An Air Canada flight from St. John’s narrowly avoided disaster Saturday night at Halifax airport. The plane’s landing gear malfunctioned, causing it to tilt at a 20-degree angle during landing. The wing skidded along the runway, sparking a fire. Passenger Nikki Valentine described loud crash-like sounds and flames on the left wing. Smoke entered the cabin as the pilots halted the aircraft. The incident occurred at 9:30 p.m. Atlantic Time. No injuries were reported. Air Canada Flight 2259, operated by PAL Airlines, is under investigation for the mechanical failure.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 flight from Bangkok crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, on Sunday, likely killing 179 of the 181 onboard. Two survivors, a crew member and a passenger, were rescued from the wreckage. Officials suspect a bird strike and adverse weather as possible causes, with a joint investigation underway. The plane landed with smoke billowing from its engines before being engulfed in flames. Jeju Air issued an apology, vowing support for victims’ families. This devastating accident underscores the importance of addressing aviation safety concerns globally.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 flight crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, killing 85 of the 181 on board. The Bangkok-origin flight veered off the runway, struck a concrete fence, and burst into flames. Emergency responders rescued three survivors and continue searching for others. Officials suspect landing gear failure, possibly from a bird strike. Acting President Choi Sung-mok directed urgent rescue efforts, while investigations proceed. This is Muan Airport’s first major disaster. Earlier this week, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash-landed in Kazakhstan, killing 38. The aviation sector faces heightened scrutiny following these tragedies.

Elon Musk is under fire for alleged censorship after 14 conservative accounts on X claimed their blue ticks were revoked. These accounts had criticized Musk's pro-immigration stance, with the billionaire calling anti-immigration Republicans "contemptible fools" and "racists." Losing the verification badge has hindered these users' ability to monetize their accounts. Musk, who supports skilled legal immigration, reiterated that posts muted or blocked by verified accounts would face reduced visibility. Critics accuse him of "shadowbanning," undermining free speech claims. The controversy highlights escalating debates on immigration and Musk's influence over political discourse on his platform.

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev for the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane this week. The crash, which killed at least 38 people and left 29 survivors, occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after the plane tried to land at Grozny airport, which was under Ukrainian drone attacks. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin expressed condolences and explained that Russian air defences repelled the attacks. The crash has raised concerns, with some speculating that a Russian missile may have downed the plane. Several airlines have suspended flights to Russia in light of the incident.

Former PM Manmohan Singh was cremated in Delhi on Saturday, with Bhutan King Jigme Wangchuck and Mauritius FM Dhananjay Ramful attending. World leaders, including French President Macron and Russian President Putin, hailed Singh as an "outstanding statesman." US President Biden credited him for the India-US nuclear deal, calling him a "true statesman." Mauritius and Singapore flew national flags at half-mast as a mark of respect. Palestine described Singh as a "wise politician and economist." Known for fostering South Asian partnerships, Singh's legacy as a leader dedicated to India's growth remains unparalleled, shaping global ties and economic reforms.

Israel activated the US-deployed THAAD missile defense system to intercept a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. This marked the system's first operational use in Israel since its deployment in October following a ballistic missile attack by Iran. The interception occurred amid escalating Houthi attacks, with five strikes targeting Israel in eight days. The Houthis claimed they aimed at Ben Gurion Airport, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Yemeni targets. The advanced THAAD system uses kinetic energy to neutralize threats, distinguishing it from conventional missile defenses. Over the past year, the Houthis launched 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel.

US President-elect Donald Trump has filed a request with the US Supreme Court to delay an impending TikTok ban, scheduled for January 19. Trump's legal team argues for a "political resolution" once he assumes office, emphasizing the clash between free-speech rights and national security concerns. The court will hear arguments on January 10 regarding the law demanding TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, sell the platform to an American company. Trump has opposed the ban, despite supporting it during his presidency, and recently met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Mar-a-Lago.

Amid debates over H1B visa policies, Vivek Ramaswamy, Indian-American leader of the upcoming Department of Government Efficiency, emphasized cultural reforms in the US. He argued that American culture often prioritizes "mediocrity over excellence," contributing to the dominance of immigrant talent in tech industries. Citing examples from popular culture, Ramaswamy urged parents to focus on fostering achievement, citing science competitions over TV reruns and math tutoring over leisure. Calling it a "Sputnik moment," he highlighted the need for a cultural shift to compete globally. Canadian musician Grimes also defended Indian immigrants, condemning anti-India rhetoric and praising Indian-American cultural integration.

Thick fog disrupted flights across the UK on Saturday, with visibility dropping to 100 metres in parts of Southeast and Central England. Heathrow reported 20 delayed departures, Gatwick saw 35 delays, and Manchester experienced 24 delays by 11 AM. National Air Traffic Services (NATS) imposed temporary air traffic restrictions to maintain safety. Travelers were urged to check flight statuses before departure. The Met Office forecasted continued fog throughout the weekend, with yellow rain warnings for Scotland on Monday. Civil Aviation Authority reminded passengers of airlines’ obligation to provide care during delays caused by weather conditions.