Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 25th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.

One year after AZAL plane crash near Aktau, investigation continues
One year after the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2‑8243 near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which claimed 38 lives, investigators are nearing the conclusion of their official inquiry. While Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted in October that Russian air defence missiles had inadvertently struck the aircraft during an interception of drones, the technical investigation remains ongoing, with a final report expected by early 2026. As relatives gather at the crash site to pay their respects, the flight crew—including Captain Igor Kshnyakin and Senior Flight Attendant Hokuma Aliyeva—have been posthumously honoured as National Heroes of Azerbaijan for their courageous efforts to manage the catastrophe.

Flash floods and evacuations hit Southern California
Torrential rains have unleashed widespread flash flooding across Southern California, prompting emergency evacuations and creating hazardous travel conditions over the Christmas holiday. Rescue crews in the mountain resort of Wrightwood have been deploying to assist stranded motorists, while authorities in Los Angeles have urged residents in mudslide-prone areas to shelter in place. The US National Weather Service has warned that life-threatening storm conditions are expected to persist through Christmas Day, bringing heavy snowfall to the Sierra mountains and further disrupting power and transport networks.

Explosion strikes mosque in Nigeria’s Maiduguri
A devastating explosion tore through a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state, during evening prayers on Wednesday, raising fears of significant casualties. Although no group has immediately claimed responsibility, the city has been a frequent target in the nearly two-decade insurgency waged by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Witnesses reported a chaotic scene in the aftermath of the blast, which serves as a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges facing the northeast despite ongoing military efforts to stabilise the region.

Thailand and Cambodia exchange fire ahead of border talks
Fresh artillery clashes have erupted along the Thailand-Cambodia border, causing injuries to civilians and significant property damage in the town of Poipet just hours before military officials were due to meet for de-escalation talks. Both nations have traded accusations regarding the source of the hostilities, with Bangkok reporting the destruction of buildings allegedly used for criminal operations and Phnom Penh citing unprovoked shelling near the Preah Vihear Temple. The escalating violence has reportedly displaced nearly one million people across the region, with dozens of military and civilian casualties confirmed since fighting intensified earlier this month.

Western allies condemn new West Bank settlements 
A coalition of nations, including the UK, Canada, Germany, and France, has issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli security cabinet's approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. The signatories warned that these unilateral actions violate international law and risk further destabilising the region, calling on the Israeli government to reverse the decision immediately. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected the criticism as discriminatory, asserting that the expansion is a necessary security measure and defending the right of Jewish citizens to reside in the territory.

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