News

Hezbollah Leader Vows Retaliation Against Israel For Attacks On Devices As Both Sides Trade Strikes

Published

2 months ago

2024-09-19

Hezbollah | AP Image

BEIRUT — Hezbollah’s leader pledged Thursday to continue daily attacks on Israel despite this week’s tragic sabotage of its fighters’ communication equipment, and claimed Israelis displaced from homes near the Lebanon border due to fighting would be unable to return until the conflict in Gaza ended.

Hezbollah and Israel conducted more attacks across the border, with Hassan Nasrallah speaking for the first time since the mass bombing of devices in Lebanon and Syria, which he called a “severe blow” and threatened to retaliate for.

The two days of strikes on thousands of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies have been largely blamed on Israel, raising concerns that 11 months of near-daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel will develop into an all-out war. Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement in the assaults.

AP Image

Hezbollah Leader Vows Retaliation Against Israel For Attacks On Devices As Both Sides Trade Strikes

During Nasrallah’s address, Hezbollah hit at least four times in northern Israel, killing two Israeli troops earlier that day. Israeli warplanes swooped low over Beirut as Nasrallah spoke, breaking the sound barrier and scattering birds, leading residents in houses and offices to rapidly open windows to avoid breaking them.

Israel also launched attacks in southern Lebanon on Thursday, claiming to have hit dozens of missile sites and other Hezbollah infrastructure, though it was unclear whether any casualties had occurred.

In recent weeks, Israeli commanders have increased their warnings about a wider military campaign against Hezbollah, stating that they are committed to putting an end to the group’s fire so that tens of thousands of Israelis can return to their homes near the border.

In a Thursday briefing, Israel’s defense minister stated that Hezbollah will “pay an increasing price” as Israel works to make conditions near its border with Lebanon secure enough for civilians to return.

“The sequence of our military actions will continue,” he informed us.

The attack on electronic equipment appeared to be the conclusion of Israel’s months-long campaign to target as many Hezbollah militants as possible at once, but civilians were also killed. The bombings on Tuesday and Wednesday killed at least 37 people, including two children, and injured approximately 3,000.

Nasrallah stated that the group is researching how the bombings were carried out.

“Yes, we were subjected to a huge and severe blow,” he informed me. “The enemy crossed all boundaries and red lines,” he told me. He accused Israel of attempting to kill thousands of people at once, citing the large number of pagers and walkie-talkies. “The enemy will face a severe and fair punishment from where they expect and don’t expect.”

He stated that Hezbollah will continue to launch rockets into northern Israel as long as the war in Gaza continues and that Israel will be unable to return its citizens to the border region. “The only way is stop the aggression on the people of Gaza and the West Bank,” he argued. “Neither strikes, nor assassinations nor an all-out war will achieve that.”

Earlier Thursday, Hezbollah claimed to have hit three Israeli military positions near the border, two of which were equipped with drones. According to Israeli hospitals, eight persons were lightly or moderately hurt.

Hezbollah claims its near-daily fire is a demonstration of support for Hamas. Israel’s 11-month conflict with Hamas in Gaza began on October 7, when its fighters led an attack on Israel.

Israel has retaliated to Hezbollah bombings in southern Lebanon by striking prominent members of the group in the capital, Beirut. The exchanges killed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee on both sides of the border.

Under intense pressure from the US, France, and other countries, Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly backed away from a full-fledged conflict.

However, Israeli leaders have recently warned that they are determined to significantly alter the status quo.

Gallant told Israeli forces on Wednesday, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war—it requires courage, determination, and perseverance.” He made no mention of the exploding bombs, instead praising Israel’s army and security agencies, stating, “The results are very impressive.”

He claimed that after months of fighting Hamas in Gaza, “the centre of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces.”

Israel began sending extra troops to its border with Lebanon on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, according to Israeli officials. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel’s army chief, said plans for more action against Hezbollah have been draughted out, but media reports suggest the government has yet to decide whether to start a major offensive in Lebanon.

Lebanon is still reeling from the devastating device attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday.

AP News Image

Hezbollah Leader Vows Retaliation Against Israel For Attacks On Devices As Both Sides Trade Strikes

The explosions have alarmed the Lebanese who fear a full-scale war. The Lebanese Army said it has begun identifying and detonating suspicious pagers and communication devices, while the country’s civil aviation authorities have banned pagers and walkie-talkies from all planes departing Beirut’s international airport till further notice.

The attack was expected to seriously disrupt Hezbollah’s internal communication as members scrambled to find safe ways to communicate with one another. Hezbollah announced the deaths of five combatants on Thursday but did not clarify whether they were killed in blasts or on the front lines.

The blasts went off wherever pagers or walkie-talkies were found in Beirut, eastern and southern Lebanon — in homes and cars, grocery stores and cafes, and on the street, even at a funeral for some of those killed in the bombings, often with family and other bystanders nearby.

Many people sustained gaping wounds on their legs, abdomens, and faces, or were mutilated in the hand. The pager blasts on Tuesday killed 12 people, including two children, and injured an estimated 2,300 more. The following day’s explosion killed 25 people and injured over 600, according to Health Minister Firas Abiad’s latest estimates.

Abiad told reporters that the injuries on Wednesday were more severe than the day before because the exploding walkie-talkies were larger than the pagers. He commended Lebanon’s hospitals, saying they had dealt with the influx of wounded in just hours. “The onslaught was indiscriminate. It was a war crime,” he stated.

SOURCE | AP

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

19 hours 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

20 hours 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

20 hours 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!)