Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Yemen's Houthi rebels have resumed attacks, claiming fresh strikes on three vessels on Monday – two in the Arabian Sea and one in the Red Sea.
In the latest attacks, the group claimed the ships were bound for ports in Israel. All three vessels were Liberia-registered, and one was heading for Shanghai according to Reuters, which cited London Stock Exchange Group data.
One of three vessels attacked, the SC Montreal, was also on its way to Salalah, Oman, from the Seychelles. Another ship, the Maersk Kowloon, had departed Salalah.
The Iran-backed militia has mounted fewer attacks on shipping since around October 18, when they launched a suspected drone attack on a vessel, according to data compiled by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Since then there have been several incidents, including threatening approaches by small boats of the kind used by the Houthis, says the UK Maritime Trade Operations that liaises between merchant vessels and military forces in the region.
The militants claim to attack ships with links to Israel and its supporters, as part of their pressure campaign over the war in Gaza. But most vessels targeted have no link to Israel or the conflict, and their campaign has disrupted food aid to some of the world's poorest countries - including Yemen.
Houthi leadership are clearly worried about being targeted
Western diplomat
Recorded attacks on shipping in September were also historically low, according to Acled, a conflict-monitoring organisation that also compiles attack data.
One source closely tracking the crisis told The National attacks have dropped to three per month in September and October. That stands in stark contrast to the start of the group’s campaign in November, which involved a helicopter operation to seize a cargo ship and its crew, the Galaxy Leader, and waves of drone and missile attacks, with several involving 20 drones or more.
Michael Knights at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, by contrast, noted how the group completed 11 attacks against shipping in August. He warned that last month, the group was still capable of firing salvoes of missiles - in one incident targeting a US warship on September 27.
Experts differ on why the group's attacks have seen significant peaks and troughs, with different theories suggesting shortages of munitions, including drones, or weakening co-ordination with their Iranian backers, who previously provided intelligence to the group on which ships to target using a “spy ship” in the Red Sea.
Mr Knights, in a recent report, warned the group still has maritime supply channels from Iran and says the group is likely to sustain attacks despite setbacks.
But two Israeli attacks wrecking oil and energy infrastructure in Hodeidah, and a recent massive US airstrike on underground weapons storage, might also have shaken the militia.
"Houthi leadership are clearly worried about being targeted and appear increasingly isolated in their decision making. Israel and the West have made the consequences of targeting civilians and shipping very clear," one Western diplomat told The National on background.
"Houthis are desperately trying to distract the population from the costs of fighting a foreign war. The port in Hodeidah took extensive damage in the last round of fighting with Israel. There are signs this is fraying relationships," the source said.
The diplomat said the Houthis were imposing increasingly draconian measures on the population, "heavily cracking down," on anyone accused of celebrating the 1962 Northern Yemen independence day, which was marked before the group seized much of the north of the country.
"There’s also little support for the new edicts restricting weddings. Despite a good social media game, the Houthi leadership looks increasingly desperate, under pressure and without an endgame."
US heavy bomber strike
In the absence of targeting information, many ships with no connection to Israel – and some ships linked to sympathetic countries, such as Russia – have been struck.
Whether a shortage of munitions or a change in tactics is responsible for the three month decline in attacks, intense US air strikes on the group on October 18 could have further changed their operations.
Strikes against the group using B-2 bombers hit “five hardened underground weapons storage locations,” according to the US Department of Defence. The strikes, using powerful 1,360 kilogram “bunker-busting” bombs, were far more powerful than previous US strikes on the group, which have involved aircraft carrier-based jets and cruise missiles.
Yemen's Houthis said they will continue these actions until Israel halts its offensive on Gaza and Lebanon. This poses significant risks to commercial shipping in the region, a critical route for global trade linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
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Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
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His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadeera%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERabih%20El%20Chaar%20and%20Reem%20Khattar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECleanTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHope%20Ventures%2C%20Rasameel%20Investments%20and%20support%20from%20accelerator%20programmes%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
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Honeymoonish
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Date started: 2015
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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COMPANY PROFILE
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Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
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b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
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