Plus: The most striking images of 2025 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. As 2025 comes to a close, we bring you the latest New Year's celebrations around the world. We also look at the most anticipated cultural events of 2026, provide tips on writing New Year's resolutions and share a selection of the year's most striking images.
We'll be back in your inbox on 2 January but until then, on behalf of the News Briefing team, we wish you a happy new year. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | First countries celebrate start of 2026 |
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|  | A first round of fireworks lit up the sky above Sydney's harbour at 9pm local time, ahead of the midnight show. Credit: Reuters | While many countries are waiting for 2026 to begin, the clock has already struck midnight in the Pacific island state of Kiribati and in New Zealand. Australia's turn is next. In Sydney, police have stepped up security measures following the attack on Bondi Beach earlier this month. The city hosts one of the world's most spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks displays, which illuminate the sky above the Sydney Opera House in the harbour. Follow along for pictures and testimonies from all over the world, ending with Baker Island in the Pacific, which enters the new year at 12:00 GMT/7:00 EST on Thursday. |
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| | | | - Quiz of the year: Find out how much your remember of the past 12 months in this four-part news quiz.
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| 20 film highlights to watch out for | From a Christopher Nolan epic to The Devil Wears Prada 2, take a look at the big releases of 2026. | What's coming > |
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| What to expect in video games | Next year could be significant for the unpredictable video games industry - here are the big things to keep an eye on. | Find out more > |
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| 12 books to add to your must-read list | Culture reporter Emma Saunders shares her top choices to add to your reading list for 2026. | Check them out > |
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| Bold colours and tassels: 2026 in style | Ready for a new look? This is what the brightest minds in the fashion industry think we will be wearing next year. | Take a look > |
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| Food trends that’ll take over your tables | We spoke to experts about the ingredients and flavours that will dominate our social feeds, shopping baskets and menus. | What they predict > |
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| BEYOND THE HEADLINES | Words to avoid in New Year's resolutions |
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| |  | Fixed language like "always" or "never" can create an all-or-nothing approach that is very difficult to follow. Credit: Getty images | Most New Year's resolutions don't last past mid-January. This is often due to goals being unrealistic, unclear or too broad. To make this coming year different, we've asked some experts for their tips on how to make - and keep - your resolutions. |
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