MicroWave

Summary

An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 of 67 onboard, with 29 survivors.

The plane was diverted due to fog en route to Grozny, Chechnya, before crashing 1.9 miles from the runway.

Speculation suggests a Russian air defense missile may have caused the crash amid heightened regional tensions.

Aviation analysts cite shrapnel patterns as evidence of a missile strike.

Summary

An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day, killing 38 and injuring 29.

The flight from Baku to Grozny veered off course before crashing, and speculation centers on Russian air defenses, which may have mistaken the plane for a Ukrainian drone.

Wreckage showed damage resembling shrapnel, and GPS jamming—previously linked to Russia—was reported in the area.

Chechnya faced drone attacks shortly before the crash, heightening suspicion of a misfire.

Summary

Commemorations marked the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed around 230,000 people across 12 countries.

In Indonesia’s Aceh province, survivors prayed at mass graves, remembering the 170,000 victims lost there. Rebuilt infrastructure and early warning systems reflect recovery efforts supported by international donors.

Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka also held ceremonies, with survivors mourning deeply personal losses.

In Sri Lanka, memorials honored victims of the “Queen of the Sea” train disaster, while India’s Tamil Nadu residents performed traditional tributes.

Summary

Experts warn of a potential “silent” COVID surge in the U.S. during the holidays, driven by rising infections and low awareness following an unusually quiet fall.

Wastewater data from the CDC shows sharp increases in 21 states, with transmission fueled by mild or undetected cases at gatherings and travel.

Dominant variants, like XEC and KP.3.1.1, are highly transmissible but milder, though severe illness remains a risk for vulnerable groups.

Vaccination rates for the updated booster are low, with only 21% of adults immunized.

Summary

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser criticized the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) for politicizing last week’s Magdeburg Christmas market attack, where a car drove into crowds, killing 5 and injuring over 200.

Faeser condemned the AfD’s rally, attended by 3,500 people, as exploiting victims’ suffering ahead of February snap elections.

The 50-year-old suspect, Taleb A., a Saudi-born German resident since 2006, is in custody.

Investigators are examining his motives, noting his criticism of Islam and prior support for the AfD.

Summary

Japan Airlines (JAL) faced a cyberattack on Thursday, disrupting over 20 domestic flights during the busy year-end holiday season.

The attack, a data-flooding tactic that overwhelmed the airline’s network, caused system malfunctions but did not compromise flight safety or customer data.

Ticket sales were briefly halted and later restored.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about Japan’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Summary

Turkey’s soaring inflation, which reached 47% in November, is forcing millions of children into poverty, with many dropping out of school to support their families.

About 7 million Turkish children, or one-third of the population under 18, live in poverty, with families like the Sahins in Istanbul relying on children to scavenge or sell goods to make ends meet.

Rising living costs and inadequate welfare support have deepened child labor and deprivation, creating a “lost generation” trapped in cycles of poverty.

Activists warn of lifelong disadvantages without systemic intervention.

Summary

Researchers in Edmonton, Canada, are testing a “Noticing Nature Intervention” to boost mood during harsh winters.

Volunteers will spend two weeks observing natural elements in urban environments, like frosty trees or animal tracks, and record their feelings.

The study will measure changes in stress, anxiety, and happiness, comparing results with a control group.

Lead researcher Dr. Holli-Anne Passmore highlights winter’s overlooked beauty, such as hoarfrost and starry skies, as a source of mental refreshment.

Experts suggest small changes, like choosing tree-lined routes, to reconnect with nature.

Summary

The undersea Estlink-2 power cable linking Finland and Estonia experienced an outage on Wednesday, prompting an investigation, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced.

Authorities stated the disruption will not affect electricity supplies in Finland or Estonia.

Concerns are heightened due to recent incidents involving undersea infrastructure in the Baltic, including severed data cables in November and the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines.

The cause of the Estlink-2 outage remains unclear.

Summary

Starting Jan. 1, Medicare will cap annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000, as mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act.

This cap, applying to Medicare Part D drugs, is expected to provide significant relief to millions, especially cancer patients, who often face unaffordable medication costs.

Previously, patients could spend over $7,000 annually before catastrophic coverage. Around 3.2 million enrollees are projected to save by 2025, with many seeing savings over $1,000.

While some argue $2,000 remains high, advocates see this as a critical step in easing financial burdens for retirees on fixed incomes.

Summary

Alcon Laboratories has voluntarily recalled one lot of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF due to potential fungal contamination, the FDA announced.

The recall follows a customer report of foreign material, identified as fungal, in a sealed vial.

The affected lot (10101, expiring September 2025) was sold in 25-count single-use vials at Publix stores. The contamination could cause serious eye infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Customers are advised to stop using the product immediately and seek a refund or replacement.

Summary

The organizer of Chilpancingo’s annual Christmas and New Year’s fair, was fatally shot alongside another person on Christmas Eve in Guerrero, Mexico.

The attack, which also injured one person, occurred in a public square during preparations for a traditional dance.

Guerrero’s governor condemned the killing as an “unacceptable act” tied to ongoing gang violence between rival drug cartels, the Tlacos and Ardillos, which have fueled escalating bloodshed in Chilpancingo.

The motive remains unclear, but authorities are investigating.

Chilpancingo has suffered repeated high-profile killings, including that of its mayor.