In particular, Obama called for Congress to come back after Christmas and work with him on a limited agreement to prevent tax hikes on the middle class, extend unemployment insurance and set a framework for future deficit reduction steps.

CNN: Down to the fiscal cliff wire, with no solution in sight

Fabrice Muamba is to guest star on a Christmas edition of Strictly Come Dancing, nine months after he suffered a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie.

BBC: Fabrice Muamba to appear in Strictly Come Dancing

In December, 2005, after President Bush had come and gone and the nation's attention turned to Christmas shopping, The Times-Picayune was deep on all aspects of the story, thick with information vital to struggling residents.

FORBES: Wake Of The Flood

In a separate interview with the paper, Bishop McCulloch echoed those criticisms, just days after he used his Christmas Day sermon to warn that society was facing an inevitable come-uppance for its "buy now, pay later" culture.

BBC: Bishops attack 'immoral' Labour