Cyclone Gabrielle: New Zealand braces for storm after record floods

Preparations are under way in New Zealand for a severe storm that threatens to hit parts of the country already damaged by deadly flooding.

Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to hit the country's North Island from Saturday night - potentially bringing strong winds and further heavy rain.

Residents have been told to ensure they have enough supplies to last three days

Police arrest 15 after violent protest outside UK refugee hotel

Police have arrested

15 people after an anti-refugee demonstration outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers turned violent near the English city of Liverpool.

The Merseyside Police Department said a Police officer and two civilians sustained minor injuries during the disturbance on Friday night in Knowsley.

The Police Force said some protesters threw objects and set a Police van on fire. The people arrested, who ranged in age from 13 to 54, were detained “following violent disorder.”

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily

Spurrell told Radio City, “It was incredibly dangerous and there were a couple of injuries amongst the Police officers.”

The Home Office has been using the hotel to temporarily house asylum seekers since last year, according to local media.

George Howarth, who represents Knowsley in the UK Parliament, said the violence on Friday night did not reflect the community.

“The people of Knowsley are not bigots and are welcoming to people escaping from some of the most dangerous places in the world in search of a place of safety,” he said. “Those demon - strating against refugees at this protest tonight do not represent this community.”

The protest took place amid heightened tensions as growing numbers of refugees and migrants cross the Channel in small boats.

More than 45,000 people reached the UK by that route in 2022, and most applied for asylum.

The system for considering asylum applications has slowed to a crawl because of political turmoil and bureaucratic delays, leaving many asylum seekers stuck in hotels or other temporary accommodations. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera) in case they are trapped at home.

The storm comes weeks after torrential rain inundated the city of Auckland.

Tens of thousands of sandbags have been distributed there due to concerns the sodden ground and weakened infrastructure have made homes more vulnerable to flooding.

Evacuation shelters have been set up once again and Air New Zealand, the na- tional carrier, has cancelled several domestic flights ahead of the cyclone's arrival.

Photographs and videos posted on social media showed long queues at supermarkets and bare shelves as people prepared for more severe weather.

Local media have reported that New Zealand's most northern region, Northland, has already begun to experience high winds.

Cyclone Gabrielle has been downgraded from a category three storm to a category two, meaning less destructive winds are now expected.

However, forecasters have warned that they could still be strong enough to damage trees and power lines and that enough rain could fall to cause further flooding and landslides in the coming days. (Excerpt from BBC News)

German groups suspend Turkiye quake rescue over security

Two German aid organisations suspended rescue operations in quake-hit Turkey on Saturday, citing security problems and reports of clashes between groups of people and gunfire.

The German International Search and Rescue (ISAR) and Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) said they would resume their work as soon as Turkish civil protection agency AFAD classifies the situation as safe.

ISAR Operations Manager Steven Bayer said the security situation was slightly deteriorating as the days since the disaster wore on and this was typical in such circumstances.

"That's partly due to the fact that food is now running out, water supply is running out, and then people are out searching for food and water," he said, speaking at a camp for rescue workers in the town of Kirikhan.

"A second thing is that the hope that people had is now increasingly fading, and that hope can then also turn into anger."

Bayer earlier told Reuters that the group would remain in the joint camp with the THW for the time being, adding however that the organisations would be immediately ready to help if there are any indications of survivors.

Turkish authorities have not reported clashes in the quake-hit re- gion, but President Tayyip Erdogan commented on the general security situation on Saturday, noting that a state of emergency had been declared and that there had been some looting.

The Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU) - also briefly suspended operations on Saturday and then resumed, with Defence Ministry spokesperson Michael Bauer tweeting that the Turkish army had taken over protection of the AFDRU contingent.

Switzerland said it was closely monitoring the security situation in Hatay and that the security measures have been increased accordingly. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

CANCER

An opportunity is apparent. Contact someone you enjoy working with; the information you receive will help you advance. Experience will help you handle money matters more efficiently.

Don’t give up or give in. Look for an out that will buy you time and offer insight into what’s possible. Don’t get involved with a last-minute change of plans; it will only stress you out.

Use your energy wisely. It will be easy to become disconnected from what you are doing if someone upsets you. Put up a barrier that will help you disengage from troublemakers and focus on your goal.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You’ll come up with a plan that you should turn into a reality. Use your imagination, and you’ll find a way to turn something you enjoy into a lucrative pastime. Romance is on the rise. Leave nothing unsaid or on the table. Address issues directly. Seek out people who can enhance your dreams and offer input and skills to encourage success. Avoid injury and health risks.

Embrace what’s important to you and solidify your plans with someone special. A romantic gesture will be welcome and will lead to new possibilities that can save you money and make life easier.

A unique approach will get you back in the game. A stressfree environment will make it easier for you to navigate hard-to-control situations. Make your home your haven.

Don’t give up when you are just getting started. Get out and have some fun. Plan something romantic or personally gratifying. A makeover will lift your spirits and take your mind off your worries.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Taking on a challenge will give you an upbeat mentality. The impact you have on others will ensure you get help turning an idea into a profitable business model.

Don’t let what others do disrupt your day. Continue with your plans and clear space at home for projects you want to pursue. Avoid a social event if it poses a health risk.

Keep your distance and strive to finish what you start. The less interference you endure, the easier it will be to put everything in its place. Avoid unnecessary changes.

Frustration will cost you if you give others too much leverage or information. Take a position of power, make decisions and do what’s best for you before someone ruins your plans.