on Thursday night, Jan. 18. The airline said the cargo plane landed safely after “experiencing an engine malfunction.”
Former home of Marilyn Monroe saved from demolition for now
The former California home of legendary Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe, slated to be demolished, has been saved, at least for now. Last week, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously to declare the property a historic cultural monument.
The 2,9000-square-foot estate is the only property Monroe ever purchased; she bought it in February 1962 for $77,500. It was also the home where she was found dead six months later at the age of 36. However, the home’s future is still in question, as the commission’s vote only temporarily prevents demolition remains under review.
Pakistan strikes back at Iran; US targets Houthi missiles: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 18, 2024
Developing stories out of the Middle East as Pakistan fires back at Iran and the U.S. launches additional strikes at Houthi targets. And the latest Apple Watches will be back on sale on Thursday, Jan. 18, but with some changes. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
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Pakistan strikes Iran; U.S. targets Houthi missiles
There are new developments out of the Middle East as the possibility of a wider war in the region looms. Pakistan said it has carried out strikes targeting terrorists inside Iran.
The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest, which is paramount and cannot be compromised.
Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry
The strikes come after an Iranian missile attack on Tuesday, Jan. 16, that Pakistani officials said killed two children and was unprovoked. Pakistan said its strikes on Iran were “highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision strikes against terrorist hideouts.”
An Iranian official said the strikes killed at least nine people, including four children. Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry released a statement that said Pakistan’s national security is its priority.
“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said. “The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest, which is paramount and cannot be compromised.”
Meanwhile, the United States launched another round of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Wednesday night, Jan. 17. U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces targeted 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired from the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The U.S. said the missiles presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and Navy ships in the region.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the U.S. announced it was redesignating the Houthis as global terrorists for the group’s continued attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea. The move subjects the Houthis to economic sanctions aimed to cut off funding to the militant group.
Speaker Johnson pushes the president for border reform in meeting on Ukraine aid
Following a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Jan. 17, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters he pressed President Biden on immigration reform, calling the southern border a “national security and humanitarian catastrophe.” Biden called congressional leaders pushing for more aid to Ukraine, aid that has been blocked by House Republicans for months demanding stricter border policy as the U.S.-Mexico border has been flooded with a record number of migrants.
According to the Pew Research Center, 10.5 million undocumented immigrants have been living in the U.S. since 2021. While Republicans have drawn a proverbial line in the sand demanding the border be addressed in any Ukraine-Israel funding package, the meeting may have marked a path forward for negotiations that have been at a stalemate in Congress.
Biden has requested $61.4 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, which includes additional funding for Israel. Still, it hinges on what border policy changes both sides can agree upon.
“We understand that there is concern about the safety, security, sovereignty of Ukraine,” Speaker Johnson said. “But the American people have those same concerns about our own domestic sovereignty and our safety, and our security.”
In talking to reporters following the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed some hope that talks are moving in the right direction, with both sides having similar goals. But he did note that compromise is the only way anything gets passed.
Texas defies DHS cease-and-desist letter after park takeover
A war of words is brewing between Texas and the Biden administration amid the immigration crisis at the border after the state’s national guard took over a public park along the U.S.-Mexico border last week. The state said the move was to deter migrants from illegally crossing into the area.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a cease-and-desist letter to Texas over the weekend, calling for officials to stop blocking federal border patrol agents from entering Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, by a deadline of Wednesday, Jan. 17.
The department said Texas’ move is obstructing border patrol from apprehending and processing migrants. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded Wednesday, Jan. 17, sending a letter to Homeland Security, rejecting its request and saying the state will continue “utilizing its constitutional authority to defend her territory.” DHS has warned Texas it would refer the matter to the Justice Department should the state continue to deny border patrol full access.
Maine judge defers Trump decision until Supreme Court ruling
Maine’s secretary of state barred Trump from the ballot last month, citing his actions around the Jan. 6 capitol riots a week after the Colorado Supreme Court’s similar decision. Trump, the GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, has appealed the states’ decisions, leaving his name on both ballots for now.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case out of Colorado, with arguments set for Feb. 8. The Maine judge ordered Maine’s secretary of state to make a new ruling within 30 days of the Supreme Court’s decision.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, Trump voluntarily attended his defamation trial in New York for a second day, where he sparred with the judge, who threatened to kick him out of court for making comments as his accuser, columnist E. Jean Carroll, was testifying. Trump said he will not be at Thursday’s Jan. 18 court proceedings so he can attend the funeral of his mother-in-law, who passed away last week at the age of 78.
Iowa sues TikTok for misleading parents and exposing children to harmful content
Other states have filed similar lawsuits, though a judge in Indiana threw out the case. TikTok faces many other legal challenges, from inappropriate content to privacy concerns. It is not just TikTok facing backlash and challenges when it comes to protecting children from harmful content on social media; globally, there have been calls for social platforms to protect children.
In a statement regarding the latest lawsuit in Iowa, TikTok said it “has industry leading safeguards in place for young people, including parental controls and time limits for those under 18. We are committed to tackling industry wide challenges and will continue to prioritize community safety.” TikTok’s CEO, along with the other social media CEOs, is set to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31 discussing online child sexual exploitation.
Apple begins selling watches without blood oxygen feature
The latest versions of the Apple Watch will return to Apple store shelves but with some modifications. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 18, Apple will once again sell its Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches online and at its retail stores, but the watches will be without the blood oxygen feature.
This comes after Apple was banned from using the technology following an intellectual property dispute with the medical device company Masimo. The blood oxygen app will still be on the watches, but Apple said when users tap on it, they will be alerted that the feature is no longer accessible. Apple is still appealing the International Trade Commission’s ruling that found Apple infringed on Masimo’s patents.
US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen as group is expected to be added to terror list: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 17, 2024
The U.S. launched another airstrike against Houthi targets, as the Iranian-backed group is expected to be relisted as a global terrorist organization. And the next Republican debate is canceled just days before the New Hampshire primary. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.
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US launches strike as Houthis expected to be added to terrorist list
The United States carried out another airstrike against Houthi targets in Yemen on Tuesday, Jan. 16, destroying four anti-ballistic missiles. This was the third military strike by the American forces against the Iranian-backed group since last week’s U.S.-led attack that struck dozens of Houthi targets.
Later in the day, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a Greek-owned bulk carrier; no injuries were reported, and the vessel did not suffer any damage. According to U.S. officials, the Biden administration is planning to put the Houthi rebels back on the list of terrorist organizations, marking them as “specially designated global terrorists,” which would impose financial restrictions on the group.
The Houthis had been designated as a terrorist organization back in January of 2021, but the group was removed from the list over concerns the move would stall peace talks and impact the civilians of Yemen who have been part of a nearly decade-long civil war. The Houthis said they would continue to attack ships in the Red Sea as long as Israel pressed on with its military operation against Hamas in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the countries of Qatar and France announced they brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas to deliver medication to Israeli hostages taken during Hamas’ terror attack in October in exchange for additional medicine and aid for Palestinians living in Gaza.
President Biden to host top lawmakers to talk aid to Ukraine and Israel
The White House announced on Tuesday, Jan. 16, that President Biden will meet with top lawmakers to push for more aid to Ukraine and Israel, efforts that have stalled in Congress. According to ABC News reporting, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, Biden will meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to find a path forward and get more funding passed.
Biden requested $106 billion in funding for Ukraine and Israel to be passed in October, but negotiations in Congress came grinding to a halt as Republicans set a hard line on immigration reform, demanding it be tied in with any additional funding to Ukraine.
Negotiations have been ongoing for months with seemingly no progress as Republicans want stricter border enforcement as migrants flood the southern border, but according to the White House, those talks are now moving in the right direction. Still, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said it’s time for Congress to act.
“You know, this is about securing our border,” Jean-Pierre said. “This is about our national security and the consequences of congressional inaction would be severe. So, the president is going to have this all-important conversation.”
Senate advances stopgap bill as shutdown deadline looms
The Senate has voted to advance a stopgap spending measure that would extend government funding deadlines to March 1 and March 8, which would give Congress more time to pass long-term funding. But there is still work to be done to avert a shutdown as this week’s deadline rapidly approaches.
The Senate voted 68-13 on Tuesday, Jan. 16 on a bill to serve as a vehicle for a two-step stopgap, also called continuing resolution (CR). The two-tiered spending bill must still pass the Senate and the House, where there may be Republican opposition, making it difficult to push through. Without it passing both chambers, the government would partially shut down on Friday, Jan. 19, when funding for some agencies runs out; for other agencies, funding would run out on Feb. 2.
As hardline conservatives in the House fight for lower spending levels than what was agreed to by congressional leaders, it seems Speaker Johnson has his work cut out for him, especially considering working with Democrats to pass short-term spending is what got former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., ousted from his position. If the measure does pass the House, it will mark the third short-term spending bill passed by Congress since September.
ABC News cancels GOP primary debate in New Hampshire
The next Republican primary debate that was scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17, in New Hampshire is no longer taking place. ABC News announced yesterday its decision to cancel the debate after it said both former President Donald Trump and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley failed to respond to their invitations by the Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16 deadline.
Earlier in the day, Haley released a statement that said she would only debate President Biden or former President Trump, who is coming off a victory in the Iowa caucuses. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who qualified for the ABC News debate, responded to Haley’s comments saying she was afraid. Trump has not participated in the previous debates, citing his commanding lead in the polls.
The former president is expected to attend the second day of his defamation trial in New York on Thursday, Jan. 17, before heading back to New Hampshire for campaign events. New Hampshire will hold its primary election next Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The merger would have created the fifth-largest airline in the country, a deal JetBlue said is needed to compete with bigger rivals. Both airlines disagreed with the judge’s ruling and are considering an appeal.
‘Oldest dog ever’ world record suspended amid controversy
Controversy over the age of the world’s oldest dog ever has led Guinness World Records to suspend the title as the group reviews its findings. We have reported on Bobi before here on The Morning Rundown.
The reportedly 31-year-old guard dog was announced as the world’s oldest living dog and oldest dog ever in February 2023. Bobi died in October, but now, months later, Guinness World Records said it received comments from a group of skeptical veterinarians questioning the dog’s age. The publication said both records are on pause until the investigation is finished.
US searches for SEALs lost at sea during mission to seize Iran-made warheads
The U.S. Central Command announced a search-and-rescue mission for two U.S. Navy SEALs lost at sea during an operation in the Arabian Sea on Thursday, Jan. 11. The SEALs went missing during a ship-boarding mission to confiscate Iranian-made missile warheads and other weapons parts.
According to The Washington Post, one Navy SEAL slipped off a ladder while trying to board the dhow, a trading vessel sometimes used by smugglers to carry illicit weapons. The dhow, lacking proper identification, was believed to be carrying military weapons.
Another Navy SEAL dove into the water to save their team member after witnessing the fall. Both SEALs were swept away by intense waves and have not been publicly identified.
As rescue efforts unfolded, the remaining Navy SEALs continued their mission, seizing advanced weaponry from the ship. The U.S. military revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, that the mission dealt a blow to Yemen militants’ resupply of weapons in the Red Sea.
Photos released by the U.S. Central Command show the seized equipment, including a cruise missile with a turbojet engine, propulsion and guidance devices, and weapons parts used for air defense. The U.S. investigation indicated that the seized missile and parts were likely intended for use by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, potentially violating international law and a U.N. resolution.
Following the seizure, U.S. officials sank the vessel, deeming it unsafe.
All 14 crew members were taken into U.S. custody.
The operation, assisted by helicopters and drones, took place near Somalia. However, the origin of the ship that carried Iran-made weapons remains unclear.
With Iran’s continued aggression, attacks by Yemen militants, and U.S.-led retaliatory strikes against Houthi rebels, tensions are escalating in the region. U.S. officials fear that if Houthi rebels obtain more weapons from Iran, they will use them in further attacks, potentially affecting commercial ships and global trade in the Red Sea.