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2 Dead and 19 Injured in Southern California Plane Crash

In this image taken from video, shows a gaping hole in a commercial building after a small plane crashed through the rooftop in Fullerton, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (KABC-7 via AP)
In this image taken from video, shows a gaping hole in a commercial building after a small plane crashed through the rooftop in Fullerton, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (KABC-7 via AP)
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2 Dead and 19 Injured in Southern California Plane Crash

In this image taken from video, shows a gaping hole in a commercial building after a small plane crashed through the rooftop in Fullerton, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (KABC-7 via AP)
In this image taken from video, shows a gaping hole in a commercial building after a small plane crashed through the rooftop in Fullerton, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (KABC-7 via AP)

Two people died and 19 were injured Thursday when a small plane crashed through the roof of a sprawling furniture manufacturing building in Southern California where at least 200 people were working, police said.
The people who died were believed to have been on the plane, while those injured were inside the building. The deceased victims will be identified after officials have contacted the next of kin, the Fullerton Police Department said in a statement.
Eleven people were taken to hospitals, while eight were treated and released at the scene, The Associated Press quoted police as saying. The injuries ranged from minor to very serious, said Michael Meacham, Fullerton deputy chief of fire operations.
Eliott Simpson, a National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident investigator, said the pilot asked for an immediate return to the airport at about 900 feet (274 meters) and the tower confirmed it could immediately land. The pilot did not say why he needed to return.
The plane crashed less than two minutes after taking off from the Fullerton Municipal Airport in Orange County, located 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Disneyland, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. The crash occurred about 1,000 feet (305 meters) short of Runway 24, Simpson said.
Security camera footage from Rucci Forged, a wheel manufacturer across the street, shows the plane was tilted on its side as it dove into the building, causing a fiery explosion and black plume of smoke.
Firefighters and police arrived on scene and battled the blaze and evacuated surrounding businesses, Fullerton police spokesperson Kristy Wells said.
Chris Villalobos, an airport operations worker, came to the warehouse to see what had happened after receiving a phone call about a plane going down nearby. He noted the airplane's owner was a regular at the airport and has frequently taken off from there.
“He has a hangar here and everything,” Villalobos said.
After taking off, the pilot told air traffic control he was going to turn around to make an emergency landing, but it was unclear what the issue with the plane was, Villalobos said.
The building struck by the plane was occupied by Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture upholstery manufacturer, according to a sign on a door. There appeared to be sewing machines and textile stock inside.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the accident and identified the plane as a single-engine, four-seat Van's RV-10. Simpson of the NTSB said the aircraft was built in 2011 and is a popular "kit-built airplane.”
The airport in Fullerton has one runway and a heliport. Metrolink, a regional train line, is nearby and flanks a residential neighborhood and commercial warehouse buildings.
The Fullerton City Council posted a statement on social media calling the crash a “solemn tragedy.”
“The City of Fullerton is committed to providing support for all those affected and working with the agencies involved to uncover the details of this incident,” Mayor Fred Jung said in the statement. “We are grateful for the strength of our community and the compassion we show one another in times of crisis.”
Another four-seat plane crashed into a tree a half-mile from the airport in November while making an emergency landing shortly after takeoff, The Orange County Register reported. Both people on board suffered moderate injuries.
Fullerton is a city of about 140,000 people about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles.

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Macron Affirms Trump Has ‘Solid Ally’ in France, Urges Realism from Ukraine over Territory

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members during the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, 06 January 2025. (EPA)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members during the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, 06 January 2025. (EPA)
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Macron Affirms Trump Has ‘Solid Ally’ in France, Urges Realism from Ukraine over Territory

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members during the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, 06 January 2025. (EPA)
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to the French Bakery and Pastry Federation members during the traditional Epiphany cake ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, 06 January 2025. (EPA)

French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was a "a solid ally” of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday as he outlined his vision for global diplomacy in 2025, while warning that France could lose the incoming US leader’s respect by being “weak and defeatist.”

“Donald Trump knows that he has a solid ally in France, an ally he does not underestimate, one who believes in Europe and carries a lucid ambition for the transatlantic relationship,” Macron said in a New Year's speech at the Élysée Palace, emphasizing France’s commitment to fostering cooperation while urging European nations to fortify their unity and resilience.

Last month, Trump visited Paris for the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, an event that underscored the enduring ties between France and the United States.

“If we decide to be weak and defeatist, there is little chance we will be respected by the United States under President Trump,” Macron warned.

The speech, delivered against a backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, laid out France’s foreign policy priorities, spanning the Ukraine war, European defense, and the Middle East.

Even as Macron expressed openness to Trump, he delivered pointed criticism of tech mogul Elon Musk, a known Trump ally, for promoting what he described as a “new reactionary international” movement through his social media platform, X.

Without naming Musk directly, Macron referenced his alleged support for Germany’s far-right AfD party and his increasing interference in European elections.

“Who could have imagined, 10 years ago, that the owner of one of the world’s largest social networks would intervene directly in elections, including in Germany?” Macron said. He warned of the risks posed by unchecked power in the hands of tech billionaires and the destabilizing impact they could have on democratic institutions.

Macron framed Musk’s influence as a challenge to Europe’s democratic values, reinforcing the need for European unity and resilience against external disruptions.

Call for realism and responsibility on Ukraine

Addressing the grinding war in Ukraine, Macron stressed the need for “realistic discussions on territorial questions,” adding, “such negotiations can only be conducted by Ukrainians themselves.”

He called on the United States to “help change the nature of the situation and convince Russia to come to the negotiating table,” while underscoring Europe’s pivotal role. “The Europeans will have to construct security guarantees for Ukraine, which will be primarily their responsibility,” he said.

Macron countered Trump’s campaign pledge for an express settlement, warning, “There is no quick and easy solution in Ukraine.” He also highlighted the stakes for the United States, stating, “The new American president himself knows the United States has no chance of winning anything if Ukraine loses.”

The French president further cautioned against compromise due to fatigue. “The credibility of the West will be shattered if we compromise because of fatigue,” he asserted, adding that a capitulation of Ukraine would be catastrophic—not just for Europe, but for US credibility as well.

Iran and Syria

Macron addressed a range of pressing international issues, identifying Iran as the “principal strategic and security challenge” in the Middle East. He pointed to Tehran’s accelerated nuclear program as a looming global threat, warning that the world is “perilously close to the breaking point.”

On Syria, Macron reiterated France’s long-term commitment to supporting a democratic transition, pledging to remain faithful to Kurdish fighters battling terrorism. “The fight against terrorism must remain central to our priorities,” he said, reaffirming France’s backing for allies like the Kurds while advocating for a “sovereign, pluralistic Syria.”

Europe’s defense and economic future

In a sharp critique of Europe’s dependence on US defense technology, Macron urged European nations to bolster their industrial capabilities.

“If we depend on the American industrial base for our security, we will face strategic dilemmas that are both cruel and culpable,” he warned.

Macron also addressed the EU-Mercosur trade deal that France continues to oppose, signaling his country's intent to push for coherent commitments. The proposed agreement, which aims to reduce tariffs and boost trade between the European Union and South American countries, has been criticized for its potential environmental and agricultural impacts.

“The mass is not said. We will continue to defend the coherence of our commitments,” Macron stated.

Macron’s remarks underscored France’s delicate balancing act on the global stage—collaborating with old allies while maintaining European sovereignty.