January 31, 2017

SEAL, American Girl Die in First Trump-Era U.S. Military Raid

Source: NBC News



JAN 30 2017, 6:32 PM ET

by ROBERT WINDREM, WILLIAM M. ARKIN, COURTNEY KUBE and CHARLENE GUBASH

In what an official said was the first military raid carried out under President Donald Trump, two Americans were killed in Yemen on Sunday — one a member of SEAL Team 6 and the other the 8-year-old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, the New Mexico-born al Qaeda leader who himself was killed in a U.S. strike five years ago.

The raid in southern Yemen, conducted by the supersecret Joint Special Operations Command, was intended to capture valuable intelligence, specifically computer equipment, according to a senior U.S. military official. Three al Qaeda leaders were killed, according to U.S. officials.

Contrary to earlier reporting, the senior military official said, the raid was Trump's first clandestine strike — not a holdover mission approved by President Barack Obama. The mission involved "boots on the ground" at an al Qaeda camp near al Bayda in south central Yemen, the official said.

"Almost everything went wrong," the official said.

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/seal-american-girl-die-first-trump-era-u-s-military-n714346

January 30, 2017

Netanyahu and Trump to meet on February 15

Source: Jerusalem Post



BYHERB KEINON, JPOST.COM STAFF 30 JANUARY 2017 21:05

The US President and the Israeli PM are expected to discuss a range of security issues, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer announced Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump is slated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 15 for talks that are expected to cover a range of security issues.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer, in announcing the meeting, said, "our relationship with the only democracy in the Middle East is crucial to the security of both our nations, and the president looks forward to discussing continued strategic, technological, military and intelligence cooperation with the prime minister."

Netanyahu then issued a statement saying he "deeply appreciated" Trump's "kind invitation" and the warm words about Israel. "I look forward to discussing with him the areas of cooperation between us that are so vital to the security and well-being of our two countries," he said.

The meeting is seen as one of critical importance in coordinating positions on a number of issues, including Iran, the Palestinian diplomatic process, and the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/White-House-Trump-abd-Netanyahu-to-meet-on-February-15-480056

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Netanyahu denounces Iran missile test ahead of Trump meeting

AFP January 30, 2017

Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran on Monday of launching a ballistic missile in what he said constitutes a "flagrant violation" of a UN Security Council resolution.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he intended to "raise the renewal of sanctions against Iran in this context and in other contexts" in his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The White House said on Monday that Trump will host Netanyahu on February 15.

Israel's archfoe Iran has carried out a number of missile tests in recent months, which the United States and European governments have said are a breach of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal.

Western powers say the missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and therefore go against the deal, while Iran says its missile programme is "non-negotiable".

more
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-host-netanyahu-february-15-white-house-194040603.html

January 30, 2017

Feds Drop Riot Charges Against Three More Journalists

Source: The Daily Beast

The U.S. Attorney's office in D.C. has dropped felony riot charges against three journalists who were arrested while covering inauguration day protests. Independent journalist Matthew Hopard, documentary producer John Keller, and RT reporter Alexander Rubenstein were cleared of the riot charges they faced after being arrested while reporting on the January 20 protests. At least six journalists were arrested during the event, sparking fears of a crackdown on the press. Evan Engel, a senior producer at Vocativ, also had his riot charges cleared last week. "After a review of evidence presented to us by law enforcement, we have concluded that we will not proceed with the charges against the three defendants, who are journalists," reads the attorney's orders. "We are continuing to work with the Metropolitan Police Department to review evidence related to the arrests on Jan. 20. As in all of our cases, we are always willing to consider additional information that people bring forward. Because these matters remain pending in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, we have no comment on other specific individuals beyond our public filings. The charges against these three individuals have now been dismissed."

READ IT AT TWITTER

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Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2017/01/30/riot-charges-against-3-reporters-dropped.html?via=desktop&source=copyurl

January 30, 2017

US: Iran has tested a ballistic missile

Source: Associated Press




MONDAY, JAN 30, 2017 02:45 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says Iran has conducted a ballistic missile test and the U.S. is studying the details.

Press secretary Sean Spicer says he does not yet know the “exact nature” of the test and expects to have more information later.

Iran is the subject of United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting tests of ballistic missiles designed to deliver a nuclear warhead.

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Read more: http://www.salon.com/2017/01/30/us-iran-has-tested-a-ballistic-missile/

January 30, 2017

GOP moves to undo Obama coal rules protecting streams

Source: Associated Press




MONDAY, JAN 30, 2017 04:00 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans are moving swiftly to repeal Obama administration regulations aimed at better protecting streams from coal mining debris.

Coal country lawmakers unveiled legislation Monday to block the rules, which they say would kill jobs in the coal industry, which is reeling from competition from cleaner-burning natural gas.

The legislation unveiled Monday would overturn December regulations through a process that permits Congress to revoke recently-issued rules in a manner that is immune to filibusters by Senate Democrats. The repeal measure is set for a House vote Wednesday and a Senate vote shortly thereafter.

“The Stream Protection Rule is the latest in a series of overreaching and misguided Obama-era regulations that have targeted America’s coal industry,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. “If this rule were allowed to stay in place, it would add to the economic devastation for people in coal communities.”

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2017/01/30/gop-moves-to-undo-obama-coal-rules-protecting-streams/

January 30, 2017

ACLU: Delay Sessions confirmation vote until 'Muslim ban' is stopped

Source: The Washington Post


By David Weigel January 30 at 9:16 AM

On a call organized by MoveOn.org on Sunday night, ACLU political director Faiz Shakir encouraged activists to demand a slowdown in the Senate until President Trumps executive orders on immigration and refugees were tacked back.

Weve got (attorney general nominee) Jeff Sessions, who were told was involved somehow in the drafting of these executive orders, said Shakir. If they want to press this through, say: You dont get an attorney general until you overturn the Muslim ban.

Currently, the Alabama senators nomination for attorney general is scheduled for a Tuesday morning vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and is expected to be recommended with every Republican voting in favor and every Democrat voting against. In the full Senate, only one Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), has suggested that he will vote for Sessions, whose nomination is being scored as a key vote by the National Rifle Association.

But the ACLUs advice came as Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) was calling for Rex Tillerson, Trumps nominee for secretary of state, to answer questions on the executive orders. Votes on Trump nominees, which had been attracting the support of dozens of Democrats, have become more politically toxic for senators as the partys restive base demands more opposition.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/30/aclu-delay-sessions-confirmation-vote-until-muslim-ban-is-stopped/?utm_term=.f439150afb5e

January 30, 2017

Kaine will oppose Carson after Brown, Warren back nomination

Source: The Hill



BY PETER SCHROEDER - 01/30/17 03:46 PM EST

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) announced Monday that he would oppose Ben Carson’s nomination to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), citing his “zero experience” in that area.

In a statement, Kaine said he would vote against Carson on the Senate floor after the former neurosurgeon and GOP presidential candidate was cleared unanimously from the Senate Banking Committee.

“Putting someone in charge with zero experience in housing policy or urban development sends a message that the Department’s work is a low priority. I strongly object to this,” Kaine said in a statement. “Just as some positions demand medical expertise, HUD deserves a leader who embraces the Department’s mission and possesses the skills needed to run the nation’s largest housing and community development programs.”

Kaine, who ran last year as Hillary Clinton's vice presidential pick, is viewed as a more moderate Democrat. But his opposition to Carson comes after liberal stalwarts on the Banking Committee felt blowback from their base for letting Carson’s nomination pass without objection.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/finance/316932-kaine-will-oppose-carson-after-brown-warren-back-pick

January 30, 2017

Ford executives slam Trump's Muslim ban in joint statement: 'Respect for all people is a core value'

Source: RawStory


ERIN CORBETT
30 JAN 2017 AT 16:02 ET


Ford Motors is speaking out against President Donald Trump’s ban on travelers coming from seven majority-Muslim countries, slamming the order as against the company’s “core value[s],” the Hill reports.

The order, which was signed on Friday, issued a 120-day ban on refugees, and a 90-day ban on immigrants entering the country from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen.

The company made the remarks on Monday. In a joint statement, Executive Chairman Bill Ford and President and CEO Mark Fields said, “Respect for all people is a core value of Ford Motor Company, and we are proud of the rich diversity of our company here at home and around the world.” They added, “That is why we do not support this policy or any other that goes against our values as a company.”

Fields met with the Trump administration last week, calling it a “very, very positive meeting.” He is also a member of the Trump team’s manufacturing council. The Ford executives noted in their joint statement, “We will continue working to ensure the well-being of our employees by promoting the values of respect and inclusion in the workplace.”

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/ford-executives-slam-trumps-muslim-ban-in-joint-statement-respect-for-all-people-is-a-core-value/

January 30, 2017

Baghdad Sean defends detention of 5-year-old: It's 'misguided' to think kids don't 'pose a threat'

DAVID EDWARDS
30 JAN 2017 AT 15:18 ET

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Monday that the Trump administration would not apologize for detaining a 5-year-old Iranian boy because it was done to keep the country safe.

Video published by WJLA over the weekend showed the 5-year-old boy being reunited with his mother after he was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport for hours on Saturday.

On Monday, NBC White House correspondent Kristen Welker pressed Spicer about whether the detention was necessary.

“The president recognizes that it is his duty and obligation to keep this country safe,” Spicer explained. “And by instituting a process by which we look at these countries over a 90-day period and the process by which the people can come in out of this country to ensure the safety of each and every one of us, I think, is something that makes a heck of a lot of sense.”

“When you look at the 329,000 people [who traveled to the U.S. over the weekend], 109 were inconvenienced for the safety and security of us all,” the Trump spokesman said. “And to make sure that, if they are a 5 year old, that maybe they’re with their parents and they don’t pose a threat.”

more + video:
http://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/sean-spicer-defends-detention-of-5-year-old-its-misguided-to-think-kids-dont-pose-a-threat/

January 30, 2017

Trump adding CIA back to National Security Council: White House

Source: Reuters


30 JAN 2017 AT 14:25 ET

President Donald Trump will amend his recent National Security Council reorganization to add the CIA to the group, the White House said on Monday.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the CIA had not been part of the national security forum since 2005, but he said Trump was making the change out of respect for Director Mike Pompeo and others at the agency.

Susan Rice, President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, on Sunday tweeted to ask why the CIA was not part of the group. Trump was also criticized for adding chief strategist Steve Bannon, a political adviser, to the National Security Council.

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Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/trump-adding-cia-back-to-national-security-council-white-house/