Today's Nyt Strands Hints, Answers And Help For Dec. 28, #300

Directors Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott discussed "Gladiator II."Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Paramount PicturesRidley Scott has advised against vacationing in Malta, a film location for "Gladiator II."Politicians in Malta are not happy about it. Malta paid the "Gladiator II" producers $48 million for filming there. Director Ridley Scott has advised people to avoid visiting Malta, one of the filming locations for his action flick, "Gladiator II."His remark upset politicians in Malta, where a local incentive funneled millions in rebates to the movie's production company."I wouldn't advise going there on holiday," Scott said during a discussion in front of a live audience with director Christopher Nolan earlier this month.

Homelessness in the United States reached a record high this year, the government says. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesHomelessness hit a record high this year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development found. About 770,000 people were experiencing unsheltered homelessness in January. In a silver lining, homelessness among veterans decreased markedly. This year, homelessness was the worst it has ever been — for everyone except veterans, that is.

The author (not pictured) regrets not studying abroad as a college student. Halfpoint Images/Getty ImagesWhen I was a college student, I decided to skip studying abroad. There were many reasons, but mainly, I wanted to stay with my boyfriend and roommate on campus. Now, as a mother of two, I regret that decision to travel freely at a young age.

Andrew Jernigan and his family moved between Brazil and the US multiple times. Courtesy of Andrew JerniganAndrew Jernigan, 51, has moved with his family between the US and Brazil multiple times. The last time he lived in Brazil, his children were teenagers and found the move difficult. He says that when moving with kids older than 12, parents need to think about safety and college.

Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin shake hands. North Korean State MediaNorth Korean forces are being sent forward in "human waves" against Ukraine, the White House said. A spokesperson said the tactic has resulted in heavy casualties, with more than 1,000 killed or wounded in the past week. The North Korean troops are treated as expendable and sent on "hopeless" assaults, they said.

Colorful streamers billow around the Sichuan during the launching ceremony at the dry dock at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. Pu Haiyang/VCG via Getty ImagesChina unveiled its newest amphibious assault ship in a launching ceremony in Shanghai on Friday. The Sichuan's standout feature is a catapult system capable of launching fixed-wing aircraft.