Evening news wrap: Dozens dead, 100 injured in deadly blaze at Swiss ski resort; Zohran Mamdani takes oath as New York City’s new mayor & more

Here are the top five stories of the day

Several dead, 100 injured as deadly blaze erupts at Swiss ski resot during New Year celebrations

A deadly fire broke out at a bar in the upscale Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, leaving dozens dead and more than 100 people injured, according to Swiss police. Authorities have sealed off the area and imposed a temporary no-fly zone as emergency crews continue rescue and investigation efforts.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight during New Year celebrations at Le Constellation, a popular bar among international visitors. Read full story

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City’s mayor; makes history with Quran oath

Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani became New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor. The 34-year-old was sworn in during a private midnight ceremony held at Old City Hall subway station, making him the second-youngest mayor in the city’s history. Mamdani was sworn in on a Quran, marking the first time a New York City mayor has taken the oath of office using Islam’s holy book. Read full story

Born after 10 years, six-month-old dies following suspected water contamination

A six-month-old boy, born after a decade-long wait, died in Indore after allegedly falling ill due to contaminated drinking water. The infant developed diarrhoea on December 26 and later suffered a sudden deterioration, dying at home on December 29. The chief minister announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the bereaved families and free treatment for those affected, ordering strict action against officials responsible.

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Foggy highway, midnight chill gave cover to gang rape in moving van on Gurgaon–Faridabad Road

Dense fog, freezing midnight temperatures, and deserted stretches of the Gurgaon–Faridabad Road allegedly provided cover for a horrific crime, as a 25-year-old woman was gang-raped inside a moving van in the early hours of Tuesday. Her cries for help reportedly went unheard for nearly three hours. Faridabad police have withheld the identities of the accused, as the survivor is yet to formally identify them. Read full story

India to get first bullet train by 2027; Ashwini Vaishnaw reveals routes

India is set to roll out its first bullet train by August 15, 2027, announced Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking about the project timeline, he said the high-speed rail service will be ready by August 15, 2027. Detailing the rollout plan, the minister said the first operational stretch will be from Surat to Bilimora, followed by Vapi–Surat, Vapi–Ahmedabad, Thane–Ahmedabad, and finally the full Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.

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