Scotland trending: Today’s most talked-about stories

Actor Charlie Sheen appears on NBC's Today show. Picture: AP

Today’s top stories on social media from Scotland and beyond, including Charlie Sheen and new arrivals to Scotland

Charlie Sheen confirms he is HIV positive

Film and TV actor Charlie Sheen announced he is HIV positive today on US television. The 50-year-old told Today’s Matt Lauer on NBC that he was making the statement publicly in order to put a stop to rumours and blackmail. There has been speculation about the former Two and a Half Men star’s health since gossip website RadarOnline published a story earlier this month about an unnamed Hollywood star suffering from HIV as a result of his debauched lifestyle. The story has rocked the internet, although several sceptics on Twitter have called the revelation a publicity stunt.

First Syrian refugees arrive in Scotland

The first flight bringing Syrian refugees to Scotland arrived in Glasgow this afternoon as the country prepares to take in a total of 20,000 people from the war-torn country. The specially chartered flight carrying just over 100 passengers landed in Glasgow at around 4pm today. The response from the majority of Scottish publications and social media users on Twitter has been overwhelmingly positive, with many newspapers, websites and citizens welcoming the incoming refugees.

I’m A Celebrity contestant refuses to do her share of the dishes

Lady Colin Campbell showed her true diva colours last night on reality TV show I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here when she and fellow contestant Yvette Fielding were voted the laziest camp dwellers. Instead of helping Fielding with their joint punishment of washing a huge pile of dirty dishes, Lady Campbell, nicknamed Lady C by viewers, ranted furiously at Tony Hadley and Chris Eubank. Lady C’s hot temper has split social media down the middle, causing her name to trend on Twitter today as fans of the show express their dislike or adoration of the notorious socialite.

FHM and Zoo magazines to cease publication

Mens’ magazines FHM and Zoo announced today that they will suspend publication of both titles by the end of the year, according to Sky News. FHM launched in 1985, while Zoo was first published in 2004. During the 1990s FHM was extremely popular and available to buy in 27 countries. But in the last decade circulation of the magazine has fallen to less than 100,000. While the majority of Twitter users are acknowledging the closure as the end of an era, many said so-called ‘lad mags’ were out-dated and unnecessary in today’s society.

Oxford English Dictionary chooses emoji as its Word of the Year

The internet cried with laughter at the Oxford English Dictionary’s decision to make a weeping, laughing emoji their Word of the Year. The popular image used by smartphone users via social media and text messages shows a disembodied yellow head laughing with tears rolling down its face. According to Business Standard, experts selected the emoji as it captures the essence of living in a digital, instantaneous and visually-driven world. Most Twitter users were surprised and amused by the decision; more serious posters find it embarrassing and sensationalist.