At least dozens of people died and about 100 were injured after a blast sparked a major fire at a luxury bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve. Police said the explosion happened in the basement of Le Constellation Bar and Lounge while more than 150 people were inside for celebrations. Authorities said the case is being treated as a fire and not a terror attack. The cause is still unknown, though local media mentioned fireworks during a concert. Hospitals in the area were flooded with burn patients. A family helpline was opened and a no-fly zone was placed over the resort. (PC: X)

New York City entered 2026 after the famous ball dropped at Times Square just before midnight. Large crowds gathered despite cold weather to watch the countdown. Cities across the US east coast, the Midwest and parts of Central America also marked the new year. Around the world, people in London, Edinburgh, Paris, Rio, Dubai and Sydney had already welcomed 2026. London held a major fireworks show along the River Thames, while Dubai lit up the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Other countries used drumming, bell ringing and light displays to celebrate. Cleanup crews began clearing confetti from Times Square soon after the event ended. (PC: BBC)

An Air India pilot was detained at Vancouver airport in Canada on December 23 after authorities raised concerns about his fitness for duty, delaying a Delhi-bound flight. Reports said a duty-free staff member alerted officials after noticing the smell of alcohol while the pilot was shopping. The pilot was taken for a breath test and later detained. Air India said the crew member was offloaded before departure and an alternate pilot was arranged to operate the flight. The airline said it is cooperating with local authorities and that the pilot has been removed from flying duties during the inquiry. It added that it follows a zero-tolerance policy and will take strict action if any rule violation is confirmed. (PC: NDTV)

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)