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Winter's Dawn: Celebrating the Solstice

The Winter Solstice, which occurred on December 21st, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, signaling the official start of winter. Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Julia Gomez from USA TODAY explore the significance of this astronomical event and how it is celebrated across different cultures. The solstice, occurring when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun, brings the least amount of daylight and the longest night. This year, the solstice fell on December 21st at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the astronomical beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Historically, the Winter Solstice has been a time of celebration and reflection. Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans with their Saturnalia festival and the Norsemen with their bonfires, honored the return of the sun and the promise of longer days ahead. Today, people continue to observe the solstice with various traditions, including gatherings, feasts, and rituals that pay homage to the natural cycles of l...

Rocket from Yemen Strikes Tel Aviv, Injuring 16, as Palestinians Mourn 19 Dead in Gaza

 

In the early hours of Saturday, a rocket fired from Yemen struck an area of Tel Aviv, leaving 16 people injured by shattered glass from nearby windows. The Israeli military reported that an additional 14 people sustained minor injuries as they rushed to shelters when air raid sirens sounded before the projectile hit. This attack comes less than two days after a series of Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hodeida, which killed at least nine people.

The Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen, have launched more than 200 missiles and drones during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Houthis have also been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, stating that these attacks will not cease until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, mourners held funerals for 19 people, including 12 children, who were killed in separate Israeli strikes on Friday and overnight. One of the strikes hit a residential building in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least seven Palestinians, including five children and one woman, and injuring 16 others. Another strike in Gaza City killed 12 people, including seven children and two women. Gaza's Health Ministry reported that 21 people had been killed over the past 24 hours.

The escalating violence has drawn international concern, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that both sides' attacks risk further escalation in the region and undermine U.N. mediation efforts. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange fire, causing significant civilian casualties and damage.




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