Thursday morning news: January 18, 2024

Houthis » Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched another attack against a U.S.-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden

A bomb-carrying drone slammed into a cargo ship, sparking a fire. The crew was able to put it out. The captain reported no injuries.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:

KIRBY: These attacks are a clear example of terrorism, violation of international law, a major threat to innocent lives and to global commerce.

The Houthis had promised retaliation for last week’s joint U.S. and British airstrikes against the militant group.

The attack came as State Dept spokesman Matthew Miller made this announcement:

MILLER: Earlier today, the secretary of state announced the designation of the Houthis as a specially designated global terrorist, effective February 16th, for threatening the security of the United States.

And that’s more than just a label. It allows the U.S. Treasury Department to disrupt the group's access to funds in the international banking system.

Ukraine/border bill talks » At the White House, President Biden sat down with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other top lawmakers Wednesday to resume talks about a package that would fund aid to Ukraine and help secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Speaker Johnson has been clear that one will not happen without the other.

JOHNSON: Border, border, border. We have to take care of our own house. We have to take care of our own house. We have to secure our own border before we talk about doing anything else.

Some lawmakers expressed cautious optimism after the meeting. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he now believes there’s a better than 50 percent chance that the two sides will strike a deal.

Biden is seeking a $110 billion dollar package that would pay for aid to Ukraine and Israel, among other things.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also took part in the meeting. He told reporters—“We have to get it done.”

SCHUMER: At stake is the security of our country, the survival of our friends in Ukraine, the safety of our friends in Israel.

The renewed talks come as current funding for US aid to Ukraine runs dry and as migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border continue in record-breaking numbers.

Blinken on Israel/Gaza » Secretary of State Tony Blinken is renewing a push to create a path for an Independent Palestinian state when Israel's war with Hamas ends.

The secretary told world leaders in Davos, Switzerland:

BLINKEN: If you pursue integration with security with a Palestinian state, all of a sudden, you have a region that's come together in ways that answer the most profound questions that Israel’s tried to answer for years.

He said Israel won’t achieve peace and security until it allows the existence of an Palestinian state. But critics of that plan say Iran-backed radical groups will remain committed to destroying Israel regardless.

Israel says it will remain in control of security in Gaza for an indefinite period after the war ends.

SCOTUS » The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that aims to reel in the federal government’s regulatory powers.

Lawyers representing herring fishermen challenged a regulation that requires fisheries to allow government observers on their boats and to pay their salaries.

The monitors are tasked with making sure fishermen follow federal rules. Attorney Paul Clement argued the requirement is government overreach and a heavy burden.

CLEMENT: Commercial fishing is hard. Space on board the vessels is tight and margins are tighter still.

Lower courts in 2021 upheld the regulation using the so-called Chevron deference that requires courts to defer to government agencies to interpret unclear laws.

While attorneys for the fishermen have asked justices to overturn the doctrine, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar defended it.

PRELOGAR: Congress can expressly delegate to agencies the authority to define terms and fill gaps.

The court is expected to make a decision in the case this summer.

Manchin / politics » Another big name in Washington is weighing a possible White House bid with the potential to shake up the 2024 election.

MANCHIN: I’ve always been the independent voice. I try to represent my state of West Virginia.

Blue Dog Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin is openly thinking about running for president as an independent.

That has sparked fear among many Democrats that he could play the role of spoiler, peeling away critical votes from President Biden.

But Manchin says if he runs for president, he has no intention of playing the spoiler.

MANCHIN: I’m going to definitely want to win and I’m going to fight to win. I’m not going to go in there just trying to harm somebody or help somebody else. I want to make sure that we create a different option bringing people together.

That last major third-party candidate was Ross Perot in 1992. Many blamed or credited him with peeling enough votes away from President George H.W. Bush to send Bill Clinton to the White House.

New Hampshire campaigning » Meantime, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and second place Nikki Haley are stumping in the Granite State.

TRUMP: I’m thrilled to be back in the great state of New Hampshire with thousands of proud, hard-working American patriots, which is what you are.

Trump heard there in the southeastern town of Atkinson, about 30 miles north of Boston.

Nikki Haley, meantime, held a rally in Rochester, New Hampshire.

HALEY: I don’t want to just be campaigning in the live free or die state. I want this to be a live free or die country. That’s our goal!

Tuesday night’s primary vote could be a nail-biter. Trump leads Haley by about 15 points in the state. But New Hampshire holds open primaries, meaning independents and Democrats are free to vote which could sway the outcome.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is largely punting on New Hampshire where he has not fared well in state polls, campaigning instead in states that will vote next month.

Haley says she now considers this a two-person race between her and Trump, and that her next presidential debate will be against Trump or President Biden. She will not debate head to head again with DeSantis again as she did last week.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Religious liberty in Latin America. Plus, Artists with artificial souls.

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