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.

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.

U.S. Central Command said the latest strikes destroyed four anti-ship missiles that posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and navy ships traveling through the Red Sea.

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.

U.S. Conducts Strikes in Yemen as Houthi Attacks Against International Shipping Continue

On Jan. 16 at approximately 1:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants launched an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into international… pic.twitter.com/uUCs9qcBPu

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 16, 2024

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 we continue our work to fund the government, Senate negotiators remain hard at work finalizing an agreement for a national security supplemental.

At stake is the security of our country, the security of our friends abroad, and the future of democracy.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 16, 2024

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.

I’ll debate Donald Trump right here, right now. He can’t hide forever. pic.twitter.com/wlMJYmEVUw

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 16, 2024

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.

JetBlue-Spirit merger blocked by federal judge

A federal judge has blocked the proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the judge sided with the Justice Department, which had sued to stop the $3.8 billion deal, saying it would harm competition and violate antitrust laws. The judge decided that JetBlue’s plans to eliminate Spirit Airlines would “harm cost-conscious travelers who rely on Spirit’s low fares.”

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.