Brazil's Bolsonaro leaves hospital and returns to jail in capital Brasilia

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Former Brazilian PresidentJair Bolsonaroleft a hospital in capital Brasilia on Thursday, a week after he underwent a double hernia surgery. A car took the embattled ex-leader back to the federal police headquarters where he is serving his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup d'etat aimed at keeping him in office.

Hospital DF Star confirmed Bolsonaro was released after some other minor medical procedures after the double hernia surgery that was completed without complications.

Brazil's Supreme Court approved the release of the former president, who governed from 2019 to 2022, for the surgery.

Supreme Court JusticeAlexandre de Moraes, who sentenced Bolsonaro to prison, denied the former president's request for house arrest after he leaves the hospital.

Bolsonaro has undergone several other medical procedures since he was stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign rally in 2018.

Bolsonaro has no contact with the few other inmates at the federal police headquarters in Brasilia, where he is held and where his 12-square-meter (around 130-square-foot) room has a bed, a private bathroom, air conditioning, a television and a desk.

In December, Bolsonaro shook Brazilian politics again by appointing his eldest son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, to become his political party'spresidential candidate in next year's election, challenging incumbentLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Neither Flávio Bolsonaro nor former first-lady Michelle Bolsonaro made comments about the former leader returning to prison after his hospitalization.

Michelle Bolsonaro said in her social media channels that "there is a Brazil of good people which loves you and prays for you."

"We will beat the bad days," she wrote.

Bolsonaro and several of his allieswere convicted in Septemberby a panel of Supreme Court justices of attempting to overthrow Brazil's democratic system following his 2022 election defeat.

The plot included plans to kill Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and de Moraes. There was also a plan to encourage an insurrection in early 2023.

Bolsonaro was also convicted on charges that include leading an armed criminal organization and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Follow the AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

Brazil's Bolsonaro leaves hospital and returns to jail in capital Brasilia

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Former Brazilian PresidentJair Bolsonaroleft a hospital in capital Brasilia on Thursday, a week a...
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Coastal flooding and king tides in Northern California forecast

The new year is bringing warmer than normal temperatures across much of the U.S. including the Northern Rockies and Great Plains, whilecoastal California faces warningsfor a couple of feet of coastal flooding and storm surge through the weekend.

A strong system is forecast to arrive off California and the Pacific Northwest, bringing more heavy rain and mountain snows in the region, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Prediction Center.

The strong low pressure system is approaching with unfortunate timing, just as some of the highest astronomical tides of the year arrive along the Pacific Coast through the weekend. Coastal flood advisories are in effect along parts of the south central Oregon coast and northern California, including the Bay area, the National Weather Service has warned.

The low pressure system is forecast to bring strong southerly winds, generating storm surge that will help contribute to minor to moderate coastal floodingnear shorelines and tidal waterways around San Francisco Bay,and from north of Point Reyes southward to Big Sur along the coast.

In San Francisco, high tides are forecast to be more than 2 feet above normal on Saturday and nearly that high again on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 4, thanks to the front and the alignment of the Earth, Moon and Sun.

A similar forecast for coastal flooding is in effectalong Coos Bay, Oregonand the surrounding estuaries.

<p style=From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding, Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric river that officials have warned about for days.

People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A vehicle stands across flood waters flowing on a road after torrential rains in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab from a handout video. Flood waters flow as houses ad trees remain partially submerged after torrential rains in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab from a handout video. A helicopter flies over a flooded area after evacuating people stranded on the roof of a building in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Flood waters flow as houses remain partially submerged after torrential rains in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab from a handout video. People get into a helicopter after they were stranded on the roof of a building as floods partially submerged the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Cars drive through a large puddle at Cortez Street in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. A tree limb was left dangling on some wires on Orange Drive and Balboa Street in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Cars drive through a large puddle at the intersection of Cortez Street and Ventura Boulevard in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Steve Cruz, a Camarillo city worker, moves large chunks of a fallen tree off Santa Rosa Road after a major storm moved across Ventura County, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. A car drives through a flooded road on La Cienega Boulevard on Dec. 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A Heavy rain is seen from Kenneth Hahn Park blocking the view of the city skyline on Dec.24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A Workers cut and move a tree which fell at the Westfield Topanga shopping centre in the Canoga Park area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Shoppers walk through a parking lot on a rainy Christmas Eve morning at the Westfield Topanga shopping centre in the Canoga Park area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. A man checks the damage caused by driving through a flooded road on La Cienega Boulevard on Dec. 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A A car drives through a flooded road on La Cienega Boulevard on Dec. 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A Cars drive through puddles as heavy rain falls due to an atmospheric river, in an intersection in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. Cars drive through puddles as heavy rain falls due to an atmospheric river, in an intersection in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif. on Dec. 24, 2025. City workers try to remove a tree that felt on a wall next to the Hollywood Water Reserve on Dec.24, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. A major winter storm rolled into California on December 23, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through Christmas for much of the state, officials said. A Leticia Serafin (R) cooks tamales with her husband Paul Fonseca, center, and friend Pedro Jimenez, who holds up his phone light, ahead of the atmospheric river storm on Dec. 23, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. The couple lost their home of 25 years in the Eaton Fire and are residing in a donated travel trailer on their property as they make plans to rebuild. They make tamales every year to distribute to family and friends on Christmas Eve, and continued the tradition this year. A flood watch will be in effect for much of the region through Christmas Eve, with evacuation warnings in place for residents near recent burn areas. Meteorologists are calling for five straight days of precipitation, with the highest rainfall totals predicted for Christmas Eve, along with heavy snow in higher elevation mountain regions.

Strong atmospheric river brings floods, snow, high winds to California

From a short-lived tornado warning to flooding,Southern Californians' Christmas Eve is being shaped by the weather amid an atmospheric riverthat officials have warned about for days.People sit on the roof of a building while they are stranded during floods partially submerging the surrounding area in the aftermath of torrential rains, in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. December 24, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.

Severe thunderstorms are possible along the Oregon andCalifornia coasts on the weekend. From Friday night through Monday, a general 2-4 inches of rain is forecast, with locally higher amounts along the coast north of Los Angeles, AccuWeather reported on Jan. 1.

Therain could exacerbate already wet conditions in Californiafrom other recent rain. It rained on the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day for the first time in years, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department reportedrescuing more than 100 peopleand one dog from flooding on Christmas Eve.

Water floods down a gutter as parade attendees wear ponchos as they walk up Colorado Blvd in the rain before the start of the 137th Rose Parade on New Years Day in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2026.

The moisture also means snow in the Sierras, and AccuWeather reported it could lead to a long stretch of wintry conditions along the higher elevations of Interstate 80, possibly bringing several feet of snow to Donner Pass, enough to force the road to close.

Here is a detailed summary on the very wet start to the current water year through December across Southwest California.https://t.co/Q78445OgGh#CAwx#LARainpic.twitter.com/rlIP4fC1iO

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles)January 1, 2026

Warmer temperatures likely in Central U.S.

Far to the east, a warming trend could bring temperatures that range from 15-30 degrees above normal in the Plains, the weather service said.

Further east, more heavy lake effect snow is forecast across portions of the Great Lakes, in far northwest Pennsylvania and portions of western New York state. The weather service reported 16 inches of snow in Oswego, New York on New Year's Day.

Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has covered climate change, weather and other news for decades. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Coastal flooding in California, rare rain fell on Rose Bowl Parade

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

Coastal flooding and king tides in Northern California forecast

The new year is bringing warmer than normal temperatures across much of the U.S. including the Northern Rockies and Great...
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China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate

HONG KONG, Jan 2 (Reuters) - China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and ​devices from January 1 in new steps ‌to spur a flagging birth rate.

Condoms and contraceptive pills now ‌incur value-added tax of 13%, the standard rate for most consumer goods.

The move comes as Beijing struggles to boost birth rates in the world's second-largest economy. ⁠China's population fell ‌for a third consecutive year in 2024 and experts have cautioned the downturn will ‍continue.

China exempted childcare subsidies from personal income tax and rolled out an annual childcare subsidy last year, following ​a series of "fertility-friendly" measures in 2024, such as ‌urging colleges and universities to provide "love education" to portray marriage, love, fertility and family in a positive light.

Top leaders again pledged last month at the annual Central Economic Work Conference to promote "positive marriage and ⁠childbearing attitudes" to stabilise birth rates.

China's ​birth rates have been falling ​for decades as a result of the one-child policy China implemented from 1980 to ‍2015, and ⁠rapid urbanisation.

The high cost of childcare and education as well as job uncertainty and a slowing ⁠economy have also discouraged many young Chinese from getting ‌married and starting a family.

(Reporting by Clare Jim; ‌Editing by Kate Mayberry)

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate

HONG KONG, Jan 2 (Reuters) - China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and ​devices from Janu...
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dog rescue

A dog stranded on an island in South Carolina's Waccamaw River was successfully rescued by first responders Tuesday afternoon, and has since been reunited with its owner.

Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR) crews were dispatched to the Chris Anderson Landing off East Highway 9 in the Longs community after receiving reports of a dog in distress, alone on a river island.

dog rescue

The rescue operation involved boat crews from HCFR Station 40 (Hickory Grove) working alongside environmental officers from the Horry County Police Department. The team successfully reached the island, secured the dog with a leash, and transported the animal safely back to shore.

"The very agreeable dog was happy to be saved," HCFR officials reported on social media.

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

Dog Rescued From South Carolina River Island

A dog stranded on an island in South Carolina's Waccamaw River was successfully rescued by first responders Tuesday afternoon, and has...
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Russia puts death toll from Ukrainian strike on occupied village at 27. Kyiv rejects accusation

Russian authorities said Friday that the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike they said struck a café in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine's Kherson region rose to 27 people. Kyiv denied attacking civilian targets.

Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman of Russia's main criminal investigation agency, the Investigative Committee, said in a statement that a Ukrainian drone strike on a café and hotel in the village of Khorly, where at least 100 civilians were celebrating New Year's Eve overnight into Thursday, killed 27 people, including two minors. A total of 31, including five minors, were hospitalized with injuries.

A criminal probe on the charges of carrying out an act of terrorism has been opened, Petrenko said.

Kyiv denied attacking civilians. Spokesman of Ukraine's General Staff, Dmytro Lykhovii, told Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne on Thursday that Ukrainian forces "adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law" and "carry out strikes exclusively against Russian military targets, facilities of the Russian fuel and energy sector, and other lawful targets."

Lykhovii said that General Staff has published an explicit list of targets that the Ukrainian army struck on the night of New Year's Eve. The list did not include strikes on occupied parts of the Kherson region.

Lykhovii noted that Russia has repeatedly used disinformation and false statements to disrupt the ongoing peace negotiations.

The Associated Press could not independently verify claims made about the attack.

Russia's accusations against Ukraine come amid a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine. Earlier this week, Moscow alleged that Kyiv launched a long-range drone attack against a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in northwestern Russia overnight from Sunday to Monday.

Kyiv has called the allegations of an attack on Putin's residence a ruse to derail ongoing peace negotiations, which have ramped up in recent weeks on both sides of the Atlantic.

In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a peace deal was "90% ready" but warned that the remaining 10%, believed to include key sticking points such as territory, would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live."

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday that he, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law andadviser Jared Kushnerhad a "productive call" with the national security advisers of Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine "to discussadvancing the next stepsin the European peace process."

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia conducted what local authorities called "one of the most massive" drone attacks at Zaporizhzhia overnight.

At least nine Russian drones struck the city, damaging dozens of residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure, head of the regional administration, Ivan Fedorov, wrote on Telegram on Friday. There were no casualties, the official said.

Overall, Russia fired 116 long-range drones at Ukraine last night, according to Ukraine's Air Force, which said that 86 drones were intercepted, while 27 more have reached their targets.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported Friday that its air defenses intercepted 64 Ukrainian drones overnight over multiple Russian regions.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Russia's Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine, on Friday also accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out a missile strike on the city of Belgorod. Two women were hospitalized with injuries, Gladkov said. The strike shattered windows in multiple residential buildings and damaged an unspecified "commercial" facility and a number of cars, according to the official.

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

Russia puts death toll from Ukrainian strike on occupied village at 27. Kyiv rejects accusation

Russian authorities said Friday that the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike they said struck a café in a Russian-oc...
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A major snowstorm isn't in the cards to welcome 2026.

But on Jan. 2, 1999, 27 years ago today, parts of the upper Midwest and eastern Canada were in the throes of a blizzard that would dump up to 28 inches of snow in Lower Michigan.

In Chicago, what was already a disruptive snowstorm was boosted by winds flowing off Lake Michigan, enhancing snowfall and gusting up to 50 mph, producing blizzard conditions along the lakeshore.

O'Hare Airport totaled 21.6 inches of snow from Jan. 1-3, its second heaviest snowstorm on record behind only the historic Jan. 26-27, 1967, blizzard's 23-inch total. The 18.6 inches that fell on Jan. 2, alone, remains the city's heaviest calendar-day snowfall on record.

While this storm was spread out over several days of a holiday weekend, its impacts were disruptive. For the first time, Chicago's Lake Shore Drive was shut down by the storm. Hundreds of flights were canceled throughout the region, including 300 flights at both Midway and O'Hare Airports.

The storm was immediately followed by an Arctic cold outbreak that set the all-time cold record for the state of Illinois (minus 36 degrees in Congerville) on Jan. 5, according to the University of Wisconsin. Incidentally, thatstate record was topped 20 years laterduring the late January 2019 outbreak.

Chicago snowstorm January 1999

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him onBluesky,X (formerly Twitter)andFacebook.

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

On Today's Date: Chicago's Second Heaviest Snowstorm Rang In 1999

A major snowstorm isn't in the cards to welcome 2026. But on Jan. 2, 1999, 27 years ago today, parts of the upper Midwest and easter...
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India approves electronic component projects worth $4.6 billion

Jan 2 (Reuters) - India has approved projects worth 418.63 billion rupees ($4.64 billion) from a ​host of companies to boost domestic manufacturing ‌of electronic components under an incentive scheme, the country's ‌IT ministry said on Friday.

Global majors Samsung Electronics, Tata Electronics and Foxconn were among the companies whose projects were approved to receive government subsidies ⁠under the Electronics ‌Component Manufacturing Scheme, which has an outlay of 229.19 billion rupees. The ‍projects include the manufacture of enclosures for mobile phones, camera sub-assemblies and other components.

India has been stepping up ​efforts to boost electronics manufacturing, launching a ‌series of incentive programs to attract global and domestic investors, expand local manufacturing capacity, reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chains across multiple sectors.

India's electronics manufacturing sector produced goods worth $125 billion ⁠in the year to March ​2025. The government hopes ​to increase this to $500 billion by fiscal 2031.

The projects approved on Friday are spread ‍across eight ⁠states and are expected to produce parts worth 2.58 trillion rupees ($28.62 billion), while employing ⁠about 34,000 individuals, according to the IT ministry..

($1 = 90.1440 ‌Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; ‌Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)

byVincento Seyarto
in
January 02, 2026

India approves electronic component projects worth $4.6 billion

Jan 2 (Reuters) - India has approved projects worth 418.63 billion rupees ($4.64 billion) from a ​host of companies to bo...
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