News

Houthi Missile Attack Kills Three Crew Members In Yemen Rebels’ First Fatal Assault On Shipping

Published

9 months ago

2024-03-06

Kiara Grace

DUBAI, UAE — Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, killing three crew members and forcing survivors to evacuate the vessel, according to the U.S. Navy. It was the first lethal blow in the Iranian-backed group’s campaign against Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack on the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier True Confidence exacerbates the violence on a critical maritime corridor that connects Asia and the Middle East to Europe, disrupting global transportation. The Houthis have been attacking since November, and the United States launched an airstrike campaign in January that has yet to stop them.

Meanwhile, Iran announced Wednesday that it will detain a $50 million cargo of Kuwaiti crude oil for American energy company Chevron Corp. from a tanker it captured nearly a year ago. It is the latest twist in a long-running shadow war in the Middle East’s waterways that began before the Houthi attacks.

Houthi Missile Attack Kills Three Crew Members In Yemen Rebels’ First Fatal Assault On Shipping

According to the U.S. Central Command, an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from a Houthi-controlled region in Yemen struck the True Confidence, causing serious damage. In addition to the three deaths, at least four crew members were injured, three of them are in severe condition.

Officials claim that after men claiming to be from the Yemeni military radioed the ship, the incident took place. Since the commencement of their operations, the Houthis have been hailing ships over the radio in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, leading observers to believe the rebels aim to seize the vessels.

Following the missile strike, the crew abandoned the ship and launched lifeboats. A US warship and the Indian navy were on the scene, attempting to aid with rescue efforts. How many crew members were on board at the time was not apparent.

The United Nations urged the Houthis “to cease all attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea,” according to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, expressing significant concern about the ongoing attacks, especially the most recent incident in which the crew’s status is unclear.

Dujarric says the attacks endanger “property, life, and the ecology of the area.”

Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department in Washington, denounced the attack. “We continue to observe these irresponsible attacks with no consideration for the safety of innocent citizens traveling across the Red Sea. And now they’ve killed innocent bystanders, which is regrettable and tragic,” he told reporters.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, claimed the attack in a prepared statement, claiming that missile fire ignited the vessel. He stated that the rebels’ strikes will end only when the “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted.”

Throughout the Israel-Hamas battle, the rebels have routinely targeted ships in the Red Sea and nearby waterways, but no crew members have been killed as of Wednesday. At least one of the ships was carrying supplies intended for Iran, the Houthis’ primary patron, and another was carrying aid to Houthi-controlled territory.

Houthi Missile Attack Kills Three Crew Members In Yemen Rebels’ First Fatal Assault On Shipping

Despite more than a month and a half of US-led airstrikes, Houthi rebels have continued to undertake substantial attacks. They include last month’s attack on the Rubymar, a cargo ship carrying fertilizer that sank on Saturday after drifting for many days, as well as the downing of an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.

It needed to be clarified why the Houthis targeted True Confidence. However, it was formerly owned by Oaktree Capital Management, a Los Angeles-based fund that financed vessels in instalments. Oaktree has declined to comment.

Meanwhile, a separate Houthi attack on Tuesday appeared to target the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that has been involved in the American operation against the rebels. According to Central Command, the Carney fired down bomb-carrying drones and one anti-ship ballistic missile. Saree recognized the attack as well.

The United States later launched an airstrike, destroying three anti-ship missiles and three bomb-carrying drone boats, according to Central Command.

The Houthis have not provided an assessment of the damage done in the American-led attacks that began in January, but they have stated that at least 22 of their fighters have been killed. A civilian has reportedly been slain.

Separately, the U.S. Treasury imposed further penalties against a Houthi financier and the expeditionary Quds Force of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which provides arms to the rebels.

The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014. Since 2015, they have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition in a long-running conflict.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy posted a video of sailors from the INS Kolkata extinguishing a fire on the MSC Sky II, which the Houthis targeted in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. The Mediterranean Shipping Co., based in Switzerland, said the missile struck the ship while it was heading from Singapore to Djibouti. Nobody was wounded.

In a separate statement, the state-run Mizan news agency for the judiciary confirmed the seizure of crude oil aboard the Advantage Sweet. At the time, Iran claimed that the Advantage Sweet crashed with another ship but provided no evidence.

Houthi Missile Attack Kills Three Crew Members In Yemen Rebels’ First Fatal Assault On Shipping

The court order for the seizure stated a completely different cause for the confiscation. Mizan said it was part of a court ruling over U.S. sanctions that prohibited the importation of a Swedish drug used to treat patients with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare hereditary illness that creates blisters all over the body and in the eyes. It did not reconcile the many causes of the seizure.

The Advantage Sweet was in the Persian Gulf in late April, but its path through the Strait of Hormuz, which transports one-fifth of all traded oil, revealed no abnormal behavior. Iran has made claims in previous seizures that ultimately fell apart when it became evident that Tehran was attempting to use the capture as a bargaining point in negotiations with Western states.

Chevron, based in San Ramon, California, said Wednesday that the Advantage Sweet was “seized under false pretenses” and that the firm “has not had any direct communication with Iran over the seizure of the vessel.”

“Chevron has not been permitted access to the vessel and considers the cargo a total loss due to Iran’s illegal actions,” the company said in a statement. “We now consider the cargo the responsibility of the Iranian government.”

Ship seizures and explosions have wreaked havoc on the region since 2019. The incidents began after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from Iran’s nuclear agreement with other powers.

SOURCE – (AP)

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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!)