By Gizem Nisa Cebi
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including developments on the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash allegedly caused by Russian air defenses, the WHO chief's experience during Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa airport, and a new wave of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen amid escalating tensions in the region.
TOP STORIES
- Azerbaijani officials confirm claims that Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash caused by Russian air defense system
Senior Azerbaijani officials confirmed to Anadolu the validity of earlier media reports suggesting that an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday was caused by a Russian missile system.
This came after Azerbaijani media, citing government sources, reported that the preliminary results of the investigation into the incident determined that the plane was attacked by a Pantsir missile system as it approached the city of Grozny.
- WHO chief says he was at Yemen airport when it was hit by Israeli airstrikes
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) director-general said he was at Yemen's Sanaa airport when it was hit by Israeli airstrikes.
"As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane’s crew members was injured," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. "At least two people were reported killed at the airport."
- Israeli warplanes launch new airstrikes in Yemen
Israeli warplanes launched a new wave of airstrikes in Yemen amid rising regional tensions over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, Israeli media said.
The new strikes targeted several sites at Sanaa airport and the port of Al-Hudaydah in western Yemen, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Japan Airlines hit by cyberattack, flight delays reported
- Opposition to move impeachment motion against South Korea's acting president
- Kremlin discourages speculation over cause of Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan
- Türkiye prioritizes defense cooperation with new Syrian administration
- Pakistan confirms it conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan, killing 'terrorists'
- Thousands flee violent post-election unrest in Mozambique to neighboring Malawi
- 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza
- Israeli airstrikes in Yemen, including Sana’a airport, 'alarming': UN chief
- Journalist among 15 Palestinians detained in Israeli raids in occupied West Bank
- Iraqi delegation discusses border security with Syria’s new leadership
- US aircraft carrier forced to retreat in Red Sea after attack, Yemen’s Houthis say
- Russia claims to have taken control of another settlement in Ukraine
- Over 50,000 Syrians return home from neighboring countries over last 3 weeks: UN
- Syria appoints new intelligence chief
- Nearly 10,500 migrants died trying to reach Spain this year: NGO
- Gulf foreign ministers pledge support for Syria’s stability
- Putin claims Biden proposed postponing Ukraine’s accession to NATO in 2021
- Kosovo shuts down 2 Serbian institutions
- Israel’s El Al airline suspends flights to Moscow for coming week
- Biden, Harris extend Kwanzaa greetings amid controversy over holiday’s origins
- Florida pizza delivery woman stabs pregnant customer 14 times over $2 tip
SPORTS
- Olympic swimming champion Leon Marchand named European Sportsperson of Year
French swimmer Leon Marchand, who won four gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, was named the 2024 Polish Press Agency's (PAP) European Sportsperson of the Year.
PAP confirmed on its website that in a vote by 21 press agencies, including Anadolu, Marchand, 22, accumulated 155 points to secure the honor.
- 2 sailors die during Sydney to Hobart yacht race
Two sailors died during a Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day yacht race, New South Wales Police announced.
The victims were struck by sail booms overnight in two separate incidents about two hours apart.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Türkiye lowers policy rate after 2 years
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye has lowered its key interest rate by 250 basis points to 47.5%.
It was the first rate cut in around two years.
- Eurasian Economic Union convenes for 10th time in St. Petersburg
The leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) convened in St. Petersburg for their 10th meeting, focusing on prospects for economic development.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, opening the session, marked the EEU's 10th anniversary, praising it as a "self-sufficient center of the emerging multipolar world."