AnewZ Morning Brief - 3 January, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 3rd of January, covering the latest developments you need to k...
Portuguese police are investigating IT service contracts in a corruption probe, conducting 75 searches, including at the Bank of Portugal, which is cooperating with authorities.
Portuguese police conducted raids on Thursday at the offices of multiple public institutions as part of a corruption investigation concerning the procurement of information technology services. Among the locations searched was the Bank of Portugal, which confirmed its involvement in the operation.
In a statement, police said they carried out 75 searches across Lisbon, Porto, and Braga, including at private residences, accountancy firms, company headquarters, and public institutions. The investigation focuses on employees rather than senior public officials.
The Bank of Portugal acknowledged being among the entities targeted and stated that it was fully cooperating with the inquiry.
According to police, the searches relate to IT service contracts awarded by several public entities and a private company between 2017 and 2025. The investigation concerns suspected offences including bribery, document forgery, fraud, and influence peddling.
Authorities stated that those under investigation formed a network that, through coordinated efforts, influenced numerous public and private procurement processes, with an estimated total value of no less than €17 million (£14.5 million).
Police emphasised that the operation aimed to gather information related to employees within these organisations and did not target political decision-makers.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico early on Friday, killing at least two people and causing damage in Guerrero state.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 3rd of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Swiss prosecutors say a deadly New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana likely started when sparkling candles were held too close to the ceiling, triggering a fast-spreading blaze that killed at least 40 people.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
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