Name: King Charles' coronation: cockpit view of aerial display by Royal Air Force
Uploaded: 2023-05-07T09:04:56.000+05:30
Duration: T00M28S
Channel: AP
Description: A cockpit camera showed the jets flying over London leaving the trails of coloured smoke.

Pakistan's airstrikes targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan have led to significant civilian casualties, with Afghan officials condemning the attacks as violations of sovereignty. 

Pakistan's Airstrikes in Afghanistan: Rising Tensions and Civilian Impact

The Afghan Taliban regime lodged a strong protest with Islamabad over the airstrikes, warning to give a response to the attack.

Pakistan on Thursday confirmed that it carried out strikes targeting militants' hideouts in Afghanistan, amid strong protest from the Afghan leadership, which condemned it as a "brutal act" and said such arbitrary actions are not a solution to any problem.
According to the Afghan officials, at least 46 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured in airstrikes by Pakistani fighter jets on parts of the Barmal district in Paktika province on Tuesday night that also damaged several homes.
"The intelligence-based operation was conducted by Pakistani security forces in the border areas of Afghanistan," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in response to a query about the Tuesday night strikes at the weekly press briefing here.
She added that the operation was carried out "based on threats to the security of Pakistani citizens".
The spokesperson, however, emphasised that Pakistan had "always prioritised dialogue in matters relating to ties with Afghanistan". "We respect Afghanistan's integrity and sovereignty."
She also said that Pakistan's security forces and law enforcement agencies routinely conduct operations "against terrorist groups in the border areas".
"Preparations for these operations are made in an extremely careful manner,&rdquo; she said, adding that protecting its citizens was Pakistan's top priority.
The spokesperson reiterated that there were threats posed by terrorist elements to Pakistan and its citizens. "Pakistan is committed to the security of its public,&rdquo; she said.
Earlier, sources said that Pakistan targeted four locations of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province, killing several terrorists.
The Afghan Taliban regime lodged a strong protest with Islamabad over the airstrikes, warning to give a response to the attack.
The Afghan Taliban regime's Ministry of Defence spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi said the Islamic Emirate considers this brutal act a violation of all international principles and an outright aggression.
"Pakistan must realize such arbitrary actions do not solve any problems," he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.
Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and some other leaders also condemned Pakistan's airstrikes, with Karzai describing it as blatant aggression and a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.
The former president attributed tensions in the relations between the two countries to Pakistan's flawed policies of promoting extremism in the region and emphasized that Pakistan must reassess its policies toward Afghanistan, according to a statement released by his office.
Abdullah Abdullah, the former Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, also stated that Pakistan's airstrikes on Paktika province are a clear violation of Afghanistan's national sovereignty.
Pakistan has been facing a spike in terrorist attacks since the Afghan Taliban came to power in 2021, while it demanded the Kabul regime to control the terrorists using its soil against Pakistan.

Pakistan's military courts have convicted 60 civilians for their involvement in the May 9 violence, including Imran Khan's nephew, who received a 10-year sentence.

Pakistan Convicts 60 Civilians Over May 9 Violence, Including Imran Khan's Nephew

The army also said that with the latest verdict, the trial of May 9 accused under military custody, &ldquo;has hereby been concluded under the relevant laws&rdquo;.

Pakistan's military courts have convicted and sentenced another 60 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in attacks on army installations during violence on May 9 last year, the army said on Thursday.
The announcement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the media wing of the military - came a week after the army announced the conviction of 25 individuals for involvement in attacks on military facilities on May 9, 2023, when supporters of Imran Khan resorted to vandalism and violence during a protest against his arrest.
"Sequel to the announcement of the May 9 punishments in light of the Supreme Court's decision, the Field General Court Martial has promulgated the punishments to the following remaining 60 culprits after examining all evidence, ensuring the provision of all legal rights to the convicts, completion of due process and the appropriate legal proceedings,&rdquo; the army said.
Top on the list of new convicts is Imran Khan's nephew Hassan Khan Niazi, who was awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the attack on the Jinnah House residence of Lahore Corps commander.
The army also said that with the latest verdict, the trial of May 9 accused under military custody, &ldquo;has hereby been concluded under the relevant laws&rdquo;.
&ldquo;All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the Constitution and law,&rdquo; it said.
The army announced that the nation, government, and the armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained.
Earlier, the government last year handed over more than 100 suspects to the military authorities for trial under the army regulation for their involvement in the attacks on military facilities.
The announcement of their verdict was delayed due to petitions filed in the Supreme Court against the trial of civilians. Though the final adjudication is still pending, the top court allowed the army to issue verdicts in the cases which have been completed.

In his 2024 Christmas broadcast, King Charles III pays tribute to the sacrifices of Commonwealth service men and women during WWII, particularly recalling the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

King Charles commemorates Commonwealth soldiers in Christmas message

According to Buckingham Palace, the "living Christmas tree" shown in this year&rsquo;s broadcast was decorated with sustainable decorations including pinecones, metal bells, twisted glass and glass baubles.

Britain&rsquo;s King Charles III commemorated the sacrifices of service men and women from across the Commonwealth during World War II in his annual Christmas Day broadcast.
Opening his customary address with a reference to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings this year, which laid the foundations for the victory of the Allied Forces against Nazi Germany in 1944, the 76-year-old monarch said such examples of &ldquo;service and selflessness&rdquo; continue to inspire.
&ldquo;Earlier this year, as we commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the Queen (Camilla) and I had the enormous privilege of meeting, once again, the remarkable veterans of that very special generation who gave of themselves so courageously, on behalf of us all,&rdquo; said Charles.
&ldquo;Listening to these once-young service men and women touched us deeply as they spoke of their comrades, drawn from across the Commonwealth, who never returned and who now rest peacefully where they made the ultimate sacrifice. Their example of service and selflessness continues to inspire, across the generations,&rdquo; he said.
The King went on to strike a personal note in his message, filmed earlier at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London and aired on Wednesday evening, as he thanked the medics who cared for him and daughter-in-law Kate Middleton as they underwent cancer treatment.
&ldquo;From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed. I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement,&rdquo; he said.
The broadcast marked the first time that a British monarch&rsquo;s Christmas message has been filmed outside a royal residence since 2006, when Charles&rsquo; mother &ndash; the late Queen Elizabeth II &ndash; filmed her message at Southwark Cathedral in London.
According to Buckingham Palace, the "living Christmas tree" shown in this year&rsquo;s broadcast was decorated with sustainable decorations including pinecones, metal bells, twisted glass and glass baubles.
The King said: &ldquo;I am speaking to you today from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London &ndash; now itself a vibrant community space &ndash; and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others &ndash; often at some cost to themselves.
&ldquo;On our recent visit to the South Pacific to attend the Commonwealth summit, I was reminded constantly of the strength which institutions, as well as individuals, can draw from one another. And of how diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness.&rdquo;
Reflecting upon the anti-immigrant riots that flared up across the UK in August, the royal said he felt a &ldquo;sense of pride&rdquo; when communities came together in its aftermath with a spirit of harmony and to "repair".
&ldquo;To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;But, on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict &ndash; in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere &ndash; pose a daily threat to so many people&rsquo;s lives and livelihoods...The example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair,&rdquo; he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, the King and Queen Camilla were joined by Prince William and Kate and their three children &ndash; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis &ndash; and other senior royals for the Christmas Day service at Sandringham in Norfolk, eastern England.
Excited crowds gathered as the family made the customary walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the royal estate.

China announces plans for the world's largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, raising environmental and strategic concerns while promising significant energy and economic benefits.

China Approves $137 Billion Brahmaputra Hydropower Project

China has already Operationalised the USD 1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet in 2015.

China has approved the construction of the world's largest dam, stated to be the planet's biggest infra project costing USD 137 billion, on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet close to the Indian border, raising concerns in riparian states - India and Bangladesh.
The Chinese government has approved the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra, according to an official statement quoted by state-run Xinhua news agency on Wednesday.
The dam is to be built at a huge gorge in the Himalayan reaches where the Brahmaputra river makes a huge U-turn to flow into Arunachal Pradesh and then to Bangladesh.
The total investment in the dam could exceed one trillion yuan (USD 137 billion), which would dwarf any other single infrastructure project on the planet including China&rsquo;s own Three Gorges Dam, regarded as the largest in the world, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.
China has already Operationalised the USD 1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet in 2015.
The Brahmaputra dam was part of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 adopted by Plenum, a key policy body of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2020.
Concerns arose in India as the dam besides empowering China to control the water flow, the size and scale of it could also enable Beijing to release large amounts of water flooding border areas in times of hostilities.
India too is building a dam over Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.
India and China established the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to discuss various issues related to trans-border rivers under which China provides India with hydrological information on the Brahmaputra river and Sutlej river during the flood seasons.
Data sharing of trans-border rivers figured in the talks between India, China Special Representatives (SRs) for border question, NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held here on December 18.
The SRs &ldquo;provided positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges" including data sharing on trans-border rivers, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The Brahmaputra Dam presents enormous engineering challenges as the project site is located along a tectonic plate boundary where earthquakes occur.
The Tibetan plateau, regarded as the roof of the world, frequently experiences earthquakes as it is located over the tectonic plates.
The official statement on Wednesday sought to allay concerns about earthquakes, saying that the hydropower project is safe and prioritises ecological protection.
Through extensive geological explorations and technical advancements, a solid foundation has been laid for the science-based, secure, and high-quality development of the project, it said.
The Brahmaputra flows across the Tibetan Plateau, carving out the deepest canyon on Earth and covering a staggering vertical difference of 25,154 feet before reaching India, the Post report said.
The dam will be built in one of the rainiest parts of mainland China bringing bountiful flows of water.
According to a 2023 report, the hydropower station is expected to generate more than 300 billion kWh of electricity each year &ndash; enough to meet the annual needs of over 300 million people.
In 2020, Yan Zhiyong, then chairman of the state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China, was quoted in the media as saying the location on the Yarlung Tsangpo was one of the most hydropower-rich areas in the world.
&ldquo;The lower reaches area features a vertical drop of 2,000 metres over a 50km distance, representing nearly 70 million kilowatts of resources that could be developed &ndash; that is more than three Three Gorges Dams with an installed capacity of 22.5 million kilowatts,&rdquo; the Post quoted him as saying.
To harness the hydropower potential of the river, four to six 20km-long tunnels must be drilled through the Namcha Barwa mountain to divert half of the river&rsquo;s flow at about 2,000 cubic metres per second, according to the report.
Yan said that the hydropower exploitation of the Yarlung Zangbo River downstream is more than a hydropower project.
It is also meaningful for the environment, national security, living standards, energy and international cooperation.
"It is a project for national security, including water resources and domestic security," he said, noting that the project will also smooth cooperation with South Asia.
The hydropower station could generate income of 20 billion yuan (USD three billion) annually for the Tibet Autonomous Region, he said.
An official statement on Wednesday defended the project, saying it will play a positive role in accelerating the country's efforts to create a new development pattern and pursue high-quality development.
It is also of great importance to advancing the country's strategy for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and to coping with global climate change, it said.
The hydropower project is a green project aimed at promoting low-carbon development. By harnessing the abundant hydropower resources of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the project will also spur the development of solar and wind energy resources in surrounding areas, thus creating a clean energy base featuring a complementary mix of hydro, wind and solar power, it said.
It will directly stimulate the rapid growth of such industries as engineering, logistics and trade services, and create new jobs, it said.
Once completed, the project will further improve infrastructures of electricity, water conservancy and transportation. It will strengthen the synergy of development between Tibet and other regions, it said.

A massive fire broke out at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, damaging important official documents and raising suspicions of sabotage. Authorities have formed a high-powered investigation committee to determine the cause and source of the fire.

Massive fire breaks out at Bangladesh Secretariat, official documents damaged

The probe panel has been tasked with finding out the source and cause of the fire, uncovering whether anyone had personal or professional responsibility for it.

A massive fire broke out at a major building of the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday, damaging official documents that prompted authorities to form a high-powered investigation committee amid suspicions that it could be an act of sabotage.
The fire broke out in Building 7 of the Bangladesh Secretariat and it was brought under control after nearly six hours of firefighting efforts.
According to officials, the fire broke out Thursday early morning in the nine-storey building housing seven ministries inside the high-security complex.
However, no casualties were reported.
&ldquo;The fire broke out in three spots (of the building) simultaneously hours after midnight yesterday,&rdquo; fire service chief Brigadier General Zahed Kamal told newsmen indicating it might not be an accidental inferno.
Officials said a power outage caused by the fire forced as well other ministries apart from the building to halt their normal work while security agencies restricted entry inside the complex preventing many staff and officials from entering into the complex at the central part of the capital.
They said most rooms on the sixth, seventh and eighth floors of building no 7 were severely damaged while a huge volume of documents from the local government and post &amp; telecommunications ministries were burnt alongside the furniture.
&ldquo;The water used to douse the fire also damaged many documents...pigeons which made different parts of the building were seen dead and window spans were broken,&rdquo; an official said after visiting the building.
Local government adviser or de facto minister Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, a leader of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement that led the ouster of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s regime on August 5 said, &ldquo;The conspirators have not stopped their activities&rdquo;
He said the documents which were damaged included papers and proofs of corruption of millions of dollars during the ousted Awami League regime.
&ldquo;But no one will be given a single inch pace to escape (punitive actions) if found involved to fail us,&rdquo; said Bhuiyan.
Meanwhile, authorities formed a seven-member committee comprising senior civil bureaucrats, fire service and police officers.
The committee, headed by Additional Secretary (district and field administration) Mohammad Khaled Rahim, was asked to submit its report within seven working days.
The probe panel has been tasked with finding out the source and cause of the fire, uncovering whether anyone had personal or professional responsibility for it, and making recommendations to prevent such accidents, said an office order of the Cabinet Division.

The tsunami was triggered by the longest faultline rupture from an earthquake ever observed, seconds before 7:59 am on December 26, 2004.

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: What to know 20 years on...

The tsunami was triggered by the longest faultline rupture from an earthquake ever observed, seconds before 7:59 am on December 26, 2004.

Survivors and victims' relatives will this week mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 220,000 people across more than a dozen countries.
A 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island triggered huge waves that swept into coastal areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and nine other nations around the Indian Ocean basin.
Here is a look back at the impact of the deadliest tsunami in history.
Faultline rupture
The tsunami was triggered by the longest faultline rupture from an earthquake ever observed, seconds before 7:59 am on December 26, 2004.
The ocean floor opened at least 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) in length between the Indian plate and the Burma microplate.
It created waves more than 30 metres (100 feet) high, releasing energy equivalent to 23,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs and causing widespread destruction.
The magnitude was initially recorded at 8.8 before the United States Geological Survey gave its official magnitude of 9.1 and depth as 30 kilometres (18.6 miles).
The epicentre was located 150 miles from Sumatra's coast.
Indonesia is a vast archipelago nation on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
Huge death toll
A total of 226,408 people died as a result of the tsunami, according to EM-DAT, a recognised global disaster database.
The worst affected area was northern Sumatra, where more than 120,000 people were killed out of a total of 165,708 dead in Indonesia.
The huge waves travelled around the Indian Ocean, hitting Sri Lanka, India and Thailand hours later.
At their fastest, the waves travelled at over 800 kilometres an hour (500 mph), more than twice the speed of a bullet train.
More than 35,000 were killed in Sri Lanka, with 16,389 killed in India and 8,345 in Thailand, according to EM-DAT.
Nearly 300 were killed in Somalia, more than 100 in the Maldives, as well as dozens in Malaysia and Myanmar.
Displaced, reconstruction
The tsunami displaced more than 1.5 million people and sparked disaster relief of around $14 billion pledged from the international community, according to the United Nations.
Hundreds of thousands of buildings were destroyed, leaving in some cases entire communities homeless.
A splurge in reconstruction has transformed the worst-hit city of Banda Aceh.
More than 100,000 houses were rebuilt in the westernmost Indonesian province of Aceh alone, according to the Indonesian government.
Warning systems
The tsunami also forced a reckoning about the preparedness of coastal communities around the Indian Ocean basin.
At the time of the earthquake, there was no warning system in place in the Indian Ocean.
But now, 1,400 stations globally cut warning times to just minutes after a tsunami waveforms.
Experts said the lack of a properly coordinated warning system in 2004 had made the disaster's impact worse.
Ocean scientists say we are more prepared than ever thanks to millions of dollars being invested into tsunami warning systems, but warn that the impact of a catastrophic tsunami can never be completely prevented.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Editorji News Desk and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The aircraft’s planned route was northwest along the western Caspian Sea coastline. However, it veered significantly off course, flying over the sea and circling near Aktau before crashing approximately three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the city.

Disturbing Footage Reveals Crisis in the Skies: Azerbaijan Airlines Flight Crash Near Aktau Kills 38

The aircraft&rsquo;s planned route was northwest along the western Caspian Sea coastline. However, it veered significantly off course, flying over the sea and circling near Aktau before crashing approximately three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the city.

On Wednesday, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, an Embraer 190 jet carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, tragically crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. The flight, en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, was diverted due to dense fog and multiple other challenges, ultimately leading to the disaster.
A Journey Gone Awry
The aircraft&rsquo;s planned route was northwest along the western Caspian Sea coastline. However, it veered significantly off course, flying over the sea and circling near Aktau before crashing approximately three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the city.
Preliminary investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by a combination of factors, including adverse weather, a possible bird strike, GNSS disruptions, and fuel mismanagement.
Harrowing Moments Captured
Disturbing footage captured by passengers and rescuers has surfaced, shedding light on the horrifying final moments.
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In one video, a passenger can be seen praying, saying "Allahu Akbar," as cries of fear echo throughout the cabin. Yellow oxygen masks hang overhead, and passengers scramble amidst the chaos.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
The final moments of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane before its crash in Kazakhstan were captured by a passenger onboard. Aftermath also included in the footage. <a href="https://t.co/nCRozjdoUY">pic.twitter.com/nCRozjdoUY</a>
&mdash; Clash Report (@clashreport) <a href="https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1871902804350308412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
Another video shared by Russian media outlet RT shows injured passengers, including one bleeding from the head, attempting to escape the wreckage.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
A surviving passenger from the Aktau plane crash manages to capture footage of inside the cabin <a href="https://t.co/shIblEmV1d">pic.twitter.com/shIblEmV1d</a>
&mdash; RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1871885832250155318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
Bodycam footage from Kazakh rescuers reveals firefighters rushing to extinguish the flames while scattered belongings, clothing, and debris paint a grim picture of the crash site.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Bodycam footage of the firefighters responding to the plane crash in Kazakhstan. <a href="https://t.co/57vGQJSwKc">pic.twitter.com/57vGQJSwKc</a>
&mdash; RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1871873219978035249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
Death Toll and Survivors
The crash resulted in the death of 38 individuals, with 29 survivors, including two children, being rescued and hospitalized. Officials cautioned that these numbers may change as investigations continue.
The Kazakh government reported that the victims included 37 Azerbaijani nationals, six from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 from Russia.
Initial Theories and Investigation
Azerbaijan Airlines initially suggested that a bird strike might have caused the emergency but later retracted the statement, emphasizing that all possibilities are being explored.
The Kazakh transport ministry stated that the flight crew attempted an emergency landing after encountering challenges, including dense fog at Grozny Airport and reported GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) disruptions such as GPS jamming and spoofing.
Fuel mismanagement also emerged as a critical factor, with the aircraft running out of fuel before reaching its alternate destination.
Kazakhstan has formed a government commission to investigate the crash, with officials pledging collaboration with Azerbaijani authorities.
Witness Accounts
Eyewitnesses near the crash site described heartbreaking scenes. A Kazakh woman recalled helping survivors, including a girl pleading for her mother&rsquo;s rescue. "I&rsquo;ll never forget their look, full of pain and despair," she said.
Timeline of Events
<ul>
<li>Departure: The flight departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, heading toward Grozny, Russia.</li>
<li>Weather Conditions: Dense fog at Grozny forced the flight to divert.</li>
<li>Course Deviation: The plane crossed the Caspian Sea, veering significantly off its intended path.</li>
<li>Emergency Landing Attempt: Low fuel reserves led to an attempted landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan.</li>
<li>Crash: The aircraft crashed approximately three kilometres from Aktau, erupting into flames upon impact.</li>
</ul>
Official Responses
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared Thursday a national day of mourning and cut short a visit to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov extended condolences. Kadyrov noted that some survivors were critically injured and urged prayers for their recovery.
Safety Measures and Helpline
In response to the tragedy, Azerbaijan Airlines suspended all flights from Baku to Chechnya pending the investigation.
Helpline numbers were also established for families of the victims:
<ul>
<li>AZAL: (+994) 12 5048280, 12 5048202, 12 5048203</li>
<li>Kazakh Emergency Services: +7 7172 559621, +7 7292 319091</li>
</ul>
Lessons for Aviation
The crash highlights the importance of robust safety protocols, including better planning for alternate airports, addressing GNSS vulnerabilities, and ensuring sufficient fuel reserves.
This incident underscores the complexities and vulnerabilities of modern aviation, prompting calls for more rigorous safety standards to prevent similar tragedies.
As investigations continue, the aviation industry awaits crucial findings that may help prevent future disasters, honouring the lives lost in this heartbreaking accident.
(With Input from Agency)

Russian missile and drone strikes disrupt Ukraine's power grid on Christmas Day. Global leaders condemn attacks as Ukraine fends off aerial assaults amid winter challenges.

Russia's Massive Christmas Strikes Target Ukraine's Energy System

Russia meanwhile said five people had died in Ukrainian strikes and from a falling drone in the border region of Kursk and in North Ossetia in the Caucasus.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Wednesday an "inhumane" attack from Russia, which launched over 170 missiles and drones, knocking out power in several regions on Christmas Day and killing an energy worker.
The country woke up at 5:30 am (0330 GMT) to an air raid alarm, followed shortly by air force reports that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea.
"Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system," Zelensky said.
This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraine's energy system this year, the latest in Russia's campaign targeting the power grid during winter.
"Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas," Zelensky said.
Russia meanwhile said five people had died in Ukrainian strikes and from a falling drone in the border region of Kursk and in North Ossetia in the Caucasus.
Ukraine said its air force downed 58 out of 79 Russian-launched missiles. It did not, however, down the two North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia.
US President Joe Biden called "outrageous" the strikes that cut off people's access to heat and electricity amid winter conditions.
"I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine's position in its defense against Russian forces," he added in a statement.
Ukraine has been urging allies to send more aid to fend off aerial strikes and push back troops on the ground.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the strikes.
"I pay tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the leadership of President Zelensky, in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putin's bloody and brutal war machine with no respite even at Christmas," Starmer said.
Kyiv also said a Russian missile went through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, but Romania said it detected no such violation.
Moldova, which has expressed solidarity with Ukraine since the war, "confirmed a violation" of its airspace later Wednesday.
While its military radar did not identify the missile, "Russia deliberately flew these devices at a very low altitude to avoid detection", a presidency spokesperson told AFP.
&nbsp;
- 'Nothing sacred' -
Ukraine's DTEK energy company said the attack severely damaged equipment at thermal power plants.
"Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered," the company's CEO Maxim Timchenko said.
The employee of a Ukrainian thermal power plant was killed in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, over which 42 missiles were shot down, governor Sergiy Lysak said.
Heating was cut in several parts of the city of Dnipro, said its mayor Borys Filatov, who added authorities were evacuating and transferring patients from a hospital.
"Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country," Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, which also temporarily lost power.
Ukraine is officially celebrating Christmas on December 25 for the second time.
The government last year changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a snub to Russia.
Nearly 200 people paraded through the centre of Kyiv, singing Christmas carols.
"With this march, we show that we will not be discouraged," 30-year-old Bogdana Kuevda, one of the participants, told AFP.
&nbsp;
- 'Won't ruin Christmas' -
The Christmas day attack also targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, located near the Russian border.
The missiles had targeted the city's boiler houses, thermal power plants and electricity facilities, mayor Igor Terekhov said, temporarily cutting power to 500,000 people.
Kharkiv's governor Oleg Synegubov also said authorities had evacuated 46 people from the area of Borivske and Kupiansk.
Moscow's forces are aiming to recapture the town of Kupiansk, which was occupied in the first year of the war but later retaken by Ukrainian forces.
Outnumbered Ukrainian troops are now on the back foot across the front line in the Kharkiv and Donetsk region further south, ceding ground to better-equipped Russian troops.
Russia said it seized the small village of Vidrodzhennia, a few kilometres south of Pokrovsk, a vital rail hub and mining town.
Both sides are scrambling to gain an upper hand ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who boasted he would quickly end the war, raising fears that Washington may force Kyiv into a deal on Moscow's terms.

An Azerbaijan Airlines flight carrying 67 passengers crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Thirty-two survivors have been reported, with 28 hospitalized. Investigations are ongoing, and leaders express condolences.

Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes Near Aktau, 32 Survivors Reported

The plane was flying from the Azerbaijani capital Baku on the western shore of the Caspian to the city of Grozny in Chechnya in southern Russia.

An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet with 67 people on board crashed on Wednesday in western Kazakhstan after veering from its scheduled route, officials said.
Azerbaijani authorities said 32 people had survived the crash of the Embraer 190 near the city of Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.
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The plane was flying from the Azerbaijani capital Baku on the western shore of the Caspian to the city of Grozny in Chechnya in southern Russia.
"A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines," the Kazakh transport ministry said on Telegram.
Azerbaijan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said the plane had 62 passengers and five crew on board.
It said the plane "made an emergency landing" around three kilometres (1.9 miles) from Aktau.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cancelled a planned visit to Russia for an informal summit of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a grouping of former Soviet nations.
The Kazakh transport ministry said the plane was carrying 37 nationals from Azerbaijan, six from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan and 16 from Russia.
The office of Azerbaijan's prosecutor general said: "According to available data, 32 people survived the crash."
"We cannot disclose any investigation results at this time. All possible scenarios are being examined, and the necessary expert analyses are underway," it said in a statement.
"An investigative team, led by the deputy prosecutor general of Azerbaijan, has been dispatched to Kazakhstan and is working at the crash site."
&nbsp;
- Doctors flown to site -
The Kazakh emergency situations ministry said its staff put out a fire which broke out when the plane crashed.
The ministry earlier reported that "28 survivors including two children have been hospitalised."
It said 150 emergency workers were at the scene.
The health ministry said a special flight was being sent from the Kazakh capital Astana with specialist doctors to treat the injured.
Aliyev's office said the president "ordered the prompt initiation of urgent measures to investigate the causes of the disaster."
"I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash... and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Aliyev said in a social media post.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Aliyev and also "expressed his condolences in connection with the crash," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news conference.
Azerbaijan's first lady Mehriban Aliyeva, who is also the country's first Vice President, said she was "deeply saddened by the news of the tragic loss of lives in the plane crash near Aktau."
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Wishing them strength and patience! I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured," she said on Instagram.
"I express my condolences to the relatives of the passengers of the Azerbaijan Airlines jet who died," Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Telegram.
The plane's course on Flight Radar showed it crossing the Caspian Sea away from its normal route and then circling over the area where it eventually crashed.
Kazakhstan said it had opened an investigation.

Wazed accuses the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of weaponizing the judiciary to target Sheikh Hasina, who faces arrest warrants for alleged crimes against humanity. 

Sheikh Hasina faces extradition as Wazed accuses Yunus regime of political persecution

Bangladesh's de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain said Dhaka wants Hasina back to face the judicial process.

Sanjeeb Wazed, son of deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused the Muhammad Yunus led interim government of &ldquo;weaponising the judiciary&rdquo; for carrying out a &ldquo;political witch hunt&rdquo; against the Awami League leadership.
Wazed's allegations, as a long post on X, came two days after the interim government on Monday said it has sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking Hasina's extradition from India.
Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's (AL) 16-year regime.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for &ldquo;crimes against humanity and genocide.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The judges and prosecutors appointed by unelected Yunus led regime to conduct farcical trial process through International Crimes Tribunal makes it a political witch hunt that forsakes justice and marks another ongoing onslaught to persecute Awami League leadership,&rdquo; Wazed said in his post on Tuesday.
An IT entrepreneur, Wazed is based in the US and has been an ICT adviser in Hasina's government.
&ldquo;The kangaroo tribunal and subsequent request for extradition comes while hundreds of leaders and activists are extrajudicially killed, framing of outrageous murder charges, illegal incarceration of thousands by law enforcement and violent attacks including looting vandalism and arson going on with impunity everyday fuelled by denial of the regime,&rdquo; he added.
On Monday, India confirmed receiving the 'note verbale' or diplomatic communication from the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi but refrained from commenting on it.
Under the provisions of the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, extradition may be refused if the offence is one of a &ldquo;political character.&rdquo;
Bangladesh's de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain said Dhaka wants Hasina back to face the judicial process.
Wazed further accused that the chief prosecutor of ICT Tribunal Tajul Islam appointed by Yunus regime on December 22, despite proven records of defending war criminals, &ldquo;reportedly spread deliberate disinformation campaign&rdquo; against Hasina by claiming that Interpol issued red notice against her, and termed it as &ldquo;a desperate bid to extradite her and hold farcical trial to serve the interest of Dr Yunus.&rdquo;
&ldquo;But the very prosecutor later altered his statement following media exposure of the outright lie and now officially sent a request to India for the extradition,&rdquo; Hasina's son said.
&ldquo;We reiterate our position that every single incident of human rights violation between July and August needs to be investigated in a free and fair manner but the Yunus led regime weaponised the judiciary, and we express no confidence in the justice system,&rdquo; he alleged.
Last month, in an address to the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government, Yunus said Bangladesh will seek Hasina's extradition. &ldquo;We must ensure justice in every killing&hellip; We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina,&rdquo; he had said then.
Yunus, who assumed office on August 8, claimed that about 1,500 people, including students and workers, were killed while 19,931 others were wounded during the protest against the Hasina government.
India has expressed concern as there have been a spate of attacks on minorities including on the Hindu community in Bangladesh in the last few months.
In recent weeks, Hasina has accused the Yunus-led interim government of perpetrating &ldquo;genocide&rdquo; and failing to protect minorities, especially Hindus, since her ouster.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka two weeks back during which he conveyed to the Bangladeshi side India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities.

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A cockpit camera showed the jets flying over London leaving the trails of coloured smoke.

King Charles' coronation: cockpit view of aerial display by Royal Air Force

The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s aerobatics team, wowed the coronation crowds on Saturday as they carried out a flypast over Buckingham Palace

A cockpit camera showed the jets flying over London leaving the trails of coloured smoke.

The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force&rsquo;s aerobatics team, wowed the coronation crowds on Saturday as they carried out a flypast over Buckingham Palace, leaving red, white and blue trails in the sky.
A cockpit camera showed the jets flying over London leaving the trails of coloured smoke.
The fly past happened as King Charles III, Queen Camilla and members of the royal family appeared on Buckingham Palace&rsquo;s balcony to greet a cheering crowd.

The world mourns the loss of a visionary statesman Dr. Manmohan Singh, with tributes pouring in from countries including the US, France, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. India has declared a seven-day national mourning in his honor.

Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Manmohan Singh

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called him "one of the greatest champions of the bilateral strategic partnership."

Condolences have poured in from across the globe, including from the US, Canada, France and Sri Lanka following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Leaders from neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan, expressed deep grief over Singh's passing, highlighting his contributions and warm relations with their nations.
Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Thursday night. He was 92.
He is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur, a history professor, and three daughters.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called him "one of the greatest champions of the bilateral strategic partnership."
&ldquo;Dr Singh was one of the greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades,&rdquo; US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/676e7a0c42bc3_1735293452.jpg" width="664" height="396">
Offering sincere condolences to the people of India for the passing of Singh, Blinken said the leadership of the former prime minister in advancing the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signified a major investment in the potential of the US-India relationship.
&ldquo;At home, Dr Singh will be remembered for his economic reforms that spurred India&rsquo;s rapid economic growth. We mourn Dr Singh&rsquo;s passing and will always remember his dedication to bringing the United States and India closer together,&rdquo; Blinken said.
President of France Emmanuel Macron on Friday said "India has lost a great man".
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
India has lost a great man, and France a true friend, in the person of Dr. Manmohan Singh. He had devoted his life to his country. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India.
&mdash; Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1872533154382377379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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 "India has lost a great man, and France a true friend, in the person of Dr. Manmohan Singh. He had devoted his life to his country. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India," Macron posted on X.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he was saddened to learn of the passing of his former colleague, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am saddened to learn of the passing of my former colleague, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He was an individual of exceptional intelligence, integrity, and wisdom. Laureen and I wish to convey our condolences to all his family and friends.
&mdash; Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenharper/status/1872349184680239567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&ldquo;He was an individual of exceptional intelligence, integrity, and wisdom. Laureen and I wish to convey our condolences to all his family and friends,&rdquo; he said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Deeply saddened by the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, a visionary leader and an extraordinary statesman. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of India. His legacy will inspire generations. <a href="https://t.co/qdpoz8njmJ">pic.twitter.com/qdpoz8njmJ</a>
&mdash; ☭ Comrade Prachanda (@cmprachanda) <a href="https://twitter.com/cmprachanda/status/1872485662936764675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Former Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said in a post on X, "Deeply saddened by the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh, a visionary leader and an extraordinary statesman. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of India. His legacy will inspire generations."
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed wrote X that he found the former Prime Minister as a "benevolent father figure" and a good friend of Maldives.
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So sad to hear Manmohan Singh has passed. I always found him a delight to work with, and like a benevolent father figure. He was a good friend of the Maldives. <a href="https://twitter.com/HCIMaldives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCIMaldives</a> <a href="https://t.co/I0vnfimKpl">pic.twitter.com/I0vnfimKpl</a>
&mdash; Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedNasheed/status/1872345775046582608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"So sad to hear Manmohan Singh has passed. I always found him a delight to work with and like a benevolent father figure. He was a good friend of the Maldives," Nasheed said.
Former President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa called him a "visionary economist and the architect of India&rsquo;s economic liberalisation."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Deeply saddened by the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. A visionary economist and the architect of India&rsquo;s economic liberalization, his contributions shaped a new era for India. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the people of India. <a href="https://t.co/5n1DtCMyL9">pic.twitter.com/5n1DtCMyL9</a>
&mdash; Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresRajapaksa/status/1872332797962289253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"Deeply saddened by the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. A visionary economist and the architect of India&rsquo;s economic liberalization, his contributions shaped a new era for India. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the people of India."
Former President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai in a post on X said that India has lost one of its most illustrious sons.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> has lost one of its most illustrious sons. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dr_Manmohan_Singh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dr_Manmohan_Singh</a> was an unwavering ally and friend to the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>. I profoundly mourn his passing and extend my deepest condolences to his family, the government, and the people of India. May his soul find&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/ZrY5bCFVIR">pic.twitter.com/ZrY5bCFVIR</a>
&mdash; Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarzaiH/status/1872349687639916903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Calling him an "unwavering ally and friend to the people of Afghanistan", Karzai profoundly mourned Singh's passing and expressed his deepest condolences.
"India has lost one of its most illustrious sons. Dr_Manmohan_Singh was an unwavering ally and friend to the people of Afghanistan. I profoundly mourn his passing and extend my deepest condolences to his family, the government, and the people of India. May his soul find eternal peace," Karzai said.
Government sources said a seven-day national mourning will be observed and that Singh's last rites will be conducted with full state honours.
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim wrote a heartfelt message on X for his "honoured and cherished friend".
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The weight of grief bears down on me at the news of the passing of my honoured and cherished friend: Dr Manmohan Singh. Obituaries, essays and books a plenty there will surely be about this great man, celebrating him as the architect of India&rsquo;s economic reforms. As Prime&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/44bA3s7vst">pic.twitter.com/44bA3s7vst</a>
&mdash; Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) <a href="https://twitter.com/anwaribrahim/status/1872490947105431845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"The weight of grief bears down on me at the news of the passing of my honoured and cherished friend: Dr Manmohan Singh. Obituaries, essays and books a plenty there will surely be about this great man, celebrating him as the architect of India&rsquo;s economic reforms. As Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh was the midwife of India&rsquo;s emergence as one of the world&rsquo;s economic giants," he posted on X.
"...The praise that will follow in the days ahead will be truly well-deserved. Dr Manmohan Singh, slightly awkward as a politician but undeniably upright, steadfast and resolute as a statesman, leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come."
"To me, he will be all that and much more. Not many people know this, and it is time that I share it with Malaysians: during the years of my incarceration, he extended a kindness that he didn&rsquo;t have to... He offered scholarships for my children, particularly my son, Ihsan. Although I had declined the gracious offer, such a gesture undoubtedly showed his extraordinary humanity and generosity, demonstrative, as the Bard would have it, of a man so full of &ldquo;the milk of human kindness,&rdquo; Ibrahim posted.
"In those dark days, as I navigated the labyrinth of imprisonment, he stood by me as a true friend. Such acts of quiet magnanimity defined him, and they will remain etched in my heart forever. Goodbye, my mitra, my bhai, Manmohan," he posted.

South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, was impeached amid ongoing political instability sparked by his refusal to approve key judicial appointments, leading to significant economic and political uncertainty.

South Korean lawmakers impeach acting President Han Duck-soo

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will step in as acting president in Han's place. Choi had pleaded with the opposition lawmakers not to go ahead with the motion.

South Korean lawmakers impeached the acting president on Friday, as the country struggles to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world.
Han Duck-soo took over as acting president from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following a parliamentary vote over his move to impose martial law on December 3.
However, opposition MPs demanded Han, who is also prime minister, be removed from office as well, arguing that he had refused demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process and to bring him to justice.
"I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach," said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
Counting for the impeachment was delayed as ruling People's Power Party (PPP) lawmakers protested in parliament after Woo said only a simple majority was needed in the 300-member parliament to proceed with the impeachment.
PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily and many rushed towards Woo, demanding that he resign. They did not take part in the vote.
It became the second impeachment of a South Korean head of state in just two weeks, adding to the turmoil of the country's dynamic political landscape.
It was also South Korea's first impeachment of an acting president.
PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong said after the vote that Han "must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition's passage of the impeachment motion".
However, Han said in a statement after the vote that he "respects the parliament's decision" and would wait for the Constitutional Court's subsequent decision whether to uphold it.
The opposition said in its impeachment motion that Han was "intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges".
Such actions, it said, were "in violation of a public official's duty to uphold the law... and serve the public".
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will step in as acting president in Han's place.
Choi had pleaded with the opposition lawmakers not to go ahead with the motion.
"An impeachment motion against the acting authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet," he told a news conference with other cabinet members earlier on Friday.
"Our economy and people's livelihoods, which are walking on thin ice in a national emergency, cannot bear the expansion of political uncertainty surrounding the acting authority," he said.
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- 'True colours' -
At the heart of the current row is the composition of the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament's decision to impeach Yoon and now Han.
The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon.
The opposition wanted Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, which he had refused to do, leaving both sides in deadlock.
Han's refusal to formally appoint the three judges "revealed his true colours", said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae.
The refusal "is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law", said Jo. They sought to impeach Han to "restore constitutional order and stabilise state affairs".
Han had said he wanted his PPP and the opposition to reach a compromise on the nominees.
"The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions," Han argued.
"A consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, representing the people, must first be reached," the 75-year-old career bureaucrat said.
The Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon's impeachment on Friday despite the latest controversy.
Yoon's legal team said they would attend a preparatory hearing of the court's impeachment trial at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT).
The South Korean won plummeted to 1480.2 per US dollar on Friday morning, marking its lowest level in nearly 16 years.
The won earlier plunged to a two-year low against the dollar after the declaration of martial law as investors, already concerned about the state of Asia's number-four economy, shunned the currency.
Police said on Friday that they had begun a raid on a presidential safe house and were collecting footage from nearby security cameras as part of the martial law probe.

World leaders, including the UK, remember Dr. Manmohan Singh's economic reforms and global influence after his passing at 92.

UK Honors Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Legacy as Economic Reformer and Global Statesman

The BBC, in its obituary, hailed Singh as one of India's longest-serving prime ministers who was considered the &ldquo;architect of key liberalising economic reforms.

India's "reluctant prime minister" and the "architect of economic reforms" is how sections of the UK media have been honouring the legacy of Dr Manmohan Singh, the former prime minister who passed away aged 92 in New Delhi on Thursday.
British High Commissioner to the India Lindy Cameron took to social media to pay tribute to &ldquo;a great Prime Minister, Finance Minister and global statesman who advanced India&rsquo;s interests through bold economic reforms and played a key role in putting India in its rightful place on the world stage and stabilising the global economy after the financial crisis&rdquo;.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh ji. We will remember him as a great Prime Minister, Finance Minister and global statesman who advanced India&rsquo;s interests through bold economic reforms and played a key role in putting putting India in its rightful place&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/XNOZO9m3TH">pic.twitter.com/XNOZO9m3TH</a>
&mdash; Lindy Cameron (@Lindy_Cameron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lindy_Cameron/status/1872528849323323414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&ldquo;The UK will always be proud of his invaluable partnership with three UK Prime Ministers, and proud of him as an alumnus of two of our great universities. My thoughts and wishes are with his family and the people of India,&rdquo; she said.
Singh&rsquo;s tenure overlapped with Labour prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and Conservative David Cameron, who later wrote in his memoir that he &ldquo;got on well&rdquo; with this &ldquo;saintly man&rdquo; who was robust on the threats India faced.
&ldquo;On a later visit he told me that another terrorist attack like that in Mumbai in July 2011, and India would have to take military action against Pakistan,&rdquo; notes the former UK PM in &lsquo;For the Record&rsquo;, published in 2019.
Manoj Ladwa, founder and chairman of UK-based policy and events platform India Global Forum (IGF), described the former PM as a &ldquo;towering statesman and visionary economist&rdquo;.
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Deeply saddened by the passing of former Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh. A towering statesman and visionary economist, his transformative reforms in the 1990s not only shaped India&rsquo;s future but also helped spark my own commitment to fostering stronger 🇬🇧 🇮🇳 ties. As an alumnus of&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/qaHa1iMMnN">pic.twitter.com/qaHa1iMMnN</a>
&mdash; Manoj Ladwa (@manojladwa) <a href="https://twitter.com/manojladwa/status/1872339278220476480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&ldquo;His transformative reforms in the 1990s not only shaped India&rsquo;s future but also helped spark my own commitment to fostering stronger UK-India ties. As an alumnus of Oxford and Cambridge, he symbolised the deep cultural and academic connections between our nations. His legacy will inspire generations,&rdquo; he said.
&lsquo;The Guardian&rsquo; newspaper referenced Singh&rsquo;s &ldquo;trademark sky-blue turbans and home-spun white kurta pyjamas&rdquo; in its obituary.
&ldquo;Singh, called India&rsquo;s &lsquo;reluctant prime minister&rsquo; due to his shyness and preference for being behind the scenes, was considered an unlikely choice to lead the world&rsquo;s biggest democracy. But when Congress leader Sonia Gandhi led her party to a surprise victory in 2004, she turned to Singh to be prime minister,&rdquo; the newspaper notes.
&ldquo;He served a rare full two terms as prime minister in India&rsquo;s tumultuous politics and is credited with spurring the rapid economic growth that lifted tens of millions of Indians from poverty,&rdquo; it adds.
The BBC, in its obituary, hailed Singh as one of India's longest-serving prime ministers who was considered the &ldquo;architect of key liberalising economic reforms, as premier from 2004-2014 and before that as finance minister&rdquo;.
&ldquo;In his maiden speech as finance minister he famously quoted Victor Hugo, saying that &lsquo;no power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come&rsquo;.
That served as a launchpad for an ambitious and unprecedented economic reform programme: he cut taxes, devalued the rupee, privatised state-run companies and encouraged foreign investment. The economy revived, industry picked up, inflation was checked and growth rates remained consistently high in the 1990s,&rdquo; reads the report.
In January last year, Singh was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK during their annual India-UK Achievers Honours in London.
&ldquo;The India-UK relationship is indeed especially defined by our educational partnership. The founding fathers of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Patel and many others studied in the UK and went on to become great leaders, leaving a legacy which continues to inspire India and the world. Over the years countless Indian students have had the opportunity to study in the UK,&rdquo; Singh said in his acceptance message at the time.

A deadly crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet in Kazakhstan's Aktau city, suspected to have been caused by a Russian missile strike, left 38 dead and 29 survivors. Investigations continue.

Russian Missile Likely Responsible for Azerbaijani Jet Crash, Killing 38

Azerbaijan Airlines initially said the plane flew through a flock of birds, before withdrawing the statement.

Azerbaijani and US officials believe a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the deadly crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet, media reports and a US official said Thursday, as the Kremlin cautioned against "hypotheses" over the disaster.
The Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau, an oil and gas hub, on Wednesday after going off course for undetermined reasons.
Thirty-eight of the 67 people on board died.
The Embraer 190 aircraft was supposed to fly northwest from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the city of Grozny in Chechnya, southern Russia, but instead diverted far off course across the Caspian Sea.
An investigation is underway, with pro-government Azerbaijani website Caliber citing unnamed officials as saying they believed a Russian missile fired from a Pantsir-S air defence system downed the plane.
The claim was also reported by The New York Times, broadcaster Euronews and the Turkish news agency Anadolu.
Some aviation and military experts said the plane might have been accidentally shot by Russian air defence systems because it was flying in an area where Ukrainian drone activity had been reported.
A former expert at France's BEA air accident investigation agency said there appeared to be "a lot of shrapnel" damage on the wreckage.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said the damage was "reminiscent" of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was downed with a surface-to-air missile by Russia-backed rebels over eastern Ukraine in 2014.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "It would be wrong to make any hypotheses before the investigation's conclusions."
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- Shrapnel strikes reported -
Euronews cited Azerbaijani government sources as saying that "shrapnel hit the passengers and cabin crew as it exploded next to the aircraft mid-flight".
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said early indications suggested a Russian anti-aircraft system struck the plane.
Kazakhstan news agency Kazinform cited a regional prosecutor as saying that two black-box flight recorders had been recovered.
Azerbaijan Airlines initially said the plane flew through a flock of birds, before withdrawing the statement.
Kazakh officials said 38 people had been killed and there were 29 survivors, including three children.
Jalil Aliyev, the father of flight attendant Hokume Aliyeva, told AFP that this was supposed to have been her last flight before starting a job as a lawyer for the airline.
"Why did her young life have to end so tragically?" the man said in a trembling voice before hanging up the phone.
Eleven of the injured are in intensive care, the Kazakh health ministry said.
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- Day of mourning -
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared Thursday a day of mourning and cancelled a planned visit to Russia for an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a grouping of former Soviet nations.
"I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash... and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Aliyev said in a social media post Wednesday.
The Flight Radar website showed the plane deviating from its normal route, crossing the Caspian Sea and then circling over the area where it eventually crashed near Aktau, on the eastern shore of the sea.
Kazakhstan said the plane was carrying 37 Azerbaijani passengers, six Kazakhs, three Kyrgyz and 16 Russians.
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- Bloodied survivors -
A Kazakh woman told the local branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) she was near where the plane crashed and rushed to the site to help survivors.
"They were covered in blood. They were crying. They were calling for help," said the woman, who gave her name as Elmira.
She said they saved some teenagers.
"I'll never forget their look, full of pain and despair," said Elmira. "A girl pleaded: 'Save my mother, my mother is back there'."
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Aliyev and "expressed his condolences in connection with the crash", Peskov told a news conference.

A 2024 climate report highlights a surge in extreme heat, with 41 additional hot days globally and devastating impacts on vulnerable regions. The study emphasizes urgent action against fossil fuels to curb rising temperatures.

2024: The Warmest Year on Record with Alarming Heatwaves

The floods in Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad were the deadliest event studied by the group, with at least 2,000 people killed.

The world experienced an average of 41 more days of extreme heat in 2024 due to climate change, a new report said on Friday.
According to the European climate agency Copernicus, 2024 is set to end as the warmest year on record and the first year with a global average temperature 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
A yearly review report by two groups of climate scientists -- World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central -- said the world saw an average of 41 more days of dangerous heat in 2024.
Small island developing states were hit the hardest, with their people experiencing over 130 additional hot days.
The scientists identified 219 extreme weather events in 2024 and studied 29 of them. They found that climate change contributed to at least 3,700 deaths and displaced millions in 26 extreme weather events.
"It is likely the total number of people killed in extreme weather events intensified by climate change this year is in the tens or hundreds of thousands," the report said.
The floods in Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad were the deadliest event studied by the group, with at least 2,000 people killed.
The study found that if global warming reached two degrees Celsius, which could happen as early as the 2040s or 2050s, these regions might face similar heavy rainfall events every year.
Friederike Otto, lead of WWA and senior lecturer in climate science at the Imperial College, London, said, "The impacts of fossil fuel warming have never been clearer or more devastating than in 2024. We are living in a dangerous new era."
"We know exactly what we need to do to stop things from getting worse -- stop burning fossil fuels. The top resolution for 2025 must be transitioning away from fossil fuels, which will make the world a safer and more stable place," he added.
The year 2024 is expected to end with a global average temperature at least 1.55 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to Copernicus.
However, a permanent breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius limit specified in the Paris Agreement refers to long-term warming over a 20- or 30-year period.
That said, experts feel that the world is now entering a phase where temperatures will be consistently above this threshold.
The average global temperature has already risen by 1.3 degrees Celsius compared to the 1850-1900 average, driven by the rapid buildup of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change, says global emissions must peak by 2025 and reduce by 43 per cent by 2030 and 57 per cent by 2035 compared to 2019 levels to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
However, according to the latest UN data, current policies will take global warming to around 3 degrees Celsius by 2100.
Even the full implementation of all Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or national climate plans will likely lead to just a 5.9 per cent emission reduction by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, according to the synthesis report of countries' NDCs.
Fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and gas -- are the largest contributors to climate change, accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions.
However, the world is struggling to transition away from fossil fuels rapidly enough to prevent breaching the 1.5-degree Celsius goal due to a combination of political, economic, technological, and social challenges.
The transition to clean energy sources is particularly difficult for poor countries in the Global South due to dependence on fossil fuels for jobs and cheap energy, lack of funding and technology, weak power grids, and limited expertise.

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