New York City is set for the newly minted 'Constellation Ball' to drop from Times Square Wednesday evening to ring in 2026. Organizers gathered Tuesday to give the iconic crystal ball a test run up and then down the 139-foot pole ahead of its grand debut. The ball features 5,280 circular Waterford crystal LED lights. The number is nearly double its predecessors' crystals, which were also triangular in shape. This year, the ball will also symbolize the kickoff of America's 250th birthday celebrations.

Hamilton Accies owner agrees to sell stake in crisis-hit club as £300,000 stumbling block revealedIn an exclusive interview with Lanarkshire Live Sport, Zengin says he has agreed to sell his 97.5 per cent stake in Accies to entrepreneur Rob EdwardsView 3 Images Hamilton Accies currently play at Broadwood Stadium in CumbernauldHamilton Accies owner Seref Zengin has agreed to sell his majority share in the football club to entrepreneur Rob Edwards, Lanarkshire Live Sport can reveal. ‌However, there is a major stumbling block thwarting the deal from going through - with the sole director on the club board demanding £300,000 to walk away. In an exclusive interview with Lanarkshire Live Sport, Zengin says he has agreed to sell his 97.5 per cent share in the club to Mr Edwards and is working on a deal. ‌View 3 Images Hamilton Accies owner Seref ZenginBut he claims Mr Towers and The Funding Globe want £300,000 to walk away from their role on the club board and a resolution now needs to be found - and fast. Mr Zengin said: "Following discussions with Rob Edwards, I am very happy to sign over my shares and do a deal with him.

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As per the complaint, the woman had left her home around 8.30 pm after an argument with her mother. She told her sister she was going to a friend's house and would return soon. However, when she finally left, it was close to midnight and there was no transport available.

Emergency services flooded Potters Bar station today (December 31) at 1.41pm after reports of the casualty. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are not treating the incident as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner. A British Transport Police spokesperson said: "Paramedics also attended, and sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. "The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

Over the years, The Archers has tackled difficult topics such as addiction, infidelity, dementia and bereavement. This was the climax of one of the most celebrated stories in the history of The Archers. Over the previous three years, up to five million listeners every week had been enthralled and appalled as the story played out. Helen and Rob’s story from 2016 mirrored the real-life outlawing in Britain of ‘coercive control’ in relationships. Over the years, The Archers has tackled difficult topics such as addiction, infidelity, dementia and bereavement.

Photo: Shetland Museum and ArchivesArchivist BRIAN SMITH gave a talk during Shetland Wool Week on the 30 year history of the Shetland Hand Knitters Association, which started in 1943. There is no doubt that it was unpopular among Shetland knitters, especially those in Lerwick. At the end of April 1943 The Shetland Times discovered that the Board of Trade had plans for Shetland knitters. What can we make of the Shetland Hand Knitters Association, and the hopes that its members had for it? And some of the credit for that change in atmosphere, so very desirable, must goto the Shetland Hand Knitters Association.

By comparison, Aldi’s Saxon Luxury toilet rolls come in at just £1.35 for a four-pack, or 33p per roll. A 350g block of Cathedral City Mature Cheddar costs £3.75, equivalent to £10.71 per kilo. Aldi’s Everyday Essentials baked beans cost just 26p for a similar size tin – a whopping 137% price difference. Cheapest supermarket own-brand baked beansAldi Everyday Essentials Baked Beans 410g - £0.26p (0.07p per 100g)Sainsbury's Stamford Street Co Baked Beans - £0.30p (0.075p per 100g)Tesco Stockwell Baked Beans - £0.28p (0.078p per 100g)Asda Baked Beans - £0.40p (0.10p per 100g)Morrisons Baked Beans - £0.45p (0.11p per 100g)BreadBranded loaves are another product that take a significant slice out of shopping budgets. A Warburtons Thick White loaf costs £1.40, while supermarket own-brand equivalents across Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons all retail at 75p.

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“It’s nice to have him back in winning form and we’ll have to look for a nice race in the spring for him. The Mullins team still won the race, however, with the champion trainer’s nephew Danny also claiming this prize aboard 5-1 shot Argento Boy. Elliott said of the former Sir Mark Prescott inmate: “He showed good signs at home and there is plenty of improvement in him. “He jumped well and travelled well through the race. We’ll find a winners’ race for him and see how we go.”

Keep reading to find out the opening times of the major British supermarket chain this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. When is Morrisons open over Christmas and Boxing Day? Morrisons advised: “We would recommend customers use our store finder to check their local stores opening hours.”The supermarket chain’s website is full of helpful ideas for a pumping New Year’s Eve party. “Whether you’re planning a vibrant New Year’s Party or sticking to the classic traditions of a Hogmanay party, planning can feel hectic. We’ve created this simple, stress-free Party checklist so you can focus on having a fabulous, faff-free New Year’s party 2026.”Check out the Morrisons website for further details.

England vs Australia Fifth Test LIVE: UK times, toss, scorecard and where to watch Ashes finaleEngland will look to end a tough Ashes series on a high by winning the fifth and final Test in Sydney. England vs Australia Fifth Test: UK start times and where to watchThe fifth and final Ashes Test will get started on Sunday, January 4. England vs Australia Fifth Test: Team news and scorecardThe latest scorecard from the Fifth Test in Sydney can be found here once play gets underway over the weekend. England seamer Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the final Ashes test after picking up a left hamstring injury. 4 Stokes and co. are without Atkinson and Archer for the Ashes finale Credit: GettyEngland vs Australia Fifth Test: What has been said?

Heritage consultants James Wenn and James Syrett say knowledge about these meanings appeared to decline around the time of the First World War, when aristocrats who knew about them were sent to fight and die in the trenches. Garnet crystals adopt the shape of a rhombic dodecahedron – a shape which also appears in many important buildings. Researchers James Wenn (left) and James Syrett say they have re-discovered forgotten meanings contained in shapes in UK architecture (Byrga Geniht/PA)The shape also features in the coronation pavement inside Westminster Abbey, and the pair say an explanation of its significance influenced an element of the King’s coronation in 2023. The pair say that knowledge of the significance of these shapes appeared to decline around the First World War. Mr Syrett said that, following their re-discovery about meanings in UK architecture: “We can now say we’re as sophisticated a culture as Ancient Rome, Aztec America, Ancient Egypt.

Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah Hunt, 28, and their mother Carol Hunt, 61, were killed by Kyle Clifford, 27 – Louise’s ex-partner – in a quiet cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9 last year. A fundraising gala was held earlier this month to launch The Hunt Family Fund. Mr Hunt and Amy set up the fund in memory of Carol, Louise and Hannah to raise money for charities and causes that help and inspire young women. The Queen recalled how she was “so angry” and “furious” when she was attacked on a train as a teenager. I think that’s so important to get into schools.”Amy added that the radicalisation of men by other men is a “huge problem”.

NEW Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day opening hours have been revealed by the biggest banks on the high street. A statement from the bank said: “For the most up-to-date local branch opening hours, please visit our website.”It added: “Branch opening times may change at short notice.”With this in mind, you can check out its branch locator for the most accurate local opening hours over the New year. All of the bank’s branches spanning the length and breath of the UK will close for the duration on New Year’s Day. It also has a helpful branch opening hours tool. RECOMMENDED STORIESLocations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland return to usual opening times on Friday, January 2, 2025, but in Scotland they remain closed for the day.