The latter was BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay 2025 which, while ably presented by Amy Irons, left no Scottish cliché on the shelf. The same touchstones are wheeled out every old year’s night because, so the thinking goes, this is who we are. Viewers like me who are equally proud to be British would have waited in vain for any nod to that element of our identity. It is a half-hour film of my grandfather Fred Brocklebank’s 65th birthday party in May 1982 – footage, which until this week, I was unaware even existed. The unsuspecting birthday boy arrived at his daughter Averill’s house thinking it was a small family celebration.

Across three questions covering hope, economic prosperity and peace, Ireland underperformed the global average, with the results 'pointing to a consistent pattern of lower confidence and more cautious sentiment in Ireland compared with respondents worldwide,' the poll suggests. The survey of 60 countries, conducted by Red C and Gallup International, suggests that when asked about the world’s prospects for 2026 when compared with 2025, Ireland consistently features among the 10 most pessimistic countries. Across three questions covering hope, economic prosperity and peace, Ireland underperformed the global average, with the results “pointing to a consistent pattern of lower confidence and more cautious sentiment in Ireland compared with respondents worldwide,” the research suggests. Looking across hope, economic expectations and views on global peace, countries tended to “cluster into distinct global mood groups,” the researchers said. As part of the research pollsters interviewed 59,636 adults aged 18 and older across 60 countries worldwide, with Red C interviewing a random sample of 1,006 adults aged 18 and older online between December 10th and 16th.

Stoke City star Robert Bozenik was left in tears after picking up a serious arm injury in his side's Championship clash with Hull on Thursday. The forward was forced off of the pitch just moments into the second-half with a shoulder issue. The injury was severe enough for the 26-year-old to require oxygen while on the pitch. Stoke posted about the injury on their Twitter account: "City are forced into a change following a lengthy delay in play as Boženík is replaced by Gallagher." Leicester City and Sheffield United round off a hectic afternoon of Championship action on Thursday at Bramall Lane.

Stranger Things cast bid farewell to Hawkins after emotional finaleBy Laura Harding, Deputy Entertainment EditorMillie Bobby Brown has signed off from Stranger Things after the show came to an emotional conclusion. The hit sci-fi series ended with the third instalment of series five, which was released in the early hours of New Year’s Day in Ireland. The final episode answered the question of whether this plan was executed. Let’s end this, kid.”Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things first aired in 2016 and rocketed its young stars, including Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer and Maya Hawke, to fame. The franchise has since expanded into a play, titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow, as well as an upcoming animated spin-off, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85.

Photograph: Harold Cunningham/Getty ImagesSwitzerland will hold five days of mourning after an “unprecedented” fire tore through a crowded bar, killing about 40 people and injuring 115 who were celebrating at a New Year’s Eve party in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana. Witnesses said the fire broke out at 1.30am in the town’s Le Constellation bar after sparklers or flares were put into champagne bottles. [ ‘People were screaming’: New Year party at Swiss ski resort turned into a disaster zoneOpens in new window ]The flames set fire to the ceiling. Some of those caught up in the fire were visiting the ski resort from neighbouring countries. Le Constellation opened in 2015 and could accommodate up to 300 people inside, with another 40 on a heated terrace, French media reported.

Luke Littler speaks to the press after reaching the World Championship semi-finalLuke Littler got the Alexandra Palace crowd back on side as he sauntered into the World Darts Championship semi-finals. Littler was booed heavily during his fourth-round win over Rob Cross and antagonised the baying fans further when he crassly thanked them for paying for his substantial prize money. And the teenager deserves the adulation as he looks on an unstoppable course to becoming the first man to retain the World Championship since Gary Anderson 10 years ago. He now faces his idol Gary Anderson in tomorrow's semi-final. In the opening match-up, in-form Englishman Searle was clinical in beating Wales’ Jonny ‘The Ferret’ Clayton 5-2.

‌“The Community Right to Buy will help us save many more pubs like this one, and safeguard them for the future.”The Community Right to Buy gives community groups first dibs when pubs become available to buy, blocking private buyers for a year. ‌As well as saving them, the Co-operative Party says community ownership will safeguard them for the future. Co-operative Party General Secretary Joe Fortune said: "Community ownership keeps important community spaces alive, at a time when so many have closed their doors. ‌"Removing blockers to community ownership will unlock this better way of doing business for a new generation. "Owned by the community and run for the community - that should be the future for pubs everywhere".

However, one American man who moves his family from the US to the UK has shared the one particular British habit that has 'blown his mind' since moving to the UK. ‌Zach Lincoln often shares his experience of moving abroad with his 23,300 followers on Instagram after moving his family from American to the UK. In one of the latest videos, he shared the 'wild' difference he's encountered in the UK and how it makes life feel so different. ‌Zach then mentioned an example where a man took his phone to take a photo for him and complimented him on his 'beautiful family'. He also said this wasn't the first instance where that kind of thing had happened in the UK.

Images published by local media show a building engulfed in flames and emergency services nearby. The first call to emergency services was at 1.31am on New Years Day with reports of smoke. We just had to let the emergency services do what they could. Matthew, 28, a Swiss local, said: 'It’s a really deep cavernous bar. 'Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected.

Virgil van Dijk sends poignant Diogo Jota message after 'unimaginable' Liverpool lowLiverpool continue to mourn Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who both tragically died in a car crash last summer. View 2 Images Virgil van Dijk has shared an emotional message on social media (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has posted a heartfelt New Year's message on social media, reflecting on what he called an 'unimaginable low' during 2025. The football community was left devastated by the death of Diogo Jota, who tragically died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash last summer. ‌Looking back on the past 12 months, Van Dijk shared on Instagram: "2025... it's a year that will always stay with me. Liverpool fans have paid tribute to the Portuguese star throughout the season, regularly unfurling banners at Anfield and chanting his name during fixtures.

‌Maresca parted ways with Chelsea on New Year's Day following an escalation in tensions behind the scenes. View 2 Images Enzo Maresca has left Chelsea (Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Maresca joined Chelsea in June 2024 after winning promotion from the Championship with Leicester City. He won the Conference League and Club World Cup last summer after guiding the Blues to fourth in the Premier League to earn a return to the Champions League. Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted company. "During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dramatically ousted from the Gabon national team by the country's own government - who have suspended the entire squad and coaching set-up after their miserable AFCON elimination. 'Given the Panthers' disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,' he said. Former Cardiff star Ecuele Manga was dropped against Ivory Coast by head coach Thierry Mayouma, who has also now left his post, while Aubameyang returned to his club Marseille with a thigh injury before the match. The disbanding of the national team by governments used to be common practice in African nations but FIFA has since made efforts to clamp down on it. The footballing governing body suspended Mali's Football Association in March 2017 after the nation's sports minister Housseïni Amion Guindo dissolved its executive committee.

Adam Peaty has given thanks to Jesus in his first social media post since marrying Holly Ramsay and taking her surname. Thank you Jesus for everything this year,' read his message, emblazoned across a serene image of gulls soaring above an ocean. As the rift rumbles on, Peaty's mother has shared her heartbreaking hope for 2026 as she took to Instagram to share some pointed reflective messages on Wednesday. And taking to her social media she shared a post from another account which read: 'I deserve a year that doesn't hurt'. The full post read: 'I won't end this year pretending everything was fine.

New rules will make it harder for crypto investors to hide their gains from tax authorities. Crypto exchanges will also collect and report information to tax authorities about the tax residency of users. However, in circumstances where tax authorities consider buying and selling crypto assets to be “trading”, they can be subject to income tax and social insurance. The UK tax authority has taken several steps to crack down on tax evasion and avoidance involving crypto assets in recent years, including issuing guidance about when you need to pay tax when selling such assets. “Those who made crypto gains in the 2024-25 tax year may be required to file a tax return before January 31st, 2026,” Ms Register added.

Coleen Rooney showed off her toned bikini body as she soaked up the sun in Barbados on Wednesday. Coleen was joined by her shirtless husband Wayne, 40, and their four sons Kai, 16, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, six. The matriarch sported a sunburnt chest after whittling away the hours sunbathing, while the boys took part in watersports. Coleen's parents Colette and Tony have also joined them on their family holiday as well as retired footballers and Wayne's former teammates Jonny, Michael Carrick and Darren Gibson. Last month, Coleen looked radiant as she treated her family to a ‘magical’ festive day out at LaplandUK.