Big blow to Farooq Abdullah as several key National Conference leaders in Jammu join BJP
They joined the BJP at the party’s headquarters in Jammu, with Ravinder Raina — the saffron party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit chief — and other leaders welcoming the new entrants.
Beating Retreat 2024 today: When and where to watch live stream; all you need to know
The Beating the Retreat Ceremony is a notable tradition held annually at Vijay Chowk on January 29.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir can withstand once-in-2,500-year quake: Scientists
Ghosh and Manojit Samanta – coordinators of the Centre of Excellence for Conservation of Heritage Structures at CSIR-CBRI – led the teams in reviewing the foundation design and monitoring, conducting 3D structural analysis and design of the Ram Mandir.
Republican ex-judge argued Trump engaged in insurrection, should be removed from Illinois primary ballot
A retired Republican judge is arguing that former President Donald Trump ought to be removed from Illinois’ primary ballot for allegedly engaging in an insurrection in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Former longtime Kankakee County Judge Clark Erickson, acting as hearing officer on voters’ challenge to the former president’s eligibility, issued the recommendation to the Illinois State Officers Electoral Board, which is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Attorneys for Trump and citizens seeking to keep the Republican former president off the ballot presented their arguments before Erickson on Friday. The Illinois State Officers Electoral Board is expected to consider the recommendation on Tuesday. Erickson’s 21-page recommendation concluded that a “preponderance of the evidence” presented proves that Trump engaged in insurrection. HALEY BLASTS RNC FOR RUSHING TO TRUMP AS NOMINEE, CALLS ON AMERICANS TO ‘REMEMBER WHAT NORMAL FELT LIKE’ But he said the election board can’t engage in the “significant and sophisticated constitutional analysis” required to remove Trump’s name before the March 19 primary. He said the decision should ultimately be left to the courts. He likened the board’s attempt to resolve the constitutional question to “scheduling a two-minute round between heavyweight boxers in a telephone booth.” Still, Erickson noted that even if the board disagrees with his reasoning, Trump’s name should be removed from the Illinois primary ballot. Free Speech for People, which is leading the Illinois ballot effort, praised Erickson’s recommendation as “significant” but argued that Illinois law allows the board to make the ballot decision. “We expect that the board and ultimately Illinois courts will uphold Judge Erickson’s thoughtful analysis of why Trump is disqualified from office, but — with the greatest respect — correct him on why Illinois law authorizes that ruling,” Ron Fein, legal director for the group, wrote in a Sunday statement. The Illinois saga echoes similar efforts in several other states. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next month in a historic Colorado Supreme Court ruling to remove Trump from that state’s ballot. The case presents the high court with its first look at a provision of the 14th Amendment barring some people who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Democrats Colin Allred, Roland Gutierrez show contrasts during U.S. Senate primary debate
During potentially their only primary debate, Gutierrez suggested Allred was pandering to Republicans, while Allred defended his bipartisanship as necessary to winning in GOP-dominated Texas.
‘Brazen attack’: Trump blasts Biden after 3 US service members killed by Iran-backed militia
Former President Donald Trump shares his reaction on his social media platform, Truth Social, after three U.S. service members were killed and at least 25 others were injured in a drone attack on an outpost in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border on Sunday. “The drone attack on a U.S. Military Installation in Jordan, killing 3 American Servicemembers, and wounding many more, marks a horrible day for America. My most profound sympathies go to the Families of the Brave Servicemembers we have lost,” Trump wrote. He continued his first part of a three-part series, asking for all Americans to join him in praying for those who were wounded and calling out President Joe Biden and his flawed administration. “This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender,” Trump continued. “Three years ago, Iran was weak, broke, and totally under control. Thanks to my Maximum Pressure policy, the Iranian Regime could barely scrape two dollars together to fund their terrorist proxies. Then Joe Biden came in and gave Iran billions of dollars, which the Regime has used to spread bloodshed and carnage throughout the Middle East,” Trump posted. 3 AMERICAN TROOPS KILLED, 25 INJURED IN ATTACK ON JORDAN BASE NEAR SYRIA BORDER A senior U.S. defense official told Fox News the injury toll could rise to higher than just 25 Americans. “This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance – Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the War in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have Peace throughout the World. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3,” Trump wrote. In the wake of the attack, Republicans condemned Biden’s perceived inaction so far and some went farther, accusing the president of appeasing Iran. US WITHDRAWAL FROM SYRIA WOULD PUT ‘WHOLE REGION AT RISK,’ ALLOW IRAN TO ‘SOW’ MORE DISCORD, EXPERT WARNS “Enough is enough. The Biden administration’s appeasement of Iran must end. It’s time for clear and decisive action, and Iran must be held accountable for the malign activities of its proxies,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. “It’s long past time for President Biden to finally hold the terrorist Iranian regime and their extremist proxies accountable for the attacks they’ve carried out against U.S. and coalition forces,” Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said. Trump echoed the remarks of other Republicans, saying this day was further proof a change needs to be made. TRUMP ADMIN CUT FUNDING TO UN AGENCY NOW ACCUSED OF PARTICIPATING IN HAMAS ATTACK ‘FOR REASON’: REP. MCCAUL “This terrible day is yet more proof that we need an immediate return to PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, so that there will be no more chaos, no more destruction, and no more loss of precious American lives. Our Country cannot survive with Joe Biden as Commander in Chief,” Trump concluded. This attack marked the first time U.S. troops have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began. Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski contributed to this story.
Iran-backed militia kills 3 US troops just weeks after Biden said Tehran knows ‘not to do anything’
President Biden struck a confidant tone earlier this month when asked whether Iran would retaliate after the U.S. and its allies bombed Yemen in response to ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi militants. The January 12 exchange came during the president’s visit to Emmaus, Pennsylvania to tout what he regards as the success of his administration’s economic policies. The president said he’d “already delivered a message to” the Islamic Republic after the Yemen bombings. “They know not to do anything,” President Biden said, assuring that attacks on the Houthis would continue so long as they “continue this outrageous behavior.” He declined to say whether the U.S. was in a “de facto proxy war with Iran.” But just a little over two weeks later, three American troops were killed and dozens of others were injured in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Most, if not all, of those injured and killed were Army soldiers at a base known as Tower 22, which has been in support of the counter-ISIS mission for years, the official said. The president as well as Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin blamed Iran-backed militias for Sunday’s attack. A coalition of Iran-backed militant groups calling themselves the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” claimed responsibility. Later Sunday, President Biden said the U.S. “had a tough day in the Middle East,” and vowed: “We shall respond.” The troops’ death marked a major escalation of tensions in the region, after months of strikes by militia groups on American forces in the region in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. FATHER OF MURDERED IDF SOLDIER SAYS HAMAS TERRORISTS TRIED TO SELL HIS SON’S HEAD FOR $10,000 President Biden said the United States “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.” Secretary Austin said he was “outraged and deeply saddened” by the fatalities and the injuries. “These brave Americans and their families are in my prayers, and the entire Department of Defense mourns their loss,” he said. “Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing.” He added: “The President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.” The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 12 miles north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders. Since the war in Gaza began Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. Scores of U.S. personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks. The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washington’s support for Israel in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push U.S. forces out of the region. The U.S. in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iran-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Fox News’ Danielle Wallace, Liz Friden and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UK says it thwarted Houthis’ drone attack in the Red Sea
UK says Houthis attacked British military vessel in the Red Sea resulting in no damage and no injuries. A UK vessel shot down a Houthi drone in the Red Sea, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has said, as tensions in the Middle East soar amid the ongoing war in Gaza. “Yesterday HMS Diamond successfully repelled a drone attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea,” read a statement from the ministry published on Sunday on X. “Diamond destroyed a drone targeting her, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew,” it added. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis. The Yemen-based group previously pledged to target Israel-linked vessels in the region as part of an effort to pressure the country’s government to end its bombardment of Gaza and allow more humanitarian aid supplies into the coastal Palestinian enclave. Gaza has been under heavy bombardment by Israeli forces since October 7, when Hamas fighters stormed communities in southern Israel, killing at least 1,139 people and taking about 240 others captive, according to Israeli officials. At least 26,400 people in Gaza have been killed in the Israeli assault since, according to Palestinian authorities in the territory. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have caused major disruption to global commerce as the area is a key artery for maritime trade. Some of the world’s largest shipping companies have suspended operations in the region, instead sending their cargo vessels on a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, slowing trade between Asia and Europe. In response to the Houthi strikes on dozens of commercial vessels, the UK and United States launched multiple air raids targeting Houthi military positions, including missile depots and launcher sites, in Yemen. The US also re-designated the Houthis as a “terrorist” organisation. US President Joe Biden had delisted the group in 2021. The Houthis responded to the strikes by expanding the threat to any US and UK-linked vessels in the region. The Houthi have seized large swathes of northern Yemen since launching an offensive against the government in 2014. The war forced internationally recognised Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his cabinet to relocate to the southern port city of Aden, while it also triggered a brutal air bombing campaign led by Saudi Arabia. A truce has been in place since April 2022 as talks progressed between the Houthis and Riyadh over a permanent ceasefire. Adblock test (Why?)
Why is Benjamin Netanyahu lashing out at Egypt, Jordan and Qatar?
The Israeli prime minister has criticised regional players since start of the war on Gaza. Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in early October, its relations with countries in the region have come under increasing strain. Israel has accused Egypt of blocking aid deliveries to Gaza and criticised Qatar’s role in mediating the release of Israeli captives. Israel also says it might not renew a long-standing water agreement with Jordan because Amman has denounced its military offensive in Gaza. Is Benjamin Netanyahu criticising Cairo, Doha and Amman for political gain, as he faces calls to step down as Israel’s prime minister? And how will his condemnation of these countries affect ongoing negotiations towards a ceasefire? Presenter: Nastasya Tay Guests: H A Hellyer – Senior associate fellow of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies Sultan Barakat – Professor of public policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha, Qatar Akiva Eldar – Israeli political analyst, journalist and author Adblock test (Why?)
Haley blasts RNC for rushing to Trump as nominee, calls on Americans to ‘remember what normal felt like’
GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Sunday blasted reports that the Republican National Committee was rushing to declare former President Trump the party’s presidential nominee after his wins in Iowa and New Hampshire. “I mean, he can’t bully his way through the nomination. I think that, you know, it’s not surprising that he is surrounded by the political elite. But let’s keep in mind, the political elite has gotten nothing done for us,” Haley said during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I mean, we know exactly the people that pushed it are his people. And I know that during the debates, I mean, he was pushing Ronna McDaniel to stop the debates. He was calling her every other day. He’s been pushing them to pay for his lawsuits and all of these other things. But at the end of the day, this is not about the RNC. This is about the American people.” As Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., is taking heat from the GOP over a border supplemental package being negotiated with Democrats that conservatives fear could still allow 5,000 illegal border crossings a day, Haley seemed to encourage Lankford and told Republicans not to leave Washington without the bill finished. HALEY FACES GROWING CALLS TO LEAVE 2024 RACE AS RNC NEARLY CONSIDERS DECLARING TRUMP THE PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE “My message to Republicans is do not leave D.C. until you finish the job. We have waited for so long for Congress to do something about the border. First, Joe Biden should be securing the border. This is a national security threat. The idea that he is actually suing Gov. Abbott for trying to protect the people of Texas is wrong. America’s acting like it’s Sept. 10, and we better remember what Sept. 12 felt like, because it only takes one person to cause a 9/11 moment,” Haley said. Biden is claiming on the campaign trail that he’s prepared to shut down the border but needs the supplemental to do it. Republicans say the president could act under current law, but won’t. “I say to President Biden, prove it. Get into a room and get this done and prove it, because the American people are waiting,” Haley said Sunday. “I put this on Republicans and Democrats. I’m not picking favorites in this. I’m telling you, they have all not done a good job from the very beginning, and it is time that we get this country safe again.” Later in the program, host Kristen Welker asked Haley about law enforcement responding to a swatting incident at her home when Haley’s elderly parents were there last month. LONE HOUSE REPUBLICAN SUPPORTING NIKKI HALEY AFTER NH AND IOWA LOSSES MAKES HER CASE FOR 2024 “It put my family in danger. And, you know, it was not a safe situation. And that goes to show the chaos that’s surrounding our country right now and the fact that these things are happening,” Haley said. “And so, look, I’m not the only one that’s happened to, it wasn’t the first time. I think we’ve had it happen twice. But I will tell you this, that I think that what’s really important is we have lived in a country of chaos for quite a while now. It is time that we remember what normal felt like. It is time that we remember what healing feels like. It is time that we remember what it’s like not to have division, not to have hate.” Addressing concerns of political violence on the campaign trail, Haley went on to say she believes America “hit rock bottom.” “I’ve had threats made. It’s what happens when you run for president. I can handle that. That is not the problem. What I don’t want is for my kids to live like this,” Haley said. “My husband is deployed right now sacrificing for America with his military brothers and sisters. They are doing that because they love this country, because they still believe in this amazing experiment that is America. We have to go back to remember what it’s like to be Americans first. That’s the biggest thing that’s heartbreaking for me is we’re better than this.” “Our country is better than this, and the rest of the world is looking at us wondering what happened,” she said. “We’ve got to right this ship. We’ve got to get it back. And I know we can do it. America has an amazing ability to self-correct. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom to know where up is, we’re there. We need to start looking up.”