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.
Finnish police seize ship suspected of sabotaging undersea cable
Police arrested 14 crew members on the ship sailing from the St Petersburg to the Israeli port of Haifa.
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.
EU’s top diplomat rejects Russian claims of Ukrainian attack on government sites
It comes as Russia releases video which it claims shows a downed Ukrainian drone launched at one of Putin’s residences.
In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world
From spectacular firework displays to chilly sea dips, nations celebrate the start of 2026.
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.
Israel to bar 37 aid groups as UK and EU warn of severe impact in Gaza
Israel’s move is criticised by 10 countries, which say the new registration rules for international NGOs are “restrictive” and “unacceptable”.
Heavy police presence in Sydney for New Year’s celebrations after Bondi attack
Thousands of officers are deployed around Sydney Harbour and across the city, with some carrying high-grade weapons as part of heightened security measures.
Huge crowds mourn Bangladesh’s first female PM at state funeral
A sea of mourners have gathered in Dhaka to pay final respects to Khaleda Zia, who died on Tuesday aged 80.
Huge crowds mourn Bangladesh’s first female PM at state funeral
A sea of mourners have gathered in Dhaka to pay final respects to Khaleda Zia, who died on Tuesday aged 80.
