International
Azerbaijan Airlines says plane crashed after ‘external interference’ as questions mount over possible Russian involvement
Azerbaijan Airlines says the jet that crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day experienced “physical and technical external interference,” according to an early investigation, as questions swirled about Russia’s possible involvement in the disaster.
At least 38 of the 67 people on board the plane were killed in the crash, Kazakh authorities confirmed, including two pilots and a flight attendant. People from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were among those on board, according to preliminary data from Kazakhstan’s transport ministry.
One passenger told Reuters in an interview on Friday that he didn’t think he would survive after he heard a loud bang and the plane started to “behave unnaturally.”
International
Dame Judi reveals apple tribute to Maggie Smith
Dame Judi Dench has revealed a very personal tribute to her friend and fellow actress Dame Maggie Smith, who died in September aged 89.
Dame Judi plants individual trees in memory of friends who have died and, on the day of Dame Maggie’s funeral, her gardener found the sapling planted for her fellow acting dame had borne fruit.
“Joe, who works for me, came in and he had one little crab apple,” Dame Judi told the BBC.
“And so I had it in my pocket at her funeral, which was a very nice thing to have,” she said, in an interview recorded for the TV tribute Maggie Smith at the BBC, to be broadcast on 28 December.
International
Romeo and Juliet actress Olivia Hussey dies aged 73
Actress Olivia Hussey, who shot to international prominence as a teenager for her role in the acclaimed 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet, has died aged 73.
The Argentine-born actress, who grew up in London, died on Friday surrounded by her loved ones, a statement posted on her Instagram said.
Hussey won the best new actress Golden Globe for her part as Juliet, but decades later she sued Paramount Pictures for sexual abuse as she was aged just 15 when she filmed the movie’s nude scene.
Her other most notable screen role was as Mary, mother of Jesus, in 1977 TV miniseries Jesus of Nazareth.
International
Cracks appear in Maga world over foreign worker visas
Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump clashed online over a visa programme intended to bring skilled workers to the US – showing possible cracks in the upcoming administration.
Vivek Ramaswamy, tapped by Trump to slash government spending, claimed American culture is to blame for US firms deciding to hire skilled foreign workers, which is typically done via the H-1B temporary worker visas.
“Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence,” Ramaswamy wrote in a long X post that argued that foreign workers improve the the US economy.
The post attracted backlash from Trump supporters who are strongly opposed to immigration of any sort, causing Ramaswamy to clarify his position.
-
Entertainment4 months ago
Earthquake scientists are learning warning signs of ‘The Big One.’ When should they tell the public?
-
International4 months ago
Tarar accuses Imran Khan of conspiring with Faiz Hameed to destabilise Pakistan
-
International2 months ago
PTI Announces Not to Boycott New Committees
-
Business3 months ago
Major Corruption Scandal Uncovered at WASA Multan: Rs1.5 Billion Embezzlement Exposed
-
Business4 months ago
The Impact of QR Codes on Traditional Advertising
-
Business4 months ago
The Benefits and Problems of International Trade in the Context of Global Crisis
-
Business4 months ago
Fraud by Pakistani Firm Sparks Outrage in Business Community; Concerns Rise Over International Investment
-
Business2 months ago
High Court Blocks MDCAT Merit List Amid Controversy Over Exam Error