Waitrose says it has had a “strong” Christmas after reporting a 3.8% rise in like-for-like sales.

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Waitrose has ‘strong’ Christmas

John Lewis reports an “outstanding” rise in sales and bigger market share at its department stores during the Christmas period.

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‘Outstanding’ sales at John Lewis

More than a billion apps were downloaded during Christmas, with UK consumers proving to be big enthusiasts.

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Apps hit record high in December

Breakdown companies are bracing themselves for one of their busiest days of the year, as drivers return to work after the Christmas break.

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VIDEO: Busiest day for car breakdown firms

Science! Sometimes it tells us things that are terrifying, sad or disturbing, but today science is telling us to go ahead and keep drinking. Hurrah! If you're anything like us (and Bacchus help you if you are), your Facebook and Twitter feeds are full of people eschewing alcohol for the month of January in an attempt to reset their liver and “detox” from holiday overconsumption . We're all for people doing whatever it takes to grasp control of their health and do what it takes to feel better. Problem is, this particular is useless according to doctors at the British Liver Trust . According to an article in today's Daily Mail , “the so-called ‘Janopause’ – when drinkers cut out alcohol for only the first month of the year – is ‘medically futile’ and fails to rejuvenate the liver in the long term.” The piece goes on to note that eliminating alcohol altogether tends to lead to excess imbibing in the following months – which is pretty much antithetical to what you were trying to do in the first place. So what's the solution? In England, news sources report that Prime Minister David Cameron is considering ordering officials to come up with a plan to institute a minimum price for alcohol in stores in order to curb consumption. Here in the land of the free and home of the brave, federal interference with alcohol access has never proven especially popular with its citizenry, so it's up to individual drinkers (and their doctors, loved ones and clergyfolk) to decide. Our approach: pay attention to drinking from desire, rather than habit. Yes, you may often split a bottle of wine with a loved one, but a device like a vacuum wine saver will keep the remainder fresh for the next day or two. Half bottles offset the effect of the psychological drive to finish the whole bottle and boxed wine , which allows for easy single pours, has come into its own. We've also taken to alternating cocktails with alcohol-free, but incredibly festive (and low-calorie) drinks like seltzer with just a splash of fruit juice and frozen fruit, or club soda with Rose's Lime Cordial and a slash of Tabasco sauce (which is much more delicious than it sounds). No, we don't have to drink, but we like to drink and if it's done in moderation, hey – cheers to that. And to our friend, science. View This Poll More about science and hangover cures

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Poll – Are you losing the booze in ’12?

Rail commuters preparing to return to work after the Christmas break face fare rises of up to 11% from Monday, watchdog Passenger Focus says.

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Commuter pain as rail fares rise

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declares a state of emergency in areas targeted by Islamist militants, who killed dozens on Christmas Day.

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VIDEO: Nigeria’s president declares emergency

A body found in a lake is that of a teenager who went missing after a works party eight days before Christmas, police confirm.

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Missing teenager in lake drowned

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vows to “crush” the militants behind a series of bomb attacks across Nigeria on Christmas Day.

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Nigeria vow to ‘crush miltants’

WASHINGTON — The United States has reached a deal to sell $3.48 billion worth of missiles and related technology to the United Arab Emirates, a close Mideast ally, as part of a massive buildup of defense technology among friendly Mideast nations near Iran. Pentagon spokesman George Little announced the Christmas Day sale on Friday night. Read full article > >

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US seals deal on $3.48 billion sale of missiles, technology to UAE, a close ally in Mideast

The house will be gone soon. For Jenny and Robert Click, the loss of their Dale City home, scheduled to be sold at a foreclosure auction Jan. 6, has loomed over their holidays. The sense of sorrow was so intense that Jenny Click considered ignoring Christmas and New Year’s, then changed her mind and put up a tree in her living room. Read full article > >

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In Virginia, foreclosures can be ‘the end of year uglies’ for homeowners

A woman, aged 18, is warned she faces jail after making 756 hoax 999 calls over the Christmas weekend.

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Teenager made 756 bogus 999 calls

An MP is freed in Zimbabwe after spending Christmas in jail for allegedly saying President Robert Mugabe had had gay sex, local media report.

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MP freed after ‘Mugabe gay’ jibe

Animated film Arthur Christmas jumps back to the top of the UK and Ireland box office chart in its seventh week of release.

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Arthur Christmas tops film chart

The funeral for the three girls killed in a fire in Stamford, Conn., early Christmas morning is expected to be held next week, but many details remain to be sorted out.

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Funeral for Girls Killed in Connecticut Fire Poses Challenges