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Communications blackout and spiraling hunger compound misery in Gaza Strip as war enters 11th week

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A prolonged communications blackout that severed telephone and internet connections compounded the misery Saturday in the besieged Gaza Strip, where a United Nations agency said hunger levels had spiraled in recent days.Internet and telephone lines went down Thursday evening and were still inaccessible Saturday morning, according to internet access advocacy group NetBlocks.org, hampering aid deliveries and rescue efforts as Israel’s war against Gaza’s ruling militant group Hamas stretched into the 11th week. “The internet blackout is ongoing, and based on our records it is the longest such incident” in the over-two-month war, said Alp Toker, the group’s director. The United Nations’ humanitarian affairs department said communications with Gaza were “severely disrupted” due to damage to telecommunications lines in the south.The offensive, triggered by the unprecedented Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has flattened much of northern Gaza and driven 8...

Dear Abby: I can’t believe my wife thinks it’s normal how she lives

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Is it normal to be disgusted by your wife’s lack of concern about her appearance and her belongings?Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My wife’s snubbing of my parents could cost me a lot of money Advice | Dear Abby: This is my family’s pronunciation, and the correction is hurtful Advice | Dear Abby: If my daughter’s not good enough for his son, what does that mean for us? Advice | Dear Abby: I let a drunk guy stay on my couch, and he won’t leave Advice | Dear Abby: I skipped the wedding because of what the bride’s mother demanded My wife drives a $50,000 car that never gets washed and is so filled with “stuff” that seldom can she take even one passenger. Her side of the bedroom is just as bad. She never makes the bed and can no longer get to her dresser because there are so many clothes piled in front of it.It’s the same down the hall. In...

The Indian Navy is shadowing a bulk carrier likely taken by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — The Indian Navy said Saturday that it is shadowing a bulk carrier that was boarded by unknown attackers — likely Somali pirates — in the Arabian Sea.The Maltese-flagged MV Ruen, with a crew of 18, had sent a Mayday message on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations portal on Thursday indicating that six unknown people had boarded the vessel, the Indian Navy said in its statement. The navy responded to the distress call by sending its anti-piracy patrol warship and maritime patrol aircraft to locate and assist the vessel, it added. The aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel early Friday and has since been continuously monitoring the movement of the vessel, which the Indian Navy said was headed toward the coast of Somalia. It added that its warship, which was deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy patrols, also intercepted the carrier early on Saturday. The Ruen, which is managed by Bulgarian shipping company Navibulgar, was off the Yemeni island of Socotra ...

Russia and Ukraine exchange drone attacks after EU funding stalled

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine each reported dozens of attempted drone attacks in the past day, just hours after Hungary vetoed 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) of EU funding to Ukraine. Ukraine’s air force said Saturday that Ukrainian air defense had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched overnight against 11 regions of the country.Russia also said Friday evening that it had thwarted a series of Ukrainian drone attacks. Russian anti-aircraft units destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean peninsula, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram. Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considered illegal, and has used it as a staging and supply point during the war.Earlier, Russia’s Defense Ministry said that six drones had been shot down in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.In Ukraine’s partially occupied southern Kherson region, Russian-installed governor Vladimir Saldo reported on Telegram that Russian anti-aircraft uni...

Toronto’s homeless residents and frontline workers brace for bitter winter

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

TORONTO — In warmer weather, Jamie Lee Pauk is usually on the move searching for food or a job. But as winter closes in, she’s mostly staying close to a downtown Toronto encampment squeezed into a churchyard lot off the sidewalk of a busy downtown street.“With this cold specifically, I’ve been quite still. I can’t even function,” says Pauk, wearing in an overcoat and multiple sweaters as temperatures hovered around 0 C. “Some days it’s unbearable and then other days, you just hunker down.”Pauk was the last remaining resident of a homeless encampment outside St.-Stephen-in-the-Fields Anglican Church as of last week. Most of it was cleared by City of Toronto crews over a day in late November as temperatures dipped below freezing.Despite trespass notices and threats of arrest, Pauk refuses to budge. She says leaving the encampment would mean leaving friends, community and nearby supports she’s depended on since July 2022. At St.-Ste...

Daily horoscope for December 16, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023:You have a wonderful imagination. However, you are also grounded and logical. You are intelligent and sharp-witted. This year has been a time of recognition of your achievements. In 2024, you will finish a nine-year cycle by letting go of people, places and possessions that might have held you back.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★Avoid arguments about politics, religion and philosophical ideas. It’s easy to get carried away with your thoughts. Don’t waste your breath. Meanwhile, a friend might surprise you by taking a certain stance. You also might meet a real character today. Tonight: Healthy skepticism.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Parents and bosses (as well as the police) might surprise you today. This could be because you are confused about something concerning shared property, taxes, debt, inheritances or something related to th...

Harriette Cole: He’s finally single, but his ex brainwashed him. How can I get through?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am very close to someone I used to have a thing with years ago. We started as good friends, became something more, then went back to being close friends.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: How do I tell this nice girl I sent the text by mistake? Advice | Harriette Cole: How far should I go with my Christmas to remember? Advice | Harriette Cole: He hasn’t told his therapist about this big problem Advice | Harriette Cole: My mom’s rule kept me stuck at home for the holiday break Advice | Harriette Cole: I can see myself skipping class a lot this winter We give each other advice on relationships and everything, but at the same time, I always thought that we could become serious. Now we’re in completely different places in our lives, and he recently got out of a serious relationship and needs a friend.I want to be as helpful as I can, but his ex brainwashed him in man...

Miss Manners: Our houseguests canceled suddenly and implied we were running a frat party

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We’re at a bit of a loss regarding beach house invitation etiquette.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: If you’re the best man at this wedding, brace for embarrassment Advice | Miss Manners: I’m irritated by drivers who leave their car at the pump Advice | Miss Manners: I’m offended that they think my husband knows best Advice | Miss Manners: Do they think that as doctors they have some special aura? Advice | Miss Manners: I’m taking the high road when it comes to the fruitcake We purchased an eight-bedroom second home with the idea of hosting family, friends and acquaintances throughout the season. We provide 5 p.m. cocktails and casual dinners for anyone wishing to join.Our idea has been “the more, the merrier” — many of these people have met previously and get along, plus we truly enjoy seeing everyone together. Most guests seem to ...

Rain, Wind and Severe Storm Risk Ahead this Weekend

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

It sure has been quite the weather week across South Florida as conditions began to turn wet and windy on Wednesday and this unsettled weather pattern will continue into our weekend.Over the weekend, however, our main weather maker is a developing area of low pressure over the south-central Gulf of Mexico, set to track across central and northern Florida today.This weather feature is going to lead to another wet and windy day with widespread rain likely all across South Florida this Saturday, especially as the day progresses. There still be some gaps in the rain coverage here and there, but it definitely will be more wet than dry for the start of our weekend.There is the risk for isolated flooding through tonight due to the potential for heavy rain, with a widespread 2-5 inches of rain in the forecast. A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of South Florida, including the Florida Keys.Along with the rain will be a continuation of the strong winds with 50 mph gusts possible near the...

Israel mistakenly kills 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:18:16 GMT

The Israeli army admitted it mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages on Friday who were being held by the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip.The three victims were shot dead by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during fighting in the Shejaiya neighborhood, after soldiers wrongly identified them as a threat, the IDF said in a statement. The three young Israeli men ― Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz and Samer El-Talalqa ― were among the 240 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, according to media reports. The bodies of the three victims, all in their 20s, were later transferred back to Israel where they were identified.The incident sparked protests in Tel Aviv where hundreds of people gathered in front of Israel’s ministry of defense headquarters to demand the government secure the release of more than 130 hostages that are still believed to be held in Gaza by Hamas.The Israeli army apologized for the incident. “The IDF expresses deep sorrow regarding this disaster and shares in the g...