A viral video of a Chinese youth mocking burqa-clad women in Islamabad's F-10 Markaz has triggered a national debate on cultural respect and legal accountability. A video clip of a Chinese national making derogatory remarks and harassing burqa-clad women in the F-10 Markaz area of Islamabad has
Black garlic neither has the same features as its white variant nor the same intended health benefits. Rather than the familiar ivory-hued clove used to enhance the taste and aroma of Indian dishes, black garlic is dark and comes with a subtle and balsamic sweetness. Unlike regular garlic
Gold and silver have seen a rollercoaster end to a year in which their prices are on track to record their biggest annual gains since 1979. The price of gold soared by more than 60% this year to hit a record high of more than $4,549 (£3
Mumbai: Unlike the first phase of local body elections that largely saw a straight contest between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the municipal corporation polls in major cities across Maharashtra have thrown up a different picture
Bihar Public Service Commission, on Monday, said that the written examination for the post of Assistant Education Development Officer (AEDO), scheduled to be held from 10-16 January next year, has been postponed. Why the AEDO written exam is postponed?Bihar Public Service Commission
It had seemed like Arsenal were starting to wobble. After starting December with defeat by Aston Villa, they were far from convincing as they beat Wolves, Everton and Brighton by narrow margins. But the Gunners ground out vital results and they answered any lingering doubts over their title
The UAE rejected Saudi claims over Yemen, denied involvement in tensions or arms supply, reaffirmed support for Saudi security, called for restraint, coordination, and de-escalation to preserve regional stability. The United Arab Emirates expressed concern regarding the statement issued by the
Global trade is slowly shifting from dollar dominance. Using local currencies is no longer an economic choice, it is becoming a strategic tool. Local Currency Trade: For decades, the global economy revolved around the US dollar, but the dynamics are now changing. Rising geopolitical tensions
Ronan Keating on his New Year's Eve show, resolutions, and Boyzone reunion
Ronan Keating on his New Year's Eve show, resolutions, and Boyzone reunion
Ronan Keating has said he hopes his New Year's Eve concert, shown on BBC One either side of the midnight fireworks, will help those who are finding things difficult.
"It can be a very lonely time for a lot of people. A very hard time," he told BBC News during rehearsals at London's Riverside Studios. "Especially when you reflect on a tough year.
"So you want to look at, maybe, optimism into 2026," said the Boyzone singer, explaining his aims for the show.
I hope that I can bring some sort of joy to people, so they feel like they're not at home alone tonight, that I'm right there with them.
As one of his best known solo songs puts it, Ronan Keating wants to end 2025 by putting a "smile on your face".
Last year it was Sophie Ellis-Bextor who performed in BBC One's New Year's Eve slot, describing the event as a "career highlight".
Robbie Williams, Alicia Keys and Madness have also had the honour since the tradition began in 2013, with the show often attracting the biggest TV audience for any music programme broadcast that year.
How does this happen?" Keating asks, turning his head to look round the studio. "I feel truly honoured. The people who have gone before me. Ridiculous. And here I am, little old me. Be careful what you wish for.
He says this while standing in front of a giant R-O-N-A-N, made up of Elvis '68 Comeback-style golden lights.
"My head is swelling constantly," he jokes.
It turns out, he has been wondering where the display will end up after the concert.
In my bedroom?" he suggests mischievously. "That would be amazing.
These annual New Year's Eve shows have become renowned for their guest appearances.
Olly Alexander's team sheet included Kylie Minogue and Pet Shop Boys, Sam Ryder was joined by Justin Hawkins from The Darkness, while Rick Astley duetted with Rylan.
Keating has enlisted the help of an old flatmate, Louise, with whom he shared digs during the early days of her group Eternal.
"Lou and I and Shano [his nickname for Boyzone's Shane Lynch], we were flatmates back in 1995, right next door to Ant & Dec in London," he reminisces.
It was a poptastic house. We were on the Smash Hits Roadshows. We'd all be touring together and coming back to our flat. It was very cute.
So who took longer in the bathroom, him or Louise?
Shano," he answers without missing a beat. "Plucking his eyebrow!
Another special guest is the former EastEnders star and finalist in this year's I'm A Celebrity, Shona McGarty.
"What a voice," enthuses Keating.
She was singing every night on the show and I just thought, man, we've got to get her on New Year's Eve. That was her audition.
Tonight, there will be no rendition of her campsite creation Feeling Good in the Jungle. Instead she will be duetting on the Tracy Chapman song that Boyzone took to number two in the charts, Baby Can I Hold You.
Calum Scott, whose album Bridges is a favourite in the Keating household ("I love his voice. I love his songwriting") will sing the late Stephen Gately's part on No Matter What.
Exactly 30 years ago this week, Boyzone's version of Father and Son was prevented from reaching number one by Michael Jackson's Earth Song.
Two members of the group, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch, will be seen tonight, giving a taste of what can be expected when Boyzone reunite in 2026, for two huge shows in June at London's Emirates stadium.
"It's unbelievable," beams Keating.
"Boyzone never headlined a stadium before.
"The guest list is ridiculous. The phone hasn't stopped ringing. And yes, I have received more Christmas cards this year than I normally do," he chortles.
One thing Keating will not be doing is making any New Year's resolutions.
If I've got to make changes, I make them now. I won't wait till a certain date, because I'll only fail.
He pauses, suddenly looking more wistful.
"Really for me it's about spending more time with loved ones; family and friends. It's been a tough couple of years. We lost my brother," he explains.
In July 2023, his elder brother Ciaran was killed in a car crash at the age of 57, while travelling to watch his son Ruairí play for Cork City Football Club.
"Now, keeping the family together is more important than ever for me," he emphasises.
It suddenly becomes clear that Keating was also talking about himself when explaining how difficult people can find new year.
Tonight he too will use music as part of his own healing process, by singing the soundtrack to his more than 30-year career, a period over which he has made the journey from Boyzone to family man.
Ronan and Friends: A New Year's Eve Party is on BBC One and iPlayer from 23:30 except in Scotland where the Hogmanay show will feature music from sea shanty singer Nathan Evans, Michelle McManus and the award-winning folk supergroup Mànran.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Where To Dine This New Year New year travel plans to be hit Will 2026 Be A Happy New Year For Congress New York woman knocked off her feet by 70mph winds New Year vibes The viral moments that grabbed India's attention this year When US stock market open and close on New Year's Eve IMD New Year forecast New Year vibes needed an upgrade Gold and silver see rollercoaster end to blockbuster year
Pisces experiences a deeply emotional yet disciplined love year in 2026. Saturn remains in your first house, making you more serious and introspective in relationships. This placement can delay emotional expression but strengthens long-term commitment
Just now
British boxing star Anthony Joshua was injured in a fatal highway crash in Nigeria, just ten days after defeating Jake Paul in a Netflix bout. The former heavyweight champion, who has a significant fan base and a decorated career including an Olympic gold medal
Just now
Director Sriram Raghavan is taking on the war epic genre for the first time with his upcoming film, Ikkis. Over the years, the filmmaker has established a reputation for telling stories in thrillers and dark spy films. In a day and age when that has become the norm with films like Dhurandhar
Just now
Aries: Emotionally, today might feel an intense need for security. Take the time to bond with those who respect your space and who do not rush your feelings. Sometimes, silence is even more powerful than the spoken word. If you are in a relationship
Just now
Bollywood icon Rekha once again reminded the fashion world why she remains unmatched in elegance. Celebrating Christmas in a striking Manish Malhotra ensemble, the 71-year-old actress effortlessly blended festive glamour with her signature old-world charmBollywood icon Rekha once again reminded the
Just now
The process of conducting a special intensive revision of the voter rolls in Uttar Pradesh has been extended again, the state chief electoral officer said on Tuesday. The draft voter list will now be published on January 6, while the final list will be published on March 6
Just now
A street confrontation in Maharashtra has drawn attention after visuals showed a delivery agent being assaulted following a minor road incident. The episode reportedly occurred in Nagpur and was captured on camera by bystanders. The footage shows the delivery worker being attacked by occupants of a
Just now
Not every powerful scene comes easily, even when it ends up leaving a deep mark on audiences. One of the most unsettling moments in Dhurandhar — involving Ranveer Singh's character Hamza — almost didn't happen at all. Actor Naseem, who played Lulli in the film
Just now
I spent the early years of my career at a university campus working as a student counsellor. Those years gave me a chance to experience belonging and warmth, and develop my skills of active listening sprinkled with capacity and opportunities for fun. The campus offered me the gift of community
Just now
Even some of those who supported the rate cut acknowledged "the decision was finely balanced or that they could have supported keeping the target range unchanged," given the different risks facing the U.S. economy, according to the minutes released on Tuesday
Just now
The wife of an Indian man who died after waiting for nearly eight hours to see a doctor at a Canadian hospital has demanded justice. On December 22, Prashant Sreekumar reached Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton complaining of severe chest pain and loss of vision in one eye
Just now
Television superstar Hina Khan has stated what intimacy means to her and has expressed her immense love and gratitude for her husband, Rocky Jaiswal, who never fails to make her feel special, even after 13 years of togetherness. The couple, who are on a vacation to the Maldives
Just now
It was late May and I was in Darjeeling district of West Bengal interviewing tea estate managers and workers about the struggles their world famous industry was facing due to climate change and competition. On my first day there I had joined protesting activists and workers at Longview tea estate
Just now
East Bengal FC's Fazila Ikwaput and Soumya Guguloth both scored hat-tricks as the footballing powerhouse beat Sesa Football Academy 9-0, bagging their largest-ever victory in the Indian Women's League on Tuesday. Fazila (9′, 22′, 25′, 72′) scored four goals, Soumya (6′
Just now
At a time when fraud attacks on the Indian financial services ecosystem is going up, banks are pushing the adoption of video KYC instead of electronic KYC as a way to open digital accounts, according to people in the know. The central bank allows lenders to open digital savings accounts with just a
Just now
As the New Year rolled in, I felt like refreshing my setup, not just for better sound, but for something that actually looked fun and modern on my desk. Plain headphones did the job, but they never quite matched the energy of late-night gaming sessions, movie breaks, or music breaks
Just now
New Year celebrations often mean full homes, shared meals, and a kitchen that never seems to rest. In such moments, dishwashers play a quiet yet important role. After hosting friends or family, the focus should remain on conversations and memories, not piles of dirty utensils
Just now
Dense to very dense fog is set to persist across large parts of north and east India over the next several days, accompanied by cold wave and cold day conditions in multiple regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced. In its latest weather bulletin
Just now
The Special Court for People's Representatives in Bengaluru on Tuesday granted conditional bail to Congress MLA from Challakere constituency KC Veerendra, also known as Pappi, four months after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to online betting
Just now
India's Gen Z, numbering 380 million, is a powerful force driving change. This generation is impacting innovation, politics, and spending habits. Their direct and influenced spending is set to grow significantly. Gen Z's evolving preferences for celebrations, online expression
Just now
Caballero defends Maresca after Palmer substitution sparks jeers Chelsea assistant coach Willy Caballero defended Enzo Maresca's decision to replace Cole Palmer after the controversial substitution sparked jeered from angry fans during the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday
Just now
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, died after a prolonged illness, said her Bangladesh Nationalist Party. She was 80. She had been suffering from advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman prime minister
Just now
A dynamic new “consumer class” emerging from Africa is attracting international attention. With the prospect of rising incomes and a young population, international consulting firms see the continent as the next frontier for consumer goods
Just now
Eventful as it was, 2025 was also a year of profound loss, with several celebrated personalities who contributed greatly in the fields of art and politics bidding the world a goodbye. From advertising legend Piyush Pandey to 'He-man' Dharmendra, India lost some great gems in 2025.Eventful as it was
Just now
The popular coffee chain Starbucks has reportedly closed over 400 stores in US as part of its $1 billion restructuring plan. In New York city alone, Starbucks shut down 42 stores or 12 per cent of its total after losing the spot of the largest chain in Manhattan to Dunkin'
Just now
No. 3 Georgia is eager to make better Sugar Bowl memories while No. 6 Ole Miss eyes payback NEW ORLEANS — For the Georgia Bulldogs and coach Kirby Smart, last year's Sugar Bowl brought a heavy dose of sadness that had more to do with life — and the loss of it — than football.No
Just now
Alongside heightened military diplomacy, doctrinal evolution, and a renewed push for indigenisation and innovation, 2025 underscored the Indian Army's shift from incremental modernisation to mission-driven transformation. Indian Army In 2025: As 2025 draws to a close
Just now
