Shooting fireworks tonight? Know the rules (St. Tammany News)

While the best shows may be set off by the pros, authorities expect backyard revelers to ignite thousands of illegal fireworks as usual this New Year’s Eve in St. Tammany Parish.

Two new European culture capitals for 2009 (Nine O'Clock)

Vilnius is celebrating more than just the entry of 2009. This year it’s also one of the two European Capitals of Culture, according to Euronews. The Lithuanian capital is the first city among the new EU member countries to receive the distinction.

Neil Warnock: A birthday bash then it's back to inconvenient business of transfers (Independent)

For those of you who saw me in the departure lounge at Glasgow Airport on Thursday night, no, I'm not buying a player from Celtic or Rangers, or Partick Thistle either, which with my budget is a bit more likely.

Strange times on winter night walks in Northumberland (Guardian Unlimited)

Taking a walk in the wilds of Northumberland on a cold, dark night, as I did this winter, can be an outlandish experience. One minute you're ambling along a nice woodland path in Kielder Water & Forest Park - the most tranquil spot in the UK, according to a recent study. Then you round a corner and, all of a sudden, you're confronted by a brightly lit palm tree in the middle of a lake. It's ...

All News... Medway at Large - Reporters' Notebook (The Kent Messenger)

Writing this remotedly from from home up northish in the hood. Didn't have time to update today but just wanted to write a few lines to keep up appearances before this blog returns with a proper regular flourish in the New Year.