Swiss authorities are investigating the deadly Crans-Montana bar fire, which killed 40 people and injured over a hundred, with sparklers on champagne bottles believed to be the cause, leaving families desperate for news of missing teenagers and requiring Europe-wide burn unit treatment as victim identification poses a challenge due to severe injuries.

• Swiss Bar Fire Likely Caused By Sparklers, Authorities Say — New York Times World -
• Young Italian golfer feared dead: What we know about Swiss resort fire — BBC World -
• Swiss Authorities Say Sparklers Probably Caused New Year’s Fire — New York Times World -

• What images and videos tell us about why Swiss bar fire spread so quickly — BBC World -
• Swiss bar fire likely started by sparklers on champagne bottles — BBC World -
• A Rescuer Recounts How He Saved Lives During Swiss Bar Resort Fire — New York Times World -
• What to Know About the Swiss Ski Resort Fire on New Year’s Day — New York Times World -
• Teenage girl educated in Britain among the missing after Crans-Montana fire — The Guardian -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• 'Living a nightmare': Families of teens missing after ski resort fire desperate for news — BBC World -
• Switzerland resort fire ‘likely started by sparklers in champagne bottles’, says attorney general – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Sparklers held near ceiling started Swiss ski resort fire, investigators believe — The Guardian -
• Families search for information about those unaccounted for. — New York Times World -
• What happened in the Crans-Montana bar fire in Switzerland – visual guide — The Guardian -
• Crans-Montana fire survivors treated in burns units across Europe — The Guardian -
• There Was Probably a Flashover in the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means. — New York Times World -
• Swiss Authorities Face the Grim Task of Identifying Fire Victims — New York Times World -
• Le Constellation, Swiss Bar Where Fire Hit, Was Popular With Young People — New York Times World -
• Swiss investigators race to identify victims after 40 killed in resort bar fire | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Swiss Resort Bar Fire: 17-Year-Old Italian Golfer Is One of the First Identified Victims — 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 Overwhelmed After New Year’s Fire — New York Times World -
• Witnesses Recount Fire That Killed 40 in Switzerland — New York Times World -
• Crans-Montana is a Historic Swiss Ski Resort Town Popular With International Tourists — New York Times World -
• Switzerland to hold five days of mourning after 40 killed in resort fire, as investigators rush to identify victims — The Guardian -
• Fire in Swiss Alps Leaves Dozens of New Year’s Revelers Dead — New York Times World -

Ukraine's leadership reshuffle sees a new chief of staff appointed amidst doubts about the war's end and accusations of New Year's attacks, while President Trump issues stark warnings to Iran over protester killings, as the Yemen conflict intensifies with separatists planning an independence vote and clashes between Saudi- and UAE-backed forces, alongside North Korea's succession speculation and Venezuela's cautious diplomacy with the US.

• Ukraine’s Zelensky Names Kyrylo Budanov as New Chief of Staff — New York Times World -
• Zelensky names spy chief to head presidential office after corruption row — BBC World -
• Trump Says U.S. Will Intervene if Iran Kills Protesters — New York Times World -

• Oil Tanker Fleeing U.S. Coast Guard Broadcasts Location in North Atlantic — New York Times World -
• Yemeni separatists plan to hold independence vote within two years — The Guardian -
• Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters — BBC World -
• Yemen Sends Its Military to Push Out Separatist Faction — New York Times World -
• Another New Year at War: Ukraine’s Troops Doubt It Will Be the Last — New York Times World -
• Yemen clashes bring Saudi- and UAE-backed forces into confrontation — BBC World -
• Maduro urges Trump to abandon ‘illegal warmongering’ and start ‘serious talks’ — The Guardian -
• Iran officials warn Trump of red line after his threat to ‘rescue’ protesters — The Guardian -
• Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region — BBC World -
• Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region — BBC World -
• China threatened to cancel key trade talks after UK minister’s Taiwan visit in June — The Guardian -
• Why a Nuclear Plant Is a Big Sticking Point in the Ukraine Peace Plan — New York Times World -
• In New Year’s Speech to Russia, Putin Says Little About Ukraine War or Peace Talks With US — New York Times World -
• Maduro says Venezuela open to US talks on drug trafficking — BBC World -
• Maduro says Venezuela open to US talks on drug trafficking — BBC World -
• ‘Truly humbling’: inside the centre where UK medics are helping Ukrainian amputees — The Guardian -
• Kim Jong-un’s daughter visits state mausoleum, fuelling speculation she will be next North Korean ruler — The Guardian -
• Deadly clashes between protesters and security forces as Iran unrest grows — BBC World -

Fatal incidents across the globe include a man dying after a shooting in Melbourne, drownings off the UK coast, a worker trapped in a Queensland mine collapse, hikers found dead on California's Mount Baldy, a suspected fatal mountain lion attack in the US, and deaths from sewage-contaminated drinking water in India, while a major earthquake interrupted Mexico's president.

• Man dies after shooting in Melbourne’s inner north — The Guardian -
• Man, 67, dies after being pulled from sea as search under way for two missing off coast — The Guardian -
• Missing worker could be trapped 1km underground after Queensland mine collapses — The Guardian -

• College freshman identified as one of three hikers found dead on California’s Mount Baldy — The Guardian -
• Anthony Joshua’s driver charged with dangerous driving after fatal crash in Nigeria — The Guardian -
• Watch: Earthquake interrupts Mexico's president during press conference — BBC World -
• Woman killed in suspected mountain lion attack in US — BBC World -
• Anthony Joshua's driver charged over Nigeria crash that killed two — BBC World -
• Man, 51, dies after getting into difficulty in sea off Brighton beach — The Guardian -
• Search Is Suspended for Passenger Who Went Overboard From Cruise Ship — New York Times World -
• Colorado authorities suspect mountain lion attack after woman found dead near trail — The Guardian -
• Sewage in drinking water blamed for at least 10 deaths in India’s ‘cleanest city’ — The Guardian -
• Dozens missing after boat carrying 200 migrants sinks off Gambia — BBC World -
• Dozens missing after boat carrying 200 migrants sinks off Gambia — BBC World -
• Indian families grieve deaths caused by contaminated tap water — BBC World -
• Sailors saved from going over edge of huge dam — BBC World -
• Woman charged with murder over fatal Melbourne house fire — The Guardian -
• Victoria Jones, daughter of Tommy Lee Jones, found dead in San Francisco — The Guardian -
• Australia’s 2025 road toll: NSW records highest number of deaths in eight years as fatalities rise nationwide — The Guardian -
• Snorkeller missing in WA as NSW authorities continue search for two lost in rough surf — The Guardian -

A US woman is charged with fetal homicide after an alleged self-induced abortion, while Tennessee enacts the first domestic abusers registry, an FBI plot thwarts a New Year's Eve terrorist attack, a DC pipe bomb suspect remains in jail, and the US Homeland Security faces backlash for using an artist's work without consent to promote deportations, as George Clooney and Donald Trump trade barbs over French citizenship.

• US woman charged with fetal homicide after allegedly inducing own abortion — The Guardian -
• BBC settles with 7 October survivors for filming home ‘without permission’ — The Guardian -
• US’s first registry of domestic abusers takes effect in Tennessee — The Guardian -

• DC pipe bomb suspect must remain in jail before trial, judge rules — The Guardian -
• US homeland security condemned for using Japanese artist’s work without consent — The Guardian -
• ‘Suspension of entry into the US’, paparazzi – and wine: three other reasons George Clooney moved to France — The Guardian -
• FBI says it thwarted planned New Year’s Eve terrorist attack in North Carolina — The Guardian -
• Growing number of California sheriffs no longer respond to mental health calls — The Guardian -
• Israel accuses Mamdani of antisemitism on first day as New York mayor — The Guardian -
• Phone Searches at U.S. Borders: What Travelers Need to Know — New York Times World -
• ‘It’s our turn’: gun-safety advocates are riding a ‘seismic’ wave to US legislatures — The Guardian -
• Mamdani pledges ‘new era’ for New York and vows to govern ‘audaciously’ — The Guardian -
• Brenna Henn Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine. Then Her N.I.H. Grant Was Cut. — New York Times World -
• Trump says he takes higher daily dose of aspirin than doctors recommend — BBC World -
• George Clooney fires back at Trump after US president mocks his French citizenship — The Guardian -

China's BYD has surpassed Tesla as the world's largest electric car seller, as Elon Musk's Grok AI generates inappropriate images and Google AI Overviews offer misleading health advice, while K-beauty emerges as an economic powerhouse and Uber rewrites contracts to avoid a UK 'taxi tax', even as US slashes proposed tariffs on Italian pasta imports.

• How K-beauty went from a viral trend to an economic powerhouse — BBC World -
• China’s BYD Surpasses Tesla as World Leader in Electric Car Sales — New York Times World -
• Elon Musk’s Grok AI generates images of ‘minors in minimal clothing’ — The Guardian -

• Google AI Overviews put people at risk of harm with misleading health advice — The Guardian -
• China’s BYD overtakes Tesla as world’s biggest electric car seller — The Guardian -
• China's BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller — BBC World -
• China's BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller — BBC World -
• In China, A.I. Finds Pancreatic Cancer That Doctors May Miss — New York Times World -
• Ørsted files legal challenge against US government over windfarm lease freeze — The Guardian -
• US slashes proposed tariffs on Italian pasta imports — BBC World -
• Uber rewrites contracts with drivers to avoid paying UK’s new ‘taxi tax’ — The Guardian -
• ‘Social listening’: Unilever seeks to capitalise on Vaseline’s TikTok moment — The Guardian -
• Italian pasta makers win reprieve from Trump tariffs — The Guardian -
• Brighton’s historic Palace Pier up for sale as tourist numbers fall — The Guardian -
• FTSE 100 breaks 10,000 mark for first time, capping stellar year for UK market — The Guardian -
• Australian electric car market to get influx of new models as cheaper EVs hit the road in 2026 — The Guardian -

2025 marked the UK's hottest and sunniest year on record, while the country faces a bitterly cold snap with snow warnings, Cyclone Hayley brings intense wind and rain to Australia, and ministers may cut a green tech mandate from new home regulations in England, as winter blooming of plants signals climate breakdown and drones help identify a deadly virus in Arctic whales.

• In the Arctic, Drones Help Identify Deadly Virus in Whales — New York Times World -
• 2025 was UK’s hottest and sunniest year on record, says Met Office — The Guardian -
• Bitterly cold weather expected in UK as up to 10cm of snow settles in some areas — The Guardian -

• Rapid expansion of ring-necked parakeets in UK sparks concern — The Guardian -
• Weather tracker: Cyclone Hayley brings intense wind and rain to Australia — The Guardian -
• Ministers may cut green tech mandate from new homes regulations in England — The Guardian -
• Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown — The Guardian -

Jewish groups warned of antisemitic perceptions over a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban, while ministers are urged to address the Shamima Begum case and racial and religious hate crime is growing on UK public transport, as Japan's Prime Minister joins the fight for more female toilets in parliament and concerns rise over an Aboriginal woman's death in custody, while Will Smith faces allegations of predatory behavior.

• Jewish groups warned ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending match could be seen as ‘antisemitic’ — The Guardian -
• Ministers cannot go on ignoring the Shamima Begum case, for two important reasons — The Guardian -
• Aboriginal woman’s death in custody in NT prompts calls for independent investigation — The Guardian -

• Will Smith accused of ‘predatory behaviour’ and ‘grooming’ by tour violinist — The Guardian -
• Watch: Moment 400-pound runaway prop injures Disney employee — BBC World -
• More than 60 Henri Matisse artworks donated to Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris — The Guardian -
• Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows — The Guardian -
• Can F.C. Barcelona, the Most Indebted Team in Global Soccer, Fix Its Finances? — New York Times World -
• Japan PM joins fight for more female toilets in parliament — BBC World -
• Japan PM joins fight for more female toilets in parliament — BBC World -
• 'You're invisible, you don't exist' - life without a birth certificate — BBC World -
• 'You're invisible, you don't exist' - life without a birth certificate — BBC World -

Flu patient numbers fall in English hospitals for the second straight week, while UK house prices unexpectedly fell at the end of the year, rail outsourcing is labeled a 'racket' by a union, and children are set to receive a chickenpox vaccine with their MMR jab.

• Flu patient numbers in English hospitals fall for second straight week — The Guardian -
• Distractions over Abd el-Fattah were running joke, says ex-Starmer adviser — The Guardian -
• UK house prices unexpectedly fell at end of year, Nationwide says — The Guardian -

• UK government should end rail outsourcing ‘racket’, says union — The Guardian -
• UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab — The Guardian -