Unbiased headline news – Survivors of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan described hearing loud thuds and explosions outside the aircraft during the flight, while the cause of the tragic accident remains under investigation.
The Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane went down near Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport on Wednesday morning, killing 38 of the 67 people aboard, according to Kazakh authorities. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret over the deadly Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crash on Christmas but did not accept responsibility as the investigation continues.
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Talks between Israel and Hamas to secure a Gaza cease-fire and release the remaining Israeli hostages there remained deadlocked on Friday, with the White House blaming Palestinian militants for the impasse.
Israeli reports cited unnamed senior officials who alleged that Hamas has not yet provided lists of living hostages and is introducing new demands, sparking concerns in Jerusalem that they may lack full control over the hostages’ fates on the ground. “Hamas must decide to finalize the agreement and open the way to a resolution,” an Israeli official stated.
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The National Park Service is urging the public to follow safety guidelines and warnings while observing volcanic activity following the recent eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, one of the world’s most active.
Kilauea began erupting last Monday, marking its third eruption of 2024 and eighth since 2020, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Since then, a distinct eruptive event occurred on Wednesday, followed by a resumption of activity on Thursday evening, the agency confirmed.
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A woman sleeping in a truck was killed when a fire triggered an explosion at a Tyson Foods poultry plant in Georgia overnight, officials reported.
The victim, 61-year-old Bajarma Batozhapov of Las Vegas, was not employed at the plant, nor was her husband, according to the Mitchell County Coroner’s Office. Batozhapov’s husband, a truck driver, had her accompanying him during the incident, which partially burned the truck she was in, the coroner’s office added.
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The discount retailer Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September, has reached an agreement to keep many of its stores and distribution centers operational.
Big Lots announced Friday that it will be sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, a company specializing in restructuring distressed businesses. Gordon Brothers plans to transfer Big Lots’ stores, distribution centers, and assets to other retailers. Variety Wholesalers Inc., which owns over 400 discount stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, intends to acquire 200 to 400 Big Lots stores to operate under the Big Lots name.
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Greg Gumbel, a distinguished sportscaster who worked with CBS and NBC for 35 years, passed away from cancer at the age of 78, his family announced.
“He died peacefully, surrounded by love, after a brave battle with cancer,” said his wife, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, in a statement released by CBS Sports. “Greg faced his illness with the resilience, grace, and optimism that defined him.” In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA tournament, citing family health concerns at the time.
