Evening Brief: New Year’s Bar Fire in Swiss Alps, Drone Strike in Russian-Held Kherson, Kim Jong Un Rings in New Year

The new year begins. Here’s your Thursday evening briefing for January 1, 2026.

New Year’s Bar Fire in Swiss Alps Leaves Dozens Feared Dead

A fire tore through a crowded bar during New Year celebrations early Thursday in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana, leaving several dozen people feared dead and about 100 injured, many critically, according to Valais canton police.

The blaze broke out less than two hours after midnight at Le Constellation bar, where revelers had gathered to ring in the new year. Authorities said they are still identifying victims and determining the cause, though prosecutors ruled out any attack.

Witnesses described chaos as flames spread rapidly, the wooden ceiling collapsed, and people struggled to escape through narrow exits. Emergency services quickly became overwhelmed, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid activities that could strain medical resources.

BREAKING: Explosion followed by a fire rips through a bar in the swiss alps, several people have died and more injured. pic.twitter.com/7bVIDxsaJt

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— StrandenOSINT (@StrandenOSINT) January 1, 2026

Swiss leaders expressed condolences as investigators continued examining one of the country’s deadliest peacetime fires in recent years.

Zohran Mamdani Takes Office as New York City’s Youngest and First Muslim Mayor

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in just after midnight Thursday as mayor of New York City during a private ceremony at the historic, decommissioned City Hall subway station in Manhattan.

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Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat, became the city’s first Muslim mayor, first mayor of South Asian descent, and first born in Africa, taking the oath on a Quran administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James. In brief remarks, he highlighted the role of public transit and announced his pick for transportation commissioner. Zohran Mamdani becomes the mayor of New York City after taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath. pic.twitter.com/D6qyebCa6L — The Associated Press (@AP) January 1, 2026 Mamdani assumes office as the city continues its post-pandemic recovery but faces persistent challenges including high rents, affordability pressures, public services, and relations with US President Donald Trump. He campaigned on lowering the cost of living through proposals such as free child care, free buses, rent freezes, and city-run grocery stores, and will hold a public swearing-in ceremony later Thursday at City Hall. Drone Strike in Russian-Held Kherson Kills 24 A Ukrainian drone strike killed 24 people and wounded at least 50 others during New Year celebrations in the Russian-occupied village of Khorly in Ukraine’s Kherson region, Russian-installed officials said Thursday. According to Moscow-backed regional leader Vladimir Saldo, three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the Black Sea resort town, with one drone igniting a fire using an incendiary mixture. Ukrainian authorities did not comment, and the claims could not be independently verified. Footage shows aftermath of Ukrainian drone strike in Kherson region 24 dead, including a child https://t.co/JrwUITFXnu pic.twitter.com/8fMBarZyTo — RT (@RT_com) January 1, 2026 Russian officials condemned the attack as tensions rose alongside renewed diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war. UN Condemns Israeli Move to Cut Utilities to Palestinian Refugee Agency UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently condemned Israel’s decision to ban electricity or water to facilities operated by the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), warning it would hinder humanitarian operations. The action targets UNRWA, which provides education, health care, and aid to millions of Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries. UN officials said the move violates international conventions protecting UN property and follows a 2024 Israeli law barring the agency from operating in Israel. The UN Secretary-General has condemned a new Israeli law aimed at ceasing the operations of the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees. UNRWA is by far the organization most able to mitigate Israel’s strategy of starvation and deprivation in Gaza. https://t.co/bizVUhp3Jj — Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) January 1, 2026 The decision comes amid Israel’s broader suspension of international aid groups in Gaza, drawing concern from several Western governments that warned the restrictions could force healthcare facilities to shut down and sharply reduce access to essential services. Rivalry Between Saudi Arabia and UAE Halts Flights at Yemen’s Aden Airport Air traffic at Aden International Airport in southern Yemen was suspended Thursday after a dispute between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) spilled into Yemen’s fragile aviation sector. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government ordered new restrictions on flights to and from the UAE, citing rising tensions, but Yemen’s transport minister aligned with southern separatists responded by shutting down the airport entirely. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council blamed the closure on Saudi-imposed regulations and accused Riyadh of escalating the crisis. Air traffic at Yemen’s Aden International Airport has been halted in response to steps taken by the internationally recognized and Saudi-backed Yemeni government, which ordered new restrictions on flights to and from the UAE, a Saudi source told Reuters, marking ongoing tensions… pic.twitter.com/4YTe0hxdhJ — Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) January 1, 2026 The shutdown comes as Saudi Arabia and the UAE trade accusations over security threats and military influence in Yemen, highlighting their growing rivalry as the war-torn country remains divided. Militant Violence Drives Pakistan to Deadliest Year in Over a Decade Pakistan recorded its deadliest year in more than a decade in 2025 as combat-related deaths rose 74 percent, fueled largely by militant violence, according to a new report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. The Islamabad-based think tank said 3,413 people were killed nationwide, including 2,138 militants, 667 security personnel, and 580 civilians, with the highest security force and civilian death tolls in more than a decade. The surge stemmed from intensified attacks by groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and expanded counterterrorism operations by Pakistani forces, which conducted tens of thousands of intelligence-based missions. Pakistan eliminated over 2,100 militants in 2025, making it the deadliest year for militant groups since 2015. Security forces paid a heavy price with over 600 Pakistani security personnel martyred: Abdullah Khan, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.@OmarButtPK… pic.twitter.com/VxlqlYlszw — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) December 29, 2025 The violence unfolded amid heightened tensions with Afghanistan over cross-border militancy, despite Taliban denials and ongoing but stalled diplomatic efforts to ease border clashes. Kim Jong Un Rings in New Year With Pyongyang Celebrations and Troop Message North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended New Year’s celebrations in Pyongyang that featured fireworks, performances, and a taekwondo demonstration, state media reported Thursday. Kim was joined by his daughter, Ju Ae, during the public event, as he praised the population for what he called major achievements in 2025 and urged unity ahead of a key ruling party congress expected in early 2026. Kim also sent a New Year’s message to North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, calling them a source of national pride. Kim Jong Un attends New Year celebrations with daughter, praises North Korea’s ‘successes and phenomenal changes’ https://t.co/RQJSlovQJe pic.twitter.com/Remn8C1sRO — New York Post (@nypost) January 1, 2026 Sources: News Agencies