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

Before heading to Hawaii last Friday, 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: SHARE THIS

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