Netflix released the final episode of Stranger Things at 01:00 GMT on Thursday, ending the show’s 10-year run. The two-hour finale caused heavy traffic and briefly slowed Netflix servers for some users. Fans also watched the episode at special cinema events held in several US and Canadian cities, where cast members made appearances. The series, set in the town of Hawkins, began in 2016 and starred Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder and David Harbour. The final chapter showed the last fight against Vecna and the Mind Flayer and included an epilogue set 18 months later, offering closure to most main characters. (PC: BBC)

Marriage to a US citizen is no longer a sure way to get a Green Card, says American immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein. He said officials now check if couples really live together and share daily life. Applications are under tighter review, with more focus on genuine relationships. Couples who stay apart, even for work or study, may face rejection. Bernstein said officers do not rely only on legal papers and can open fraud checks if spouses do not share a home. US Citizenship and Immigration Services reviews the full relationship to see if the marriage was in good faith and not only for immigration benefit.

Indian Railways will soon launch the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the Guwahati–Kolkata route. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the service within 15 to 20 days. The train is built for long trips over 1,000 km and has cleared all safety and speed tests. It reached 180 kmph during trials on the Kota–Nagda section. The 16-coach rake will have modern sleeper berths, CCTV, automatic doors and fire systems. The 3AC fare is about ₹2,300, with higher fares for 2AC and First AC. (PC: India Today)

A devastating explosion and blaze ripped through the “Le Constellation” bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana around 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, killing dozens of people and injuring about 100 more, Swiss authorities said. The venue was crowded with revelers, many from abroad, when the incident occurred. Emergency services, including helicopters and ambulances, responded as hospitals filled with severe burn victims. Officials have ruled out terrorism and launched an investigation into the cause, which remains unclear. A no-fly zone has been imposed and support centers established for affected families. �

Even as China conducted large-scale military drills — including live-fire exercises and simulated blockades dubbed “Justice Mission 2025” — around Taiwan’s coast, everyday life largely went on as usual for residents, Al Jazeera reports. Many locals carried on routines like socialising and working without disruption, reflecting an enduring normalization of cross-strait tensions. While the exercises underscored Beijing’s growing assertiveness over Taiwan, they did not visibly alter civilian activities. The drills, widely covered in media and discussed online, highlight persistent geopolitical friction as China asserts claims over Taiwan, which it views as part of its territory. (PC: Al Jazeera)

At least seven people have died and 149 more were hospitalised in Indore after drinking contaminated tap water, mainly in the Bhagirathpura area, officials said. Preliminary investigations indicate that a leak in a main water pipeline beneath a toilet allowed sewage to mix with drinking water, triggering severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration among residents. Local authorities have suspended and dismissed several municipal officials and launched an inquiry. The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered free treatment for patients and promised compensation for victims’ families. Residents had reported foul-smelling water days before the outbreak, raising concerns about infrastructure neglect and public health safeguards.

At least 40 people were killed and around 100 others injured after an explosion caused a major fire at a luxury bar in Switzerland on New Year’s Eve, officials said. The blast occurred in the basement of Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana. More than 150 people were inside at the time. Swiss police said the incident is being treated as a fire and not a terror attack, adding the toll could only be described as “tens”. The cause remains unknown, though local media cited possible fireworks during a concert. Hospitals in the area were overwhelmed with burn victims. An investigation is underway. (PC: X)

Most of the world has now welcomed 2026 after fireworks and public events across major cities. New York marked the new year with the Times Square ball drop, while Dubai lit up the Burj Khalifa. London, Paris, Sydney and Beijing also held large shows. However, a few Pacific islands were still in 2025 for several hours. Niue Island was due to reach midnight at 11:00 GMT. By 12:00 GMT, the uninhabited Baker Island in the central Pacific would become the last place to enter 2026. At the same time, parts of Kiribati were already into January 2 due to wide time gaps. (PC: BBC)

A 50-year-old Hindu man was badly injured after he was attacked by a mob and set on fire in Bangladesh, police said. The incident took place on December 31 in Shariatpur district. The victim, Khokon Das, was on his way home when a group of people stopped him. He was beaten with sharp weapons and later set ablaze, officials said. Local residents rushed him to a hospital, where he is being treated for serious burn injuries. Police have started an investigation to identify those involved. No arrests were reported at the time of writing. Authorities said security has been stepped up in the area. (PC: NDTV)

A 25-year-old woman was gang raped and badly hurt in Faridabad after she accepted a lift in a white Eeco van, police said. The attack took place late Monday night on the Gurugram–Faridabad road. The woman was driven to a lonely stretch, assaulted for hours and then thrown from the moving vehicle near Raja Chowk. She is in the ICU of a private hospital. Doctors said she has a fractured eye socket, a broken and dislocated shoulder, and deep cuts on her face that needed stitches. Two men were arrested and sent to judicial custody. Police are probing the case. (PC: HT)