Sadhycia

Body Movements and Their Meanings - Physical Expression Speaks Louder Than Words

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:32:00 +0000

Body language, also called as non-verbal communications, is typically subconscious behaviour. This is why it is considered distinct from sign language, which is a conscious and intentional act of communication.

There are believed to be six facial emotion found all around the world – happiness, surprise, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust. And since those emotions can be read so easily, people like to hide or mask them in situations when they dont want thier true feelings known.

According to Albert Mehrabian, a psychologist and expert on non-verbal communication, there are three elements in face-to-face encounters – tone of voice, the words, and body language. He believed that words made up a mere 7% of all the impression given, the tone of voice accounted for 38%, while body language 55%. The body language component was 40% for facial expressions and movements, and 15% for appearance. However, his experiments involved people’s feelings and attitudes. This means that the percentages may not be correct in other situations. This also shows us how important the face is in all person-to-person communications.

Hair

People who stroke, touch, or fondle their hair are subconsciously seeking reassurance.

People who twist their hair are suffering from stress or anxiety.

People who are stressed or harassed often run their fingers through their hair.

Many women like to stroke, rearrange, ruffle or run their fingers thruogh their hair in order to show off its beauty and length when in the company of someone they find attractive or charming. This is usually, but not necessarily done subconsciously.

Head

Nodding the head is usually a sign of assent in most parts of the world. However, in countries like Iran, Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, parts of Greece, and Bulgaria nodding the head up and down signifies no. Surprisingly, they will shake their heads from side to side to say yes.

Nodding rapidly tells that person is aware of the urgency of the siuation. But a slow, prolonged nod is a sign that he or she doesnt fully agree with what has been said or explained. Most of the time, when someone wants the speaker to stop talking, he or she would stop nodding.

If a person is tilting his/her head while listening to you then keep talking, it is a good sign as the person is already interested.

Rubbing the neck from behind or scratching the back of one’s head is a sign of frustration.

Eye

Your pupils dilate when you are showing interest in someone or something. Your pupils dilate when you like what you see, and constrict when you are displeased or dislike what you see. The lighting in a room will also affect the pupil dilation. When the room is too bright, your pupils will contract as a result of the harsh light. And when the room is too dark, your pupils will dilate so that greater vision can be obtained.

Two researchers, Ofer Fein and R. E Lubow, said that they could detect guilty people by measuring the size of thier pupils in phoographs taken at the scene of the crime.

Eye blocking is always negative. This often indicates disdain and dislike, it also happens when a person feels threatened, upset, or distressed. Eye blocking occurs when a person squints, covers, or closes his/her eyes. Liars often block their eyes when telling a lie.

Rubbing the eyes, or blocking the eyes with one hand indicates that the person doesnt like what she/he is being told. When someone briefly touching his eye during conversation, it indicates that the person doesnt think much of what you are saying.

Always looking upward when listening to someone means that person is bored. Rolling the eyes can also be a sign of impatience.

Rolling the eyes upward is a sign of astonishment or amazement. Its a universal gesture used by all people around the world.

Your eyes tend to look right when your brain is creating or imagining, and left when your brain is remembering or recalling.

Rubbing the eyebrows with the finger or adjusting the eyeglasses means that the person found something positive.

Squint

Imagine walking into a restaurant and seeing someone you know. According to expert, if the person smiled and at the same time raised her or his eyebrows then the person momentarily likes you but if that person smiled and at the same time squinted for a brief moment then the person doesnt like you even though she or he smiled.

Squinting is a sign of dislike and distrust. People also squint when they are feeling uncomfortable.

Blink

People blink more when they feel anxious, nervous, concerned, upset, or stressed. The blinking wont return to normal until they feel relaxed. Eyelid flutter is a sign of a person who is upset about something.

Ear

If someone rubs his ear using his forefinger and thumb, its a sign that he doesnt want to hear what is being said. He is either not interested or doesnt believe of what is being said.when a person scratches behind his ear using his forefinger, this may indicates that the person is perplexed, puzzled, or has doubts about what has been said.

Nose

Pinching, rubbing, or touching the nose can be a sign that the person doesnt really believe what other person is saying. But if the person touching/rubbing her or his nose is the one who is talking then that person could be lying.

When we get negative feelings the blood capillaries in our noses will contract and we will feel like wanting to scratch it.

Mouth

A liar likes to touch his/her mouth continually, and unintentionally. When a person smile but his/her mouth becomes uneven is said to be a person who cannot keep promise.

According to some researchers, when we lie, our hearts pump faster. And this make the capillaries in our noses expand. Our hairs in the nose are also affected, this creates a desire to rub the nose. The nose will then increasetemporarily in size (although not visible), this is also known as the ‘Pinocchio Effect’.

There are also a fake smile and a genuine smile. Genuine smiles are symmetrical and produce creases around your mouth and eyes. We display a few crows feet when we smile genuinely. This is because the smile pushes up our cheeks which bunches up the skin near our eyes. A fake smile only activates the outer edges of the mouth.

According to an expert, a genuine smile was actually produced by the actions of our zygomatic major muscle and the orbicularis oculi muscle, which surrounds our eyes, whereas a fake smile was caused by the zygomatic major muscle that runs from our cheekbones to the corners of the lip. That muscle will pull our lips sideways and upward, creating a fake smile.

Arms and Legs

People with crossed arms are closing themselves to social influence. However, some people cross their arms because of a habit but this may indicate that they are reserved or uncomfortable with their appearance. If their arms are crossed but their feet are shoulder width or wider apart then it is a position of authority or toughness.

If a person talks and he/she likes to hold his hands together and move about means the person is cunning.

If a person rests his/her arms behind his head or neck, that person is open to what is being discussed or just laid back in general.

When someone is enjoying talking or being with you and doesnt want to leave, he/she will be oriented in such a way that her shoulders will be parallel to your shoulders. In other words, he will face you with his whole body. Someone who is not facing you properly while talking to you may be wanting to leave either because he doesnt like you or not interested talking to you.

Crossing legs away from another person is a sign of discomfort or dislike with that individual.

Asymmetry

Genuine emotions are usually revealed in our faces symmetrically. Interestingly, when people deliberately make an expression, its often asymmetrical.

Our backs will also become straighter when we are happy or interested in something, and will be curved when we are feeling down.

Private Distance

Private distance, or also called as personal space, is the area around us that is regarded as our intimate territory. Each of us has an invisible boundary that we put around each of our bodies in order to feel secure and comfortable, like a protective bubble. Usually, people dont like others to step into their private distance unless they are comfortable, interested with, or like them.

Intimate distance ranges from touching to about 46 cm (18 inches) apart, and is reserved for family members, children, lovers, pet animals, and friends. Personal distance begins about an arm’s length away; starting around 46 cm (18 inches) from you and ending about 122 cm (4 feet) away. This space is used in conversations with friends, associates, and to chat in group discussions. Social distance ranges from about 1.2 m to 2.4 m (4 – 8 feet) away from you and is reserved for strangers.

Facts About Sugars

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:51:00 +0000

Sugars are a class of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates can be divided into 3 different groups, they are sugars, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Not only that, sugars can also be divided into 3 classes, they are monosaccharides; disaccharides and polyols.

Single unit sugars are known as monosaccharides. Those commonly found in food are glucose, fructose (one of tha main sugars in fruits), and galactose (in milk). Two monosaccharides that are linked together are known as disaccharides. Those commonly found are sucrose (glucose+fructose), maltose (glucose+glucose), and lactose (glucose+galactose).

References to "sugars" means any combination of di-, monno- and oligosaccharides, while references to "sugar" mean sucrose or table sugar.
During digestion, all food carbohydrates (sugars and starches) break down into single molecule sugars. They are then absorbed from our intestine into the blood stream then travel to the cells to provide energy for cellular functions.

Sugar beet and sugar cane is two different types of plants that provide the world with most of its sugar. Sugar beet is grown in temperate climates whereas sugar cane is grown in tropical and subtropical regions.

Sugar canes

Sugar beets

Sugar is one of the world’s oldest ingredients. According to The American Heart Association, adult men should eat no more than 36 grams, or 9 teaspoons and women no more than 24 grams or 6 teaspoon, per day.

The only taste humans are born craving is sugar.

Dogs enjoy sweet foods but cats dont, this is because cats dont have sweetness receptors in their brains.

Excess sugar consumption has been linked to cancer production. According to studies, high sugar intake affects negatively the survival rates in both colon cancer patients and breast cancer patients.

Excess sugar consumption can also increase the overall risk for heart disease. Not only that, sugar changes the muscle protein of the heart and also the pumping mechanics of the heart.

When our body cannot clear glucose or sugar quick enough, then sugar can destroy tissue. That is what diabetes is basically, the inability to eliminate glucose.

A 2009 study tells us that glucose consumption can accelerate the aging of cells in our body. Additionally, a 2012 study also tells us that consuming too much sugar can cause deficiencies in human memory and overall cognitive processing.

We can find sugar in unlikely places like tonic water, bread, tomato sauce, fat-free dressing, marinades, and crackers. Lemons have more sugar than strawberries.

Alcohol and sugar have similar toxic liver effects.

At least 180,000 deaths worldwide are linked to sweetened-beverage consumption (according to a 2013 study). The U.S. alone accounted for 25,000 deaths in 2010.

One teaspoon of white sugar has 15 calories.

One teaspoon of corn syrup has 20 calories.

While foods rich in fiber, protein, and fat help make us feel full, sugar does not create feelings of satiety.

The sweetest compound known is called lugduname. Compared to sugar, it is 20,000 times sweeter.

The World Health Organization (WHO) tells us that every day we should consume less sugar than is found in one regular soda.

Most sugar is consumed by Americans through regular soft drinks (33%), followed by candy and sugars (16.1%); cookies, pies, and cakes (12.9%); fruit drinks (9.7%); milk and dairy desserts (8.6%); and other grains (5.8%).

If you want to know the amount of calories from sugar in a product, you can multiply the gram by 4. For example, a product containing 20 grams of sugar has 80 calories from sugar per serving.

India is the world’s largest consumer of sugar, whereas Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugar cane. About 70% of all sugar produced is actually used in its country of origin.

Sugar is useful in cooking: it prevents food from spoiling, it helps cakes and bread rise, brings out the flavor in many different foods, and keeps the color of fruit by holding water.

Sugar can cause wrinkles via glycation, this happens if excess blood sugar binds to collagen in your skin and makes it less elastic.

Researchers tell us that those who drink 2.5 cans of sugary soda daily are more likely to be anxious and depressed than those who drink less. According to brain scans, sugar is as addictive as cocaine.

Harold Egbert Camping Interview Regarding His Prophecies

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:33:00 +0000

Harold Camping

According to Harold Camping, there wont even be a 2012. He displays that number with a red slash through it on his website. Camping also warned that those who dont accept his calculations, including even devout Christians, these people will face “sudden destruction” when Jesus returns.

Here, Dr. Stephen Meyers interviews Harold Egbert Camping on 7 April 2011 about his views on Judgment Day.

What will happen on 21 May 2011 and events leading up to 21 Oct 2011?

From everything we know in the Bible on May 21 2011 it is going to start with a huge earthquake, the Bible describes the earthquake thats way bigger than anything that it had been ever occured.

So what is the purpose of this earthquake?
It is going to do two things, open up all the grave in the world, those who died as true believers will caught up in the heaven.

So how many believers will be saved and go to heaven?
It looks like there will be two hundred million.

So what is the second purpose of this earthquake?
The graves of all the unbelievers for the last 13,000 years will be uprooted &/ or laying around everywhere.

So what else will happen on 21 May 2011?
Millions and millions of people dying everyday.

Will the people “left behind” see anything else on 21 May 2011?
The “left behind” will be able to see those taken to heaven.

So millions of people will die on 21 May 2011 and everyday thereafter. Those people still alive on earth will see the “believers”, those alive & those in the graves, being taken to heaven.

So what happens after that 153 days, on 21 Oct 2011?
The whole universe will be destroyed.

Summary:
1.World’s worst earthquake will take place on 21 May 2011.
2.All graves will be opened up world-wide.
3.13,000 years of dead corpses everywhere.
4.Those left behind will see the ‘saved’ (dead & alive) taken to heaven i.e. the Rapture.
5.Millions will die on 21 May 2011 and everyday thereafter.
6.The universe will be destroyed on 21 oct 2011 i.e. the Great Judgment Day.

If you are still here on May 22nd, would you be willing to step down from Family Radio and ...
“I dont even think about those questions, i dont even think about them at all..because i wont be here, I wont be here..”

William and Catherine Royal Wedding Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:23:00 +0000

Eunice Yoon and Chinese fortune teller, Chen Shuaifo

Chen Shuaifu (China’s top fortune teller) predicted that the marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton will not last long as both of them will face many difficult test to pass. “Their marriage wont make it through the winter of 2015. And from their faces, their most distinctive character is that two of them are stubborn and like to dominate” said Chen Shuaifo, as reported by CNN, Sunday, April 17. To make matters worse, the sapphire engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana, apparently carries the burden of her death.

There are things the couple can do in order to save their marriage. Shuaifo recommends the principles of feng shui to redress imbalances in their personal life.

“The prince should avoid wearing red (and should often go swimming), while Kate should wear white, black and gold” said Chen.

Although both William and Kate were born in 1982 in the Western calendar but Kate, being born six months earlier (before the Chinese New Year) will not have the same animal sign as her husband. In Chinese lunar calendar Kate was born in the year of the Rooster and William in the year of the Dog. Rooster and Dog are quite compatible but the couple were married in the year of the Rabbit, which is good for Dog and bad for Rooster-born people (according to Chen).

Chen also explained, “Prince William, born in the fiery month of June, so he has an extreme temperament, with a qquick reflex and is excellent in academic studies.”

“Kate was born on a freezing winter day, so she is also an extreme and stubborn lady”

In feng shui, human fate can be altered through proper actions. Chen explained “If i predict that someone driving south will encounter a disaster, i will tell him/her to head north instead”. One case in point is the royal sapphire engagement ring belonged to Princess Diana. “The Princess led a miserable life, the negative energy in the ring will be too much, the living should not wear ring which worn by the dead” he said.

Chen also suggested two solutions for the problems, that is to soak the ring in salt so that the tragedies can be cleansed away and another is to soak it in wine for about six or seven hours.

During an interview with NBC News, Chen said “I am a descendant of Chen Tuan (a philosopher who lived in the 10th century), the greatest feng shui master of the Song dynasty”.

What other astrologers say about the royal wedding.

William and Kate Psychic Predictions

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Not to participate in the gloomy prediction of Chen Shuaifu (Chinese fortune teller), Arun Kumar Bansal, president of all India Partnership of astrologers societies clarified that William and Catherine (Kate) are well-matched. In other words, he described it as “Mostly rosy future”. The couple rates 24 out of 36 general compatibility points. He also sees Middletton’s willingness to accomodate the future heir to the throne as a key factor for a successful marriage.

Of course there is a fly in the ointment. The royal couple might have hard time conceiving the next heir to the throne.

Wendy Stacey (Chair of the Astrological Association of Great Britain) described the couple as “Soul mates”. According to the astrologer, their complimentary star signs is the main factor in their happiness.

Capricorns and Cancers are opposites as earth and water – Stacey explained. “As a result, two of them can read each other clearly and both have a very deep emotional understanding. Its quite a lovely thing”. The opposite signs can lead to immediate intuition and understanding. I suspect that somehow, having similar signs would be a good sign too – Stacey explained.

Yeo Tinming, one of Hong Kong’s top masters of feng shui said that Middleton would likely get pregnant in 2012. In his eyes, Wills and Kate are very compatible. One is born during the summer time and the other is born winter time. Two of them complement each other well but also cautioning that the pair would likely quarrel.

Anthony Cheng, fortune teller

However, another Hong Kong fortune teller, Anthony Cheng, was less optimistic. He predicted that the royal couple would likely end in divorce – sharing the same fate as William’s parents Charles and Diana. According to him, there will be major problems for the royal couple in the decade after the prince reaches 39.

This well-known feng shui columnist and TV personality also said that the prince would likely either get divorced in his 40s or suffer a serious accident. “One of these will happen and if the prince encounters an accident, it is likely going to be fatal” said Cheng. He also advised that the prince should avoid travel southern or tropical locations. He feared that Middleton would have to bbe a long-suffering wife if the marriage was to last.

“The prince has too much ‘peach blossom’ luck. This means that he will have a lot of love interests in life. He develops felings easily for other women”. And because of this, the marriage is therefore depend on Middleton’s tolerance level, said Cheng, explaining that William is “very likely going to have an affair”.

Another feng shui master, Mak Ling Ling, author and TV personality, foresaw none of the problems Cheng described. She said the couple is compatible and next year or this year are good years for them to get married. Mak said “Prince William is right to marry an older wife (Middleton is 6 months older than her husband). The personalities match very well. I foresee a good marriage for two of them”.

Baba Vanga Prophecies

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Baba Vanga, also known as Vangelia Pandeva Dimitrova, her married name is Vangelia Gushterova , is one of the lesser-known prophets, mystic, clairvoyant and herbalist in Western Culture. She was a Bulgarian who suffered from health complications and born prematurely on October 3, 1911 and spent most of her life in the Kozhuh mountains in the small village.

Vangelia was an intelligent girl, with blond hair and blue eyes. Unfortunately, her mother died when she was quite young and her father was conscripted into the Bulgarian army during WW1. At the age of 12, a wind storm lifted her up and she was thrown to the ground. After a long search, she was found with sand and dust in her eyes. Because of the pain, she could not open them and she eventually became blind. From here, her gift of foresight soon began to show afterwards.

Baba Vanga is credited with foretelling many future events. People would line up to get advice on illnesses, loved ones, affairs, jobs etc. She had a good knowledge of herbal remedies too. It is said that she was able to have a conversation with spirits and see people’s intentions and their life as though it were a movie to her. Vanga attracted more believers and more people visited her and hope to get a hint regarding whether their relatives were dead or alive during the WW2. Bulgarian king Boris III visited her on 8 April 1942.

The list below is the prediction that was made from baba Vanga:

She predicted that her brother, Vasil would die at the age of 23.
The break-up of Soviet Union.
The death of Princess Diana.
The Chernobyl disaster.
Boris Yeltsin's electoral victory.
The date of Stalin's death.
The World Trade Center disaster.
Russian Kursk disaster.

Her prophecies for the near future :

Start with 2009 – 2010: Assassination attempts on four heads of state. The bible and Nostradamus also predicted this before. Possible Barack Hussein Obama will be one of the four, also Benjamin Netanyahu, Nicolas Sarkozi, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Poetin, Gordon Brown ?

November 2010: The world war 3 begins and ends in October 2014. Starting as a regular war, then nuclear and chemical weapons will be used.

2011: As a result of the war, all life in the Northern Hemisphere would be destroyed by radioactive showers. Then Muslims will wage war against chemical surviving Europeans.

2014 - 2016: Most of the world population will suffer skin cancer and other skin diseases.

2016: Europe is nearly uninhabited.

2018: China becomes a world power. The exploiters will become the exploited.

2023: A little bit of change in the Earth's orbit.

2025 – 2028: Europe is still very underpopulated. Creating a new energy source (probably a controlled thermonuclear reaction). Hunger is overcome. Launched a manned spacecraft to Venus.

2033 – 2045: The world water levels will rise due to the polar ice caps melt, the world economy is thriving. In Europe, Muslims rule.

2046 – 2070: All bodily organs can be reproduced, becoming the most popular and the easiest method of treatment. During the attack on the Muslim Rome, the US used a new climate-changing weapon. The sharp cooling (instant freezing).

2072 - 2084: Communism takes over and the restoration of nature.

2088 – 2167: A new disease makes people grow old in seconds. The rapid aging defeated. Artificial sun light up the dark side of the planet. People become living robots. Wars between small countries. Hungary will receive signals from space. With the help of the aliens, civilizations will live underwater. Animals turn half-human, A new religion.

2170: Major drought.

2183 – 2256: Mars colony will become a nuclear power and demands independence from the Earth. Two large volcanic eruptions will be successfully stopped. Complete mixing of Asians and Europeans. Sea Colony fully developed. Abundant energy and food. Temperatures drop as the sun's thermonuclear processes slow down. Humanity comes into contact with what is something terrible. A spaceship will bring a new disease to Earth.

2262 – 2304: Planets will slowly change orbits. Mars is threatened by comets. Physics laws will be changed. Yellow, black and white races will form 1 new race. Possible time travel and alien contact. The sun cools. Attempts were being madde to ligth it again. Strong explosions in the sun changing the force of gravity. Old space stations and satellites will fall. In France, guerrilla movement against Islam. Important laws and secrets of the universe are revealed. Moon’s secret also revealed.

2341 – 3805: Something terrible is approaching Earth from space. The great famine. An accident on the artificial sun will result in drought. A new fast-growing race, 2 artificial Suns collide. A war on Mars will change the trajectory of planet. Land in the twilight, The war on Mars. Comet hits Moon. The Earth will be surrounded by a ring of ash and rock. By this time, everything on Earth will die. but mankind will be advanced enough to move to a new star system. A new planet is populated by little. Fewer conttacts between the people. Climate new plenat affects the organisms of people- they mutate. More than half of people dying out because of the war between humans for resources.

3815 – 3879: The war is over and the civilization’s development virtually stops. People live flocks as beasts. New prophet telling people about moral values and religion. All segments of the population support the new prophet and they organize a new church.

4302 – 4304: New cities are growing in the world. Scientists discovered in the overall impact of all diseases in organism behavior. People Find a way to win any disease.

4308 – 4509: Due to mutation people begin to use their brains more than 34 percent. Completely lost the notion of hatred and evil. Man finally reached such a level of development that be able to communicate with God.

4599: immortality is achieved by people.

4674: The development of civilization has reached its peak. There is about 340 billion people living in different planets. Assimilation begins with aliens.

5076 – 5078: A boundary universe. With it, no one knows. The desicion to leave the boundaries of the universe and about 40% of the population is against it.

5079: The world Ends.

2012 Doomsday (End of the world)?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Many people recently believe that in the year 2012 there will be some sort of enormous cataclysm and great shift in life. Some even believe all these changes are going to happen on a specific date, namely December 12, 2012. It is believed when the sun rises on that day, it will rise on the winter solstice, directly in the middle of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. The position might cause the usual energy that typically streams to earth from the ccenter of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on December 21, 2012 at 11.11 p.m. This is said to cause a great shift in the consciousness of life on the planet and the planet itself.

Our solar system is part of a huge disc shaped collecttion of planets and stars called the Milky Way. We are located somewhere on the edge of the disc. Our Solar System is orbiting this Galactic Center, it takes 225 million years to complete one revolution around the center, and during its orbit it moves up and down, crossing tthe central plane about every 33 million years. Some people believe that on 21 December 2012, our solar system is going to cross this central plane (where galactic gravity is the strongest) for the first time in 33 million years. After 2012, we will be passing through the bottom zone, viewing the 'disc' of the Milky Way from the south.

Scientist who has been studying these predictions said that the event that probably will happen in 2012 is pole shifting, which would be a disaster to humanity, events such as hurricanes, giant tsunamis, earthquakes, resulting in a horrible destruction of the majority of buildings and other structures.

Another prediction made is that, in 2012 the sun will reach its most active stage in every 11 years, which is called "solar maximum". The last solar cycle was at its maximum in 2001. It is predicted that an explosion will occurred with the energy of one hundred billion atomic bombs. This type of explossion is called a solar flare. Solar flares are pieces of the sun which leap into space, discharging strong electrical currents and radiation which travel outward into space. Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), a strong flare may hit a planet like Earth and this can cause some serious problems on our planet, it is believed this CME once hit Mars and in 1989 a flare hit North American continent.

There are also lots of people who claim that Nibiru, a non-existent planet supposedly discovered by the ancient Sumerians, will encounter Earth in 2012 and cause havoc. The sun becoming a supernova and incinerating the earth and global flooding are among the theories which many people think will cause the end of this world.

In fact, the link between global catastrophe and Mayan Long Count calendar-based prophecy is largely fiction. The Mayan themselves never said that the world will end in 2012 and modern Mayans have shown irritation with how their culture hhas been co-opted into pop culture notions and Hollywod blockbuster film promotions.

How Mayan Long Count Calendar Works

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:40:00 +0000

The Long Count calendar represents a cycle of time which is approximately 5,125 years. The span of the Long Count calendar is called the Great Cycle.
There are five digits in Mayan Long Count calendar, it starts at 0.0.0.0.0 and ends at 13.0.0.0.0 each zero from the right goes from 0-19 and the second digit from the right rolls over to 0 when it reaches 18.

The first day in the Long Count is written as 0.0.0.0.1
The 11th day in the Long Count is written as 0.0.0.0.11
The 19th day in the Long Count is written as 0.0.0.0.19, when each value was numerically accomplished to its maximum, the number would then reset to ‘0’ and the total will be carried forward into the next time cycle tto its left, therefore...

The 20th day in the Long Count is written as 0.0.0.1.0
0.0.0.1.5 means 25 days.
0.0.0.2.0 is equal to 40 days
0.0.1.0.0 does not represent 400 days, since the second digit from the right rolls over to 0 when it reaches 18, therefore it represents only 360 days.

This count continues until..
0.1.0.0.0 (about 20 years)
1.0.0.0.0 (about 400 years), this is also called one baktun.

Currently we are in the 12th baktun, and when we reach 13th baktun (13.0.0.0.0) it will falls on December 21, 2012 (in Gregorian calendar) which many people claim that day to be "the end of the world".

1 Kin = 1 day
1 uinal = 20 kin = 20 days.
1 tun = 18 uinal = 360 days (approx. 1 year).
1 katun = 20 tun = 7,200 days (approx. 20 years).
1 baktun = 20 katun = 144,000 days (approx. 394 years).

The Truth About 2012 Doomsday Hype

Mayan Calendar December 21, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 04 May 2011 14:35:00 +0000

December 21, 2012 the day which many people believe it is “doomsday”, because the Mayan calendar ends on this day. Mayan calendar is the system of calendars and almanacs created by Maya civilization of ancient Mesoamerica and it is still used by some modern Maya communities. There is some lingering disagreement over which day marks thhe exact beginning of the Mayan calendar. One of the common known date is 11 August, 3114 BC, while other researchers believe it is on 13 August, 3114 BC (which would make Dec. 23 is the big day). Some people only believe that in the year 2012 there will be only a great change, but not “the end of the world” and some people believe nothing will happen, we will pass the days just like any other ordinary days.

The Mayans have complicated system of calendars. They used many different calendars, most of the calendars were short and each calendar has a different purpose. Here are some of the more commonly known Mayan calendars:

The Tzolk’in calendar:
The Tzolk’in, sometimes known as the sacred calendar. It lasted for 260 days and it is made up of 13 cycles of 20 days. It is believed the Tzolk’in calendar was the first Maya calendar and it is used primarily in crop rotation.

The Haab calendar:
Like the Gregorian calendar we are using right now which consists of 365 days, this Haab calendar also follows the cycle of the sun. It is only that Haab calendar consists of 18 months and each month only has 20 days, with a five day waiting period at the end which was considered unlucky called the wayeb or uayeb. The haab also known as the Vague Year.

The calendar Round:
The Mayan then combined both the Haab and the Tzolk’in to form the Calendar Round, a cycle lasting 52 years (the approximate length of a generation at the time of the Calendar Round’s creation).

However, using Calendar Round there was no way to record a date older than 52 years, so the Mayan historians wanted to create one which can be used to record history for centuries. The Long Count calendar then was created, it multiplies up from the other calendar systems annd incorporates an era called the Great Cycle, which lasts about 5,125 years. It began on approximately Aug 11, 3114 BC and ends 5125 years later on December 21st, 2012.

How Mayan Long Count Calender Works?

However, people started to believe that the world will end when the Mayan Long Count calendar runs out. Mayan researchers are even in debate as to whether the Long Count calendar is designed to be reset from the beginning again after it completed the cycle or whether simply continues to extend its system. There is not actually much evidence to suggest doomsday will strike. The Mayan Doomsday Prophecy is solely based on a calendar that is believed has not been designed to calculate dates beyond 2012. So what actually will happen around Dec 21, 2012? if 'the end of the world' is solely based on the Mayan calendar, it is likely that there will be nothing happen, those days will pass with no major events at all and we will pass those days just like any other ordinary days, and just because the calendar ends it doesn't mean that the world, or life will end.

Now shall we move from Archaeology to the science of Astronomy and Astrophysics related to 2012.

Carole Horlock - World's Most Prolific Surrogate Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:42:00 +0000

Carole Horlock - Surrogate Mother

Carole Horlock is listed as the world most prolific surrogate mother, who has delivered 12 babies in 13 years, including triplets. The triplets' parents are a Greek couple in their thirties and the mother, who is a teacher, had a hysterectomy. Although she can still produce eggs but she cannot carry a baby. Embryos made from the mother's eggs and the father's sperm were implanted into Miss Horlock's womb.

Carole said "Ive never had a problem handing the babies over", the bonding came after these babies were born, as I nurtured and fed them. Miss Horlock has a daughter named Steffanie who was born in 1991 during her first marriage. She had another daughter named Megan three years later from another relationship.

Her first surrogacy aggreement was in 1995 and since then miss Horlock has given birth to four boys and eight girls for childless couples - including triplets and a set of twins. The triplets are the first time that she used IVF to become pregnant and are also the first time that she hasnt been the biological mother.

Miss Horlock received "expenses" from the couples she helps because it is illegal to take payment. However, she insists that she is not motivated by money. She said that whenever she sees the joy on the faces of those couples who thought they'd never have babies is very special. Part of the agreement she normally makes before helping the couples is that they will send photographs and a yearly newsletter of the babies.

Although most of the Carole's family support her, she said her father has bever been able to accept this because he felt she is giving away his grandchildren. During one surrogate pregnancy, it happened that the baby she was delivering for a couple had her partner's DNA. She said she would only have claimed her legal right to 'her' baby if she felt it was not wanted or loved.

Surrogates receive an average of $25,000 - $30,000 for their services, but the downsides include morning sickness, bad rest, in vitro fertilization, caesarean sections and stretch marks. Miss Horlock has parlayed her extreme surogate status into additional profit by selling her story to tabloids and newspapers. She also said that sometimes the headlines turned nasty - "You do it once or twice, you are an angel but you do it time and time again, then you're a monster". She wondered if it is a good deed in the beginning then why doesnt it continue being a good deed.

Talking about babies, Baby Gender Predictor chart was found in China and is said to be very accurate. The basic principle of Feng Shui Children's Bedroom is also very popular and widely used by the Chinese people to improve or enhance the prosperity and health of their children.

How LPG Regulators Work

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:31:00 +0000

Facts about Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Devices which regulate propane fuel flow are called as propane regulators. Since the regulator (also referred to as a vaporizer) is such an important device in any LPG gas system, it is crucial to know how the regulator works.

Propane tank contains a flammable liquid that is usually pumped from a larger tank into smaller one. Since the gas is a liquid under pressure that will become a lighter-than-air substance when being consumed, therefore it can build to a very high pressure. The pressure must then be regulated as it exists the tank otherwise it will rupture hoses or create a substantial explosion. Because of this pressure regulator is used so that the liquid in the tank can be dispensed for a safe and efficient consumption.

Most regulators you see today have a simple and proven diaphragm, spring and lever system. Because of this ingenious mechanism, the propane gas could be delivered consistently to the appliance regardless of tank pressure or the aeffect of related weather conditions.

LPG regulator - How it works

Materials used to make these regulators need to resist the formation of sparks. Aluminum and brass are the metals used in the construction of the regulator. These metals are used because they are generally resistant to sparking. Propane and sparks can lead to a deadly combination. There is also a chance of generation of sparks when you are trying to tighten the fittings. That is why it is very important to choose materials which do not readily generate sparks.

Most regulators we see today look as if they were modeled from a flying saucer, and this design contains the interior controlling diaphragm. If you notice at the center and top of the saucer, there is a round cap which contains the pressure spring.

Generally all these regulators will emit a working gas preissure in the area of less than 1 lb and it can be measured on a gauge. That can be accomplished because of the diaphragm that is attached to the inside of the alumminum saucer. The diaghragm itself is a rubber disc designed to move and flex whenever the applied pressure from the cylinder changes. The pressure spring inside will ride against the diaphragm and helps to control the exiting gas. That can be done because there is a force of the spring against this diaphragm to exert a back pressure, and this back pressure will retard the flow of the high-pressure gas in the tank.

The vent is also an important part of the regulator. If the pressure become excessive, the regulator vents off the excess pressure through the regulator vent, rather than sending the excess pressure to the appliance. When installing a regulator, make sure that the vent is facing down and under cover to prevent dirt, rain and moisture as well as snow from entering the vent.

There are also regulators which have a removable cap so that the spring inside can be replaced to allow for different pressures exitting on the outlet side of the regulator. Generally, the lighter the spring, the greater the pressure will be coming from the regulators, and the stronger the spring, then the lower the gas pressure on the exit side. For those who are using the modern full-sized outdoor cooking grill (which there may be more than one burner used), a slightly higher pressures of propane will be needed.

Related Topics:
How septic systems work
How to organize your feng shui kitchen.

How House Foundation is Built - Difference Between Crawl Space and Slab

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:58:00 +0000

Building a house starts from its foundation (the most important part). The weight of the house are supported by the footers and foundations, and they are usually made from concrete or masonry. After this is completed, the ground floor can be built from wood or concrete. And when the floor is completed then framing (the process of using wood or metal beams) begins.

Houses today are generally built on a foundation that is either a slab, a crawl space, or a basement. Basements are more expensive to build, but many people are willing to pay for it since land costs are very high because basements allow for the more living space. Depending where and when a house was built, its foundation can be made of brick, stone, preservative-treated lumber, concrete block, or poured concrete. The most common foundation's material today is concrete.

When building the foundation, rocks, trees and debris have to be removed first from the site. With the help of a backhoe and/or a bulldozer, they dig the foundation to the depth presented in the building plans. The depth of the foundation varies with the size of your building structure. Large construction buildings require a deep foundation whereas medium and small homes can be built upon shallow foundations.

Usually they will also contact the plumber, electrician and heating company to ask them if there is anything they need to install in the foundation before the concrete is being poured.

The bottom part of a foundation is called a footer (or footing). It is usually wider than the foundation wall, footer is located about 12 inches below the frost line (this is the average depth at which soil freezes year after year).

For a crawl space, they will dig a set of trenches and holes before pouring concretes into them so that the interface between the ground and the foundation wall can be created. The width of these concrete beams are controlled by the compressibility of the soil. The floor of our home is built up on foundation piers. It gets our house up off the ground, this type of foundation is very useful in damp or termite-prone areas.

A crawl space allows access aruond the lower level of our home. We can crawl into the access foor below our home to handle most of our maintenance issues. Many times the electrical, HVAC ductwork and plumbing will be housed here also. With this type of foundation, moisture is one of the biggest drawbacks, it can lead to potential termite damage, rotten floor joists, and/or mold.

The slab is probably the easiest and most affordable foundation to build. A slab sits directly on top of the land. A slab is a flat concrete pad poured directly on the ground. Once it's poured, wall construction can begin the following day. There is no space between the lower level of our home and the earth. With this type of foundation, most of our “rough-in” plumbing is non-accessible from below and we must chisel into the concrete floor to do any repair. The electrical and HVAC also will be run through the ceiling/attic space and walls unlike a crawl space where we can access them from beneath our home.

Remember that a slab foundation also means our first floor, so our house is close to the moist ground below it. If we live in a colder climate then we can also notice that the flooring on top of its hard surface can feel cold and hard.

A basement is a mixture of both. One of the main differences compared to crawl space is the height. Basement usually have high ceiling so that people can walk around whereas crawl spaces mostly range from one to four feet. Other differences is that crawl spaces are uninhabitable.

Water is a foundation's number one enemy. A house can experience movement, therefore water should be kept away from the foundation once the initial drainage is established.

Facts about Cougars (Puma Concolor) - The Fourth Biggest Cat in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 05 May 2009 05:35:00 +0000

A cougar (or also called as puma, catamount, mountain cat, or mountain lion) is a large tan colored cat. It holds the Guinness record for the animal in the world with the highest number of names (40 names in English alone!).

Other names include panther, American lion, fire cat, screamer, yuma puma, Florida panther and painted cat.

Cougar is the largest cat in the Americas. It is the largest of the small cats.

Primary food sources include ungulates such as elk, deer, moose and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, sheep and horses, particularly in the northern part of its range. Cougars will also hunt species as small as rodents and insects.

Like many other cats, cougars are solitary animals. Only kittens and mothers live in groups, with adults meeting only to mate.

Cougars have proportionally the largest hind legs in the cat family.

Cougars are great jumpers. These beautiful creatures can leap vertically over 4.8 meters and horizontally more than 13.7 meters.

They have acute vision and hearing.

Cougars are the largest cats that can purr.

Cougars are secretive and typically most active around dawn and dusk.

Cougars can run up to 40 miles per hour. They are the fastest animals in North America.

Males are larger than females.

Adult stand about 55-77 cm tall at the shoulders. The length is around 2.4 meters long (adult males) nose to tail, with overall ranges between 5 and 9 ft (1.5 and 2.75 meters) nose to tail suggested for the species in general.

The size of these cats is smallest to the equator but larger towards the poles.

Typical habitat is steep, rocky canyon country but these animals can also be seen in jungle swamp areas and desert plains.

For the most part, cougars have no natural enemies, they sit atop the food chain. However, cougars often compete with other aggressive predators such as wolves and bears for food.

Males typically weigh around 53 – 95 kilograms, averaging 63kg. Females typically weigh between 30-64 kg, averaging 42 kg.

Females give birth to 2-3 kittens at a time. They can breed as early as 2-3 yrs old and raise their young while the males return to their solitary lifestyles.

The cubs will leave their mothers after they reach around 2 yrs old and start their own life.

A healthy cougar can live to around 10 yrs of age in the wild. In captivity, they can live as long as 20 years.

How to Stop Rats and Mice From Entering Your House

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Rats can be so much dangerous. They can ruin our food, destroy things in our home and start electrical fires. Not only that, rats and their fleas also can carry disease. Now is the time to find out how to prevent all these scavengers from moving indoors to live with us. Here are a few steps that you might need to know.

Keep the windows and doors of your home closed at all times if possible. Although mice and rats are active at night but they can enter through your open windows and doors during the day when they are under real pressure to find shelter and food. Cover or fill any holes or gaps around your home that are 0.635 cm or larger. The rib cages of rats and mice can be flatten to fit through very small gaps and if their head can fit through, their body can follow. Mice can fit through an opening as small as 0.635 cm and rats can fit through an opening as small as 1.27 cm.

Remove all food sources. Rats can eat the same food as we do (fruits, snacks, cakes, fats, oils that have been spilled, grains, rice, vegetables, oats, and many more. Dont leave pet food outdoors. Use birdfeeders with trays and clean up spilled seeds. Dispose of rubbish promptly and keep your bin lids tightly closed. Any covers or plugs used should be rodent-chewing proof.

Keep your garden and home clean and free of clutter. Stack fire wood 46 cm off the ground and away from all buildings. Cut back trees overhanging your deck and roof. Roof rats are excellent climbers and they love to walk along branches that overhang roofs and will leap from these trees to enter your attic space.

Watch for signs of rat infestation, such as chewed boxes or droppings. Before you go to sleep, you can try coating your floor and counter tops with a thin layer of talcum powder and look for tracks the next day in order to determine where the rats are coming in.

You can set traps in the places where you see their droppings or other signs of infestation. Before you do this, be extra careful especially for those who have pets or young children. Make sure all these traps are out of reach from young children, you can place them inside the cabinets instead of placing them on floors or counters.

Wear gloves when removing a trapped rodent. After that you should wrap it in a bag and then place it in the garbage outside. Traps should be remain in places for a few weeks, so that you make sure there are no more rodents in the house. Do not try to trap a mice with a rat trap or vice versa.

Facts About House Lizards, or the Common House Geckos

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:20:00 +0000

A house lizard is also called a gecko (or Asian house gecko). Native to the southern Asia, house lizards are named so because they are found mostly on the ceilings and walls of human home.

These small geckos grow to a length of about 7.5 to 15 cm and live for about 5 years. It has a concave forehead with a long snout. Geckos also have large eyes but without eyelids. They have broad padded toes without webs and an elongated tail that tapers toward the end. The color of their body varies between grayish white to pale yellow.

They are found in Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Mauritius, Andaman Nicobar Island, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Polynesia, Phillipines etc. It was introduced to other countries like Brazil, Mexico, Australia, United States, Eastern Africa etc.

Geckos may be nocturnal but these small lizards rely on light – they eat insects that are attracted by light. They like to stay motionlessly under artificial light in order to hunt down insects.

They can withstand cold climate, they can even withstand hotter months as well. House geckos like to take shelter around structures in crack and crevices.

House geckos are considered by many as friends, not foes. They keep our houses safe from spiders, cockroaches and other insects. They are also harmless and are not venomous. In fact, in Spanish they are called “housecleaners”.

When they feel threatened, geckos will run back to their shelter. Like many geckos, this species will leave its tail when alarmed or grabbed by the tail – it does this as a defense mechanism. A new tail then grows back later.

When gecko drops its tail, the tail will keep wriggling around on the floor so that the enemy can be distracted while the gecko makes its escape. They also produce a high-pitched call or squek when alarmed.

Geckos have several hundred thousand fine hairs on their toes which allow the animals to ‘stick’ to most surfaces including glass and mirrors. And for that reason a house gecko can impressively walk along walls and the ceiling to hunt down insects.

Teflon is the only known surface to which this small lizard cannot cling.

These species will usually attain their sexual maturity in one year. In order to attract the females for mating, the male geckos will produce a sound.

Common house geckos are popular among pet owners because these animals are very small, inexpensive, harmless, and relatively easy to keep in captivity.

How to Repel Cockroaches Naturally

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:19:00 +0000

Cockroaches are a high risk pest to have in your home as these dirty insects carry a range of serious illness such as dysentery, salmonella, and gastro-enteritis and typhoid. Although cockroaches are large in some parts of the world, the ones in your house are usually small. The problem is they generally hide during the day, and therefore if you cant find any of the insects in your place, it doesnt mean they are not there.

Like any animal, cockroaches like to live in a place where there are lots of food – so keep your house clean and neat is the most important task for preventing these disgusting insects. Cockroaches love piles of wood and other convenient hiding places. They also love moist and humid conditions. When the weather turns colder, they can migrate inside your house in order to keep warm.

Eliminate sources of food and water. Keep food containers sealed and dont leave dirty dishes overnight. Remove trash from your kitchen and place it inside containers with tight-fitting lids. Clean your kitchen and bathroom regularly as these two areas often provide both water and food for cockroaches to survive and thus they are generally the favorite place for cockroaches to establish a base.

Cockroaches can live a long time without food (approximately a month!) but they cant survive that long without water. Avoid leaving standing water out anywhere. Repair any water leaks and dry out your sinks, the shower and tubs after use. Some people pour also bleach down the drains. You can also run the bathroom fan after or during showers so that excessive humidity in your bathroom can be reduced, as well as the air inside the rest of your house.

Plug holes and cracks. Keep roaches out of your house by blocking their entrance. You can seal these cracks by using a caulking gun or duct tape (if caulking guns are unavailable). Cracks, corners, and crannies are cockroaches’ favorite hiding spots. Pay attention to the spaces around your gas lines, plumbing and your electrical lines. You should also seal gaps behind cupboards, countertops and vanities.

You can use boric acid as long as it is applied properly. Boric acid has always been an effective cockroach deterrent and its toxicity is low for humans but deadly to cockroaches. Other good options are to use cockroach baits, cockroach traps or roach spray (you can buy one of these from any grocery store). But again, if you have pets and kids at home then you should try non-toxic methods before going the chemical route.

Facts About Formosan Termites

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Like other subterranean termites, Formosan termites also have 3 forms – alates (swarmers), soldiers and workers. However, identification requires only the study of the soldiers and alates. The Formosan termite soldiers are identified by their head, which is a teardrop shape and brown-orange in color. The Formosan termite alate is 12 – 15 mm long with a yellowish-brown body.

The soldiers have white bodies and curved mandibles. Another characteristic is that when attacked, Formosan termites will secrete a milky white substance from their head. Their wings are also covered in hairs. Soldiers comprise about 10% of the colony.

Formosan termites are also called as the “super termite”, this is because they are more destructive and aggressive than their relatives. A single colony may contain several million individuals whereas other subterranean termite species only several hundred thousand). They also have the ability to consume wood at a rapid rate. A mature colony may consume as much as 13 ounces (about 400 g) of wood a day and can seriously damage a structure in as little as 3 months.

In the United States, this species is commonly found in the following Southern States Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Virginia, Souh Carolina and North Carolina. However, they have also been found in Arizona, Texas, Hawaii, and California as well. Formosan termites are in fact originated from southern China to Formosa (Taiwan, where it gets its name).

Formosan termites feed on wood and paper products (like all termite species). They can infest and destroy otherwise healthy trees. They also have been known to attack over 49 plant species, and even some non-cellulose objects like plastic, rubber, soft metals, asphalt, mortar and creosote when looking for moisture and new food sources.

Formosan termites are most visible during their annual mating flight. Queens can produce 1,000 eggs a day.

The nests that Formosan Termites create are called “carton nests”. They use wood and soil cemented together with their feces and saliva to build these nests, within walls. These nests house thousands of Formosan termites as well as hold moisture. Large cartons can actually cause walls to bulge. Once established, these termites can live indefinitely without soil contact.

What makes Formosan termites different from other subterranean termites is that they make their carton nests that resemble packed cardboard inside a wall and in many cases you can find entire walls full of this “carton” material.

Formosan termite control begins with eliminating sources of moisture both outside and inside of your home. Inside, homeowners should reduce humidity in areas such as crawl spaces, basements and attics with proper ventilation.

The Crow Movie Facts

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:37:00 +0000

The crow in the movie

The Crow is based on the 1989 comic book of the same name. The comic book was created by James O’Barr, an American graphic artist.

The action film was released on Friday the 13th, May, 1994.

The film was written by John Shirley and David J. Schow, and directed by Alex Proyas.

The film is about a rock musician named Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) who comes from the dead in order to take revenge on those who had murdered him as well as his fiancee, Shelly.

The birds used in the film were not crows, they were actually ravens – five of them in all.

In the movie, Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and Shelly Webster (his fiancee) plan to get married on Halloween, but both of them are killed the night before the wedding (on Devil’s Night). In fact, after completing his latest film, The Crow, Brandon also planned to get married with his fiancee in Mexico in 1994, but unfortunately he was shot and killed during the last weeks of production.

Eric Draven (who played by Brandon), suffered a fatal wound, while shooting the death scene for Brandon’s character. An improperly cleaned propp gun shot a dummy tip into Brandon’s stomach, which resulted in his death.

After Brandon Lee died, there were 8 days left before shooting of his latest film was to be completed. They then used a live body double and some digital composing to finish out the rest of the movie.

When Albrecht is pointing the gun at Eric by the sidewalk outside Gideons, the sergeant is distracted by looters, notably one with long hair stealing a TV set. He is in fact the author of the comic book series (James O’Barr) on which the film is based.

One of the bad guys at Top Dollar’s meeting is actually David Schow, one of the screenwriters. He is the one who gets pulled under the table. Braeden (Jeff Imada) is also at the meeting, he is the fight choreographer of the film and Brandon Lee’s best friend.

The latter part of the scene with Albrecht and Eric in Albrecht’s apartment was actually ad-libbed. Eric (Brandon) decided to pick up a photo of Albercht and his wife and ask him about it. There is a part where Brandon said “Believe me, nothing is trivial”, that was also not in the script. This scene was originnally scripted to take place in the street outside police headquarters, and later it was decided that it shuold be moved to Albrecth’s house so that the audience could learn more about him.

Eric Draven - Brandon Lee

Sarah - Rochelle Davis

Shelly Webster - Sofia Shinas

Funboy - Michael Massey

Tin Tin (right) - Laurence Mason


Myca - Bai Ling (right) Top Dollar - Michael Wincott

Officer Albrect - Ernie Hudson

Grange - Tony Todd

Darla - Anna Thompson

Darla - Anna Thomson

Do you know that Brandon and his father Bruce Lee were born under the zodiac sign of dragon. Read also about Chinese dragon facts.

Why Yemen is Divided: History, Sects, and the Road to Civil War

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:57:00 +0000

Facts About Yemen

Size and Population

The population of Yemen is approximately 40.6 million. Yemen has more people than Saudi Arabia, even though Saudi Arabia is much wealthier and more developed.

Yemen ranks second in size and first in population among the seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula.

Yemen is generally considered one of the poorest Arab countries, and by several economic measures it is at or near the very bottom. The World Bank reported that Yemen's economy had suffered a severe decline after years of conflict.

Yemen's population is very unevenly distributed. Most Yemenis live in the western and west-central parts of the country, especially in the mountainous highlands around the capital, Sana'a. The eastern part of Yemen is much more sparsely populated because it consists largely of dry desert.

Why do people concentrate in the west?

More rainfall and farmland. The western highlands receive more seasonal rainfall than the eastern desert, making it easier to grow crops and sustain villages.

Established cities and communities. Sana'a, Taiz and Ibb are surrounded by long-established farming and residential areas that support large populations.

Harsh conditions in the east. Much of eastern Yemen is extremely dry, with limited water and farmland. People are more spread out, often living near towns, valleys and water sources.

A historical geographical analysis estimated that about 90% of Yemen's population lives in the western half of the country. That means a large portion of Yemen's territory contains relatively few people, while its western highlands contain many towns, villages and farms close together.

Language and Religion

Yemenis mainly speak Arabic, and almost the entire population follows Islam. However, Yemen has an important religious difference: its Muslims are divided between Sunni and Shia traditions, which helps explain some of the country's political and regional conflicts.

Arabic is Yemen's official language and the everyday language of the vast majority of Yemenis. People speak different Yemeni Arabic dialects depending on their region.

Sana'a and the north: Northern Yemeni Arabic dialects. Whereas Aden and the south: Southern varieties of Yemeni Arabic. Eastern Yemen: Other regional dialects, influenced by local history and neighboring areas.

Some communities also speak Soqotri and Mehri, which are distinct languages related to Arabic through their broader Semitic language family. They are particularly associated with Socotra Island and parts of eastern Yemen.

What is the difference between Sunni and Shia in Yemen?

Yemen is overwhelmingly Muslim. The two main traditions are Sunni Islam and Shia Islam, particularly the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam.

Sunni Muslims (approximately 60–65%) are especially prominent in southern and southeastern Yemen, as well as in parts of the west and other regions.

Shia Muslims is approximately 35–40%. Most Yemeni Shia Muslims follow Zaydism, a branch with its own religious history and traditions. Zaydis are particularly associated with northern Yemen.

Both Sunnis and Shias believe in Allah, recognize the Quran as their holy book, and regard Muhammad as the final prophet. Their historical disagreement concerns leadership of the Muslim community after Muhammad's death, along with differences in religious traditions and jurisprudence.

History

Yemen has one of the oldest and most fascinating histories in the Middle East. It was once home to wealthy kingdoms that controlled important incense and trade routes, later became an important center of Islamic civilization, and eventually split into two countries before reunifying in 1990. Today, it is internationally recognized as one country, but it has suffered years of civil war.

Long before Saudi Arabia and the modern states of the Middle East existed, southern Arabia was home to several powerful kingdoms such as Kingdom of Saba (Sheba) and Kingdom of Himyar.

Yemen was sometimes called Arabia Felix, meaning “Happy Arabia” or “Fortunate Arabia,” by the Romans because of its agricultural wealth and valuable trade.

Unlike the image of Yemen as a poor country today, parts of ancient Yemen were prosperous centers of commerce and civilization.

The arrival of Islam

Islam spread to Yemen during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad and in the decades following his death in 632 CE. Yemen gradually became part of the wider Muslim world, connecting it to trade networks and political centers across Arabia, North Africa and the Middle East.

The Ottoman Empire and British rule

Yemen's modern history was shaped by two outside powers.

The Ottoman Empire controlled parts of northern Yemen during several periods, including much of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Britain captured the strategic port of Aden in 1839. Aden was valuable because it sat near the entrance to the Red Sea, along the route between Europe and Asia.

When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I, northern Yemen became independent in 1918. Southern Yemen, meanwhile, remained under British control until Britain withdrew in 1967.

This created a lasting division: the north and south developed different governments, political systems and international relationships.

Yemen became two separate countries

North Yemen

In 1962, a revolution overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. A civil war followed between republican forces and royalists, with Egypt supporting the republicans and Saudi Arabia supporting the royalists.

South Yemen

After British withdrawal in 1967, southern Yemen became independent. In 1970, it adopted a Marxist-oriented political system and developed close ties with the Soviet Union.

For decades, the two Yemens were separate states. The north had closer ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, while the south was aligned with the Soviet bloc.

They also fought a brief border war in 1972 and again in 1979. Although both governments eventually pursued unification, their political differences remained substantial.

Yemen reunified in 1990

On 22 May 1990, North Yemen and South Yemen officially united to form the Republic of Yemen.

The new country was led initially by Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had governed North Yemen, with southern leader Ali Salem al-Beidh becoming vice president.

However, unification did not immediately resolve tensions. Southern leaders felt increasingly marginalized, and in 1994 a civil war broke out after southern leaders attempted to secede. Northern government forces won, keeping the country united.

The important lesson is that Yemen's north–south division did not disappear when the border was removed. Regional identities, political rivalries and disagreements over resources continued.

The rise of the Houthis

The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, originated in northern Yemen among communities connected to Zaydi Shia Islam.

Its rise was influenced by several factors:

Regional grievances: Supporters argued that northern communities were politically and economically marginalized.

Religious identity: The movement grew partly in response to concerns about the position of Zaydi traditions in Yemen.

Conflict with the government: Houthi forces fought several wars against Saleh's government between 2004 and 2010.

In 2011, the Arab Spring protests spread to Yemen. Demonstrators demanded political reform and an end to Saleh's long rule. Saleh eventually stepped down in 2012, transferring power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

But the transition struggled with corruption, economic hardship, regional grievances and disagreements over how power should be shared. The Houthis took advantage of this instability and captured the capital, Sana'a, in September 2014.

How Powerful Is the F-16? Specs, Variants, and Combat Record

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Facts About F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a 4th-generation fighter aircraft, but modern upgraded versions are often described as 4.5-generation fighters. Despite being designed in the 1970s, it remains one of the most widely used and combat-proven fighter families in the world.

Its strength is that it combines high speed, excellent maneuverability, modern weapons, and relatively affordable operating costs. In the hands of a well-trained pilot, a modern F-16 can be a very dangerous opponent.

What generation is each F-16 version?

F-16A/B — Early versions (4th generation).

Introduced in the late 1970s. The original lightweight fighter, designed primarily for air-to-air combat. It has older radar and avionics compared with modern versions.

F-16C/D — Improved versions (4th generation)

Introduced in the 1980s. More capable radar, improved electronics, and a broader range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Later upgrades make some versions substantially more powerful than early F-16s.

F-16V / Block 70/72 — Modern versions (4.5 generation)

Modernized configuration. Features such as an AESA radar, advanced mission computer, improved cockpit displays, and modern weapons make it much more capable at detecting and engaging targets.

One important distinction: The F-16V is not a fifth-generation stealth fighter. It remains an upgraded fourth-generation design, without the integrated stealth characteristics of aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35.

An old F-16A and a new F-16V should not be treated as equivalent aircraft just because they share the same name. Their radar, avionics, weapons compatibility and overall combat effectiveness can differ significantly.

Note: Some sources use "3rd‑generation" in the Russian/Chinese numbering system, which directly corresponds to Western "4th‑generation."

How powerful is the F-16

Spec	Value
Max speed	Mach 2.05 (~2,178 km/h)
Service ceiling	Above 50,000 ft / 15 km
Combat radius	~550 km (air‑air config); ferry range 4,200+ km
G‑limit	+9g — exceptional maneuverability
Engine thrust	23,770–29,500 lbf (106–131 kN) afterburning (F100 or F110)
Max takeoff weight	~16,900 kg (early) → ~21,800 kg (Block 70/72)
Max payload	~7,700 kg across 11 hardpoints

The F‑16 is the definitive 4th‑generation light/medium multi‑role fighter, and the latest Block 70/72 is widely considered 4.5‑generation — with radar and avionics near 5th‑gen standards but without full stealth. It is fast, agile, well‑armed, and affordable — arguably the most successful Western fighter of its era.

Side by Side Comparison With F-16V's Equivalents

Category	F‑16V / Block 70 🇺🇸	MiG‑35 Fulcrum‑F 🇷🇺	J‑10C Vigorous Dragon 🇨🇳	JF‑17 Block III 🇨🇳/🇵🇰
Generation	4.5	4++ / 4.5	4.5	4.5
Primary Role	Multirole (medium)	Multirole / Air Superiority	Multirole (medium)	Light multirole / budget fighter
Engine	1 × F110‑GE‑132 / F100‑PW‑229 ~29,000 lbf (130 kN) afterburn	2 × RD‑33MK ~39,400 lbf (175 kN) total	1 × WS‑10B ~29,700 lbf (132 kN)	1 × RD‑93 / WS‑13 ~18,300 lbf (81 kN)
Max Speed	Mach 2.05 (~2,175 km/h)	Mach 2.25 (~2,450 km/h)	Mach 2.0 – 2.2	Mach 1.6 (~1,915 km/h)
Combat Radius	~550 km (air‑air) → ~740 km (hi‑lo‑hi)	~700 – 800 km	~800 – 1,000 km	~450 – 900 km (mission‑dependent)
Max Takeoff Weight	21,770 kg	~29,400 kg	~19,500 kg	~12,700 kg
Max Payload	~7,700 kg / 11 hardpoints	~6,500 kg / 9 hardpoints	~6,000 – 6,500 kg / 11 hardpoints	~3,600 kg / 7–8 hardpoints
Radar	AN/APG‑83 AESA ~300 km detection (air)	Zhuk‑AME AESA ~160 km detection	KLJ‑7A AESA ~170 – 200 km	KLJ‑7A AESA ~170 km
Primary BVR Missile	AIM‑120D (~160 km)	R‑77M‑1 (~110–160 km)	PL‑15 (~250–300 km)	PL‑15E (~200 km)
Cannon	M61A1 20 mm	GSh‑30‑1 30 mm	23 mm twin‑barrel	23 mm twin‑barrel
Service Ceiling	50,000 ft / 15 km	57,400 ft / 17.5 km	56,000–59,000 ft / ~18 km	50,000 ft / 15 km
Est. Unit Cost	$63–80 M	$40–50 M	$40–45 M	$16–18 M
Key Strengths	Combat‑proven (13M+ sorties), mature global network, 5th‑gen radar heritage, huge weapons selection	Superior raw speed & climb, twin‑engine redundancy, very good low‑speed agility	Longer‑range AAM, comparable thrust/weight, canard agility, no Western export restrictions	Lowest cost, AESA & PL‑15 capability, simpler maintenance, co‑produced with Pakistan
Key Weaknesses	Export restrictions, shorter basic radius	Very limited production (~12 airframes), older EW architecture, few export customers	Less combat experience, smaller weapon selection, limited export track record	Lower performance ceiling, single engine weaker than others, lighter airframe limits growth
Production Status	Active — new builds being delivered 2025–2030	Very low rate / essentially demonstrator	Active — mass production for PLAAF & Pakistan	Active — main fighter for Pakistan

Which fighter does the US have the most of?

According to the US Air Force inventory figures as of September 30, 2025, the F-16 is the most numerous fighter type in its fighter/attack inventory.

Aircraft	Total Active	Notes
✅ F-16 Fighting Falcon	~826–846	USAF only: 484 active + 296 ANG + 46 AFRC = 826
F-35 Lightning II (all variants)	~724+ and rising	USAF 500A / USMC ~137B/C / USN ~87C; fast-growing
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet	~549	US Navy only
F-15 (all variants: C/D/E/EX)	~533	F-15E: 217; F-15C/D: ~75; F-15EX: 13; plus older models
F-22 Raptor	184	USAF only — production ended 2011

F-16 remains #1 today, but it's an aging fleet — average age ~34 years — and is being steadily phased out & replaced by the F-35, which will take the #1 spot by the early 2030s.

Has an F-16 ever been shot down?

The F-16 Fighting Falcon has been shot down in real combat several times. Despite being a highly capable fighter, it is not invincible. Some F-16s have been lost to enemy surface-to-air missiles, others to enemy fighters, and some to accidents or other causes.

2 June 1995 — Bosnia (Pilot survived)

A US Air Force F-16 flown by Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down by a Serbian SA-6 surface-to-air missile. He ejected and survived behind enemy lines for nearly six days before US Marines rescued him.

2 May 1999 — Serbia (Pilot survived)

Another US Air Force F-16 was shot down by a Serbian S-125 surface-to-air missile during NATO's air campaign. Its pilot, David Goldfein, ejected and was rescued.

Date	Conflict	Variant	Downed By	Notes
Feb 1991	Desert Storm	F-16C	Iraqi AAA / SAMs	5 lost — 2 SA-6/SA-3 SAMs, 1 SA-16 MANPADS, 2 AAA; 1 pilot POW
Jun 2, 1995	Bosnia	F-16C	Serbian SA-6 SAM	Pilot rescued
May 2, 1999	Kosovo	F-16CG	Serbian SA-3 (S-125) SAM	Pilot rescued; wreckage displayed in Belgrade

Foreign Operators:

Date	Operator	Variant	Downed By	Notes
Feb 10, 2018	Israel	F-16I Sufa	Syrian S-200 SAM	Both pilots ejected safely
Dec 2015	Bahrain	F-16C	Houthi MANPADS/AAA	Yemen campaign; pilot ejected
2017	Jordan	F-16AM	Houthi fire	Pilot killed
Oct 1996	Turkey	F-16D	Greek Mirage 2000 (R-550)	Aegean incident; 1 pilot killed
2024–2025	Ukraine	F-16AM/BM	Russian SAMs (S-300/S-400)	Multiple confirmed losses

Facts About the Arabian Peninsula: Populations, Economies, and Energy Reserves

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:53:00 +0000

Facts About Arabian Peninsula

The Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world by area, but it is not generally considered the longest by length.

The Arabian Peninsula is home to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as well as parts of Jordan and Iraq.

Which peninsula is the longest?

There isn't one universally accepted answer because the result depends on how a peninsula's boundaries and length are measured.

The Scandinavian Peninsula, for example, stretches roughly 1,850 km from north to south, while the Arabian Peninsula is roughly 2,000–2,200 km across its greatest north–south extent, depending on the endpoints used.

The important distinction: the Arabian Peninsula is unquestionably the world's largest peninsula by area, but calling it the world's longest is less definitive.

What has to be counted to be considered as peninsula

A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides and connected to a larger landmass on the fourth side.

There is no universal minimum size or length required to qualify as a peninsula. A peninsula can be enormous, like the Arabian Peninsula, or relatively small.

Which country in the Arabian Peninsula is the crowdest and most sparsely populated.

Most densely populated is Bahrain, which is ≈ 2,100 people/km² (2025 estimate).

Bahrain is a small island country with a concentrated urban population, making it the most densely populated country in the Arabian Peninsula

Most sparsely populated is Saudi Arabia, which is ≈ 16 people/km² (2025 estimate).

Saudi Arabia has enormous desert areas and a relatively low population density despite having the peninsula's largest population.

Which country in the Arabian Peninsula has the largest population.

Yemen is the most populous country in the Arabian Peninsula, with approximately 42 million people, compared with Saudi Arabia's approximately 35 million.

Which country in the Arabian Peninsula is the richest

In the Arabian Peninsula, oil and natural gas have made several countries exceptionally wealthy, but their populations and economic sizes differ significantly.

Richest countries by different measures:

Highest GDP per person is Qatar which is ≈ US$69,700 per person (2025 estimate). Qatar benefits from enormous natural gas resources and a relatively small population.

Largest overall economy is Saudi Arabia, which is ≈ US$1.28 trillion GDP (2025 estimate). Saudi Arabia has the peninsula's largest economy, supported by oil production, government investment, and a growing non-oil sector.

In simple terms: Qatar has the highest GDP per person, while Saudi Arabia has the largest economy overall. Both are wealthy in different ways.

Largest Oil Reserves

The country with the largest oil reserves in the Arabian Peninsula is Saudi Arabia. It is one of the world's major oil powers and has played a central role in global petroleum markets for decades.

Saudi Arabia has 267.2 billion barrels, which is the largest reserves on the peninsula, whereas the second place is United Arab Emirates (113 billion barrels) and the third is Kuwait (101.5 billion barrels).

That's about 15–17% of the entire world's proven oil reserves — making Saudi Arabia #2 globally (behind Venezuela, but ahead of everyone else).

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world — but Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil producer and exporter. Venezuela's oil is mostly heavy/extra-heavy crude — harder and more expensive to refine — while Saudi Arabia's is light, easy-to-access crude, so Saudi produces and exports far more.

The differences

Oil reserves means oil underground. Oil trapped in rock formations beneath the Earth's surface that is considered recoverable under existing economic and technical conditions.

Oil stocks means oil already extracted and stored. Crude oil sitting in storage tanks, refineries, or strategic petroleum reserves. This is oil that has already been brought to the surface.

Whereas, oil production means how fast oil comes out. Usually measured in barrels per day. A country can have enormous reserves but produce less oil per day than its technical capacity allows.

Rank	Country	Billion Barrels	Key Note
🥇 1	🇻🇪 Venezuela	~303	Mostly heavy crude in Orinoco Belt; high extraction cost
🥈 2	🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia	~267	Arabian Peninsula #1; easy-to-produce light oil
🥉 3	🇮🇷 Iran	~209	Not on Arabian Peninsula
4	🇨🇦 Canada	~163	Mostly oil sands
5	🇮🇶 Iraq	~145	Not on Arabian Peninsula
6	🇦🇪 UAE	~113	Arabian Peninsula #2
7	🇰🇼 Kuwait	~102	Arabian Peninsula #3
8	🇺🇸 United States	~84
9	🇷🇺 Russia	~80
10	🇱🇾 Libya	~48

Largest Oil Stocks

The country with the largest oil stocks above ground is China, according to estimates published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). China had nearly 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil in inventory at the end of December 2025.

Why does China store so much oil?

Energy security: China imports large quantities of oil and wants a buffer if international supplies are disrupted.

Huge demand: Its transportation, manufacturing, and petrochemical industries consume enormous amounts of energy.

Strategic planning: It has been building up inventories to help protect its economy during supply interruptions.

One important detail, China's inventory estimate includes both government-held reserves and commercial stocks, because some commercial inventories may serve a strategic purpose. The precise total is uncertain because China does not publish a complete inventory breakdown.

On the other side, Qatar is so dominant in gas.

The North Field (offshore) holds ~90% of Qatar's reserves — the world's biggest natural gas field. Qatar exports more liquefied natural gas (LNG) than any other country — about 25% of global LNG exports.

Unlike oil, where Saudi Arabia leads, Qatar has more than double the gas reserves of Saudi Arabia. Qatar's gas is projected to last ~140 years at current production rates.

Rank	Country	Trillion Cubic Meters	Global Rank	Key Note
🥇 1	🇶🇦 Qatar	~23.9 – 25.3 trillion	#3 worldwide	World's largest LNG exporter; shares the North Field — the single largest non-associated gas field on Earth — with Iran
🥈 2	🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia	~9.6 – 9.8 trillion	#6	Growing fast, but less than half of Qatar
🥉 3	🇦🇪 UAE	~8.2 trillion	#7	Mostly in Abu Dhabi
4	🇰🇼 Kuwait	~1.8 trillion	—
5	🇴🇲 Oman	~0.9 trillion	—
6	🇧🇭 Bahrain	~0.2 trillion	—
7	🇾🇪 Yemen	~0.3 trillion	—

Iran (~34 trillion m³, #2 globally) has more gas than Qatar, but Iran is not part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Is Arabian Peninsula countries and the Gulf Countries the same thing?

No, they are not exactly the same thing, although the two terms overlap significantly!

The easiest way to understand it is that the Arabian Peninsula is a geographical region, while the Gulf countries usually refers to countries surrounding the Persian Gulf, especially the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

	Arabian Peninsula	Gulf / GCC Countries
Type	Geographic region	Political/economic alliance
Members	7 countries	6 countries
Difference	Includes Yemen	Excludes Yemen
Shared	Both include: Saudi, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain	Same 6

The key difference is Yemen. It is part of the Arabian Peninsula but is not a GCC member.

There is one more detail: if someone uses “Gulf countries” geographically rather than to mean the GCC, they may also include Iran and Iraq, both of which border the Persian Gulf but are not Arabian Peninsula countries.

From Hormuz to Bab el-Mandeb: The Escalating Battle for Middle East Oil Routes

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:08:00 +0000

Facts About Houthis

Founded in Early 1990s, emerged as a revivalist/community movement among Yemen’s Zaydi Shia minority (roughly 30–35% of population; Zaydism is distinct from Twelver Shia).

Named after the founder Hussein al-Houthi, who began resisting government marginalization; killed by Yemeni forces in 2004. His family and followers continued the movement.

Core early grievances: Discrimination under the central government, corruption, foreign influence, and weak governance in northern Yemen.

Rise to Power

Houthis fought six wars with Yemen’s government from 2004–2010. Then in 2014-2015, Houthis captured Sanaa and advanced south; the Saudi-led military coalition intervened in March 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government.

As a result, Yemen remains split — Houthis hold Sanaa, northern highlands, and the Red Sea coast; other factions control southern/eastern areas. The war has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Status & Alignment

They govern ~two-thirds of Yemen’s population but lack international recognition as a state authority.

Although backed by Iran — receiving funding, weapons, training, and technical support — but is not an Iranian proxy; it has its own independent Yemeni agenda.

US, UK, EU, and UN do not formally list the Houthis as a terrorist organization; some officials have proposed designation but it remains controversial due to humanitarian risks.

Red Sea Attacks (2023–Present)

Launched drone/missile attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea, stating action is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Targeted ships linked to Israel, US, UK, and others; severely disrupted global trade routes.

Faced retaliatory strikes by US, UK, and other forces; has since expanded range of attacks and threatened energy infrastructure and international shipping lanes.

Mecca Defence Alliance

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye (Turkey), and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026. The agreement says that an armed attack against one of the three is to be regarded as an attack against all three, and commits them to deeper defense cooperation.

For example, if Saudi Arabia were attacked, Pakistan and Türkiye would not necessarily be required to immediately send troops—the exact military response depends on circumstances—but the agreement establishes a commitment to collective defense.

No other country has joined yet — more than 6 have expressed interest, but membership is not open until the pact is fully established.

Saudi Arabia has traditionally relied heavily on the United States for its security. But the recent regional wars and attacks involving Iran, Israel, the Houthis and other armed groups have encouraged Riyadh to develop additional security relationships.

Did Türkiye & Pakistan Help When Saudi Was Attacked?

The short answer is yes, but politically & with coordination, and no direct combat operations yet against the Houthis. The alliance exists more as a political-security framework right now — its actual military capability in a real conflict remains unproven.

Pakistan avoids getting dragged into Yemen, whereas Türkiye maintains ties with both Saudi & Iran. Commitments are consultative, not automatic — members decide together what support to give. Saudi also asked US for help; Trump reportedly declined — pushing Mecca pact's credibility under scrutiny.

What Are the Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accords are a set of agreements, brokered by the United States, signed September 15, 2020, to establish full diplomatic relations and normalize ties between Israel and several Arab/Muslim-majority states.

Named after Abraham — the common spiritual ancestor of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — to symbolize shared heritage and coexistence.

The Abraham Accords broke the long-standing Arab rule of "no relations with Israel until Palestine is solved." Instead, it built peace through shared interests — trade, tech, and countering Iran. It survived the Gaza war but is smaller and slower than originally hoped, with Saudi Arabia — the biggest potential prize — still on the sidelines.

Straits of Hormuz is disrupted by Iran

Saudi Arabia has an alternative route around Hormuz, but that alternative ultimately depends on the Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb remaining usable. If both chokepoints are seriously disrupted, Saudi oil exports become much harder.

Saudi Arabia's major oil fields are in the east, near the Persian Gulf.

Normally: Saudi oil fields → Saudi Gulf ports → Strait of Hormuz → Indian Ocean → customers

So if Iran seriously disrupts Hormuz, Saudi oil sitting in eastern Saudi Arabia has difficulty reaching the international market by sea.

The Strait of Hormuz normally handles roughly 20 million barrels/day of oil and petroleum liquids, making it one of the world's most important oil chokepoints.

Saudi Arabia built a "back door": the East-West Pipeline

Saudi Arabia has a roughly 1,200-km East-West Pipeline, also known as Petroline (this is Saudi Arabia's very important backup). Built in the 1980s, East-West Pipeline (Petroline) has 7 million bpd capacity from eastern oilfields → Yanbu port on the Red Sea.

It runs from the Eastern Saudi oil fields across Saudi Arabia to Yanbu port.

So instead of from Persian Gulf → Hormuz, Saudi Arabia can do from Persian Gulf oil fields → pipeline → Yanbu → Red Sea → international tanker. That completely bypasses Hormuz.

During the 2026 Hormuz disruption, Saudi Arabia significantly increased the amount of oil sent west through this pipeline. The IEA reported that Yanbu exports rose from around 2 million barrels/day before the war to more than 5 million barrels/day in early June.

Bab el-Mandeb strait is disrupted by Houthis

Yanbu is on the Red Sea. To send Saudi oil from Yanbu toward Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic, tankers generally need to travel from Yanbu → Red Sea → Bab el-Mandeb → Gulf of Aden → Indian Ocean.

Or toward the Suez Canal: Yanbu → Red Sea → Bab el-Mandeb → Red Sea/Suez route → Mediterranean.

From here, the Houthis create another problem. Iran threatens the front door while Houthis threaten the back door.

The Attack of East-West Pipeline

On September 11, 2026, Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline was damaged by drone attacks and temporarily shut down. Reuters reported that the pipeline had been serving as the major alternative to Hormuz.

So Saudi Arabia temporarily faced: Hormuz disrupted by Iran, East-West Pipeline damaged, and Bab el-Mandeb threatened by Houthis. That's a serious combination.

Bypass Bab al-Mandeb → Go North Through Egypt

Since Houthis block the southern Red Sea exit, tankers sail north from Yanbu instead of south.

Shuttle tankers carry crude up the Red Sea to Ain Sokhna (Egypt, Gulf of Suez). Offload into SUMED Pipeline — 320 km overland across Egypt → Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean. Reload onto deep-draft tankers → sail to Europe, or around Africa to Asia (+20–25 days voyage).

Saudi survives because it built the Petroline 40 years ago — it's the only country with enough cross-country capacity to keep exporting at scale. But it's running at reduced efficiency, paying premium shipping costs, and every route is now a target. Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain have no comparable backup and suffer the most.

J-10C vs. Rafale: Has China’s Lightweight Fighter Met Its Match?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:56:00 +0000

The Chengdu J-10 "Vigorous Dragon"

The Chengdu J-10 is a solid 4.5-generation lightweight multirole fighter — capable, agile, cost‑effective, and China’s first fully indigenous modern fighter — but it sits clearly behind 5th‑gen jets and has meaningful tradeoffs vs. heavier Western/European peers.

China’s J-10 is actually a very interesting fighter because it started as a relatively conventional 4th-generation aircraft but evolved into the J-10C, which is a highly modern 4/4.5-generation multirole fighter.

Feature	Details
Type	Single‑engine, delta‑canard, multirole
Max Speed	Mach 1.8–2.0 (~2,100 km/h)
Service Ceiling	18,000 m / 59,000 ft
Combat Radius	~550 km clean / ~1,200 km with drop tanks
MTOW / Payload	~19.5 t / up to 6,600 kg; 11 hardpoints
Engine	WS‑10B (135–144 kN) — fully indigenous since ~2021
Radar	AESA — strong jamming resistance, multi‑target tracking, sensor fusion
Key Weapons	PL‑10 (WVR, ~20 km) + PL‑15 (BVR, ~200 km — longer ranged than AIM‑120D’s ~160 km)
Price	~$35–40M (J‑10CE export) — roughly half F‑16V
Operators	PLAAF (400+ built); Pakistan (25–36 J‑10CEs, delivered from 2022)

Variant	Generation	Status / IOC	Key Features
J‑10 Prototype	—	1998 first flight	Proof‑of‑concept; small number only
J‑10A	4th‑gen	2004 / 2006	Baseline production; pulse‑Doppler radar; AL‑31FN engine; conventional inlet; PL‑8 / PL‑12 missiles
J‑10S	4th‑gen	2005	Twin‑seat combat‑capable trainer based on J‑10A
J‑10AH / J‑10SH	4th‑gen	Unconfirmed	Naval aviation variants (reported, limited confirmation)
J‑10AY / J‑10SY	4th‑gen	2009	Aerobatic demo team variants
FC‑20 / F‑10A	4th‑gen	Offered only	Export designation of J‑10A; no sales
J‑10B	4.5‑gen	2014	DSI inlet; PESA radar; IRST sensor; aerial refueling; improved EW; AL‑31FN M1
J‑10B TVC Demonstrator	—	2018 (demo only)	Thrust‑vectoring engine prototype; technology demonstrator, not production
J‑10C	4.5‑gen	2018	AESA radar; WS‑10B indigenous engine; PL‑10 / PL‑15; advanced sensor fusion; reduced RCS treatments
J‑10CE	4.5‑gen	2022	Export version of J‑10C; delivered to Pakistan; $35–40M unit price
J‑10CY	4.5‑gen	~2022	Aerobatic variant of J‑10C
J‑10D	Unconfirmed	Rumoured only	Speculated upgraded variant; no official confirmation

The J-10C is the version that really matters today. It entered Chinese service around 2018 and uses an AESA radar, modern electronic warfare/sensor systems, and the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile.

What makes the J-10C powerful?

1. AESA radar 📡

This is one of its biggest upgrades. AESA gives the J-10C much better flexibility for searching, tracking and engaging multiple targets than older mechanically scanned radars.

The exact performance of China's radar is classified, so it's difficult to make precise comparisons with the latest Western AESAs.

2. PL-15 missile

This is arguably the most important part of the J-10C's air-to-air capability.

The PL-15 is a long-range BVR missile with an AESA seeker. Open-source estimates put its range in the roughly 200+ km class, although exact combat range depends heavily on launch conditions and the particular version.

This means the J-10C isn't simply a fighter that has to get close and dogfight. It can potentially attack an opponent well beyond visual range.

3. Excellent maneuverability

The J-10 uses a canard-delta configuration:

small forward control surfaces + delta wings

This gives it strong aerodynamic maneuverability. It's particularly suited to close-range air combat, although modern BVR combat means maneuverability isn't necessarily the most important factor.

4. Modern electronic warfare and sensors

The J-10C incorporates systems including radar warning, electronic support, infrared search-and-track and datalinks. That makes it much more than simply "an airplane carrying missiles."

And this is important: modern air combat is increasingly about the entire network, not just the fighter.

The J‑10 family is currently the most numerous fighter jet type in China's inventory.

Aircraft	Estimated Active Units	Notes
J‑10 family (A/S/B/C)	~608 🥇	Single‑engine multirole; backbone force
J‑11 family (B/BG/BS)	~445–495 🥈	Twin‑engine air superiority
J‑16	~450 🥉	Advanced strike/EW platform
J‑20	~300–350	5th‑gen stealth; growing fast
JH‑7	~200	Fighter‑bomber; being phased out
Su‑30 / Su‑35	~97 / 24	Imported Russian types
Older J‑7 / J‑8	~200+	Legacy — steadily retiring

Important: These are open‑source estimates — China does not publish official fleet counts. Different sources vary slightly, but all major independent analysts (IISS Military Balance, GlobalMilitary, DoD) agree: J‑10 is #1 by quantity

The interesting part: J-10C vs Rafale

The 2025 India-Pakistan air battle gave us some real-world evidence.

Pakistan used J-10Cs equipped with PL-15s, and there were claims that they shot down Indian aircraft including Rafales. Reuters reported that the engagement involved more than 100 aircraft and that Western officials assessed that a Rafale was among the aircraft lost, although India did not publicly confirm all of Pakistan's claims.

However, we shouldn't conclude from that battle that "J-10C is better than Rafale." The outcome involved radar coverage, airborne early-warning aircraft, datalinks, electronic warfare, missile employment, tactics and pilot training — not simply one fighter versus another. There are also conflicting accounts of the losses.

That's actually one of the most important lessons from the J-10C.

Specification	Rafale C 🇫🇷	J-10C 🇨🇳
Generation	4.5	4.5
First flight	1986	1998
Configuration	Delta + canards	Delta + canards
Engines	2 × Safran M88	1 × WS-10B / AL-31 variant
Engine thrust	~75 kN each dry / ~75 kN?*	~125–145 kN afterburning, depending on engine
Maximum speed	Mach 1.8	~Mach 1.8–2.0 (estimated)
Length	15.3 m	~16.9 m
Wingspan	10.9 m	~9.8 m
Empty weight	~10,000 kg	~9,750 kg (estimated)
Maximum takeoff weight	24,500 kg	~19,000–21,000 kg (estimated)
External weapons load	9,500 kg	~6,000 kg (estimated)
Hardpoints	14	11
Internal cannon	30 mm	23 mm
Radar	Thales RBE2 AESA	Chinese AESA
IRST / IR sensor	FSO	IRST/EO system
Electronic warfare	SPECTRA	Integrated Chinese EW suite
BVR missile	Meteor / MICA	PL-15
Short-range missile	MICA IR	PL-10
Carrier capable	Yes — Rafale M	No
Air-to-ground capability	Excellent	Excellent
Air-to-air capability	Excellent	Excellent
Stealth	No, but reduced radar signature	No, conventional 4th-gen signature
Combat radius	Classified/varies by mission	Classified/varies by mission

Largest foreign buyer

Indonesia will be the largest foreign buyer of J-10CE — but the planes haven't arrived yet.

Country	Ordered	Delivered	Status
🇮🇩 Indonesia	42	0	Confirmed Oct 2025 — delivery starts ~April 2027
🇵🇰 Pakistan	36	~20	First customer — deliveries 2022–present
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan	~24	6+	Second customer — displayed Aug 2026
🇧🇩 Bangladesh	~20	—	Proposed — not yet finalized
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan	Interest shown	—	Model displayed — contract unconfirmed

Neither China nor Indonesia has published the final signed contract — information comes from SCMP, Republika, and multiple defense analysts. Indonesia will also continue operating French Rafales — making it the only country flying both J-10CE and Rafale.

Indonesia has 6 Rafales right now flying; 42 total bought with full delivery by 2029. And as we covered earlier, Indonesia is also buying 42 J-10CE — so eventually it will operate 42 Rafale + 42 J-10CE, making it unique in operating both top Western and top Chinese fighters.

French Fighters — Top to Bottom

Aircraft	Era	Status	Relative Power
Rafale (all variants, F4/F5)	2001–present	In service	✅ #1 — current champion
Mirage 2000-5 / 2000D/N	1984–present	Phasing out	Strong, but single-engine & older avionics
Mirage IV	1964–2005	Retired	Strategic bomber, not a fighter
Mirage III / 5 / F1	1960s–1990s	Retired	Good for their time, far less capable
Ouragan / Mystère series	1950s	Retired	First-generation jets

Facts About Ballistic Missiles & ICBM

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:29:00 +0000

A ballistic missile is a missile that travels through the air along a high, curved trajectory, similar to throwing a ball very far—hence the name ballistic.

How it works

A ballistic missile generally has three phases:

Launch/boost 🚀 — Its rocket engines fire and accelerate the missile upward and forward.

Midcourse 🛰️ — After the engines stop, it can travel through the upper atmosphere or space mostly by inertia, following a ballistic trajectory.

Reentry/terminal ☄️ — The warhead comes back into the atmosphere at very high speed and descends toward its target.

So after the rocket engines stop, the missile doesn't need an engine constantly pushing it toward the target. Its trajectory is largely determined by its initial velocity, gravity, and the shape of its flight path.

One subtle point: saying it "relies on gravity" is slightly incomplete. Gravity pulls it toward Earth, but momentum is what keeps it moving forward. The combination of the two produces the characteristic curved/ballistic trajectory.

That's also why it's called a ballistic missile: much of its flight after powered ascent follows a trajectory governed by physics—especially gravity and inertia—rather than continuous powered flight.

Where The Engine Shut Downs

Usually, the rocket engine shuts down near the end of the boost phase, often at very high altitude—sometimes near or above the edge of space, depending on the missile.

But the exact altitude varies considerably between missiles.

After Shut Down?

A ballistic missile is generally built in stages. When a stage has finished burning its fuel, it is no longer useful.

The discarded rocket stages don't follow the warhead all the way to the target. They separate and follow their own trajectories. Depending on the missile and where separation occurs, they can fall back toward Earth, burn up partially in the atmosphere, or in some cases remain in space temporarily.

What about the final "engine"?

The final rocket stage may carry the reentry vehicle/warhead. Once its job is finished, the propulsion system separates from the payload. The warhead/reentry vehicle then continues primarily through inertia and gravity.

So you can picture it as: Rocket gives the payload its enormous speed, Payload = coasts through space, then gravity + momentum = brings it back toward Earth.

And the rocket engine doesn't simply "break apart" when it stops. The missile deliberately separates its stages, using mechanisms designed for that purpose.

Could a discarded stage hurt people on the ground?

Yes. A spent rocket stage has a lot of mass, and when it falls back to Earth it can potentially cause damage.

Much of it may burn up during atmospheric reentry, depending on its size and materials. Larger pieces can survive and reach the ground.

This is one reason missile launches are carefully planned. The expected debris/impact area is taken into account, and military test launches generally occur over areas where falling stages won't endanger populated areas.

Does launching missiles create "rubbish" in space?

Sometimes, yes. But this is more complicated than simply leaving every missile stage floating around.

For an ICBM, some components can reach space or near-space, but many eventually fall back to Earth.

So rocket launches can contribute to space debris, but ICBM launches aren't the main source of today's enormous orbital-debris problem. Most ICBM test trajectories are not designed to put their stages into a permanent orbit.

Why are they different from ordinary missiles?

The important distinction is how they fly.

Ballistic missile goes very high, then falls toward the target at tremendous speed, whereas cruise missile generally stays inside the atmosphere and flies more like an aircraft, using engines and guidance throughout much of its flight.

Ballistic missiles can range from relatively short-range weapons to ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) capable of traveling thousands of kilometers.

For example, an ICBM could be launched from one continent, travel through near-space, and reenter the atmosphere over another continent.

Which Country First Created Missiles

The first true rockets—and therefore the ancestors of modern missiles—were developed in China.

🏹 China, around the 13th century: Chinese inventors developed gunpowder-powered rockets, initially used as weapons and fireworks.

The technology spread westward through Asia and eventually reached Europe.

🚀 Modern military missiles, however, are much more recent. They emerged mainly during World War II, particularly through German development of the V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket.

Which Country First Created Ballistic Missiles

The first country to create a modern ballistic missile was Germany during World War II.

The missile was the V-2 rocket, developed by Nazi Germany and first successfully launched in 1942. It was operationally used against targets in 1944.

Which Country First Created ICBM

Russia created the first ICBM - R-7 Semyorka, first succesful test on August 21, 1957 flew over 6,000 km. The purpose was to carry nuclear warheads from Russia to the United States. That same R-7 rocket launched Sputnik — the first satellite — into space!

Most Advanced Ballistic Missiles Today

Different countries lead in different technologies.

Russia's Avangard is probably the most unusual and technologically advanced type of ballistic-missile payload currently fielded. It isn't a conventional ballistic missile by itself: a ballistic missile boosts it into the atmosphere, after which the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle separates and maneuvers toward its target. CSIS reports speeds reaching around Mach 20.

But for a conventional ICBM: China's DF-41 is one of the most impressive. It is an operational ICBM with a reported range of roughly 12,000–15,000 km, is road-mobile, and is believed capable of carrying multiple independently targeted warheads (MIRVs).

The US/UK Trident II D5 is arguably the most mature and proven system rather than the newest-looking one. It is launched from nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines and can carry multiple nuclear warheads. It has been operational since 1990 and has undergone extensive modernization.

In Other Words

Most exotic technology → Avangard (Russia).

Most advanced traditional land-based ICBM contender → DF-41 (China).

Most mature/proven strategic missile system → Trident II D5 (US).

However, Avangard is technically a hypersonic glide vehicle carried by a ballistic missile, whereas DF-41 and Trident D5 are themselves ballistic missiles. That's why comparing them as if they're exactly the same weapon can be misleading.

Missile	Country	Type	Range (km)	Warheads	Special Strength
Sarmat	🇷🇺 Russia	Silo ICBM	~18,000	10–16	Heaviest payload, Avangard‑capable
Trident II D5	🇺🇸 USA/UK	SLBM	~12,000	8–14	Most accurate, stealth subs
DF‑41	🇨🇳 China	Road ICBM	12,000–15,000	up to 10	Mobile, hard to target
Avangard	🇷🇺 Russia	HGV	ICBM‑boosted	1	Mach 27, uncatchable
M51.2	🇫🇷 France	SLBM	>10,000	6	Independent European deterrent

Khamenei was killed by ballistic missiles? - Blue Sparrow

On Feb 28, 2026, Israel reportedly launched Blue Sparrow missiles from F-15s toward Tehran. Reports claim they struck Khamenei's compound, killing him.

However, Israel and US have not officially stated which weapon was used. Some analysts caution that "Blue Sparrow" as the strike weapon is plausible but unproven — it could be speculation or misinformation spread on social media.

Khamenei's death itself was confirmed by Iranian state media, but exactly which weapon killed him remains officially unstated.

The Blue Sparrow was not originally built to kill people. It belongs to Israel's Sparrow family (Black → Blue → Silver), designed to simulate enemy ballistic missiles during tests of Israel's Arrow missile defense system. It mimics the speed, altitude, and radar signature of Iranian Shahab-3 and Scud missiles — so Israel could practice shooting them down.

But it can be weaponized: the same body can carry a real warhead instead of test instruments.

Detail	Information
Country of Origin	Israel 🇮🇱
Manufacturer	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Type	Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM)
Length / Weight	6.51 m / ~1,900 kg
Range	Up to ~2,000 km
Launch Aircraft	F-15 fighter jets
Guidance	Inertial + GPS satellite navigation
Trajectory	Briefly exits atmosphere → steep, near-vertical hypersonic descent

Blue Sparrow vs Kinzhal vs China's ALBMs

Feature	Blue Sparrow (Israel) 🇮🇱	Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Russia) 🇷🇺	CH-AS-X-13 / JL-1 (China) 🇨🇳
Length / Weight	6.51 m / ~1,900 kg	~8 m / ~4,300 kg	~10–12 m / 8,000–10,000 kg
Range	~2,000 km	1,500–2,000 km (MiG-31) / up to 3,000 km (Tu-22M3)	~3,000 km+
Speed	Mach 5–9 (est. Mach 10–15 terminal)	Up to Mach 10 (terminal)	Mach 5+ (est.)
Guidance	Inertial + GPS (high precision)	Inertial + GLONASS	Inertial + Beidou
Accuracy (CEP)	~3–5 meters (reported)	~10–20 meters	~10–30 meters (est.)
Warhead	Conventional penetrator (~300–500 kg)	Conventional (480 kg) OR Nuclear	Nuclear-capable
Launch Aircraft	F-15I	MiG-31K / Tu-22M3	H-6N / H-6K bomber
Trajectory	Exits atmosphere → steep near-vertical dive	High ballistic arc → hypersonic dive	High arc, anti-ship variant exists
Original Purpose	✅ Began as target missile → converted to strike weapon	✅ Built from start as strike weapon (derived from Iskander-M)	✅ Built from start as strategic nuclear deterrent
First Operational	~2010s (as target); strike variant reported ~2024	2017–2018	~2024–2026
Combat Use	Reported in strikes on Iran (2024, 2026)	Used extensively in Ukraine (2022–present)	Not publicly used in combat

No country has ever used an ICBM in an actual war.

Even though physically possible, no country has ever deployed operationally armed conventional ICBMs. Here's why:

The "Nuclear Mistake" Risk — Biggest Problem

The main reason is nuclear deterrence. Most ICBMs are nuclear-armed, and using one against another nuclear power could trigger catastrophic retaliation.

If the U.S. launched a conventional ICBM, Russia/China would see the same radar signature as a nuclear ICBM, they cannot tell the difference so they might assume it's a nuclear strike and launch their own nuclear missiles in retaliation and cause World War III by accident.

Cost vs. Value Problem

ICBMs are extremely expensive — billions to develop, millions per missile. A conventional warhead is just ~500 kg explosives — you can deliver that cheaper with shorter-range missiles or bombers. It's like using a nuclear submarine to deliver a single commando — overkill and dangerous.

Russia-Ukraine War

True ICBMs (≥5,500 km range) = never used.

But there was major confusion in Nov 2024. Ukraine claimed Russia fired an ICBM at Dnipro. Putin corrected it, it was the Oreshnik — intermediate-range (IRBM), NOT ICBM (~3,500–5,000 km, below the 5,500 km ICBM threshold).

All confirmed Russian missiles in Ukraine: Iskander (SRBM), Kinzhal (ALBM), Oreshnik (IRBM) — none are ICBMs.

US–Iran / Israel–Iran conflicts

ICBMs also never used.

Why? US didn't need them — used bombers, cruise missiles, regional ballistic missiles. Iran has no ICBM capability at all — their longest-range missiles are ~2,000 km (MRBM), nowhere near ICBM.

US has never fired an ICBM in combat in all of history. No country ever has.

Country With Most Ballistic Missiles

Rank	Country	Estimated Missiles	Notes
🥇	🇨🇳 China	~2,900–3,100	World's largest conventional missile force — SRBM + MRBM + IRBM
🥈	🇷🇺 Russia	~1,400	Mostly shorter-range + ICBMs
🥉	🇺🇸 United States	~1,300	Mostly ICBMs + SLBMs
4	🇰🇵 North Korea	~1,000	Rapidly growing
5	🇮🇱 Israel	~850	Jericho series
6	🇮🇷 Iran	~800	Large conventional regional force
7	🇹🇷 Turkey	~320	Mostly short-range

Who Are the Houthis? A Simple Guide to Yemen’s Armed Movement

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:05:00 +0000

Who are the Houthis?

The Houthis are a Yemeni political and armed movement that controls large parts of northern Yemen. Their formal name is Ansar Allah (“Supporters of God”).

The Houthis emerged in northern Yemen and began as a religious and political movement among Yemen's Zaydi Shi'a community in the 1990s. They were founded and led by members of the al-Houthi family, particularly Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi.

Their movement grew because of opposition to Yemen's government, which they accused of corruption, authoritarianism, and being too closely aligned with Saudi Arabia and the United States.

They are supported by Iran, which has provided weapons, technology, training, and other assistance, although the Houthis have their own Yemeni leadership and interests rather than simply being an Iranian military unit.

Today, the Houthis control Sanaa and much of northwestern Yemen, although they do not control the entire country.

Why do they fight Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia borders Yemen directly and has historically supported Yemen's internationally recognized government against the Houthis.

The Houthis and Saudi Arabia therefore became enemies during the Yemen war. Houthis have launched ballistic missiles and drones toward Saudi territory, while Saudi Arabia conducted extensive airstrikes against Houthi positions.

What About Iran

Houthis are not simply "Iranian soldiers."

They are a Yemeni movement with their own leadership and objectives. However, Iran has provided the Houthis with various forms of support, including weapons, technology, training and other assistance. This has contributed to the broader regional rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Iran and the Houthis also share opposition to Israel and strong hostility toward U.S. military presence in the region.

The Houthis originated in northern Yemen and eventually became powerful enough to capture Sanaa, Yemen's capital, in 2014. Saudi Arabia viewed the Houthi takeover as a major security threat because:

Yemen borders Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis had become an armed movement closely aligned with Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival.
Houthi forces possessed missiles and drones capable of reaching Saudi territory.
Saudi Arabia supported Yemen's internationally recognized government against the Houthis.

Why are we hearing about them so much recently?

Because the Houthis have become particularly important to international shipping.

They sit near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's important maritime chokepoints connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Since late 2023, the Houthis have attacked or attempted to attack commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, saying their actions are connected to the Gaza war.

So you can think of the Houthis as:

Yemeni movement → controls much of northern Yemen → fought Saudi Arabia → supported by Iran → possesses missiles and drones → sits next to a major global shipping route.

The Houthi de facto government in Yemen

The Houthis control only roughly one-third of Yemen's territory, concentrated in the northwest. But that territory contains approximately 70–80% of Yemen's population, including Sanaa, the capital.

Even though the Houthis control the area where most Yemenis live, the majority of Yemenis are not necessarily "Houthis".

Yemen is roughly ~65% Sunni Muslim and ~35% Zaydi Shia Muslim. But these are estimates rather than precise census figures.

The Houthis are a Zaydi movement, but that does not mean all Zaydis support the Houthis. Likewise, being Sunni doesn't automatically mean someone supports the anti-Houthi side.

	Approximate situation
Territory controlled by Houthis	~⅓ of Yemen
Population living under Houthi control	~70–80%
Entire Yemeni population	~34.5 million (2025 estimate)
Estimated Sunni population	~65%
Estimated Zaydi/Shia population	~35%

The Houthis do not need a majority of Yemenis to support them to control Yemen's most populated areas.

Their military organization and control of the northwest allow them to govern a huge portion of the population even though they don't control most of the country's land.

And because the Houthis control Sanaa and much of the northwest, they have effectively built a de facto government there. The internationally recognized government operates primarily from areas outside Houthi control. The political landscape has also become more complicated because the anti-Houthi camp itself contains competing factions.

How Houthis Conquered Most of Yemen

The key is that the Houthis didn't conquer Yemen by themselves in one giant military victory. They took advantage of a very weak and divided state, made alliances, and captured the political center of the country.

Before the Houthis took Sanaa, Yemen had serious problems. President Ali Abdullah Saleh had ruled for decades and built a complicated network of military, tribal, and political alliances.

After the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, Saleh left office. His successor, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, struggled to hold the country together.

The transition process failed to resolve major disagreements over how power and territory should be distributed. Different military units, tribes, political parties and regional movements had their own interests.

So when the Houthis expanded, they weren't attacking a strong, unified government. They were entering an already-fractured political system.

The Houthis initially had help from their former enemy

Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president, had actually fought the Houthis six times between 2004 and 2010.

But after Saleh was removed from power in 2012, he had a new enemy: Hadi's government.

So Saleh and the Houthis temporarily decided that "We used to fight each other, but we have a common enemy now."

Saleh still had loyalists inside the military, security forces, tribal networks and political establishment. Those forces joined with the Houthis and significantly increased their military strength.

Then came the 2014 fuel-price protests

In 2014, Hadi's government removed fuel subsidies, causing fuel prices to rise. The Houthis organized large demonstrations demanding lower prices and political reforms. This allowed them to attract support beyond their traditional Zaydi/Shia base.

In September 2014, Houthi forces entered Sanaa. They initially didn't need to destroy the entire city or fight every government soldier. The government was already extremely weak, while Houthi forces and their allies had considerable military capability.

By late 2014, the Houthis had captured much of Sanaa. Then in January 2015, they seized the presidential palace and placed Hadi and his government under enormous pressure. Hadi eventually fled Yemen and went to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia then intervened — but couldn't simply remove them

Saudi Arabia therefore intervened in March 2015, leading a coalition to try to restore the internationally recognized government.

But Saudi airpower couldn't simply translate into control of Yemen's mountains and cities.

The Houthis proved capable of surviving years of fighting and eventually the front lines largely stabilized.

And then something unexpected happened

In 2017, Saleh decided to break with the Houthis and seek an accommodation with Saudi Arabia. The Houthi-Saleh alliance collapsed.

The Houthis then fought Saleh's forces in Sanaa. Saleh was killed by Houthi forces in December 2017. So the same man whose military network had helped the Houthis capture Sanaa eventually became their enemy and was killed by them.

After that, the Houthis became much more firmly established as the dominant power in northern Yemen.

The Houthis actually had a chance to take much more of Yemen in 2015, including moving toward Aden, but Saudi intervention pushed them back. That explains why Yemen ended up divided rather than becoming completely Houthi-controlled.