Plane Catches Fire on Landing at Canadian Airport

"The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating an incident involving a plane at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which one passenger described as a rough landing that sparked flames. Airport spokesperson Tiffany Chase said an Air Canada Express flight operated by PAL Airlines, arriving from St. John’s, Newfoundland, experienced an incident upon landing at approximately 9:30 p.m." Breitbart

Russia launches New Year’s Eve attacks on Ukraine

"Russia launched overnight combined attack across Ukraine, with ballistic strikes hitting Kyiv and the city of Shostka, Sumy Oblast. Russian forces targeted the Shostka municipality in Sumy Oblast with missiles launched from Tu-22 bombers. A massive air raid alert covered all of Ukraine, with threats of ballistic missile strikes reported as early as 02:58." NV

Satellite Images Show Rapid Chinese Build-Up In Disputed Border Area

"China has reportedly constructed new military outposts in the Tawang Valley, according to an analysis of high-resolution satellite images from December 19 obtained by open-source intelligence teams.

The satellite analysis indicates the presence of three new outposts in the region. These positions are strategically located to restrict Indian patrol routes in three directions, effectively reducing the extent of patrol areas claimed by Indian forces.
The Tawang Valley has long been a flashpoint in the broader Sino-Indian border dispute. Located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it has been a site of frequent tensions and standoffs between the two countries’ militaries. Both sides agreed to disengage following heightened tensions earlier in the year, with each withdrawing troops from forward positions.
However, the latest developments indicate that China has leveraged the disengagement period to fortify positions behind the LAC. Analysts believe these outposts are designed to provide a tactical advantage by monitoring and restricting Indian troop movements in the area." ZH

Russia, Ukraine swap more than 300 POWs in deal mediated by UAE

"Russia and Ukraine have swapped more than 300 prisoners of war (POWs) in an exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates in advance of New Year’s Eve, officials from both countries said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday said it swapped 150 Ukrainian prisoners, while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenksy said 189 Ukrainians had returned home." AJ

153 clashes on front line

"153 combat clashes occurred between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the Russian invaders at the front, with the hottest situation in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Lyman, and Vremivka sectors.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attacked twice near Vovchansk and Lyptsi. According to preliminary estimates, the Ukrainian forces neutralized 43 invaders, destroyed a tank, artillery system, anti-tank weapon, three vehicles, 18 UAVs, and two enemy communication devices, and also significantly damaged an artillery system and two vehicles.

In the Kupiansk sector, Russians attempted to advance 16 times toward the Ukrainian positions near Holubivka, Stepanova Novoselivka, Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove. Currently, six clashes are ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, the invaders attacked 19 times in the areas of Kopanky, Nadiia, Novoiehorivka, Makiivka, Ivanivka, and Terniv. Six clashes are still ongoing, while others were stopped by the Ukrainian forces.
In the Siversk sector, the Russian forces attempted to breach the Ukrainian defense one time during the day near Bilohorivka but were repelled.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy activity resulted in ten combat clashes near Chasiv Yar and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, Russians attempted to push the Ukrainian units from their positions near Shcherbynivka and Toretsk, where Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled three attacks. Eight clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kurakhove sector, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian positions near Petropavlivka, Slovianka, Shevchenko, and Kurakhove. So far, the Ukrainian forces have repelled 13 attacks, while five clashes are still ongoing.
In the Vremivka sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled attacks near Yantarne, Uspenivka, Vremivka, and toward Kostiantynopil and Novosilka —11 attacks were repelled, and five are ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted to break through toward Novoandriivka twice but suffered losses and retreated.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their operations in Russia’s Kursk region, where the Ukrainian defenders have repelled 17 attacks by invaders." Ukrin

China Hacks the U.S. Treasury

"On Monday, a report was released that a Chinese hacker gained access to the U.S. Treasury

Department. According to the report, this was a state-sponsored attack, and the hacker was affiliated with the Chinese government. Although the announcement was made on Monday, Fox News said officials learned about the breach on December 8..... the department explained that the hacker infiltrated Treasury's system through access to a key used by the vendor to secure a cloud-based service used to remotely provide technical support for Treasury Departmental Offices (DO) end users. With access to the stolen key, the threat actor was able to override the service’s security, remotely access certain Treasury DO user workstations, and access certain unclassified documents maintained by those users." PJM

Kenyans protest in Nairobi for end to abductions targeting government critics

"Kenyan protesters took to the streets of Nairobi on Monday, calling for an end to abductions targeting government critics.

Police threw tear gas at demonstrators in a bid to disperse the crowd; opposition politician Senator Okiya Omtatah and several others were arrested.
Among the hundreds who had taken to the streets of Nairobi were relatives of those who have disappeared.
The Kenyan National Commission on Human rights has voiced concerns over a growing number of government critics who are thought to have been abducted.
According to the commission, 82 people have been abducted since demonstrations against the government in June.
Rights groups accuse Kenya’s police force of being responsible; police have denied the allegations, and insist that they are looking into the disappearances." AN