The moaning and hand-wringing has reached deafening levels.
The internet memes are out of control. If you spend more than 10 minutes on Twitter, you'll be overwhelmed with the sense that 2016 was an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions.
According to received wisdom, 2017 will be even worse.
Well, there's a few problems with that analysis (not least that Brexit and Trump were both voted for by a majority of the electorate).
In fact there are many, many things to be thankful for.
Here's my list of reasons why we should all cheer up a bit:
1. Millions of people disengaged with politics started caring again. People who never voted before because they felt ignored have re-engaged with the political process after the EU referendum vote. (Don't like how people voted? Sorry, that's how democracy works.)
2. We are living longer than ever before. Figures show that for those aged 65, men can expect to live for another 19 years and women a further 21 years.
3. The giant panda is no longer endangered and China has banned the ivory trade - a game changer for elephants.
4. Fewer children are dying as child mortality drops.
5. A peace deal was reached in Colombia after 50 years of war.
6. It was a great year for women in politics, with a female Prime Minister, First Ministers in Scotland and Northern Ireland and women leading the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives.
7. And there was good news for the environment, with US carbon dioxide emissions at their lowest level since 1991.
8. Islamic States has lost swathes of territory.
9. Sri Lanka managed to eradicate malaria.
10. And Sheffield Wednesday finished the year in the championship play-off positions.
(Sorry about that last one - I couldn't resist.)
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Ban Ki-moon leaves UN, regrets not ending conflicts
Ban Ki-moon, the outgoing UN secretary-general, says he laments not ending conflicts or doing more to promote peace as he ends 10 years at the UN.
Thronged by UN staff as he made his way out of UN headquarters on Friday, the South Korean diplomat thanked his colleagues, saying it was an honour to have worked with them.
"You should be very proud, just as I am so very proud to call you my colleagues," he said.
The 72-year-old transfers stewardship of the world body to Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister, amid continuing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Mali, the Central African Republic and Libya, to name but a few.
Ban said he lamented the "fires still burning", and in a rare show of criticism of world leaders, criticised unnamed presidents, prime ministers and monarchs for the turmoil.
Singling out Syria, he said he could not understand why it was being held hostage to "the destiny" of Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian conflict has killed an estimated 400,000 people, contributed to Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II and allowed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group to emerge as a global threat.
Turning elsewhere, Ban said in his decade at the UN he had endeavoured "to never give up. To keep dreaming, to keep believing, and to keep working hard until we achieve progress".
He urged UN staff to remain focused on advancing UN development goals and work towards addressing issues ranging from climate change to gender empowerment.
Mixed legacy
Despite serving two terms and being unanimously re-elected in 2011, Ban leaves behind a mixed legacy.
In his first term he was criticised for not speaking out against human rights abuses in China and Russia.
And, in his second term, for the UN's handling of the cholera epidemic in Haiti and its failure to deal effectively with sexual abuses by UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic and elsewhere.
His decision to remove an Arab coalition bombing Yemen from a UN blacklist after Saudi Arabia threatened to stop funding UN programmes was sharply rebuked.
On the other hand, he has won plaudits for helping move climate change to the top of the global agenda and strongly backing gay rights despite opposition from many countries.
From Sunday, Guterres, 67, takes over from Ban. He is the first former head of government to lead the UN and will preside over a five-year term.
Thronged by UN staff as he made his way out of UN headquarters on Friday, the South Korean diplomat thanked his colleagues, saying it was an honour to have worked with them.
"You should be very proud, just as I am so very proud to call you my colleagues," he said.
The 72-year-old transfers stewardship of the world body to Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister, amid continuing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Mali, the Central African Republic and Libya, to name but a few.
Ban said he lamented the "fires still burning", and in a rare show of criticism of world leaders, criticised unnamed presidents, prime ministers and monarchs for the turmoil.
Singling out Syria, he said he could not understand why it was being held hostage to "the destiny" of Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian conflict has killed an estimated 400,000 people, contributed to Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II and allowed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group to emerge as a global threat.
Turning elsewhere, Ban said in his decade at the UN he had endeavoured "to never give up. To keep dreaming, to keep believing, and to keep working hard until we achieve progress".
He urged UN staff to remain focused on advancing UN development goals and work towards addressing issues ranging from climate change to gender empowerment.
Mixed legacy
Despite serving two terms and being unanimously re-elected in 2011, Ban leaves behind a mixed legacy.
In his first term he was criticised for not speaking out against human rights abuses in China and Russia.
And, in his second term, for the UN's handling of the cholera epidemic in Haiti and its failure to deal effectively with sexual abuses by UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic and elsewhere.
His decision to remove an Arab coalition bombing Yemen from a UN blacklist after Saudi Arabia threatened to stop funding UN programmes was sharply rebuked.
On the other hand, he has won plaudits for helping move climate change to the top of the global agenda and strongly backing gay rights despite opposition from many countries.
From Sunday, Guterres, 67, takes over from Ban. He is the first former head of government to lead the UN and will preside over a five-year term.
Kim Jong-un says close to test long-range missile
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been quoted as saying in a New Year's message that his country's development of banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) is in "final stages".
"Research and development of cutting-edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage," Kim said on Sunday.
North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.
The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9.
In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.
A senior US military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.
"Research and development of cutting-edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage," Kim said on Sunday.
North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.
The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9.
In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.
A senior US military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.
Theresa May's New Year message quotes murdered MP Jo Cox
Theresa May has evoked the memory of Jo Cox in her New Year message, signing off the year by reminding Britons they have "far more in common than that which divides us".
The Prime Minister pledged to make 2017 the year of "unity and opportunity" as she urged people to put the divisive referendum behind them, and said all Britons were united in wanting a safe, secure and fairer country.
"These ambitions unite us, so that we are no longer the 52% who voted Leave and the 48% who voted Remain, but one great union of people and nations with a proud history and a bright future."
"As the fantastic MP Jo Cox, who as so tragically taken from us last year, put it: 'We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.'"
Bridging the political divide, Mrs May also sought to reassure those who voted to Remain in the EU that she would endeavour to represent them too in her Brexit negotiations.
"When I sit around the negotiating table in Europe this year, it will be with that in mind - the knowledge that I am there to get the right deal - not just for those who voted to Leave - but for every single person in this country."
Mrs May's New Year Message is similar to her Christmas message just days earlier, when she called on the country to come back together after the EU referendum.
However, the Prime Minister is likely to face a torrid start to 2017 over Brexit.
In January, the Supreme Court will decide whether No 10 have to lay down new legislation to trigger formal exit negotiations, which in turn could set the scene for a big parliamentary battle over her Brexit plans.
Aside from Brexit negotiations, the Prime Minister also hinted at a more activist domestic agenda in 2017.
"We have made a momentous decision and set ourselves on a new direction. And if 2016 was the year you voted for that change, this is the year we start to make it happen," she said.
On the domestic front, No 10 will publish its plan for a new industrial strategy for the UK in January in an effort to boost economic growth, while also publishing a green paper on housing as ministers look to answer voters' concerns over chronic housing shortages across the UK.
Mrs May's tribute to Ms Cox comes days after her bereaved husband Brendan Cox delivered an alternative Christmas message, calling for an end to the "rise in hatred".
Broadcast on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, Mr Cox told viewers that now is the "now is the "moment to reach out to somebody that might disagree with us".
The 41-year-old MP, who was mother to two young children, was shot and stabbed to death by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency days before June's EU referendum.
The Prime Minister pledged to make 2017 the year of "unity and opportunity" as she urged people to put the divisive referendum behind them, and said all Britons were united in wanting a safe, secure and fairer country.
"These ambitions unite us, so that we are no longer the 52% who voted Leave and the 48% who voted Remain, but one great union of people and nations with a proud history and a bright future."
"As the fantastic MP Jo Cox, who as so tragically taken from us last year, put it: 'We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.'"
Bridging the political divide, Mrs May also sought to reassure those who voted to Remain in the EU that she would endeavour to represent them too in her Brexit negotiations.
"When I sit around the negotiating table in Europe this year, it will be with that in mind - the knowledge that I am there to get the right deal - not just for those who voted to Leave - but for every single person in this country."
Mrs May's New Year Message is similar to her Christmas message just days earlier, when she called on the country to come back together after the EU referendum.
However, the Prime Minister is likely to face a torrid start to 2017 over Brexit.
In January, the Supreme Court will decide whether No 10 have to lay down new legislation to trigger formal exit negotiations, which in turn could set the scene for a big parliamentary battle over her Brexit plans.
Aside from Brexit negotiations, the Prime Minister also hinted at a more activist domestic agenda in 2017.
"We have made a momentous decision and set ourselves on a new direction. And if 2016 was the year you voted for that change, this is the year we start to make it happen," she said.
On the domestic front, No 10 will publish its plan for a new industrial strategy for the UK in January in an effort to boost economic growth, while also publishing a green paper on housing as ministers look to answer voters' concerns over chronic housing shortages across the UK.
Mrs May's tribute to Ms Cox comes days after her bereaved husband Brendan Cox delivered an alternative Christmas message, calling for an end to the "rise in hatred".
Broadcast on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, Mr Cox told viewers that now is the "now is the "moment to reach out to somebody that might disagree with us".
The 41-year-old MP, who was mother to two young children, was shot and stabbed to death by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency days before June's EU referendum.
'To my many enemies': Trump's barbed New Year wishes to friends and foes
Donald Trump has wished his "enemies" a Happy New Year in a barbed tweet posted just weeks before he takes office in the White House.
In the gloating New Year's Eve message, the President-elect wrote: "Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies.
"Those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!"
It comes in the same week Mr Trump repeated his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a "very smart" man for not retaliating against the expulsion of 35 suspected spies from the US.
America's future leader has a reputation for drawing a clear line between friends and foes and has had no shortage of spats with his opponents in 2016 - including several public rows on Twitter in his election year.
As well as stirring up tensions with the likes of China and Iran, his domestic political rivals, Hollywood A-listers and prominent US media figures have also been in the firing line.
Before the presidential nomination, Mr Trump branded some of his Republican adversaries as "horrible liars" and "not smart".
They included South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, but the hatchet appeared to have been buried when both emerged as contenders for senior roles.
During a highly divisive campaign, Mr Trump chose the nicknames "Lyin' Ted" and "Crooked Hillary" to describe political opponents Hillary Clinton and rival Republican Ted Cruz.
President Barack Obama has also been a target - the tycoon accused his administration of actively supporting the Islamist group that later became known as Islamic State.
Following last week's UN Security Council call for an end to Israeli settlements, Mr Trump again voiced his support for Israel while criticising the Palestinian Authority for "refusing to stop the terror".
Also on the President-elect's list of geopolitical enemies is Iran, whose international nuclear agreement Mr Trump opposes.
Tensions between the US and China have escalated since Mr Trump's victory, with the President-elect suggesting he is willing to abandon the "One China" policy which guides Washington's position on Taiwan.
Relations have been strained with Mexico, too, since he threatened to build a wall on the country's border with the US.
Figures from world of entertainment and media have also been in the firing line.
Mr Trump has been vocal over his dislike for most broadcasters, naming NBC's Brian Williams, ABC's Barbara Walters and Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin among others.
But it's in Hollywood - where many former Presidents found their strongest platform of support - that Mr Trump has encountered some of the greatest hostility.
Robert De Niro threatened to "punch him in the face" in the run-up to the election - but changed his mind when it was clear he had won the keys to the White House.
Jerry Seinfeld called Mr Trump "God's gift to comedy, while Alec Baldwin's satirical portrayal of the future President on Saturday Night Live has prompted a prolonged social media feud.
Mr Trump will be sworn in as 45th President of the United States on 20 January.
In the gloating New Year's Eve message, the President-elect wrote: "Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies.
"Those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!"
It comes in the same week Mr Trump repeated his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a "very smart" man for not retaliating against the expulsion of 35 suspected spies from the US.
America's future leader has a reputation for drawing a clear line between friends and foes and has had no shortage of spats with his opponents in 2016 - including several public rows on Twitter in his election year.
As well as stirring up tensions with the likes of China and Iran, his domestic political rivals, Hollywood A-listers and prominent US media figures have also been in the firing line.
Before the presidential nomination, Mr Trump branded some of his Republican adversaries as "horrible liars" and "not smart".
They included South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, but the hatchet appeared to have been buried when both emerged as contenders for senior roles.
During a highly divisive campaign, Mr Trump chose the nicknames "Lyin' Ted" and "Crooked Hillary" to describe political opponents Hillary Clinton and rival Republican Ted Cruz.
President Barack Obama has also been a target - the tycoon accused his administration of actively supporting the Islamist group that later became known as Islamic State.
Following last week's UN Security Council call for an end to Israeli settlements, Mr Trump again voiced his support for Israel while criticising the Palestinian Authority for "refusing to stop the terror".
Also on the President-elect's list of geopolitical enemies is Iran, whose international nuclear agreement Mr Trump opposes.
Tensions between the US and China have escalated since Mr Trump's victory, with the President-elect suggesting he is willing to abandon the "One China" policy which guides Washington's position on Taiwan.
Relations have been strained with Mexico, too, since he threatened to build a wall on the country's border with the US.
Figures from world of entertainment and media have also been in the firing line.
Mr Trump has been vocal over his dislike for most broadcasters, naming NBC's Brian Williams, ABC's Barbara Walters and Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin among others.
But it's in Hollywood - where many former Presidents found their strongest platform of support - that Mr Trump has encountered some of the greatest hostility.
Robert De Niro threatened to "punch him in the face" in the run-up to the election - but changed his mind when it was clear he had won the keys to the White House.
Jerry Seinfeld called Mr Trump "God's gift to comedy, while Alec Baldwin's satirical portrayal of the future President on Saturday Night Live has prompted a prolonged social media feud.
Mr Trump will be sworn in as 45th President of the United States on 20 January.
At least 35 people dead and 40 injured after Turkish nightclub attack
At least 35 people have been killed after a gunman reportedly dressed as Santa Claus attacked a nightclub in Turkey.
The governor of Istanbul has described the incident, which also injured at least 40 others, as a "terrorist attack".
It is believed the gunman shot at police officers outside the Rezia nightclub before opening fire at random inside the building.
Estimates suggest about 500 to 600 people were celebrating the New Year at the venue.
Many people jumped into the Bosphorus river in panic.
Television footage showed ambulances and police vehicles on the street outside the nightclub in the Ortakoy district.
Media reports said police have cordoned off the area and an operation is ongoing.
Security measures had been heightened in major Turkish cities, with police barring traffic leading up to key city squares.
In Istanbul, 17,000 police officers were put on duty, some camouflaged as Santa Claus and others as street vendors, Anadolu reported.
Ankara and Istanbul have been targeted by several attacks in 2016 carried out by the Islamic State group or Kurdish rebels, killing more than 180 people.
The governor of Istanbul has described the incident, which also injured at least 40 others, as a "terrorist attack".
It is believed the gunman shot at police officers outside the Rezia nightclub before opening fire at random inside the building.
Estimates suggest about 500 to 600 people were celebrating the New Year at the venue.
Many people jumped into the Bosphorus river in panic.
Television footage showed ambulances and police vehicles on the street outside the nightclub in the Ortakoy district.
Media reports said police have cordoned off the area and an operation is ongoing.
Security measures had been heightened in major Turkish cities, with police barring traffic leading up to key city squares.
In Istanbul, 17,000 police officers were put on duty, some camouflaged as Santa Claus and others as street vendors, Anadolu reported.
Ankara and Istanbul have been targeted by several attacks in 2016 carried out by the Islamic State group or Kurdish rebels, killing more than 180 people.
Concrete bollards to prevent copycat London lorry attack on New Year's Eve
Concrete barriers will block traffic from crowds in central London on New Year's Eve to prevent a potential lorry attack.
Extra security measures are in place ahead of tonight's celebrations after a Christmas market in Berlin became a terror target earlier this month.
A record number of concrete bollards will be placed at junctions to keep vehicles out of central London.
More than 100,000 are expected to line the banks of the River Thames for the capital's sold-out firework display.
The countdown to midnight, ushering in 2017, will also last longer than usual with an extra so-called "leap second" added to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation.
Armed police will be deployed on London Underground trains for the first time on New Year's Eve following a security review.
The armed officers and other additional patrols have been brought in to bolster the 3,000 officers who will police the capital's streets.
British Transport Police said officers would work extended hours on New Year's Eve for the second year in a row.
And forces across the country are on alert. West Midlands Police said: "While the security status remains at severe we have further resources in place should they be needed."
In Scotland, some 80,000 people are expected to pack into Edinburgh city centre to celebrate Hogmanay.
Police Scotland said it had "reviewed" safety plans following the recent truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.
Chief Superintendent Kenny MacDonald said: "We are absolutely confident that the plans that we have in place are proportionate and appropriate, and we will make sure that we deliver a safe event."
The celebrations in Hull will focus on New Year's Day when the city kicks off its tenure as City of Culture with a huge fireworks display it says will rival London's New Year's Eve party.
UK authorities say they are not responding to any specific intelligence of a threat, but are taking precautions after recent events in Europe.
In July, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel killed 86 people when he drove a 19-tonne lorry into crowds on Nice's seafront promenade.
Earlier this month, Anis Amri killed 12 people when he drove a hijacked lorry into a Berlin Christmas market.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed security plans for the capital's New Year's Eve celebrations had been "adjusted" in the last few days.
Superintendent Phil Langworthy, from the force, said: "Clearly we have been looking at what has happened around the world in terms of Berlin, Nice etc ... and have adjusted our plans and continue to adjust our plans."
He added that there were "both overt and covert" measures in place for security.
Extra security measures are in place ahead of tonight's celebrations after a Christmas market in Berlin became a terror target earlier this month.
A record number of concrete bollards will be placed at junctions to keep vehicles out of central London.
More than 100,000 are expected to line the banks of the River Thames for the capital's sold-out firework display.
The countdown to midnight, ushering in 2017, will also last longer than usual with an extra so-called "leap second" added to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation.
Armed police will be deployed on London Underground trains for the first time on New Year's Eve following a security review.
The armed officers and other additional patrols have been brought in to bolster the 3,000 officers who will police the capital's streets.
British Transport Police said officers would work extended hours on New Year's Eve for the second year in a row.
And forces across the country are on alert. West Midlands Police said: "While the security status remains at severe we have further resources in place should they be needed."
In Scotland, some 80,000 people are expected to pack into Edinburgh city centre to celebrate Hogmanay.
Police Scotland said it had "reviewed" safety plans following the recent truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.
Chief Superintendent Kenny MacDonald said: "We are absolutely confident that the plans that we have in place are proportionate and appropriate, and we will make sure that we deliver a safe event."
The celebrations in Hull will focus on New Year's Day when the city kicks off its tenure as City of Culture with a huge fireworks display it says will rival London's New Year's Eve party.
UK authorities say they are not responding to any specific intelligence of a threat, but are taking precautions after recent events in Europe.
In July, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel killed 86 people when he drove a 19-tonne lorry into crowds on Nice's seafront promenade.
Earlier this month, Anis Amri killed 12 people when he drove a hijacked lorry into a Berlin Christmas market.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed security plans for the capital's New Year's Eve celebrations had been "adjusted" in the last few days.
Superintendent Phil Langworthy, from the force, said: "Clearly we have been looking at what has happened around the world in terms of Berlin, Nice etc ... and have adjusted our plans and continue to adjust our plans."
He added that there were "both overt and covert" measures in place for security.
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