Russian drone swarm continues New Year assault on Kyiv

Russia continued its assault on Ukraine's infrastructure in Kyiv with a swarm of explosive drones throughout Monday morning.

Russia's attacks on Kyiv have been relentless since New Year's Eve. Russia followed up its holiday missile attack with drones that flew into the city just after midnight on Monday morning. Air-raid sirens blared and at least two explosions were heard in the heart of Kyiv, according to The New York Times.

Russia has made relentless use of the Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones since the fall. The drones have an extensive range and explode on impact.

Ukrainian air defenses routinely shoot down most of the drones on approach to their targets, the sheer volume of strikes allows some to detonate.

MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS ROCK EASTERN UKRAINE CITY OF KHARKIV

Ukraine largely uses U.S.-supplied anti-air defenses to protect its major cities. The U.S. has granted tens of billions of dollars in military aid to the country.

AIR FORCE TO END BASIC TRAINING 'BEAST WEEK' IN FAVOR OF 36-HOUR FIELD TRAINING

The flow of weapons has put a strain on U.S. stockpiles, and Congress passed a massive budget granting the Pentagon nearly $900 billion to refit.

The traditional measure of U.S. military readiness has been its capacity to supply and carry out two major conflicts in separate areas of the globe. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan argued in December that U.S. support for Ukraine has revealed weaknesses in that readiness.

"We went through six years of Stingers in 10 months," Raytheon CEO Greg Hayes told NYT. "So it will take us multiple years to restock and replenish."

The U.S. has sent nearly $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine since February, and there are plans to send much more. The aid is such that President Biden's administration is struggling to keep track of how the aid is being used. The volume of U.S. aid to the country has given rise to some skeptics within the Republican Party, who are calling for greater accountability.

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Kim Jong Un fires North Korea’s top military official

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un removed his top military leader last week during an annual end-of-year meeting with the nation's highest officials.

Pak Jong Chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was the second most powerful military official in the country, behind only Kim himself. He was replaced by one Ri Yong Gil during a series of meetings with the Commission and Kim's Central Committee.

Pak was seen seated with other commission members early on in a meeting last week, but his seat then went unoccupied. He was also not present in official photos Kim's regime released from the event, according to Reuters.

The leadership shakeup comes as Kim is growing increasingly aggressive with ballistic missile tests, having launched dozens throughout last year.

SOUTH KOREA FIRES WARNING SHOTS, SCRAMBLES AIRCRAFT AFTER NORTH KOREAN DRONES CROSS BORDER

The U.S., South Korea and Japan have all ramped up military activity in the region as a result, leading to more aggressive language coming out of Pyongyang. The country focused heavily on Japan's recently announced plan to bolster its military spending.

"Japan's foolish attempt to satiate its black-hearted greed – the building up of its military invasion capability with the pretext of a legitimate exercise of self-defense rights – cannot be justified and tolerated," a foreign ministry spokesman told state media in December.

AIR FORCE TO END BASIC TRAINING 'BEAST WEEK' IN FAVOR OF 36-HOUR FIELD TRAINING

North Korea has long attacked Japan for the atrocities it committed throughout Asia prior to and during the world wars. The country now argues Japan seeks a return to its colonial ambitions through its alliance with the U.S.

Japan's renewed emphasis on its military is focused on not only North Korea but China as well. China also has grown increasingly aggressive toward Taiwan and has refused to acknowledge its lack of sovereignty in areas of the South China Sea.

The U.S. and its allies in the region have sought to prepare Taiwan for a potential invasion, with some threatening potential military intervention.

At least one of North Korea's ballistic missiles flew over the island of Japan, and China conducted weeks of military exercises last year in an apparent trial run for invading Taiwan.

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Brazil's Lula inaugurated as new president after Bolsonaro reportedly fled to Florida home of MMA fighter

Brazilian leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in as president on Sunday with his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro notably absent. 

Bolsonaro, now lacking presidential immunity, reportedly departed for the United States on Friday still without conceding defeat since October’s election. Bolsonaro reportedly plans to stay in Florida for at least a month, according to the New York Times, renting the Orlando home of a professional mixed-martial-arts fighter a few miles from Disney World.

In a speech to Brazil’s Congress Sunday, Lula went after the outgoing president of Latin America’s largest country, accusing Bolsonaro of wielding anti-democratic threats following the most fraught election in a generation and promising to hold members of his administration to account. 

"We do not carry any spirit of revenge against those who tried to subjugate the nation to their personal and ideological designs, but we will guarantee the rule of law," Lula said, according to Reuters, without mentioning Bolsonaro by name. "Those who erred will answer for their errors."

BRAZIL'S BOLSONARO TELLS SUPREME COURT ELECTION 'IS OVER’ 

"Under the winds of redemocratization, we used to say, ‘Dictatorship never again,’" he added, according to the Times. "Today, after the terrible challenge we’ve overcome, we must say, ‘Democracy forever.’"

Lula, once forced into political hiatus while serving 580 days in prison on corruption charges before the country’s Supreme Court later threw out the convictions, vowed Sunday that in his new third term as president he would tackle deforestation and climate change and invoke stricter gun restrictions. He also criticized Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reportedly left 680,000 Brazilian dead. "The responsibilities for this genocide must be investigated and must not go unpunished," Lula said.

At his elaborate inauguration -- which included a motorcade, music festival and hundreds of thousands of supporters filling the central esplanade of the capital of Brasília – Lula announced that he accepted a presidential green-and-yellow sash from "the Brazilian people." 

Breaking tradition, a garbage collector handed the sash to the incoming president because outgoing Bolsonaro wasn’t there to do so. 

"We look forward to continuing the strong U.S.-Brazil partnership in trade, security, sustainability, innovation, and inclusion," Biden administration U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted. "Here's to a bright future for our countries - and the world."

King Charles also congratulated Lula, saying in a letter that he was "encouraged to hear you emphasize the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis in your victory speech and at COP27."

A few hours before reports of his departure, Bolsonaro addressed the country as president on his social media. At times on the verge of tears, Bolsonaro said he wasn’t able to find a legal alternative or enough support to change the course of history and prevent his departure from office.

"How difficult it has been to stay quiet for two months, working to find alternatives," he said. "If you’re upset, put yourself in my place. I gave my life to this country."

Bolsonaro also condemned a recent bomb threat in Brasilia, saying it was not the time to attack people but rather to try to build opposition against the future government.

"We lost a battle, but we will not lose the war," he said. "The world does not end on Jan. 1."

A crowd of supporters stood outside the presidential residence in the pouring rain listening for a sign from their leader, and many were left disappointed. Some shouted the words "traitor" and "coward." One woman cried, according to The Associated Press. 

Since his electoral loss, some of Bolsonaro’s most die-hard supporters have been camping outside military buildings in Brasilia and elsewhere in the country, asking for the armed forces to intervene. Many believed election results were fraudulent or unreliable and hoped Bolsonaro would somehow remain in power.

Others have blocked roads and highways or set buses and trucks on fire. Police are also investigating the attempted invasion of the federal police’s headquarters in Brasilia earlier this month and said most of the 32 individuals they are looking for have had contacts with the Brasilia pro-Bolsonaro encampment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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At least 4 dead after helicopters collide on the Gold Coast near Sea World in Australia

At least four people are dead, and three others critically injured after two helicopters collided on Australia's Gold Coast near a Sea World theme park Monday afternoon.

Police said the crash drew emergency aid from beachgoers who had been enjoying the water during the southern summer. Police official Gary Worrell said people on Jet Skis, family boaters and others rushed to help.

Queensland Police confirmed the crash via Twitter, but did not provide details.

"Seaworld Drive in Main Beach has been closed off due to a helicopter crash. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to avoid the area," the agency said in its tweet.

MAN SURVIVES NEARLY 24 HOURS IN SHARK-INFESTED WATER BY CLINGING TO PIECE OF WOOD

The Queensland Ambulance Service said 13 patients were being assessed, according to 9News Australia. 

Police confirmed to the outlet that one of the helicopters was able to land successfully after the aircraft "came into contact with each other." 

Footage of the crash showed a helicopter shortly after takeoff being clipped by another helicopter flying over the water, according to the Associated Press.

Pictures and video from the scene show wreckage covering a sand island close to the coast. Numerous emergency personnel were seen on the sand island assisting with the incident.

AUSTRALIA OPPOSES UNESCO ADDING GREAT BARRIER REEF TO ENDANGERED LISTING

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called the accident an "unthinkable tragedy."

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was investigating the collision, chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

The Gold Coast region is at its busiest in January, the peak time for holidays in Australia's summer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Mexican border prison attack leaves 14 people dead, more than a dozen injured

Gunmen in armored vehicles attacked a state prison just across the border from El Paso early Sunday, killing 10 guards and four inmates, prosecutors said. 

Various armed vehicles arrived at the state prison in Ciudad Juarez at about 7 a.m. and opened fire at guards, the Chihuahua state prosecutor’s office said in a statement. 

Amid the chaos, an additional 13 people were wounded and at least 24 inmates escaped. 

Mexican soldiers and state police regained control of the prison later Sunday. The state prosecutor's office said its personnel were investigating.

MEXICAN AUTHORITIES FIND 4 HUMAN SKULLS IN PACKAGE BOUND FOR US

The state prison was the scene of a riot in August that spread to the streets of Juarez, resulting in nearly a dozen people dead. 

In that case, two inmates were killed inside the prison and then alleged gang members started shooting up the town, including killing four employees of a radio station who were doing a promotion at a restaurant.

Violence is frequent in Mexican prisons, including in some where authorities only maintain nominal control. Clashes regularly erupt among inmates in rival gangs, which in places like Juarez serve as proxies for drug cartels.

Shortly before Sunday's attack on the prison, municipal police were attacked and captured four men after a pursuit, according to the state prosecutor's office statement. Later, police killed two alleged gunmen traveling in an SUV.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Brazil's Silva sworn in, pledges to rebuild country, hold outgoing Bolsonaro admin accountable

For the third time, Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in as president, taking office amid heightened political tensions after a close race with the far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. 

In a speech in Congress’ Lower House, Lula promised to bring his country "hope and reconstruction." 

"The great edifice of rights, sovereignty and development that this nation built has been systematically demolished in recent years," he said. "To re-erect this edifice, we are going to direct all our efforts."

Though not naming Bolsonaro by name, he promised that members of his predecessor’s administration would be held accountable. 

FEDERAL POLICE IN BRAZIL SERVE SEARCH WARRANTS TARGETING PRESIDENT BOLSONARO'S SUPPORTERS FOLLOWING PROTESTS

"We do not carry any spirit of revenge against those who sought to subjugate the nation to their personal and ideological designs, but we are going to ensure the rule of law," Lula said. "Those who erred will answer for their errors, with broad rights to their defense within the due legal process."

The leftist defeated Bolsonaro in the Oct. 30 vote by less than 2 percentage points. For months, Bolsonaro had sown doubts about the reliability of Brazil's electronic vote and his loyal supporters were loath to accept the loss.

Many have gathered outside military barracks since, questioning results and pleading with the armed forces to prevent Lula from taking office. His most die-hard backers resorted to what some authorities and incoming members of Lula's administration labeled acts of "terrorism" – prompting security concerns about inauguration day events.

Lula has said his priorities are fighting poverty and investing in education and health. He has also said he will bring illegal deforestation of the Amazon to a halt. He sought support from political moderates to form a broad front and defeat Bolsonaro, then tapped some of them to serve in his Cabinet.

RUSSIA'S LAVROV FLAT OUT REJECTS ZELENSKY'S CONDITIONS FOR ‘PEACE FORMULA’

Lula left office with a personal approval rating of 83%, but political analysts doubt he will ever retain the popularity he once enjoyed. The credibility of Lula and his Workers' Party were also tarnished by a corruption investigation. Party officials were jailed, including Lula — whose convictions were later annulled on procedural grounds. The Supreme Court later ruled that the judge presiding over the case had colluded with prosecutors to secure a conviction.

Lula and his supporters have maintained he was railroaded. Others were willing to look past possible malfeasance as a means to unseat Bolsonaro and bring the nation back together.

But Bolsonaro's backers refuse to accept someone they view as a criminal returning to the highest office. And with tensions running hot, a series of events has prompted fear that violence could erupt on inauguration day.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Taliban: Kabul checkpoint bomb blast kills, wounds several

A bomb exploded near a checkpoint at Kabul’s military airport Sunday morning killing and wounding "several" people, a Taliban official said, the first deadly blast of 2023 in Afghanistan.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — has increased its attacks since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shiite minority.

The military airport is around 200 meters (219 yards) from the civilian airport and close to the Interior Ministry, itself the site of a suicide bombing last October that killed at least four people.

UN CONDEMNS TALIBAN BANS ON WOMEN, THREATENS TO SUSPEND CRITICAL AID

Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said the blast left several people dead and wounded. He gave no exact figures or further information about the bombing, saying details of an investigation will be shared later.

TALIBAN ORDERS NGOS TO BAN FEMALE EMPLOYEES FROM WORKING

Although Taliban security forces prevented photography and filming directly at the blast site, the checkpoint appeared damaged but intact. It is on Airport Road, which leads to high-security neighborhoods housing government ministries, foreign embassies and the presidential palace.

A spokesman for the Kabul police chief, Khalid Zadran, was not immediately available for comment.

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