News

Who Are The Houthis And Why Are They Attacking Ships In The Red Sea?

Published

11 months ago

2023-12-19

Kiara Grace

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are increasing their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which they claim are in retaliation for Israel’s military war in Gaza.

The bombings have prompted some of the world’s largest ships and oil corporations to halt passage through one of the world’s most crucial maritime commerce routes, potentially causing a global economic shock.

There are worries that the Houthis’ attacks will turn Israel’s conflict with Hamas into a wider regional war because they are believed to have received their weapons and training from Iran.

Here’s what we know about the Houthis and why they’ve joined the fight.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are increasing their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which they claim are in retaliation for Israel’s military war in Gaza.

houthis

Who Are The Houthis And Why Are They Attacking Ships In The Red Sea?

There are worries that the Houthis’ attacks will turn Israel’s conflict with Hamas into a wider regional war because they are believed to have received their weapons and training from Iran.

Here’s what we know about the Houthis and why they’ve joined the fight.

The Houthi movement, also known as Ansarallah (Supporters of God), is one side of Yemen’s nearly decade-long civil conflict. It first appeared in the 1990s, when its leader, Hussein al-Houthi, established “Believing Youth,” a religious revival campaign for Zaidism, a centuries-old branch of Shia Islam.

The Sunni dictatorship that came to power after the 1962 civil war suppressed the Zaidis, who had ruled Yemen for centuries. Al-Houthi’s organization was created to represent Zaidis and oppose radical Sunnism, notably Saudi Wahhabi views. His closest adherents were dubbed Houthis.

How did they come to power?

Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen’s first president following the union of North and South Yemen in 1990, initially supported the Believing Youth. However, as the movement’s popularity grew and anti-government rhetoric got more strident, it challenged Saleh. Things came to a climax in 2003 when Saleh supported the US invasion of Iraq, which many Yemenis opposed.

The schism presented an opening for al- Houthis. He capitalized on public outrage by organizing massive protests. After months of chaos, Saleh issued an arrest warrant for him.

The Yemeni military murdered al-Houthi in September 2004, but his movement survived. As additional fighters joined the cause, the Houthi military wing strengthened. They seized control of the northern province of Saada in 2011 and agitated for the overthrow of the Saleh dictatorship.

Saleh decided to pass up authority to his Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in 2011, although this government proved unpopular. The Houthis struck again in 2014, seizing control of parts of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, before attacking the presidential palace early the following year.

Hadi escaped to Saudi Arabia, which, at his request, launched a war against the Houthis in March 2015. What was supposed to be a quick campaign dragged on for years: In 2022, a cease-fire was ultimately reached. It expired after six months, but the warring sides have not resumed full-scale fighting.

The United Nations has declared Yemen’s war to be the world’s worst humanitarian calamity. According to UN figures, about a quarter of a million people have been murdered during the fighting.

While the Houthis may lack the capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah because of geography and technology, their strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea may inflict a different kind of agony on Israel and its allies.

Who Are The Houthis And Why Are They Attacking Ships In The Red Sea?

The global economy has been served a series of painful reminders of the importance of this narrow stretch of sea that runs from Yemen’s Bab-el-Mandeb straits to Egypt’s Suez Canal – through which 12% of global trade flows, including 30% of global container traffic.

In 2021, a ship dubbed the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, closing the crucial commerce artery for about a week, stranding up to $10 billion in cargo per day and triggering long-term disruptions to global supply networks.

There are concerns that the Houthi drone and missile strikes on commercial vessels, which have been practically daily since December 9, will create an even greater blow to the global economy.

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM Group, and Evergreen, four of the world’s five leading shipping companies, have indicated that they will halt shipping via the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks. The oil giant BP announced on Monday that it would do the same, skyrocketing oil and gas prices.

The attacks could compel ships to take a far longer path around Africa, increasing insurance costs. Companies may pass on increased transportation costs to customers, raising prices at a time when governments throughout the world are struggling to control post-pandemic inflation.

The Houthis say they will only back down if Israel allows food and medicine into Gaza; its strikes could be aimed at inflicting economic anguish on Israel’s supporters in the belief that it will put pressure on Israel to stop bombing the territory.

As they aspire to govern northern Yemen, championing the Palestinian cause could be an attempt to garner legitimacy at home and in the region. It might also provide them an advantage over their Arab enemies, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whom they accuse of being US and Israeli stooges.

SOURCE – (CNN)

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

Beluga Whales Dies at Canada’s Marineland

Outrage Erupts After 17th Beluga Whale Dies at Canada’s Marineland

News

Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
Numbers cannot be repeated
Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
Each play buys 3 lines
Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)