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Thursday, January 01, 2026 7:11 AM ET

BBC News - World

LIVE - It's finally 2026 everywhere - fireworks, drones, and bell-ringing welcome the new year - Uninhabited Baker Island is among the last to see the new year as 2026 takes 26 hours to roll across the globe.

7 minutes ago

Several dozen feared dead in Swiss ski resort bar fire -- Around 100 are also injured in fire at Crans-Montana Swiss ski resort bar Le Constellation.

7 minutes ago

LIVE - 'Several dozen' believed to have been killed in fire at Swiss ski resort bar, say authorities - The fire broke out at 01:30 local time in Crans-Montana - the cause is not known, but officials don't think it was an attack.

34 minutes ago

BBC reports from the scene of Swiss resort bar fire -- Dozens of people are believed to have died after a fire broke out during New Year's Eve celebrations.

2 hours ago

Stranger Things draws to an epic and emotional close -- Fans gathered at premieres in cities across the US and Canada to watch the finale on the big screen.

1 hour ago

Condom tax and cheaper childcare: China's plan to boost birth rates -- Chinese people pay a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while childcare services are exempt.

12 hours ago

Zelensky says peace deal is 90% ready in New Year address -- Russian President Vladimir Putin used his New Year speech to tell troops that he "believed in you and our victory" in Ukraine.

6 hours ago

US military says five killed in latest strike on alleged drug boats -- The latest strike comes as the US Coast Guard searches for survivors of another that happened a day earlier.

1 hour ago

Iran security force member killed during protests, official says -- A currency collapse has led to protests breaking out across the country, with unrest reported in several cities.

2 hours ago

Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after Nigeria car crash -- Two of the former world champion's closest friends were killed in the accident on Monday.

11 hours ago

Bulgaria joins the euro after rocky path to new currency -- The move is dividing the nation - some welcome it as a bold leap forwards, but others fear it will lead to economic stagnation.

13 hours ago

Disney worker hurt stopping 180-kg fake boulder from hitting audience -- The worker is "recovering" after he was seen on video being knocked off his feet by the 400-lb (180kg) rubber Indiana Jones prop.

8 hours ago

Sydney sends message of peace for New Year's after Bondi attack -- The words peace and unity were projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge as thousands gathered to watch the annual fireworks.

17 hours ago

Passenger describes 'chaos' after head-on Machu Picchu train collision -- Tourist Niels Honkoop says shattered glass littered the carriage floor and injured people were lying in the aisles.

20 hours ago

In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world -- From spectacular firework displays to chilly sea dips, nations celebrate the start of 2026.

20 hours ago

The 'thorny' issues that threaten to derail a Russia-Ukraine peace deal -- Two of the main sticking points involve territory and the fate of Europe's biggest nuclear plant, which is currently occupied by Russia.

1 day ago

Saving South Africa's threatened albatross from lethal fishing lines -- A task force is trying to save seabirds from getting caught and killed in fishing boat nets.

1 day ago

Diane Keaton, Pope Francis and Ozzy Osbourne... famous faces who left us in 2025 -- Pope Francis, Ozzy Osbourne and Diane Keaton are among those who died this year.

1 day ago

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as first Muslim New York City Mayor -- The Democratic politician took his oath over a Quran in the disused Old City Hall subway station.

5 hours ago

What are Russians hoping for in 2026, asks Steve Rosenberg -- The BBC's Russia editor speaks to people in the country as the war in Ukraine nears a fourth year.

11 hours ago

Watch: Historic Amsterdam church engulfed by fire on New Year's Eve -- The blaze was thought to have started just after midnight and was swiftly declared a major fire

3 hours ago

Fireworks, drums and light shows: How the world is welcoming 2026 -- Countries around the world celebrated the new year with colourful shows and long-held traditions.

16 hours ago

Watch: Stunning celestial events that lit up the skies in 2025 -- From meteor showers to supermoons, here are some of the sights that wowed stargazers this year.

20 hours ago

What we know about the Switzerland ski resort fire -- Several dozen people are presumed to have died in the fire at a New Year party in the resort of Crans-Montana.

51 minutes ago

Threatening, durable, learning - what makes Starc elite? -- Mitchell Starc has tormented England through the 2025-26 Ashes series, so what makes him so good and what new tricks have revived his career?

2 hours ago