Biden says he has decided US response to Jordan attack

WASHINGTON, Jan 30: President Joe Biden says he has decided how the US will respond to a drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan at the weekend.

Speaking as he left the White House for fundraisers in Florida, Biden added: "I don't think we need a wider war in the Middle East."

An Iran-backed militia group has claimed responsibility for the attack at a US military base.

Dozens more were injured in Sunday's strike near the Syrian border.

Biden did not detail exactly what the US action might be, but the White House on Monday promised a "very consequential response".

The drone strike was the first time US soldiers were killed by enemy fire in the region since the Israel Gaza war erupted on 7 October.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attack.

Asked by reporters on Tuesday morning if he had decided how to respond to the attack, Biden replied: "Yes".

He was also asked if Iran should be blamed. "I do hold them [Iran] responsible in the sense that they're supplying the weapons to the people who did it," he said.

Three US service members killed, many wounded in drone attack on US forces in Jordan: Joe Biden

WASHINGTON, Jan 28: At least three US service members were killed and many were wounded in a drone attack in Jordan by 'Iran-backed' militant groups, news agency AP quoted US President Joe Biden as saying in a statement on 28 January.

It is the first time American military personnel have been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and the incident will further raise tensions in the region and fuel fears of a broader conflict directly involving Iran.

Hamas said the death of the soldiers shows Washington's backing for Israel could put it at odds with the whole Muslim world if the Gaza war continues and that it could lead to a "regional explosion."

"While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," Biden said in a statement.

All the killed US service members were the first US fatalities in months of strikes against American forces across the Middle East by Iranian-backed militias amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. This has increased the risk of escalation in the region.

The US President mentioned that the United States ‘will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing’.

According to details, the Saturday night attack took place in northeast Jordan, near the border with Syria. At least 34 personnel were being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury, a U.S. official said. Two different officials said some wounded U.S. forces were medically evacuated from the base for further treatment.

However, there has been no immediate reaction from Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

U.S. troops long have used Jordan, a close American ally. as a basing point. Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan.

“While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," Biden said in his statement, adding, "The US will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism."

The US troops in Iraq and Syria have faced drone and missile attacks on their bases since Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip began. The attack on Jordan marks the first targeting of American troops in Jordan during the war.

Biden, who was in South Carolina's Columbia, was briefed Sunday morning by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer.

Biden's statement did not mention how many troops were injured but CNN said at least two dozen service members were wounded in the attack.

Trump wins New Hampshire Republican primary, Nikki Haley pledges to continue campaign

NEW YORK, Jan 24: Former President Donald Trump has now moved closer to the Republican presidential nomination after defeating Nikki Haley in New Hampshire’s primary. “We won New Hampshire three times now, three. We win it every time, we win the primary, we win the generals,” Trump said Tuesday night, January 23, in his victory speech.

Trump has won three Republican primaries in New Hampshire. However, he has still not won a general election there, having lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

Haley, meanwhile, has pledged to continue her campaign. "This race is far from over," she told a crowd that had gathered in Concord, New Hampshire, for an election watch party. "There are dozens of states left to go and the next one is my sweet state of South Carolina."

"I'm a fighter, and I'm scrappy, and now we're the last ones standing next to Donald Trump," she said.

Haley went on to talk about how Republicans lost control of the Senate and House with Trump as the party’s leader. "We lost in 2018. We lost in 2020 and we lost in 2022," she told supporters.

"The worst kept secret in politics is how badly the Democrats want to run against Donald Trump. They know Trump is the only Republican in the country who Joe Biden can defeat."

Noting that millions of people across the country have yet to cast their vote, Haley said, “We should honor them and allow them to vote. Our fight is not over because we have a country to save.”

Earlier in January, Trump won the Iowa caucuses, strengthening his status as the front-runner in the Republican primary. While running for his campaign, Trump is navigating a heap of legal troubles. Last year he became the first US president in history to have a mugshot taken. His mugshot was taken while being booked at an Atlanta jail for allegedly trying to reverse the 2020 election results in Georgia.

2 US Navy SEALs Missing After Secret Op To Seize Houthi Weapons

WASHINGTON, Jan 16: Two operatives of the US Navy SEALs, a special forces combat unit of the Navy, are missing following a night-time covert operation conducted to stop the supply of lethal weapons from Iran to the Houthi rebels, the US Central Command said.

The US Central Command or CENTCOM is one of the 11 combat commands and operates in the Middle East region. Last week on January 11, the US Navy SEALs, operating from USS Lewis B Puller, an expeditionary sea base for multipurpose maritime operations.

The Navy SEALs, supported by helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) successfully docked the vessel near the coast of Somalia in the international water in the Arabian Sea and seized Iranian-made ballistic missiles, cruise missile components, propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defence associated components.

The initial analysis by the US says that the components and weapons seized by the Navy SEALs have been used by the Houthis to conduct drone, and missile strikes on merchant ships in the Red Sea.

The inference also suggests a direct link between Iran and the Houthi strikes in the Red Sea. Security and defence experts fear that a spillover event may take place if the attacks continue and Iran and its proxies come into confrontation with US-led allies in this vital sea trade route.

This is the first seizure of lethal, Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons (ACW) to the Houthis since the beginning of Houthi attacks against merchant ships in November 2023, the CENTCOM said.

The interdiction also constitutes the first seizure of advanced Iranian-manufactured ballistic missile and cruise missile components by the US Navy since November 2019.

"It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis. This is yet another example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region in direct violation of UN Security Resolution 2216 and international law," said US CENTCOM Commander, General Michael Erik Kurilla.

Two U.S. Navy SEALs previously reported as lost at sea were directly involved in this operation. "We are conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates," the US CENTCOM Commander said.

The US Navy sank the vessel after finding it unsafe and the 14 crew members have been captured and will be prosecuted as per international law.

Yesterday, the Houthi rebels attacked a US cargo vessel in the Red Sea. The Marshall Islands-flagged Gibraltar Eagle suffered a fire on board but no casualties and remained seaworthy, the US Central Command said.

The Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile and is part of its "axis of resistance" movement against Israel and its allies and the attacks are being carried out "in solidarity with Gaza". Over 24,000 people have died in Gaza and the war has entered its 100th day.

Around 12 per cent of global trade normally passes through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea's entrance between southwest Yemen and Djibouti, but the rebel attacks have affected trade flows.

The US-led allies launched 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' last month to protect the vital sea routes but the Houthis have continued their attacks despite several warnings.

US Carries Out New Strike Targeting Houthi Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles

WASHINGTON, Jan 16: The US military on Tuesday carried out a new strike in Yemen against four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, two US officials told Reuters, the latest move against the Iran-aligned group over its targeting of Red Sea shipping.

One of the officials said the missiles were struck because they were being prepared to target ships in the region. The US strike came a day after Houthi forces hit the US-owned and operated dry bulk ship Gibraltar Eagle with an anti-ship ballistic missile.

Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have continued even after the US and Britain last week launched an initial wave of strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities.

The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have claimed their attacks on commercial ships are aimed at supporting the Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza. Their attacks have disrupted global shipping and stoked fears of global inflation. They have also deepened concern that fallout from the Israel-Hamas war could destabilize the Middle East.

The Houthi movement has vowed to keep up attacks despite the strikes last week against radar and missile capabilities. Some experts believe they welcome a conflict with the United States and its allies.

A Malta-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier was targeted and hit by a missile while northbound in the Red Sea 76 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port of Saleef, a security firm said on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Gibraltar Eagle's US-based operator Eagle Bulk Shipping said it was hit by an "unidentified projectile" while sailing 100 miles (160 km) off the Gulf of Aden. The attack caused a fire in a hold of the vessel, which was carrying steel products, but no injuries, and the ship was continuing on its way, it said.

Container vessels have been pausing or diverting from the Red Sea that leads to the Suez Canal, the fastest freight route from Asia to Europe. Many ships have been forced to take the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope instead.

Nikki Haley Says She Is Last Hope Of Stopping 'Trump-Biden Nightmare'

WASHINGTON, Jan 16: Indian-American Nikki Haley, who finished third in the Iowa caucuses, has said that she is the only Republican candidate who could take on frontrunner Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden and avert a "Trump-Biden nightmare".

The Iowa caucuses on Monday formally kicked off the beginning of the long process by which the Republicans and Democrats choose their nominees for the presidential election on November 5.

Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the UN, came a close third with nearly 20 per cent of the votes polled. Former US president Trump won the caucus with more than 50 per cent of the votes, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came in second with 21 per cent. Fellow Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy secured 7.7 per cent of the total votes polled and suspended his presidential campaign.

The two-time South Carolina governor said her presidential campaign is the best hope to avert a rematch between Trump and incumbent President Biden, a Democrat, in the presidential election.

"Our campaign is the last best hope of stopping the Trump-Biden nightmare," the 51-year-old politician told her cheering supporters in West Des Moines, Iowa, late on Monday.

Nikki Haley, who has been climbing up the ladder over the last few weeks, said she is headed to New Hampshire, the battleground for the next Republican primary election on January 23.

Addressing her supporters, the lone woman in the race on either side of the political spectrum said that all the evidence says that if it's a Trump-Biden rematch, it will be another tossup election.

"It could go either way. We could have more disputes over election interference. And Joe Biden could win again, with Kamala Harris waiting in the wings. Lord, help us," she said.

Nikki Haley also claimed the Republican contest to choose the presidential nominee is now a two-person race.

"At one point in this campaign, there were 14 of us running. I was at two per cent in the polls. But tonight, Iowa did what Iowa does so well. The pundits will analyse the results from every angle. But when you look at how we are doing in New Hampshire, in South Carolina, and beyond, I think we can safely say... Tonight, Iowa made this Republican primary a two-person race!" she said.

Alleging that Trump and Biden have more in common than one might think, Ms Haley said, "Seventy per cent of Americans don't want another Trump-Biden rematch. A majority disapprove of both of them." She also attacked their age and said they are "both consumed by the past, by investigations, by vendettas, by grievances." Trump is 77 and Biden is 81.

"The majority disapprove of both of them," Haley said. "Trump and Biden are both about 80 years old. Trump and Biden both put our country deeper in debt and our kids will never forgive them for it. Both Trump and Biden lack a vision for our country's future because both are consumed by the past," she said.

Asserting that America deserves better, Haley said, "We deserve a new direction under new conservative leadership. We deserve a president who will focus on the needs of our people, not on themselves."

"A president who will rebuild our economy, close our border, and stand up to our enemies. Most importantly, we deserve a president who will stop our self-loathing, end the division and fear, and make America strong and proud!" she said.

Ms Haley told her supporters to look at what happens when she goes head-to-head against Biden. "We win in a landslide. It's not even close. That means no recounts, no lawsuits, and no doubts. It means no more Chuck Schumer leading the Senate. No more endless votes for House Speaker because we'll have a huge House majority," she said.

"We'll term limit the do-nothing Washington politicians. We'll rebuild our economy and secure our border. And make no mistake, we will restore our national pride. We are blessed to live in America, and it's time we remembered that," Ms Haley said.

US court seeks Biden administration's reply on plea by Indian charged with plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Pannun

NEW YORK, Jan 11: A New York court has ordered the Joe Biden administration to respond to a motion filed by lawyers of Indian national Nikhil Gupta seeking material relating to charges against him in an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

US District Judge Victor Marrero said in the order,"On January 4, 2024, defence counsel filed a motion to compel production of discovery, requesting that the Court enter an order directing the Government to begin providing defense counsel with discovery material. The Court hereby directs the government to file a reply to the Motion to Compel within three days of the date of this order."

The US has charged 52-year-old Gupta, who was arrested in June in connection with an alleged foiled plot to eliminate Pannun, who has been designated as terrorist by the Narendra Modi government.

The Delhi-based businessman was arrested in the Czech Republic last year. Gupta has been charged with murder-for-hire, an offence which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Matthew G. Olsen said.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of India rejected a plea filed by an unidentified family member of Gupta, seeking consular access and legal aid to the arrested Indian national to challenge his indictment and extradition.

The apex court said it is a sensitive matter and the Government of India will decide how to go about it. The Supreme Court added it should respect the jurisdiction of a foreign court.

India had said it was looking into allegations that were very serious. Gupta's family moved the top court alleging that he was kept in isolation and forced to eat meat and pork.