Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of accidentally shooting down an airliner, killing 38 people, and covering it up. He stated the Azerbaijan Airlines plane was hit by Russian air defense, not birds or drones as Russia claimed. Aliyev noted damage consistent with shrapnel, dismissing bird collision theories. He suggested electronic warfare disrupted the plane, leading to its emergency landing. Russia initially blamed an oxygen tank explosion, which Aliyev criticized as a cover-up attempt. Ava Sinclair 30/12/2024 2:30 am
The IDF plans to maintain Jabalya’s isolation from Gaza City if ordered, amid ongoing operations in northern Gaza. Since early October, the area has been largely cleared of terrorists and civilians, with many Palestinians evacuated south. Despite global criticism, Israel appears to be partially implementing a controversial plan to empty northern Gaza. Recently, the IDF, with Shin Bet, arrested over 240 Hamas terrorists in Jabalya, targeting cells embedded in Kamal Adwan Hospital. The operation involved strategic attacks and patient evacuations, aiming to dismantle Hamas’s presence. Penelope Kingsley 30/12/2024 2:30 am
A senior German politician, Friedrich Merz, criticized Elon Musk for endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), calling it unprecedented interference in Germany’s elections. Musk praised the AfD’s policies in an op-ed, sparking backlash. Merz argued such interference is rare in Western democracies and noted Tesla’s Berlin gigafactory wouldn’t exist under AfD rule. Saskia Esken and other Social Democrats also condemned Musk’s actions, emphasizing that German democracy cannot be bought. A senior editor resigned in protest over the op-ed’s publication. Noah Prescott 30/12/2024 2:30 am
In 2024, Boeing faced significant challenges, including a machinists strike, safety issues with its top-selling airliner, and a declining stock price. The year worsened when a Boeing 737-800 crash-landed in South Korea, killing all but two of the 181 passengers. While the crash’s cause is under investigation, experts like Alan Price emphasize it differs from past issues with the 737 Max. Despite Boeing’s longstanding reputation, these repeated troubles have been damaging. Noah Prescott 30/12/2024 2:30 am
At least three migrants died while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to Britain. A rescue operation saved 45 people, with four hospitalized. An overcrowded boat likely contributed to the tragedy, according to Pas-de-Calais prefect Jacques Billant. An investigation is underway. U.K. border security minister Angela Eagle blamed smugglers for overloading unseaworthy vessels and vowed to dismantle these criminal operations. Ava Sinclair 30/12/2024 2:30 am
In the Gaza Strip, a fourth infant, Jomaa al-Batran, has died of hypothermia amid harsh winter conditions. Displaced by prolonged conflict, many Palestinians live in tents with inadequate warmth. Jomaa’s twin brother, Ali, is in intensive care. Their father, Yehia, struggles to keep them warm with limited resources. Local health centers are overwhelmed, and temperatures drop below 10°C at night. At least three other infants have died from the cold recently, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation. Noah Prescott 29/12/2024 11:00 pm
Jeju Air flight 2216 crashed, killing all but two of its 181 passengers and crew. The likely cause is a bird strike, as a warning was issued before the pilot’s mayday call. However, experts doubt a bird strike alone could disable the landing gear, as such incidents are common but rarely catastrophic. The Boeing 737-800 is designed to handle bird strikes, and further investigation will rely on flight data. Experts emphasize that while bird strikes are a risk, they typically don’t cause complete aircraft loss. Penelope Kingsley 29/12/2024 11:00 pm
Elon Musk sparked controversy by endorsing Germany’s far-right AfD party in a Welt am Sonntag opinion piece, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor. Musk argued the AfD could revitalize Germany’s economy and challenged its extremist image. His comments have fueled debate on free speech in German media. Despite strong polling, AfD’s Alice Weidel is unlikely to become chancellor due to other parties’ refusal to collaborate. Musk defended his right to comment, citing his investments in Germany. Noah Prescott 29/12/2024 11:00 pm
In 2011, Assad’s brutal crackdown on protesters ignited Syria’s civil war, involving rebels, extremists, and foreign powers like Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah. The conflict killed hundreds of thousands and created a power vacuum, allowing groups like ISIS and Kurdish forces to gain territory. Turkey, opposing Kurdish separatists, clashed with Kurdish forces, despite the Kurds being key U.S. allies against ISIS. This created tensions between NATO members Turkey and the U.S. At its height, ISIS controlled a third of Syria. Ava Sinclair 29/12/2024 11:00 pm
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 75, is undergoing prostate removal surgery amid managing crises like the Gaza war and his corruption trial. His health, like other older leaders such as Joe Biden and Donald Trump, is under scrutiny. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has faced health issues but maintains an energetic public image. His surgery requires full sedation, leading to a temporary acting prime minister. The procedure follows a urinary tract infection due to benign prostate enlargement, a common issue in older men. Ava Sinclair 29/12/2024 11:00 pm
