Business and economy

South Korea records its highest annual export value of more than US$700 billion in 2025 after semiconductor shipments reach a record $173.4 billion driven by demand for artificial intelligence. (AFP via France 24)

• https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260101-ai-chips-boom-sent-south-korea-exports-soaring-in-2025

Business and economy

Turkmenistan legalizes the mining and exchange of cryptocurrency as digital assets, but maintains that digital currency cannot be used as legal tender. (AP)

• https://apnews.com/article/turkmenistan-mining-exchanges-cryptocurrency-4504a5abac729d119d343d4a38e0be1a

Disasters and accidents

Forty people are killed and 119 others are injured in an explosion and fire suspected to be caused by pyrotechnics at a bar in Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland. (BBC News) (The Guardian)

• https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8xdxvj2qjdt
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/01/several-dead-and-injured-in-explosion-swiss-ski-resort-town-crans-montana-police-say

Law and crime

Five civilians are killed in clashes with security forces across Azna, Lorestan, and Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran, during demonstrations over rising living costs. (AFP via The Express Tribune) (AFP via The Times of Israel)

• https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584980/irans-fars-agency-reports-3-more-killed-in-fresh-clashes
• https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iranian-media-reports-two-protesters-killed-in-clashes-in-southwest-iran/

Politics and elections

Guy Parmelin is sworn in as President of Switzerland, succeeding Karin Keller-Sutter. (Swiss Info)

• https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-politics/incoming-swiss-president-wants-new-partnerships-but-deems-the-us-indispensable/90704942