Monday's Forecast: Snowy Plains; Wet West Coast, Florida

Dear Eric: I’ve been friends with “Steven” for 40 years. We’ve dabbled in romance a few times when we were both single, but we always return to the platonic comfort zone. We live in separate states and haven’t seen each other for 15 years. We talk on the phone about once a month, and I’m satisfied with that. Steven, however, continues to press for getting together.

Today is Thursday, Dec. 26, the 361st day of 2024. There are five days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami with waves up to 100 feet (30 meters) high, killing an estimated 230,000 people. Also on this date: In 1908, Jack Johnson became the first Black boxer to win the world heavyweight championship as he defeated Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. Related Articles Today in History: December 25, George Washington crosses the Delaware Today in History: December 24, former defense secretary pardoned in Iran-Contra scandal Today in History: December 23, teen sniper Lee Boyd Malvo spared the death penalty Today in History: December 22, four shot by New York subway vigilante Today in History: December 21, Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie In 1941, during World War II, Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address a joint meeting of the U.

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio. Happy Birthday for Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024: You are strong, reassuring and hardworking. You like to be busy. People rely on you. This year has been a time of fresh beginnings for you. Next year will be more laid-back and focused on meaningful relationships.

In an early episode of Squid Game 2, the series’ working-class hero Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is summoned to a dance club on Halloween night. Weaving among revelers dressed as sexy nurses, cops, and skeletons, he eventually spots the masked figure he’s been pursuing, clad in the hot-pink tracksuit of a Squid Game guard.

I always wondered how long it took the elves to clean up once Santa got home! Open thread below. We hope you had a good Christmas!!! read more

A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, while Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts that could wind down the 14-month war. The 3-week old baby was the third to die from the cold in Gaza’s tent camps in recent days, said doctors. The deaths underscore the squalid conditions, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians crammed into often ramshackle tents after fleeing Israeli bombardment and offensives. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza have killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. The offensive has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, often multiple times.