The Crans-Montana ski resort fire claimed around 40 lives and injured 115, prompting five days of national mourning and a massive emergency response, with witnesses recounting the horror and burn centers overwhelmed.

• Around 40 dead in Swiss ski resort bar fire, police say — BBC World -
• Witnesses Recount Fire That Killed 40 in Switzerland — New York Times World -
• Dozens Confirmed Dead in Fire at New Year’s Party in Swiss Alps — New York Times World -

• Switzerland’s burn centers are so overwhelmed that fire victims are being sent to other countries. — New York Times World -
• Australian among the injured in New Year’s Eve fire that killed 40 at Swiss ski resort — The Guardian -
• Swiss Alps Ski Resort Fire: What We Know — New York Times World -
• What we know about the Switzerland ski resort fire — BBC World -
• Bars, nightclubs and discos have been the sites of deadly fires. — New York Times World -
• A Deadly Blaze in Switzerland — New York Times World -
• Fire in Swiss Alps Leaves Dozens of New Year’s Revelers Dead — New York Times World -
• Here is the latest. — New York Times World -
• Switzerland resort fire latest news: 40 dead and 115 injured in Crans-Montana – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Switzerland to hold five days of mourning after 40 killed in resort fire — The Guardian -
• Survivors of Swiss Fire Search for News of the Victims — New York Times World -
• ‘It happened in seconds’: sudden inferno brings horror to Swiss ski resort — The Guardian -
• Crans-Montana is a Historic Swiss Ski Resort Town Popular With International Tourists — New York Times World -
• Le Constellation bar fire in Switzerland: what we know so far — The Guardian -
• About 40 killed and 115 injured in fire at bar in Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana — The Guardian -
• Crans-Montana Bar Fire Victims Transported Across Switzerland for Treatment — New York Times World -
• BBC reports from the scene of Swiss resort bar fire — BBC World -
• Several Dead After Explosion and Fire at New Year’s Party in Switzerland — New York Times World -

Iran protests turned deadly due to economic pressures, Venezuela freed political prisoners amidst ongoing international pressure, Ukraine faced a drone strike and troops doubted the end of war, while Guinea's coup leader won a contested election, and US allies clashed in Yemen.

• Venezuela Frees Dozens of Political Prisoners — New York Times World -
• Iran Protests Turn Deadly as Violence and Anger Spread — New York Times World -
• Guinea’s Coup Leader Wins Election After Barring Leading Opponents — New York Times World -

• New year drone strike kills 24 in Russian-occupied Ukraine, Moscow says — The Guardian -
• Russia Asks United States to Stop Pursuit of Fleeing Oil Tanker — New York Times World -
• Another New Year at War: Ukraine’s Troops Doubt It Will Be the Last — New York Times World -
• How Two Powerful U.S. Allies Came to Blows in Yemen — New York Times World -
• Two killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in Iran — BBC World -
• Two people confirmed dead as Iran protests turn into ‘battlefield’ — The Guardian -
• Iran security force member killed during protests, officials say — BBC World -
• Bangladeshis Pay Last Respects to Former Leader in Tense Capital — New York Times World -
• Iran security force member killed during protests, official says — BBC World -
• Zelensky says peace deal is 90% ready in New Year address — BBC World -
• Australian man reportedly killed fighting with Ukrainian forces against Russia — The Guardian -
• Suicide Bomber in Syria Kills Security Officer in New Year’s Eve Attack — New York Times World -

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's first Muslim mayor, promising a new era and audacious governance, as Trump's health was discussed, a gender-affirming care ban faced legal challenge, and abortion's priority for Democratic voters seemed to shift.

• South Park writer buys ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ domain name — The Guardian -
• Zohran Mamdani vows to govern New York ‘expansively and audaciously’ after being sworn in by Bernie Sanders –as it happened — The Guardian -
• Zohran Mamdani promises ‘new era’ for New York City in first speech as mayor — The Guardian -

• Social media fuelled Mamdani's rise. Can he keep the momentum as New York mayor? — BBC World -
• Trump says he takes more aspirin than recommended but his ‘health is perfect’ — The Guardian -
• Abortion may no longer be a top priority for Democratic voters ahead of 2026 midterms, polls show — The Guardian -
• Trump rings in 2026 at Mar-a-Lago with $2.75m auction of Jesus painting — The Guardian -
• US federal employees file complaint against ban on gender-affirming care — The Guardian -
• Zohran Mamdani is now mayor of New York City. Here’s what he campaigned on — The Guardian -
• Zohran Mamdani sworn in as mayor of New York City — The Guardian -
• Zohran Mamdani sworn in as first Muslim New York City Mayor — BBC World -
• Zohran Mamdani sworn in as first Muslim New York City Mayor — BBC World -
• Zohran Mamdani sworn in as first Muslim New York City Mayor — BBC World -
• Lauren Boebert claims Trump’s veto of safe drinking water bill is retaliation — The Guardian -

The UK confronted a rise in small boat crossings, Labour faced calls for a party reset, and ministers felt pressure to restrict gambling ads, while a police officer mourned his family killed in a fire, calls for child blood pressure testing increased, and hundreds of Blackpool families faced eviction.

• Birmingham revellers turn out for non-existent fireworks – for second new year in a row — The Guardian -
• ‘Shameful’ 41,000 people reached UK by small boat last year, says Home Office — The Guardian -
• Labour needs complete ‘reset’ to defeat Reform UK threat, says strategist — The Guardian -

• UK law firms get ready for crackdown on money laundering — The Guardian -
• Call for routine high blood pressure testing of UK children as cases almost double — The Guardian -
• New discovery may challenge theory Vikings built first Irish towns - researcher — BBC World -
• Snow and ice forecast for large parts of UK in new year cold snap — The Guardian -
• Forget Keanu: Ulster Scots translation of Beckett classic takes on spate of celebrity Godots — The Guardian -
• UK ministers face increased pressure to restrict gambling ads — The Guardian -
• Police officer pays tribute to his wife and two children killed in Gloucestershire fire — The Guardian -
• Hundreds of Blackpool families to be evicted in ‘mass dispersion’ of vulnerable people — The Guardian -
• ‘It’s a matter of time before a farmer is seriously injured’: on the trail of hare coursers in Wiltshire — The Guardian -
• Children in England to be offered vaccines in their own homes — The Guardian -

Business leaders called for a royal commission after the Bondi attack, four water-related deaths occurred on the east coast, house prices were projected to rise, and the beef industry expressed disappointment over **China's 55% import tariff**.

• Business leaders and Catholic bishops join call for royal commission after Bondi attack — The Guardian -
• Irish man found dead at famous Whitehaven beach among four deaths on Australia’s east coast — The Guardian -
• Australian house prices expected to rise at least 5% in 2026 after jump last year — The Guardian -

• Perth teenager charged after allegedly throwing firecracker that sparked New Year’s Eve bushfire — The Guardian -
• Australian beef industry ‘extremely disappointed’ after China hits imports with 55% tariff — The Guardian -

An historic Amsterdam church was ravaged by fire on New Year's Day, Netherlands police faced unprecedented New Year's violence, an Irish man was found dead at Whitehaven beach, a Perth teenager was charged with sparking a bushfire, and a Disney worker was injured by a fake boulder.

• Netherlands police face 'unprecedented' New Year's violence — BBC World -
• A Monumental Church in Amsterdam Is Ravaged by Flames on New Year’s Day — New York Times World -
• Watch: Historic Amsterdam church engulfed by fire on New Year's Eve — BBC World -

• Watch: Historic Amsterdam church engulfed by fire on New Year's Eve — BBC World -
• US military says five killed in latest strike on alleged drug boats — BBC World -
• Disney worker hurt stopping 180-kg fake boulder from hitting audience — BBC World -
• Disney worker hurt stopping 180-kg fake boulder from hitting audience — BBC World -
• Teen who died after falling 150 metres from California's Mt Baldy identified — BBC World -
• Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after Nigeria car crash — BBC World -

Saudi Arabia's executions hit a record high, Norway saw a rise in abuse reports ahead of a royal family member's trial, Russian documents detailing military abuse were exposed, and Israel allowed "dual-use" items into Gaza for traders but not aid.

• Two charities that received £1.1m from Sackler Trust kept anonymous to prevent ‘serious prejudice’ — The Guardian -
• Executions in Saudi Arabia hit highest number on record in 2025 — The Guardian -
• US ‘adapt, shrink or die’ terms for $2bn aid pot will mean UN bowing down to Washington, say experts — The Guardian -

• More women reporting abuse in Norway as member of royal family to go on trial for rape — The Guardian -
• How Thousands of Secret Russian Documents Were Exposed — New York Times World -
• Israel allowing traders to bring into Gaza ‘dual-use’ items barred from aid organisations — The Guardian -
• Ethnic minorities in England less likely to have access to diabetes tech – study — The Guardian -

Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket, a 9,500-year-old cremation pyre was discovered in Africa, Stranger Things concluded its run, K-pop star Danielle was sued, and New Year's celebrations were captured in photos and videos globally.

• Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket after SCG Ashes Test — The Guardian -
• Cremation pyre in Africa thought to be world’s oldest containing adult remains — The Guardian -
• Stranger Things draws to an epic and emotional close — BBC World -

• New Year’s 2026 Celebrations Around the World: Photos and Videos — New York Times World -
• Brazil legend Roberto Carlos recovering in hospital — BBC World -
• NewJeans member Danielle sued for millions after bitter feud with K-pop record label — The Guardian -
• Gone in 2025: A Yearlong Procession of Giants — New York Times World -
• In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world — BBC World -
• World is in better place than when Eden Project created 25 years ago, founder says — The Guardian -
• In Lagos, December Is Time to Get Down and ‘Detty’ — New York Times World -
• Brigitte Bardot’s Legacy of Racist Rhetoric — New York Times World -
• New Traitors contestants include detective, crime writer and psychologist — The Guardian -