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Northeast Winter Storm Disrupts Holiday Travel, Thousands of Flights Affected

  A powerful mix of snow and ice sweeping across the U.S. Northeast has caused major travel disruptions, leading to thousands of flight delays and cancellations across the region. The storm, which hit early Saturday, prompted states of emergency in New York and New Jersey and forced officials to warn residents to stay off treacherous roads. Airports in the New York metropolitan area—including JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty —were among the hardest hit, with airlines struggling to manage the post‑holiday travel surge. According to flight‑tracking data, more than 5,580 flights were delayed and at least 860 were canceled as of Saturday afternoon. Snowfall totals ranged from 15 to 25 centimeters across parts of New York, Connecticut, and Long Island, with New York City recording 2 to 4 inches in Central Park. Crews worked through the morning to de‑ice aircraft and clear runways as passengers faced long waits and rebooking challenges. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized...
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Ship Attacked by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Sinks in Red Sea: First Vessel Lost in Conflict

 

On Saturday, March 2, 2024, the Belize-flagged ship Rubymar met a tragic fate in the Red Sea. After days of battling the relentless onslaught of water, it succumbed to its watery grave, becoming the first vessel fully destroyed in the ongoing conflict.

The Rubymar had been drifting northward, a mere shadow of its former self, after being struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile on February 18. The attack occurred in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial waterway that links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Yemen’s internationally recognized government, along with a regional military official, confirmed the ship’s tragic fate.

The sinking of the Rubymar reverberates far beyond its steel hull. As ships navigate the Red Sea, a vital artery for cargo and energy shipments between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the Houthi attacks have already disrupted maritime traffic. Many vessels have rerouted to avoid the danger zone. Now, with the Rubymar’s demise, further detours and higher insurance rates may plague the waterway, potentially impacting global inflation and aid shipments to the region.

The Rubymar carried a cargo of fertilizer, and fuel leaked from its battered frame. The U.S. military’s Central Command had previously warned that this combination could cause ecological damage to the Red Sea. Yemen’s exiled government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, lamented the ship’s sinking as an “unprecedented environmental disaster.” Prime Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak expressed his anguish, stating, “It’s a new disaster for our country and our people.”

Curiously, the Iran-backed Houthis, who had initially claimed the ship sank almost instantly after the attack, remained silent about the Rubymar’s final plunge. Their lack of acknowledgment adds to the mystery surrounding this maritime tragedy.

The Rubymar’s fate serves as a stark reminder of the human and environmental toll exacted by conflict. As the waves close over its wreckage, the Red Sea bears witness to yet another chapter in a long and troubled history.

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