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Who Are The Houthis And Why Are They Attacking Ships In The Red Sea?
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.
Who Are The Houthis And Why Are They Attacking Ships In The Red Sea?
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.
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
The IRS Will Give a Million People Up To $1,400. Their Identity—And Why Now?
(VOR News) – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be able to give almost one million people who have already filed their tax returns additional incentives of up to $1,400 during the next several weeks.
Those qualified to get the cash will either be placed straight into their bank accounts or get a physical cheque delivered by mail.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would refund individual taxpayers who omitted a Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax returns for 2021 around $2.4 billion.
Those qualified for the credit were those who had either not gotten a COVID stimulus payment or one that was less than the whole amount. Conversely, the Internal Revenue Service declared on Friday that it had discovered a considerable percentage of eligible candidates had not.
“After reviewing our internal data, we came to the conclusion that one million taxpayers failed to claim this complicated credit when they were actually eligible,” said Danny Werfel, Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service in his statement.
This taxpayer group may shortly be getting unexpected payments; the accompanying data provides specifics:
Could you kindly inform me about my chances of receiving a check from the IRS?
I’m sorry, but it most likely isn’t precisely that high. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reports that most qualified taxpayers—originally referred to as Economic Impact Payments—have already gotten their government stimulus money.
Those taxpayers who filed a tax return for the year 2021 but either left the Recovery Rebate Credit data box blank or entered $0 when they were actually eligible for the credit are qualified to get the special reimbursements announced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The way this is going to be carried out?
Those eligible taxpayers are not required to perform any chores to be qualified. The funds are expected to be received either by cheque or direct deposit account by the end of January 2025. Automatic distribution of them is set for this month. The Internal Revenue Service will deliver them to either the bank account shown on the taxpayer’s 2023 return or the address the taxpayer keeps on file.
Though there will be several possible payments, the highest amount any one person can pay will be $1,400. The Internal Revenue Service has made available on the internet information on eligibility and the process used to ascertain the payment amount.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send separate letters to taxpayers qualified for the special payment notifying of the payment.
Conversely, what would happen should I not yet have my 2021 tax return turned in?
You still might be able to turn around the money. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) claims, however, that individuals must file a tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit before April 15, 2025.
This is still the case whether or not a job, business, or any other source of income earned had any bearing on it.
How many financing rounds did the COVID stimulus program have?
Households impacted by the epidemic alone received compensation totaling $814 billion overall; this was divided across three rounds of payments. These figures were calculated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considering the taxpayer’s income, tax filing status, and the count of dependents or children entitled for the tax deduction.
The CARES Act, which became operative in March of 2020, makes qualified persons eligible for a maximum of $1,200 per income tax filer and $500 each child.
Those qualified could get up to $600 for each child and $600 for each individual who submitted their income tax return according to the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December of 2020.
Those qualified under the American Rescue Plan Act received a maximum of $1,400 per child and $1,400 per person who paid their income taxes during the month of March in 2021. very
SOURCE: YF
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Cases Of The US Flu Season Are Rising, While Vaccinations Are Behind Schedule.
Social Security Change Approved By Senate Despite Fiscal Concerns
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Cases Of The US Flu Season Are Rising, While Vaccinations Are Behind Schedule.
(VOR News) – The U.S. flu season has begun, according to health experts, who also noted a sharp rise in cases countrywide on Friday.
Significant increases were noted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in a number of indicators, such as laboratory tests and ED visits. “For the past few weeks, it has been increasing steadily.” “Yes, we are in flu season right now,” CDC’s Alicia Budd said.
Last week, flu-like sickness was reported at elevated or very elevated levels in 13 states, roughly twice as many as the week before. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, says Tennessee is seeing a spike in sickness in the Nashville area.
Schaffner said, “Influenza cases have been increasing, but they have increased significantly in the last week.” He noted that up to 25% of patients in a nearby clinic, which is a gauge of illness trends, have flu-like symptoms.
An early focal point was Louisiana.
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Centre, the largest private hospital in the state, in Baton Rouge, has infectious diseases specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal, who said, “This week is a significant turning point as individuals are affected by the flu.” “Parents frequently say, ‘I have the flu and can’t go to work,’ and ‘Where can I get a flu test?'”
Fever, cough, sore throat, and other influenza-like symptoms are caused by a variety of viruses. COVID-19 is one of them. Another flu season common disease that causes cold-like symptoms but poses serious hazards to infants and the elderly is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Recent CDC numbers indicate a decline in COVID-19 hospitalisations since the summer. According to CDC wastewater data, COVID-19 activity is modest nationwide but elevated in the Midwest.
Although RSV hospitalisations are still marginally more common than flu admissions, they started to rise before flu season cases and currently show signs of perhaps stabilising. RSV activity is low nationwide, but wastewater data shows that it is high in the South.
Based on a number of indicators, such as laboratory results from hospitalised patients and outpatient clinics, as well as the percentage of ED visits that resulted in an influenza diagnosis at discharge, the CDC declared the start of the flu season.
According to Budd, it is too early in the season to determine the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine, and no type of virus seems to be more common.
The flu season last winter was classified as “moderate” overall, but it continued for 21 weeks, and the CDC estimates that 28,000 people died from the virus. With 205 paediatric deaths reported, the situation was particularly dangerous for kids. It was the largest number ever recorded for a conventional influenza season.
The prolonged flu season was probably one of the reasons, Budd added.
The lack of influenza vaccinations was one of the contributing factors. The CDC reports that 80% of children who passed away and had verified vaccination status and were of the right age for flu shots were not completely immunised.
Children’s immunisation rates are drastically lower this year. About 41% of people had a flu shot as of December 7, which is similar to the percentage at the same time last year. For youngsters, the figure is steady, although it is lower than in the previous year, when 44% received an influenza vaccination, according to CDC data.
About 21% of adults and 11% of children are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is still a poor vaccination rate.
Influenza experts advise everyone to get vaccinated, especially as people get ready for holiday gatherings where respiratory diseases could spread widely.
“This virus also has the potential to spread from person to person at all those happy, pleasant, and heartwarming events,” Schaffner said. “flu season Vaccination remains a viable option.”
However, Louisiana’s health department announced on Friday that it was rescinding its COVID-19 and flu vaccination recommendations. According to an official, the department’s current position is that people should speak with their doctors about whether the immunisations are suitable for their situation.
The department’s spokesperson, Emma Herrock, did not respond to follow-up questions regarding the policy. Dr. Ralph Abraham, the state’s surgeon general, has expressed concerns in the past regarding the COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness and safety.
SOURCE: AP
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Social Security Change Approved By Senate Despite Fiscal Concerns
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Social Security Change Approved By Senate Despite Fiscal Concerns
(VOR News) – On Saturday, the U.S. Congress passed a plan to increase Social Security retirement payouts for some retirees who receive public pensions, a move that critics say will further erode the program’s financial stability. Among these pensioners are former firefighters and police officers.
The Social Security Fairness Act was passed by the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 76-20 just after midnight. The act may lower payments for those receiving pensions and aims to repeal provisions that have existed for 20 years.
The House of Representatives passed the bill last month by a vote of 327-75, meaning that if the Senate also approves it, it would be delivered to Democratic President Joe Biden to become law.
The White House dodged enquiries regarding Social Security’s objectives.
In order to limit government benefits for certain higher-paid employees who are also getting pensions, the measure will reverse a long-standing change to the program. It has become increasingly common in recent years for municipal employees, such as postal workers and firefighters, to face pay limitations.
The vast majority of Americans do not take part in pension plans that provide a fixed return on investment, instead relying on their own savings and Social Security. According to data from the Department of Labour, only 10% of private sector employees in the US are covered by pension plans.
The new rules apply to about 3 percent of Social Security users, or more than 2.5 million people in the United States. Legislators are heavily influenced by the workers and retirees impacted by these rules, and the powerful advocacy organisations that speak for them have been using the legislative process to push for a legislative cure.
According to retirement experts, some retirees may be able to earn hundreds of dollars more in government benefits each month as a result of the move.
According to a Congressional Budget Office analysis, the bill is expected to cost approximately $196 billion over the next 10 years. As a result, federal budget experts are worried that the change could negatively affect the program’s already fragile financial status.
In an interview with the Bipartisan Policy Centre, Emerson Sprick, associate director of economic policy, said he was frustrated by “the overwhelming support in Congress for the contrary of what policy researchers concur on is quite frustrating.”
Instead of eliminating current formulas, we could improve them.
Among these changes is the Social Security Administration’s increased disclosure of the anticipated monetary benefits for these public sector workers.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal think tank, has voiced concerns that the additional cost will impact the program’s ability to continue.
Maya MacGuineas, the organization’s leader, made the declaration, saying, “We are hastening towards our own fiscal ruin.”
“It is noteworthy that lawmakers are in a position to shorten the timeframe by six months, as there are just nine years left before the trust fund for the biggest program in the country runs out.”
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, said on the Senate floor on Wednesday that the bill in its current form would “throw granny over the cliff.”
According to what he stated, “every senator who votes to impose a burden of $200 billion on the Social Security Trust Fund is opting to put the interests of senior citizens who have contributed to Social Security and earned those benefits in jeopardy.”
Those who favoured the legislation said that the question of what would happen to Social Security could be settled later.
“Those are significantly longer-term concerns that we must collaboratively address,” a supporter of the idea Senator Michael Bennett told Reuters when asked if the move would affect the government’s capacity to be viable.
SOURCE: BR
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