Several people were killed and many others were injured after a blast hit a luxury bar in Switzerland during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The explosion happened at Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, where large crowds had gathered. Police said the cause of the blast is still unknown. Some local media reports suggested fireworks at a concert may have triggered it, but officials have not confirmed this. Videos on social media showed heavy smoke rising from the building after the incident. A police spokesman said a helpline has been set up for families of those affected. Crans-Montana is a popular tourist destination in the Swiss Alps. (PC: IndiaToday)

Seven people have died and 149 have been admitted to hospitals in Indore after drinking contaminated water, officials said. Most patients reported vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration. Doctors said the deaths were caused by severe diarrhoea. The city mayor said some victims died after being taken to hospitals. A leak was found in the main water pipeline in Bhagirthpura, which runs under a toilet. Officials said this may have allowed sewage to mix with drinking water. Two civic officials were suspended and one engineer was removed. A survey of over 2,700 homes was carried out and about 12,000 people were examined. A three-member panel is probing the incident. (PC: HT)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a peace deal with Russia is “90% ready” in a New Year address to the nation. He said the final part of the agreement would decide the future of Ukraine and Europe. Zelensky said Ukraine wants an end to the war, but not “at any cost”. He warned that giving up the eastern Donbas region would end the country’s independence. Russia controls large parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, known as Donbas. Moscow said it may review talks after claiming Ukraine used drones to target a residence of President Vladimir Putin, a charge Kyiv has denied. Talks with US and European officials are ongoing. (PC: BBC)

Zohran Mamdani took oath as New York City mayor just after midnight on Thursday at the closed City Hall subway station in Manhattan. He placed his hand on the Quran during the ceremony, becoming the first Muslim and Indian-origin person to lead America’s largest city. Mamdani is a Democrat and was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The station, now decommissioned, is among the city’s oldest subway stops and is known for its arched ceilings. In a short address, Mamdani said it was “the honour and the privilege of a lifetime” to serve the people of New York City. (PC: India Today)

Shares of major Indian tobacco firms fell sharply on January 1, 2026, after the government announced a new excise duty on cigarettes set to take effect from February 1. The finance ministry’s order imposes levies ranging from ₹2,050 to ₹8,500 per 1,000 cigarettes depending on length, on top of the existing 40% Goods and Services Tax, significantly raising costs for producers and smokers. ITC’s stock dropped over 4% and Godfrey Phillips fell around 8%, marking notable declines in the market as investors reacted to the expected impact on sales and profitability. The tax change is part of broader efforts to curb tobacco use and increase revenue. (PC: Reuters)

Indian government officials have firmly rejected claims by China and the United States that either played a mediating role in ending the May 2025 India-Pakistan military standoff following Operation Sindoor. New Delhi reiterated that the May 10 ceasefire was the result of direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with no third-party intervention involved. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently listed the India-Pakistan conflict among global disputes Beijing said it mediated—a claim India dismissed as inaccurate. India’s longstanding policy opposes external mediation in bilateral security matters with Pakistan.

New research shows air pollution is chemically degrading India’s historic monuments, with pollutants from vehicles, factories and power plants reacting with stone surfaces to form damaging black crusts and corrode architectural details. At the Red Fort in Delhi, sulphation processes on sandstone are turning its iconic red façade black, while erosion also threatens other sites like Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal, which has long suffered discoloration due to pollution. Experts warn that without stronger emissions control and conservation efforts, these cultural treasures will continue to lose structural integrity and aesthetic value, imperiling India’s heritage for future generations. (PC: AFP)

A severe cold wave and dense fog gripped northern and eastern India as the New Year began, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing warnings across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha, disrupting travel and daily life. Dense to very dense fog reduced visibility, affecting road, rail and air services, with numerous flight cancellations and delays reported. Widespread cold day conditions are forecast to continue, while several states extended school closures due to safety concerns amid plunging temperatures and heavy fog. Authorities have urged precautions as winter chills persist. (PC: HT)

A magisterial inquiry into the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire in Goa, which killed 25 people on December 6, 2025, found document forgery, licence violations and illegal construction were key factors in the tragedy. The report revealed the club was built illegally on protected salt pan land and operated without a valid trade licence after March 2024, yet authorities failed to shut it down. Local officials, including the panchayat secretary, allegedly colluded with the owners, issuing licences with forged paperwork and ignoring regulatory lapses. The inquiry highlighted serious governance failures, environmental violations and systemic negligence that allowed the unsafe venue to function and endanger lives. 

A wild elephant in a national park reacted strongly upon seeing a camera installed to monitor wildlife. In a viral 28-second video shared by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan, the elephant charges at the device and knocks it over, seemingly annoyed by the unnatural setup in its space. Kaswan joked on X that “privacy is important,” highlighting the animal’s awareness. The camera, part of a network of about 210 units used for habitat and population studies, survived the encounter and captured the footage. The clip amazed social media users, who praised the elephant’s intelligence and behavior.