Jan 01, 2026 13:00:00Mammal 'monogamy ranking' announced, humans between beavers and white-handed gibbonsSome animals have multiple partners throughout their lives, while others, like modern humans, are primarily monogamous. For example, mountain gorillas had a sibling rate of 6%, while chimpanzees only had a 4% sibling rate. The top-ranked California footed mouse, which maintains a lifelong partnership with its mate, has a sibling rate of 100%. The lowest-ranked breed is the Soay sheep, which lives in Scotland, with a sibling rate of just 0.6%. Humans are often driven to monogamy by religious taboos or other social pressures, so polygamy will emerge quickly if these pressures lose force.

A look at the Times Square New Year's Eve ball during a media tour in NYC's Times Square on Nov. 24, 2025. See the Patriotic crystal ball reveal for NYE Times Square ball drop 1 of 8 A look at the Times Square New Year's Eve ball during a media tour in NYC's Times Square on Nov. 24, 2025. A view of the Times Square New Year's Eve ball during a media tour in Times Square in New York City, on Nov. 24, 2025. New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square have been held for 122 years, "ever since the owners of One Times Square began in 1904 to conduct rooftop celebrations to greet the New Year," Times Square's website says. Revelers wait for the ball drop at New Year's Eve in Times Square, on Dec. 31, 2015.

The year in sport 2025 - test your knowledge with Record Sport's big annual quizAre you up to the task of taking on the Record Sport bigwigs? View Image Scotland boss Steve Clarke and his players feature in our 2025 Year in Sport QuizHow much of 2025's major sporting events can you remember? ‌Admittedly, as you might expect, football - and particularly Scottish football - dominates this year's sporting quiz but Formula 1, Darts, Tennis, Rugby and Golf all feature at some point. You might consider yourself an avid sports fan but do you have what it takes to get full marks in Record Sport 2025 Year in Sport Quiz? Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.

“Vaccination rates among kindergarten students have plunged across broad swaths of the United States since before the pandemic, exposing children and families to increasing health risks as many school districts pull back from their traditional role as a bulwark against infectious disease,” the Washington Post reports. “The accelerating decline reveals the lasting medical consequences of a political backlash against public health efforts during the pandemic, which radicalized many against long-standing vaccine mandates.”

Uzbekistan’s Exports to Afghanistan Reach $1.3 Billion Over the Past 11 Months https://8am.media/eng/uzbekistans-exports-to-afghanistan-reach-1-3-billion-over-the-past-11-months/6. Trump to meet Netanyahu in Florida as focus turns to Middle East issues https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-to-meet-netanyahu-in-florida-as-focus-turns-to-middle-east-issues/ar-AA1TdvmX15. Trump threatens Hamas, warns Iran of more strikes after Netanyahu talks https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/29/trump-says-us-would-back-strikes-against-irans-missile-programme19. Living in fear of Lakurawa – the militant group Trump targeted in Nigeria strikes https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7vr76l521o23. Trump says violence in Nigeria targets Christians.

You had to go to the bathroom hours ago but held it because you didn’t want to lose your spot. People are packed in Times Square like sardines, trying to keep warm. If you’re in the mood for the ultimate VIP NYE experience with live views of the ball drop, expect to pay at least $1,000 for a swanky soiree and views of the ball drop. Want a private table for two that gives you a live view of the ball drop? “Being on the street is the opposite [of a paid party]: spontaneous, raw, and very ‘New York,’” she said.

The Prime Minister’s New Year’s MessageThings have been tough in Britain for a while. You long for a bit more money in your pockets, a meal out, a holiday. In 2026, the choices we’ve made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service. For all the times that have been tough, I hope the festive period has brought good moments. When Britain turns the corner with our future now in our control, the real Britain will shine through more strongly.

Rita Ora has made sure to turn heads over the last few days as she stepped out in glamorous winter outfits in New York City ahead of hosting Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. The singer, 35, is set to join Ryan Seacrest to host the annual Times Square tradition for New York viewers. Ahead of the big day on Wednesday, Rita braved the freezing weather in stylish fur coats and cosy knitted jumpers. On Monday, the songstress put on a striking display as she posed for snaps in a brown fur coat covered in a plastic coating, paired with a matching fur shawl tied around her neck. Heading to set to rehearse, Rita wrapped up in a long brown fur coat layered over a comfy brown co-ord.

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THE Archbishop of Canterbury-elect, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, has paid tribute to overworked NHS staff in a New Year message which celebrates the connections between the NHS and Christian faith. “As a former nurse, good healthcare is incredibly important to me,” she said. She had been “driven by her deep Christian faith and commitment to care”, Bishop Mullally said (Books, 23 April 2010). Happy New Year.”The former Chief Nursing Officer’s message was delivered during challenging times for the NHS, with public satisfaction with the service at a record low. Echoing Bishop Mullally’s analysis, Lord Darzi warned: “too many people end up in hospital, because too little is spent in the community.”

Happy new year - and welcome 2026To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Media caption, Fireworks, drums and light shows: How the world is welcoming 2026It's taken a full 26 hours but 2026 has finally arrived everywhere on Earth. And we heard from one new year enthusiast - a pharmacist from Coventry, UK - who took advantage of the peculiar time zone dynamics to welcome in 2026 twice. We also spoke to a bartender in Australia who walked into 2026 - and then walked out again. But we're not quite done with the celebrations - New Year's Day is of course an event of its own.

Many people will undoubtedly be scrambling to do some last-minute shopping ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations or before some stores are closed on New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1). So you're not caught out, here is when major supermarkets around the UK will be closing on New Year's Eve. RECOMMENDED READING:Most M&S stores in the UK will then be closed on New Year's Day. There are some exceptions, so be sure to check the M&S website for the opening hours at your closest shop. New Year's Eve opening hours may vary, so it is essential to check the supermarket's website for local times.

Cities across the world are welcoming 2026 with stunning New Year's Eve fireworks displays and celebrations. In London, 100,000 people watched from the banks of the River Thames as more than 12,000 fireworks lit up the night sky. Meanwhile, numerous cities around the world cancelled some events. The Cookers didn't say why they pulled out, but drummer Billy Hart told The New York Times that it "evidently" had something to do with the centre's name change. FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW FOR UPDATES...

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Goddamn, this has been an awful year. For 2026, I would like to see the rule of law creep back. I want white nationalism to be repudiated. I want vengeance: I want the fascists in government arrested and locked away. If not, throw in the end of capitalism, the collapse of the AI bubble, and the death of Trump.