World

Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor on New Year’s Day, pledging expansive socialist governance. While supporters hail a historic shift, critics warn of deep divisions, fiscal risks and resistance to his radical policy agenda.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, using the moment to reflect on his career and openly criticise racial stereotyping and criticism he faced as a Pakistan-born Muslim player

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, marking her return to Melbourne Park at age 45 and making her the oldest woman to compete in the tournament’s main draw

Intelligence agencies have warned that Bangladesh-based terror outfits HuJI and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh are increasingly using proxy groups and aliases to operate in India, aiming to create deniability and expand recruitment across multiple States

Australia named an unchanged squad for the final Ashes Test at the SCG starting January 4. Usman Khawaja is set to play amid retirement rumours, while Beau Webster could replace Cameron Green as Australia aim to finish the series strongly

Australia named an unchanged squad for the final Ashes Test at the SCG starting January 4. Usman Khawaja is set to play amid retirement rumours, while Beau Webster could replace Cameron Green as Australia look to finish the series strongly

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a knee sprain, with French reports suggesting he could miss at least three weeks. The striker has scored 29 goals this season and remains key to Madrid’s La Liga campaign

Pretoria Capitals crushed MI Cape Town by 85 runs to secure their first SA20 win with a bonus point, while David Miller’s unbeaten 71 powered Paarl Royals to a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha

Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st eurozone member. The lev remains legal tender until January 31, with dual pricing until August. Citizens can exchange leva for euros free of charge at banks, post offices, and the central bank

A New Year’s fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, killed and injured multiple people. Over 100 were inside during the blaze. Authorities set up a helpline for families as investigations into the incident begin

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif launched a 142-point economic-governance reform plan to tackle corruption and improve institutional credibility, in line with IMF recommendations. The three-year plan includes anti-corruption measures, rule-based appointments, AMLA reforms, and annual reporting on high-risk agencies

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor in a historic midnight ceremony at a decommissioned subway station, becoming the city’s first Muslim leader. The 34-year-old Democrat will take oath again at a public ceremony later in the day.

K-pop sensation BTS is set to make a comeback on March 20, 2026, with a new album—their first since 2022’s "Proof." Members shared handwritten messages with fans, marking the end of their hiatus for military service and solo projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Arjun Erigaisi for winning bronze at the World Blitz Championship in Doha. Erigaisi also won bronze in the World Rapid, becoming only the second Indian male after Viswanathan Anand to medal in World Blitz

Arsenal ended the year top of the Premier League after a 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates. Goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Martín Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus sealed victory, keeping Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City

Magnus Carlsen defended his world blitz crown in Doha, winning a record ninth title after beating Nodirbek Abdusattorov. India’s Arjun Erigaisi settled for bronze, becoming only the second Indian male after Viswanathan Anand to win a World Blitz medal

Five more Indian referees and assistant referees, including Rachana Kamani, Ashwin Kumar and Aditya Purkayastha, have been added to the FIFA International List of Match Officials 2026. With this, India now has 19 officials on the prestigious list

By sending External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Khaleda Zia’s funeral, India signals cautious outreach to Bangladesh’s emerging political order

Dubai has cemented its reputation as a premier New Year’s Eve destination, with 2026 celebrations featuring fireworks at 40 locations, including the flagship Burj Khalifa countdown billed as the “Brightest Show on Earth.” Airfares from Hyderabad to Dubai surged to over 1000 Dirhams, while hotel rooms skyrocketed to 1200-1400 Dirhams amid heavy demand from Indian visitors.

Auckland ushered in 2026 with rain-soaked Sky Tower fireworks as the South Pacific welcomed the new year first. Australia held defiant Sydney celebrations after a mass shooting, while Indonesia and Hong Kong scaled back festivities amid recent disasters regionwide

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who died at 80. She will be laid to rest with state honours beside her husband Ziaur Rahman

Thailand released 18 Cambodian prisoners of war after five months, fulfilling a ceasefire agreement to end border clashes. The repatriation aims to build goodwill, stabilize relations, and normalize ties following deadly combat and diplomatic negotiations involving Malaysia and the US

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as New York City mayor with two ceremonies marking the start of 2026: a private midnight oath in a historic subway station and a public celebration at City Hall featuring political allies, performances and a block party

The CIA reportedly carried out a drone strike on a Venezuelan docking area used by drug cartels, marking the first US strike on Venezuelan soil since September. The move signals escalation against President Nicolás Maduro amid ongoing counter-narcotics operations