Russian Sukhoi plane on fire in Türkiye
On the evening of November 24, a Sukhoi Superjet 100 of Azimuth Airlines (Russia) caught fire when landing at Antalya Airport, Turkey, after a flight from Sochi. The fire started in an engine as the plane approached the parking spot, in adverse weather conditions.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and safely evacuated 87 passengers and four crew members. The runway was temporarily closed and incoming flights were diverted. No injuries were reported.
Russia and Iran declare completion of de-dollarization
Russia and Iran have officially abandoned the use of the US dollar in bilateral transactions, replacing it entirely with rubles and rials. Iran's Central Bank Governor Mohammad-Reza Farzin announced at the Modern Banking and Payment Systems Conference in Tehran on November 25 that this was a move to counter "unjust sanctions".
The two countries have also linked their national payment systems, allowing the use of domestic debit cards in both countries. Bilateral trade relations continue to grow strongly, with transaction volumes increasing significantly this year.
Trump team considers direct negotiations with North Korea
President-elect Donald Trump's team is considering direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to reduce the risk of armed conflict, according to Reuters. The initial goal is to re-establish basic interaction and break the ice in relations.
While Trump has not made a final decision, sources said he has appointed Alex Wong as deputy national security adviser, a sign of his intention to restore diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, which were interrupted during President Joe Biden's term.
Snowstorms and cold air sweep across Asia
Heavy snowstorms and cold air have caused severe impacts in South Korea and China. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, witnessed the biggest November snowstorm in 52 years with 20-26 cm of snow, causing hundreds of flight cancellations, traffic disruptions and at least two deaths.
In China, Heilongjiang province saw record snowfall, with as much as 48cm of snow in Hegang. Temperatures in many parts of the country's northeast dropped by more than 10 degrees Celsius. Authorities warned people to be on guard against the extreme weather and to ensure their safety.
