Israel targeted Houthi-held ports in Yemen in a series of airstrikes on Sunday, including Hodeidah and Ras Issa, leading to civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Yemeni officials confirmed deaths and injuries, with fears that the attacks could further deteriorate the humanitarian situation. In Sana'a, health officials reported that at least four people were killed and approximately 30 others were injured as a consequence of the strikes.
The Israeli attacks impacted civilian facilities in Hodeidah, including a power station, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis in the country.
Local authorities have expressed concerns and called for the protection of civilian sites in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The strike extended to power stations in Al-Hali and Ras Kathib, as well as the Ras Issa port to the north of Hodeidah on the Red Sea coast. The destruction left a deep crater at the bombing site, causing two deaths and many injuries among workers at the power stations.
"Israeli warplanes carried out 17 airstrikes on civilian targets in this province. This is an attempt to dissuade the great Yemeni people from their stance and to break their will, as well as their support for the Palestinian people, the Palestinian resistance, and the Lebanese resistance. We will continue in this position, standing firm and steadfast, and supporting the heroic Palestinian resistance," said Ahmed Al-Bushri, acting governor of Hodeidah.
Less than 24 hours after the Israeli attacks, ship traffic resumed at the port of Hodeidah.
In a press conference held by the Red Sea Ports Corporation on Monday, the Ministry of Transport in the Sana'a government and the local authorities in Hodeidah reassured citizens that shipping had returned to normal.
"After the Israeli re-targeting of the Red Sea Ports Corporation, including Hodeidah Port and Ras Issa Port, as well as targeting the power stations in Hodeidah, we were able, thanks to God and the efforts of the engineers, to absorb the damage as much as possible and resume work. As you can see before you, container ships are operating normally, as are general cargo ships," said Zaid Al-Washli, chairman of the Red Sea Ports Corporation.
Life in Hodeidah City has not been greatly affected despite the Israeli airstrikes on ports. The only exception is a partial power outage in some areas due to the strikes on government power stations.
Israeli Airstrikes on Yemeni ports spark humanitarian concerns
Israeli Airstrikes on Yemeni ports spark humanitarian concerns
Short dramas and immersive theater are redefining entertainment for young people in China, capturing the imagination of Generation Z with innovative storytelling formats that feature rapid-fire narratives and audience participation.
Micro dramas, typically consisting of dozens of minute-long episodes, are designed for viewing on smart devices. These vertically shot short series featuring intense plot twists and rapid story development have quickly gained a large following.
The emergence of micro dramas coincides with a broader global trend toward bite-sized media consumption. As content is increasingly enjoyed in shorter formats, these dramas cater perfectly to the fast-paced digital lifestyle of today's viewers.
According to the latest Statistical Report on China's Internet Development, released in August, over half of Chinese netizens have watched micro dramas.
The industry saw explosive growth in 2023, which has been dubbed the "year one" for micro dramas. Data from iiMedia Research indicates that the market size of China's micro drama sector skyrocketed by 268 percent year-on-year to 37.39 billion yuan (about 5.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, and it is predicted to exceed 100 billion yuan (about 14.2 billion U.S. dollars) by 2027.
"Producing a short drama takes about 10 days for preparation and 7 days for shooting. These episodes, like fast food, deliver excitement without deep plot development, allowing for quick consumption," said Zhang Tongtong, a short drama producer.
Typically, these short dramas build to a climax in the initial free episodes, with viewers required to pay for continued access. For audiences, they offer a fresh entertainment format, while for the industry, they usher in a significant shift and create more opportunities for young actors who often struggle to secure roles.
"Adjusting to the new shooting style was tough at first. There are many differences, including reduced plot development, faster pacing, and shooting in a vertical format instead of the traditional landscape orientation. The composition and angles are quite different. Working on the first three short dramas was quite challenging, but gradually I adapted," said Sun Zhaokai, a short drama director.
While micro dramas dominate online platforms, another trend is gaining traction in offline performances. As audiences seek more immersive experiences, the rise of immersive theater transforms viewers from passive spectators into active participants in the narrative.
"I used to do 10 shows a month, but now I might do 30-40 shows. As the enthusiasm of the audience grows, the aesthetic standards also increase. Therefore, we must constantly strive to enhance our performances," said Gao Jinlei, an actor with Mahua FunAge, a popular Chinese comedy film and stage play production company.
Before performances officially begin, actors engage in rehearsals, test microphones and interact with audience members in the waiting area, fostering an interactive atmosphere that primes attendees for the main event.
"Since last March, there has been a significant increase in the number of people coming to our theater and shows are consistently selling out quickly. Our audience mainly consists of young people who really love expressing themselves. We have enhanced our viewing space by creating perfectly themed scenes for each show complete with props like food for a restaurant scene to further engage the audience and make them feel like they are part of the show," said Ma Yueshu, deputy general manager of the theater business of Mahua FunAge.
Micro dramas, immersive theater transform entertainment for young Chinese
