World Cup skier Cyprien Sarrazin was seriously injured in a training accident on the treacherous Stelvio slope, raising concerns about the safety of the course, which is slated to host the Olympic races in 2026. Despite the severity of his injuries, Sarrazin is conscious and will undergo surgery, and some teammates are calling for the games to be moved to a different location.
38 people were killed and 29 survived after an Azerbaijan Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Kazachstan due to what the airline describes as external physical and technical interference. Survivors describe hearing explosions and feeling a sudden drop in oxygen levels aboard the aircraft.
Emergency workers are taking measures to work safely during New Year's Eve, but police are concerned about recurring violence against officers and other emergency workers, with more than 200 of them injured last time. Fire departments are equipping their employees with bodycams this year in an effort to prevent aggression.
In September 1944, the Dutch government declared a major railway strike from London in order to prevent the Germans from using Dutch trains or railway personnel. On Christmas Day, a train carrying around 1400 men from two Dutch islands was attacked by Allied fighter planes in Wierden, resulting in four deaths and many injuries. Dozens of the men were able to escape and were helped by locals, but unfortunately not all of them made it to safety.
A Russian cargo ship, carrying parts for a nuclear icebreaker, sank off the coast of Spain with two crew members still missing. The company, Oboronlogistics, has been subjected to sanctions by the US and EU due to its ties with the Russian military and its frequent transportation of military equipment to Syria. There are suspicions that Russia is secretly moving weapons from Syria to Libya.
Former President of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, has passed away, causing shock and mixed reactions in the country. While some view his death as a gift, others still remember the atrocities he committed and wish he had lived to serve his prison sentence for the December murders.