Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
29 survivors were rescued from the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which tragically claimed 38 lives. AZAL President Samir Rzayev praised the crew's heroism, while an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
The crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, left 29 survivors, thanks to the professionalism of the crew, according to AZAL President Samir Rzayev. Unfortunately, two pilots and a flight attendant lost their lives in the incident.
Rzayev praised the crew’s heroism, stating, "Their bravery and dedication to their duties, even in the final moments, will never be forgotten. The priority they gave to saving lives has made them heroes, and their names will be remembered in history."
The aircraft, an Embraer jet, was reported to have been fully operational, with a recent inspection in October and the flight piloted by an experienced captain with over 15,000 flying hours. Rzayev confirmed that an investigation is underway and promised to keep the public informed of the findings.
Survivors of the crash are expected to return to Azerbaijan later today, while the bodies of the deceased will be repatriated in the next two days.
"It is too early to determine the cause of the crash," Rzayev said. "The investigation is ongoing, and the black box has been recovered. Its data will be analysed as per the legal process."
The crash occurred when the Embraer plane, flying from Baku to Grozny, crashed just outside the city of Aktau. Of the 62 people on board, 37 were Azerbaijani citizens, 16 were Russian, 6 were Kazakh, 3 were Kyrgyz, and 5 were crew members. The crash claimed 38 lives, with 29 survivors, including three children.
In remembrance of the victims, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared December 26, 2024, as a day of national mourning in Azerbaijan. The country stands in solidarity with the families of those lost in this devastating accident.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment