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.
Vice President-elect JD Vance has solidified his position as the overwhelming favorite for the Republican Party's 2028 presidential nomination, according to a recent straw poll conducted at the highly influential AmericaFest event.
The Middle East stands at a pivotal crossroads. Iran, emboldened by its nuclear advancements, poses an existential threat not just to Israel but to global stability.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Friday that several North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region died from injuries sustained on the battlefield. Zelensky addressed the issue at a press conference, explaining that while Ukrainian forces successfully captured the soldiers of the Korean People's Army (KPA), they were severely wounded and could not be resuscitated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's "conscious choice" to launch a major attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, calling the strikes "inhumane." Russia fired 184 missiles and drones, many of which were intercepted by Ukraine's air force, but some still caused casualties, with damage reported in several regions. The attack resulted in widespread power cuts, including in Kyiv, where residents took shelter in metro stations as air raid alarms sounded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently signaled a shift in his approach to the war with Russia, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic solutions to end the conflict.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced Monday that the country has received $1.1 billion in financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
