U.S. and world news for Dec. 27
Airliner: Azerbaijan Airlines says that the crash of one of its planes was caused by outside interference. There have been rising suspicions that a Russian defense missile system shot down the airliner, killing 38 people. The pilots of the plane are credited with saving the lives of the 29 survivors. Investigators recovered the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders.
Weather: Weather delays are expected this weekend in parts of the U.S. as airline travel is expected to continue setting records. Heavy rain, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes are forecast by the National Weather Service to hit a section of the south from Louisiana to Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. On the Pacific coast, another round of heavy rain and high winds is expected. The TSA says it expects to screen 40 million people at the nation’s airports between now and the New Year.
South Korea: The South Korean Parliament has voted to impeach South Korea’s acting president, who was appointed after parliament impeached the country’s president two weeks ago. Acting President Han Duck-Soo said he respected the decision by parliament. The country’s deputy prime minister has moved up and become acting president.
Hospital: The Gaza Health Ministry says that Israeli troops burned a hospital in Gaza after forcing patients and doctors to get out of the building. Israel did not confirm the Gaza’s Health Ministry’s report but did note that it had attacked Hamas operatives that it said were using the hospital as a base of operations. The hospital has been targeted by Israel several times in the past.
Richard Parsons: Richard Parsons, who formerly was CEO of Time Warmer and who had a successful career in banking and finance has died at age 76. When Gerald Ford was in the White House Parsons served as associate director of the president’s economic advisory council. He served as chairman of Citigroup and also headed Dime Bancorp. He was active in various charities and helped raise almost $100 million for the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Putin: Russian President Vladimir Putin held a news conference yesterday and allowed Russian citizens to telephone their questions. Putin said he is winning the war in Ukraine and said that he is ready for talks with Donald Trump. Putin said he did not know when he and Trump might meet but he is ready to do so at any time. Putin said he has not met with deposed Syrian dictator al-Assad who was given asylum in Russia.