Wednesday morning news: January 17, 2024

Houthis/Seals » National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says the U.S. military has launched another strike against the Yemen-based Houthi rebels …

KIRBY: Knocking out four ballistic missiles that we believe were pressed and ready to be launched from Yemen — took them out before they could do that. So we’ll say it again; we stand ready to defend our sailors, our ships, and that of merchant shipping as required.

The U.S. and British militaries launched joint strikes last week against Houthi targets in Yemen as the militant group continues to terrorize commercial shipping lanes on and near the Red Sea.

But that operation didn’t stop the Iran-backed Houthis from attacking. And National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington did not believe it would.

SULLIVAN: We anticipated the Houthis would continue to try to hold this critical artery at risk. And we continue to reserve the right to take further action, but this needs to be an all-hands-on-deck effort.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, he said leaders around the world must send a message that a group like the Houthis will not be allowed to hijack global trade.

The Biden administration is expected to announce plans soon to redesignate the Houthi rebels as specially designated global terrorists.

Zelenskyy » Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also been pressing his case at the summit in Davos, Switzerland urging the West to continue backing Kyiv’s cause as it battles Russian invaders.

ZELENSKYY: If anyone thinks this is only about us, this is only about Ukraine. They are fundamentally mistaken. Possible directions and even timeline of a new Russian aggression beyond Ukraine become more and more obvious.

He came out swinging against Vladimir Putin, calling him the embodiment of war adding that he will not change.

Senior U.S. leaders met with Zelenskyy in Davos and said they’re working closely with Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine.

Iran/Iraq » Iraq is recalling its ambassador to Iran after an attack on the northern city of Erbil Monday night killed at least four people.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched missile strikes on what it said was an Israeli spy base near the U.S. consulate in the city. But Iraq says not so.

Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani:

BARZANI: What's surprising is we are not a part of this conflict, we don't know why Iran is retaliating against civilians of Kurdistan, especially in Erbil.

Iraqi officials called Iran’s claims “baseless”

Gaza-Israel » Leaders in Qatar and France said Tuesday they have brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas to allow the delivery of medications to nearly half of the more than 100 Israeli hostages Hamas is still holding.

This marks the first agreement between Israel and the terror group since a weeklong cease-fire collapsed in November.

Tax credit and business tax break bill » On Capitol Hill, a group of bipartisan lawmakers from both chambers has proposed a deal that would boost certain tax credits and tax breaks. WORLD'S Alex Carmenaty has more.

ALEX CARMENATY: The nearly $80 billion package would bolster child tax credits and restore some tax breaks to businesses that were removed in 2017.

Some Democrats have pushed to restore part of the child tax credit from 2021 as Republicans have sought to allow businesses to streamline tax deductions for machinery and equipment.

The proposal could still face challenges. Congressional leaders were not involved in the negotiations, and it remains unclear if Congress will consider it.

For WORLD, I’m Alex Carmenaty.

Hutchinson » The Republican presidential field continues to thin out. One day after businessman Vivek Ramaswamy pulled the plug on his campaign after the Iowa caucuses, former Arkasas Gov. Asa Hutchinson also called it quits.

Hutchinson said this week that he was one of the few candidates that has taken frontrunner Donald Trump to task.

HUTCHINSON: And there might be a short-term price for that. But long term, fear, fear-mongering and grievances only take you so far.

The former governor’s campaign never really gained traction. His poll numbers never emerged from the low single digits, and he drew just a fraction of 1 percent support in Iowa Monday night.

SCOTUS bathroom Indiana » The U.S. Supreme Court says it won’t wade into a legal battle over restrooms for transgender students at Indiana public schools. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: The high court says it’s leaving in place a lower court ruling that requires schools to allow students to use the facilities corresponding with their so-called gender identity.

The liberal activist group, the American Civil Liberties Union, had sued a central Indiana middle school in 2021 for refusing to let a female student use the boys’ restroom.

A district court judge ruled in favor of the student and an appeals court upheld the ruling.

The Supreme Court has refused to hear similar cases before.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: The road to New Hampshire on Washington Wednesday. Plus, World Tour.

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