Myanmar confirms a key northeastern city on border with China has been seized by an ethnic alliance

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Myanmar confirms a key northeastern city on border with China has been seized by an ethnic alliance BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government has acknowledged that it withdrew its forces from a key city on the northeastern border with China after it was taken over by an alliance of ethnic armed groups it has been battling for months.The fall of Laukkaing late Thursday is the biggest in a series of defeats suffered by Myanmar’s military government since the ethnic alliance launched an offensive Oct. 27. It underlines the pressure the government is under as it battles pro-democracy guerrillas in the wake of a 2021 military takeover as well as ethnic minority armed groups across the country.Ethnic armed organizations have battled for greater autonomy for decades, but Myanmar has been wracked by what amounts to civil war since the army seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking nationwide armed resistance by pro-democracy forces.The Three Brotherhood Alliance that took Laukkaing is composed of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Arm...

Show goes on in Vancouver after Gaza tensions scrap play’s Victoria run

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Show goes on in Vancouver after Gaza tensions scrap play’s Victoria run Vancouver’s PuSh Festival is sticking to theatrical tradition that the show must go on, and will stage “The Runner” this month despite the play being cancelled in Victoria over tensions linked to the war between Israel and Hamas, say festival officials.Victoria’s Belfry Theatre dropped the Canadian play from its spring line up after receiving duelling petitions in recent weeks calling both for its cancellation and continued performance at the venue, which was spray-painted with graffiti that read “Free Palestine” last month following a tense community meeting.The timing isn’t right to stage “The Runner” by Christopher Morris, a Canadian playwright and actor, the Belfry said in a statement earlier this week. But the one-person play, which explores the reactions to an Israeli rescue volunteer’s decision to save a Palestinian woman accused of violence against a soldier from Israel, will run Jan. 24 to 26 in Vancouver.“Th...

Death toll from western Japan earthquakes rises to 126 as rain and snow imperil already shaky ground

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Death toll from western Japan earthquakes rises to 126 as rain and snow imperil already shaky ground WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — Aftershocks threatened to bury more homes and block roads crucial for relief shipments, as the death toll from the earthquakes that rattled Japan’s western coastline this past week rose to 126 on Saturday. Among the dead was a 5-year-old boy who had been recovering from injuries after boiling water spilled on him during Monday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake. His condition suddenly worsened and he died Friday, according to Ishikawa prefecture, the hardest-hit region.Officials warned that roads, already cracked from the dozens of earthquakes that continue to shake the area, could collapse completely. That risk was growing with rain and snow expected overnight and Sunday.The death toll on Saturday rose to 126. Wajima city has recorded the highest number of deaths with 69, followed by Suzu with 38. More than 500 people were injured, at least 27 of them seriously.The temblors left roofs sitting haplessly on roads and everything beneath them crushed flat. Roads were warpe...

Daily horoscope for January 6, 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Daily horoscope for January 6, 2024 Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio.Happy Birthday for Saturday Jan. 6, 2024:You are spiritual and philosophical about life. You try to see the good in others. You work hard. (Sometimes you’re shy.) This year is a time of service, perhaps service to family. Therefore, it’s important to take care of yourself so you can be a resource to others. Is it time for a makeover?ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is a good day to check out banking details and anything connected with inheritances, taxes or debt. On the whole, things should favor you, especially your dealings with authority figures. Nevertheless, it looks like something unexpected might catch you off guard. Do your homework. Pay attention. Tonight: Check your finances.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Your dealings with partners and close friends will be successful today. People are happy to see you! Discussions about unusual subjects, philosophy, religion an...

Miss Manners: It was a horrifying thing to say at the funeral

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Miss Manners: It was a horrifying thing to say at the funeral DEAR MISS MANNERS: As family gathered after the funeral of my beloved husband, an in-law with little connection to him insisted I collect hair from his hairbrush.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: My brother demanded the fish, but I feel like it was my father’s Advice | Miss Manners: She’s threatening to end our friendship over a rummage sale dispute Advice | Miss Manners: If party guests arrive early, can I make them wait in the car? Advice | Miss Manners: We saw what was happening and fled the New Year’s party. Was that rude? Advice | Miss Manners: Which fork should I use on rude people? “It’s not too late to get a DNA analysis and ensure that he was really as much of a [specific ethnic group] as he said he was,” she told me. When I demurred, she said she’d do it herself.My spouse would never have agreed to such a thing, and his near relatives were horrifie...

5 pasos para vivir un 2024 menos solitario

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

5 pasos para vivir un 2024 menos solitario (CNN) — La conexión que proporcionan los amigos, la familia y la pareja no solo es agradable, sino que es crucial.Casi uno de cada cuatro adultos de todo el mundo ha declarado sentirse muy o bastante solo, según una encuesta de Meta-Gallup 2023.“Durante demasiado tiempo, la soledad ha permanecido en la sombra, oculta e infravalorada, provocando enfermedades mentales y físicas”, declaró en noviembre el Dr. Vivek Murthy, director general de Sanidad de Estados Unidos.La soledad es un problema a la hora de obtener ayuda, y las relaciones sólidas son una solución.Las experiencias sociales positivas no solo afectan al nivel de estrés y la capacidad de una persona de afrontar las situaciones, sino que también son marcadores de la salud física, según un estudio de marzo de 2023.Puede parecer difícil ampliar tus conexiones, pero aquí tienes cinco pasos significativos que puedes dar para hacerlo en 2024.1. Empezar poco a pocoYa sea para hacer nuevos amigos, acercarte a los q...

North Dakota State visits Eastern Washington after Erikstrup’s 32-point game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

North Dakota State visits Eastern Washington after Erikstrup’s 32-point game North Dakota State Bison (7-8, 0-1 Summit League) at Eastern Washington Eagles (7-7, 2-0 Big Sky)Cheney, Washington; Saturday, 5 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Eagles -9; over/under is 149.5BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Washington faces the North Dakota State Bison after Dane Erikstrup scored 32 points in Eastern Washington’s 93-79 win against the South Dakota Coyotes.The Eagles have gone 4-0 in home games. Eastern Washington ranks sixth in the Big Sky at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 72.5 points while holding opponents to 43.1% shooting.The Bison have gone 2-5 away from home. North Dakota State is third in the Summit League with 24.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Boden Skunberg averaging 4.1.Eastern Washington makes 48.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.4 percentage points higher than North Dakota State has allowed to its opponents (45.6%). North Dakota State has shot at a 47.3% rate from the field this season, 4.2 percentage points greater than the 4...

Alabama State faces Mississippi Valley State for conference showdown

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Alabama State faces Mississippi Valley State for conference showdown Alabama State Hornets (5-8) at Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (0-13)Itta Bena, Mississippi; Saturday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Rayquan Brown and the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils host Antonio Madlock and the Alabama State Hornets.The Delta Devils play their first home game after going 0-13 to start the season. Mississippi Valley State is 0-12 in games decided by at least 10 points.The Hornets are 0-7 on the road. Alabama State is the SWAC leader with 40.9 rebounds per game led by Ubong Okon averaging 6.6.Mississippi Valley State is shooting 36.7% from the field this season, 5.3 percentage points lower than the 42.0% Alabama State allows to opponents. Alabama State averages 7.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.6 fewer made shots on average than the 9.0 per game Mississippi Valley State allows.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Donovan Sanders is averaging 9.8 points and 1.8 steals for th...

Lathon and Morehead State host Tennessee State

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

Lathon and Morehead State host Tennessee State Tennessee State Tigers (8-8, 1-2 OVC) at Morehead State Eagles (11-4, 2-0 OVC)Morehead, Kentucky; Saturday, 3 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Eagles -9; over/under is 144BOTTOM LINE: Morehead State hosts the Tennessee State Tigers after Jordan Lathon scored 21 points in Morehead State’s 82-57 win against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.The Eagles are 7-0 in home games. Morehead State has a 0-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.The Tigers have gone 1-2 against OVC opponents. Tennessee State ranks fourth in the OVC shooting 32.5% from 3-point range.Morehead State averages 9.7 made 3-pointers per game, 2.6 more made shots than the 7.1 per game Tennessee State gives up. Tennessee State has shot at a 44.1% rate from the field this season, 6.7 percentage points higher than the 37.4% shooting opponents of Morehead State have averaged.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Riley Minix is averaging...

NJIT hosts Albany (NY) after Thomas’ 24-point game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:07 GMT

NJIT hosts Albany (NY) after Thomas’ 24-point game Albany (NY) Great Danes (8-7) at NJIT Highlanders (4-8)Newark, New Jersey; Saturday, 2 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Great Danes -3.5; over/under is 150.5BOTTOM LINE: Albany (NY) faces the NJIT Highlanders after Sebastian Thomas scored 24 points in Albany (NY)’s 76-71 loss to the Harvard Crimson.The Highlanders have gone 3-2 at home. NJIT is ninth in the America East with 22.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Elijah Buchanan averaging 5.3.The Great Danes are 2-6 on the road. Albany (NY) has a 2-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.NJIT is shooting 41.2% from the field this season, 2.4 percentage points lower than the 43.6% Albany (NY) allows to opponents. Albany (NY) averages 77.0 points per game, 1.2 more than the 75.8 NJIT allows to opponents.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season for the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Adam Hess is shooting 42.6% and averaging 12.7 points for the Highlanders.Thomas is shooting 43.1% and averaging...