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Airstrikes over eastern Syria near Iraqi border kills six Iran-backed militants

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Three overnight airstrikes on eastern Syria Saturday near a strategic border crossing with Iraq killed six Iran-backed militants, two members of Iraqi militia groups told The Associated Press.The strikes on the border region of Boukamal came hours after an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militants — known as the Islamic Resistance — claimed an attack on a U.S. military base in the city of Irbil in northern Iraq. The group has conducted over a hundred attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq and eastern Syria since the onset of the Hamas-Israel war on Oct. 7. Four of the killed were from Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah group while the other two militants were Syrian, the militants said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not cleared to talk to the press. Another two were injured, they added. Meanwhile, an activist collective that covers news in the area, Deir Ezzor 24, said the airstrikes hit two militant posts and a weapons warehouse that it says w...

Airstrikes hit camps in central Gaza as Biden administration approves new weapons sales to Israel

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli warplanes struck two urban refugee camps in central Gaza on Saturday, as the Biden administration approved a new emergency weapons sale to Israel despite persistent international cease-fire calls over mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement in the enclave. Israel says it is determined to pursue its unprecedented air and ground offensive until it has dismantled Hamas, a goal viewed by some as unattainable because of the militant group’s deep roots in Palestinian society. The United States has shielded Israel diplomatically and has continued to supply weapons. Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.The war, triggered by the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, has displaced some 85% of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking ...

Daily horoscope for December 30, 2023

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today, until 9 p.m. PST. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023:You like to create order out of chaos. You’re quick to see the vision of reform and change. This has been a year of hard work for you. In 2024, expect exciting changes and increased personal freedom. Seek out new opportunities, and be ready to act on them.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This is a fun-loving day! In particular, it’s also a creative day for you, which is good news, because you are the artisan of the zodiac. (You can do anything with your hands, even without training.) Enjoy schmoozing with others. Express your talents! Tonight: Play!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Family discussions will go well, especially if they deal with wrapping up old business related to shared property, taxes, debt or inheritances. Alternatively, some of you might want to cocoon at home today because you feel the need for privacy. To...

Miss Manners: I’m hearing more vulgar talk from women. Have the rules changed?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is your opinion on vulgar language and risque jokes?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: What can I do when people refuse to hear my needs? Advice | Miss Manners: She’s playing the victim, but it was her rudeness that set me off Advice | Miss Manners: A teen went missing at the mall and it ruined our evening Advice | Miss Manners: Why would they put a sign like this in their home’s bathroom? Advice | Miss Manners: I find it rude that the TV stays on when I enter. Am I overreacting? I’m a man, and was brought up with the rule that a gentleman never uses certain words or tells certain jokes in the presence of ladies, but that this was acceptable (and even expected) when it was “just the guys.” Indeed, a certain amount of coarse talk was considered a natural bonding experience in environments like locker rooms, drinking establishments, the military, et...

Checking in on Patriots 2023 NFL Draft class with two weeks remaining

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

With the Patriots only playing for pride and to play spoiler against the opposition, now is the perfect time to put as many rookies on the field as possible over the final two weeks of the season.The Patriots selected 12 players in the 2023 NFL Draft, and nine remain on the 53-man roster with Week 17 on the horizon.Let’s check in on where the Patriots’ 2023 draft picks stand with two games left on the schedule.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots-Bills injury report: Ezekiel Elliott among 5 Patriots cleared for Sunday New England Patriots | Patriots extra points: What Bill Belichick has seen from new QB New England Patriots | Patriots’ Bill Belichick names five players to personal ‘All-Time team’ New England Patriots | Patriots get good news at Friday practice before Bills game New England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: How to acquire QB of the future while falling down ...

Air raids over eastern Syria near Iraqi border kill 6 Iran-backed militants

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Three overnight airstrikes on eastern Syria Saturday near a strategic border crossing with Iraq killed six Iran-backed militants, two members of Iraqi militia groups told The Associated Press.The strikes on the border region of Boukamal came hours after an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militants — known as the Islamic Resistance — claimed an attack on a U.S. military base in the city of Irbil in northern Iraq. The group has conducted over a hundred attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq and eastern Syria since the onset of the Hamas-Israel war on Oct. 7. Four of the killed were from Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah group while the other two militants were Syrian, the militants said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not cleared to talk to the press. Another two were injured, they added. Meanwhile, an activist collective that covers news in the area, Deir Ezzor 24, said the airstrikes hit two militant posts and a weapons warehouse that it says w...

Horoscopes Dec. 30, 2023: Tyrese Gibson, settle in for the long haul

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Eliza Dushku, 43; Tyrese Gibson, 45; Laila Ali, 46; Meredith Vieira, 70.Happy Birthday: Keep an open mind and heart. How you handle information, relationships and money will determine what type of impact you will have on your future. Look for opportunities that will give you the life you desire. It’s up to you to bring about positive change and create opportunities. Use your imagination, settle in for the long haul and pay attention to details. Something good will transpire. Your numbers are 8, 13, 22, 26, 33, 39, 43.ARIES (March 21-April 19): An open mind, observation and a mentor offering insight into something you want to pursue will cleanse any doubt about what you strive for. Networking, communicating, traveling and seeking clarity will not disappoint. Love is in the stars. 5 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t give up or give in to emotional blackmail. Sign up only for what makes sense and offers benefits that set the stage for better...

Word Game: Dec. 30, 2023

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — HOURGLASS (HOURGLASS: OW-er-glass: An instrument for measuring time.)Average mark 39 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 53 or more words in HOURGLASS? The list will be published Monday.YESTERDAY’S WORD — RIGHTFUL rift right ruth gift gilt girl girt girth glut griff grift grit guilt gulf hilt hurl hurt thug trig turf fight filth firth flight flirt flit fright frit frug fruit furl lift lightTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at...

Bridge: Dec. 30, 2023

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

Mistakes are inevitable, and resolving to avoid them is pointless. My new year’s resolution is hold the typos in my column to a minimum in 2420.There are many types of bridge errors. Some are forgivable errors in judgment. Some are lapses in concentration. But some errors are demonstrably wrong.Today’s North scraped up a raise to three clubs at his second turn, and South had an easy 3NT bid. West led a heart, and South took the king and saw that he had to bring in dummy’s spades. He cashed the ace and led the three.SEVEN TRICKSWhen West followed low twice, South huddled … and played the ten from dummy. East won and returned a heart, and South could win only seven tricks.South’s play in spades was a clear error, at least as per the percentages. If the missing spades are divided 3-3, South has a complete guess. If West started with J-x-x-x, South can never play the spades for one loser. But if East has J-x, South gains by playing dummy’s queen on th...

Ask Amy: I think I might have to cancel my birthday party because of our neighbors

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:58:32 GMT

Dear Amy: Every year, with the help of my husband and six children, I throw myself a birthday party at a local roller rink. It’s all I want: to party and rollerblade with my family and friends like I’m still young.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: She insulted my kids, and our relationship exploded Advice | Ask Amy: Her indiscretion ended our friendship. What do I say when people ask? Advice | Ask Amy: My teen’s diary is pretty uneventful. Should I stop reading it? Advice | Ask Amy: 14 picks for end-of-year charitable giving Advice | Ask Amy: Who knew toy kitchens would prompt so many stories? We rent out the entire venue and invite many families. We serve a handful of refreshments and play fun music. It’s a blast and I usually look forward to it every year, except this year.I’m dreading it because one family (neighbors of ours) are just terrible guests. They bring extra peo...