A severe winter storm swept across the central United States on Sunday, causing hazardous conditions, widespread disruptions, and prompting warnings from authorities. The storm, impacting states from Kansas to New Jersey, brought snow, ice, and high winds, while the South faced tornado threats and freezing temperatures. Over 60 million people remained under weather alerts as the storm tracked eastward.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, which crash-landed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day. The incident claimed the lives of 38 passengers and crew out of the 67 onboard. Aliyev alleged that evidence points to Russian surface-to-air missiles as the cause, though he clarified there is no indication the attack was intentional.
An Alaska Airlines flight experienced significant turbulence while approaching Phoenix during the bustling holiday travel season, resulting in injuries to several crew members and one passenger, according to an airline spokesperson.
Authorities are investigating the discovery of a body in the wheel well of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 aircraft that landed at Kahului Airport in Maui on Tuesday.
A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Columbus, Ohio, was forced to return to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a fight breaking out among passengers, the airline confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred on Flight 1699 on the evening of December 23, just before 7 p.m.
