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Azerbaijan Plane Crash: 38 Dead, Missile Strike Speculated

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A tragic plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, claimed 38 lives and injured many after an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft veered off course and burst into flames upon landing. The plane, carrying 67 passengers, was diverted from Grozny, Chechnya, due to fog. Survivors reported an explosion before the crash, fueling speculation about external interference. Azerbaijan observed a national day of mourning for the victims, with President Ilham Aliyev expressing deep sorrow.

Reports in Azerbaijani media allege that shrapnel from a Russian Pantsir-S missile may have caused the crash, though Russian authorities have urged restraint in promoting such theories pending an investigation. Aviation experts have questioned alternative explanations, such as bird strikes, citing shrapnel damage indicative of a missile. The incident follows heightened military activity in the region, including recent Ukrainian drone strikes in Chechnya and surrounding areas.

Authorities in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are investigating the incident, with flight data recorders recovered from the wreckage. Moscow faces scrutiny over its airspace management and handling of the diversion, as Azerbaijani media speculate on Russia’s potential involvement. Meanwhile, seven injured passengers have been deemed fit to return to Baku, and efforts continue to uncover the cause of the disaster.

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Russia Launches Massive Christmas Day Assault on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure

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In a brutal escalation nearly three years into the war, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy system and cities on Christmas Day, using over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than 100 drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the assault as “inhuman,” citing deliberate strikes on critical energy facilities in freezing temperatures. The attacks killed one person in the Dnipropetrovsk region, injured six in Kharkiv, and left 500,000 people in Kharkiv without heating. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones overnight and into Wednesday morning.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the strikes, claiming they targeted energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. However, Ukrainian officials called for international support, with DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, describing the incident as state-sponsored terrorism. U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the “outrageous” attack and pledged to expedite further military aid to Ukraine, while U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink decried the attack as “Russia weaponizing winter.”

Meanwhile, a missile crossed into Moldova’s airspace during the assault, drawing condemnation from Moldovan President Maia Sandu. The timing of the attack—during Ukraine’s newly adopted December 25 Christmas celebration—marks a symbolic move away from the Russian Julian calendar tradition and underscores Russia’s intensified winter campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure.

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France’s New Government Faces Immediate Challenges Amid Crisis

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Prime Minister François Bayrou unveiled a new French government on Monday, featuring former ministers and senior civil servants in key roles. Eric Lombard, head of the Caisse des Dépôts, was appointed finance minister, working alongside Amélie de Montchalin as budget minister. The reshuffle comes as Bayrou faces the daunting task of passing a contentious 2025 budget, a failure that led to the ousting of his predecessor, Michel Barnier. With the national deficit projected to exceed 6% of GDP by year’s end, the government must address investor concerns and stabilize public finances in a politically fractured parliament.

The newly assembled cabinet retains key figures, including Bruno Retailleau as interior minister and Jean-Noël Barrot as foreign minister. Élisabeth Borne, former prime minister, now serves as education minister, while Gérard Darmanin leads the Justice Ministry. Despite efforts to form a unity government by engaging mainstream parties, Bayrou’s overtures to opposition leaders and unions over pension reforms have seen little support. Meanwhile, public dissatisfaction with Bayrou’s appointment reached 64%, according to a recent poll, further complicating his administration’s fragile start.

Bayrou’s choice of Lombard as finance minister has drawn mixed reactions. With a background in both public and private finance, Lombard is seen as a capable technocrat, though critics question his perceived closeness to President Emmanuel Macron and his potential leanings. As parliament prepares to reconvene in January, the new government faces immediate pressure to avoid no-confidence votes, implement fiscal reforms, and navigate a divided political landscape until fresh parliamentary elections can be held in July.

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Asma al-Assad Seeks Divorce Amid Moscow Exile, Plans Return to London

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Asma al-Assad, the London-born wife of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly filed for divorce in a Russian court, citing dissatisfaction with life in Moscow. Asma, a dual British-Syrian national, is seeking permission to leave Russia and plans to return to London, where her Syrian parents raised her. Married to Bashar since 2000, the same year he assumed the Syrian presidency, Asma’s decision marks a significant personal shift amid the fallout from her husband’s political downfall.

Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for over two decades, was granted asylum in Russia after being overthrown earlier this month by a rebel coalition led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Though given refuge, Bashar faces severe restrictions, including an inability to leave Moscow or engage in political activities. Russian authorities have also frozen his assets, which reportedly include 270 kilograms of gold, $2 billion, and 18 apartments in Moscow. His brother, Maher al-Assad, remains under house arrest in Russia, awaiting a decision on his own asylum request.

The dramatic ousting of Bashar al-Assad follows a turbulent period in Syria, culminating in his flight to Moscow with substantial cash reserves. HTS, despite its designation as a terrorist organization by the U.S., led the offensive that toppled Assad’s regime. Washington recently lifted a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, signaling shifting dynamics in the region. The Assads’ fall from power underscores the precarious nature of exile, even under the protection of a major ally like Russia.

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UK Faces “Smouldering” Terror Threat as Youth Radicalisation Rises

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The UK is grappling with a substantial terrorism threat level, with concerns over young people as young as 10 being radicalized online, warned Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing. Since 2017, police and security services have thwarted 43 late-stage terror plots, three of which were in the past year. Evans highlighted the growing access to “horrific” online material, including violent, misogynistic, and racist content, as well as extreme pornography and material linked to “incel” culture and school massacres, which she said contribute to a “conveyor belt” of radicalization.

Evans emphasized that the primary threat continues to come from Islamist extremism, though far-right extremism is also on the rise. Counter-terrorism officers disrupted three imminent attack plots in the past year—two Islamist and one far-right. She warned of the risks posed by global instability, particularly in Syria, where the fall of Bashar al-Assad could create opportunities for extremist groups like the Islamic State to thrive. Supporting banned organizations such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham remains a criminal offense in the UK, Evans added.

The senior officer called for a “whole-system approach,” urging technology companies to assist in countering the spread of radical content online. She stressed the need to monitor “deep, dark hot spots” of extremist activity to maintain security and prevent self-initiated terrorists from committing “horrific acts.”

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Russian General Killed in Moscow Explosion, Suspect Detained

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A senior Russian general, Igor Kirillov, was killed in a remote-controlled explosion outside his Moscow residence on Tuesday. Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces, was targeted by an explosive device hidden in a scooter. The blast also killed his assistant and caused significant damage to the building’s entrance. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan, who is alleged to have been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the attack.

The FSB claims that the suspect was offered $100,000 and the promise of EU relocation in exchange for killing Kirillov, whom Ukraine had recently charged in absentia for his alleged role in war crimes involving chemical weapons. According to the FSB, the suspect placed the bomb on an electric scooter near Kirillov’s apartment and detonated it remotely after confirming his target’s presence. Ukrainian authorities have confirmed their involvement, calling Kirillov a “legitimate target” due to his alleged war crimes.

In response to the killing, the Russian Foreign Ministry has vowed to hold those responsible accountable and announced that they will raise the incident at the United Nations Security Council. Kirillov, who had been sanctioned by the UK over chemical weapons use, is seen as the most senior Russian military official assassinated on Russian soil since the start of the Ukraine war. Moscow denies the use of chemical weapons, stating that its stockpile was destroyed in 2017.

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Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte: Hundreds Feared Dead, French Aid Arrives

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The French overseas territory of Mayotte is reeling from the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit the region in nearly a century. With winds exceeding 200 km/h, the cyclone has left hundreds, possibly thousands, dead, according to the island’s prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville. The cyclone has caused widespread destruction, flattening makeshift houses, flooding hospital corridors, and uprooting coconut trees, leaving residents comparing the aftermath to a “nuclear apocalypse.”

French authorities have mobilized emergency aid, with the first intervention planes arriving to transport relief supplies and equipment. Nicolas Daragon, France’s minister for everyday security, emphasized the government’s full support for the affected population. An air bridge has been established between Mayotte and Reunion Island to facilitate the movement of military rations, generators, and emergency shelter capable of accommodating hundreds of people, said Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

The scale of destruction highlights Mayotte’s vulnerability as one of France’s poorest territories, grappling with longstanding issues like social unrest and gang violence. Once part of the Comoros archipelago, Mayotte opted to remain under French control during a 1974 independence referendum. Now, nearly 8,000 km from Paris, the island faces a humanitarian crisis compounded by its history of economic disparity and reliance on French aid.

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Chinese Businessman Linked to Prince Andrew Loses UK Appeal on Security Grounds

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A Chinese businessman identified as H6, described as a “close confidant” of Prince Andrew, has lost his appeal against a UK ban imposed on national security grounds. The former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, barred H6 from entering the UK in March 2023, citing concerns over his alleged connections to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), an organization accused of influence operations. Judges upheld the decision, noting H6’s close ties with the Duke of York and the potential risk of political interference.

Court documents revealed H6 had developed a significant relationship with Prince Andrew, attending his birthday party in 2020 and allegedly receiving authorization to act on his behalf with Chinese investors. MI5 flagged H6’s activities, citing concerns about covert operations and influence campaigns by the UFWD. Evidence included a letter where an adviser to the duke praised H6’s trusted position and mentioned facilitating discreet meetings at Windsor, raising further security alarms.

Prince Andrew, who stepped back from royal duties in 2019 amid scandals, has faced scrutiny over his finances and associations. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the case, emphasizing the duke’s status as a non-working royal. The ruling noted the timing of H6’s influence during a period of vulnerability for the prince, underlining the justification for his exclusion from the UK.

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From Smiles to Startups: Dr Thomas Nechupadam’s Entrepreneurial Journey

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Dr Thomas Nechupadam, a specialist in aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, seamlessly balances multiple roles as a smile expert, accomplished entrepreneur, and aspiring author. His expertise extends beyond dentistry, including mentoring beauty queens for national pageants and exploring new entrepreneurial ventures, including writing.

Carrying Forward a Legacy

Dr Thomas Nechupadam is the proud son of Dr K T Paulose, a renowned dental surgeon and the visionary behind the Nechupadam brand. Following in his father’s footsteps, all three of his siblings have also embraced careers in dentistry. While Dr Paulose continues his practice in Kolenchery, Dr Thomas manages the Dr Nechupadam Dental Clinic at Marine Drive, Kochi, excelling as an Appearance Expert, Orthodontist, Dentofacial Orthopaedician, and Implantologist. A graduate in dentistry from Mangalore University (2000), he completed his master’s in Orthodontics at Rajiv Gandhi University, Bengaluru, and pursued advanced endodontic training under Dr Omar Zidan at Minnesota University, USA.

The Entrepreneurial Smile

While Dr Thomas Nechupadam is dedicated to perfecting smiles through dentistry, his passion for innovation drives his entrepreneurial spirit. His journey, however, has been anything but smooth, involving a constant cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Through this process, he has honed the skill of balancing business with his profession, earning numerous accolades along the way for his diversification and success.

Mission Startups

He has invested time and dimes in numerous sustainable eco-friendly startups like Enerz, EcDenntistry, Payspoon, Learnstroke, Pet’M and many more. He is an advisor and mentor for startups to fend the initial bootstrap time efficiently. Interestingly, his clinic has a well-decorated meeting room that is effectively used for startup pitches, investor meetings, and reviews. The companies that come under his purview are diverse–from fintech like Payspoon and AI-based Dental software ECDentistry to millet-based pet food Pet’M and solar-powered transport system in Enerz.

ECDentistry & Enerz

This application is an effort of two brilliant youngsters Dr Ajai and Dr Prince mentored by Dr Thomas to build a learning platform for dental students and dentists alike. The power of Artificial Intelligence is used to simplify learning the different subjects of dentistry in an interactive and fun way. On the other hand, Enerz is an ambitious project to harness solar power to propel future transportation in a smart secure, and reliable way.

Maybe the fact that he hails from Kolenchery could be one of the reasons behind his entrepreneurial pursuit as the hamlet is known for its contractors, industrialists, and business houses. The business acumen and the quest for new horizons have always taken him to numerous business ventures he has founded, cofounded or catalysed. Dr Thomas and his better half, Dr Nithia Sara Thomas, made their mark on corporate grooming, appearance facelifts, and organic farming in the entrepreneurial journey.

Pageant Groomer and Judge

Perhaps, Dr Thomas could be one of the few doctors who are closely associated with beauty pageants. With the same ease with each he mends broken teeth and handles implants, he can handle grooming sessions for beauty contest participants. He teaches them how to smile in the right way to win hearts, and the correct manner to pose for shutterbugs. An expert in adult orthodontics and clear aligner therapy, Dr Thomas also grooms the contestants on how their facial appearance should be while sashaying on the ramp and what accessories to pick and choose. He has been the groomer for various national pageants since 2011 and served as the director of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Dr Thomas was also the sub-title committee chairman of beauty contests like Miss Queen of India, Miss South India, and Miss Asia. He used to put his judging skills to good use during the Miss Beautiful Smile category to select the contestant with the best ravishing smile. He also actively supports Pegasus Events and supports the cause of excellence in fashion.

The Doctor in the Spotlight

Dr. Thomas Nechupadam is a well-known face on television channels like Asianet, Kairali TV, and Jaihind, where he educates audiences about dentistry and oral hygiene. Advocating for dental treatment as a means to preserve and enhance natural teeth rather than replace them, he has become a trusted voice in the field. With the rise of social media in 2010, Dr. Thomas expanded his reach to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, sharing educational content on advanced dental care and treatment options. His popular Instagram page, Palludoctor, boasts 92.8k followers, while his YouTube channel, Wikidontist, provides valuable dental insights.

Venturing Into the Realm of Writing

Despite his demanding schedule, Dr. Thomas Nechupadam dedicates time to writing blogs, newspaper articles, and engaging social media content. Committed to delving deeper into the literary world, he is documenting insights from his professional journey to educate readers, share oral care tips, and explore innovative treatment options. His upcoming book, My Experiments with Tooth, is set to be released soon.

Family

Dr Thomas is the eldest son of Dr Paulose, who was the first private practicing Orthodontist in Kerala and the founder of the Nechupadam Dental Clinic way back in 1965. His pillar of strength, Dr Nithia, is the Chief Dental Surgeon at Dr Nechupadam Dental Clinic at Marine Drive. The power couple is blessed with three children—Nissi, Nidhi, and Noah who are poised to take forward the illustrious legacy of the Nechupadam family.

Building Bridges, Fostering Innovation

Dr. Thomas Nechupadam has demonstrated exceptional leadership within prominent networking organizations such as the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Young Indians, and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he serves on the Executive Committee of MOSC Medical College and Hospital in Kolenchery, championing entrepreneurial growth through collaboration and forward-thinking innovation.

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French Court Convicts Author Charles Onana for Downplaying Rwandan Genocide

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A French court has found French-Cameroonian author Charles Onana guilty of downplaying the 1994 Rwandan genocide in his controversial 2019 book, Rwanda, the Truth About Operation Turquoise. Onana was fined €8,400, and his publisher, Damien Serieyx of Éditions du Toucan, was ordered to pay €5,000. They were also required to provide €11,000 in compensation to human rights organizations that filed the lawsuit, including Survie and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). The court ruled that Onana’s writings violated France’s laws prohibiting genocide denial and incitement to hatred.

Onana’s book controversially described claims that the Hutu government planned the genocide as “one of the biggest scams” of the century, sparking criticism for distorting historical facts. The court concluded that the book “trivialised” and “contested” the genocide in an “outrageous manner,” which Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe hailed as a “landmark decision.” The genocide saw about 800,000 people, primarily Tutsi minorities, massacred by ethnic Hutu extremists in just 100 days.

Prosecutors called the decision a historic victory in Europe against genocide denial, with lawyer Richard Gisagara emphasizing the importance of justice for victims and survivors. Onana’s lawyer argued that the book was a decade-long academic investigation into the genocide’s mechanisms and claimed it did not deny the genocide occurred. Both Onana and Serieyx have filed an appeal against the verdict.

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