Last Updated: December 25, 2013

Weather: Melbourne 13°C - 31°C . Mainly sunny.

Christmas, New Year's survival guide

Christmas Rush at Chadstone Shopping Centre.

CLOSURES and altered timetables will mean it's not business as usual for services over the Christmas and New Year period.

Branson to boycott anti-gay Uganda

Sir Richard Branson

RICHARD Branson has urged companies to boycott Uganda over a draconian anti-homosexuality bill passed by its parliament last week.

Swansea's Michu to miss six weeks

Michu

SWANSEA says Michu is likely to be sidelined for six weeks, with the forward requiring surgery on his right ankle.

Vergara all loved up in Mexico

Sofia Vergara

MODERN Family star Sofia Vergara has quashed rumours of a broken engagement, posting photos of her and Nick Loeb on a break in Mexico.

AFL

Staff payouts cost Dees, Saints

Staff payouts cost Dees, Saints

MELBOURNE'S purge of senior staff cost the club more than $1.8 million, with the Dees racking up $3.1 million in losses.

Doc suspended for 'branding' patient

Simon Bramhall

A BRITISH surgeon has been suspended over allegations he "branded'' his initials onto a patient's liver.