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20 Turkish Soldiers Killed in Georgia Military Plane Crash

Members of emergency services work at the site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane crash near the Azerbaijani border, in Sighnaghi municipality, Georgia. Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced that 20 soldiers were killed when a military transport plane crashed in Georgia . The aircraft, a C-130 cargo plane, had departed from Azerbaijan and was en route to Turkey when communication was lost shortly after takeoff. Georgian emergency teams reported that 18 bodies were recovered at the crash site , with search operations continuing to locate the remaining victims. Witnesses shared footage showing the plane breaking apart mid-air before spiraling down into farmland near the Azerbaijani border. This tragedy is Turkey’s deadliest military aviation accident in recent years . Both Turkish and Georgian authorities have launched investigations, and officials confirmed that the aircraft’s black box has been recovered . President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to the families...

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A Symbol of Hope: Tiny Christmas Tree Amidst Church Ruins in Lebanon

 

In the southern Lebanese town of Dardghaya, amidst the ruins of the 18th-century St. George Melkite Catholic Church, a tiny Christmas tree now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. The church, devastated by an Israeli airstrike in October, once served as a vibrant community center. 

Georges Elia, a 40-year-old municipal worker and churchgoer, took it upon himself to bring some normalcy to the holiday season. "This year, Christmas is arriving with sadness for us, but we didn't want it to be a sad one for the town's residents and its church," Elia said. 

The modest tree, shorter than Elia himself, is decorated with a shining garland and a star. Despite the lack of lights and a traditional Nativity scene due to the war's destruction, the tree stands tall among the fallen stones and shattered pews. "But, of course, Christ is born in our hearts, lit with our love for him," Elia added.

The church's priest, Father Maurice el Khoury, who has served for 11 years, conducts Sunday Mass in a small underground room that once housed visiting bishops. "This room is more like the cave where Jesus was born," he said, reminding families of the true essence of the holiday season.

The community's faith remains unshaken, and despite the staggering financial toll of the damage, estimated at nearly $3 million, they continue to celebrate Christmas with hope and love.



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