IT IS supposed to be a time of giving. But one sandwich shop owner chose the holiday period as a time to fire his 20 staff via email.
Sharapova causes frenzy at airport
TENNIS star Maria Sharapova has touched down in Brisbane ahead of her first tournament in four months but all eyes were on her boyfriend.
Justin Bieber announces retirement
SOME would call it a tragedy. Others might call it a Christmas miracle. Justin Bieber has officially announced his retirement on Twitter.
Cold war: Who owns the North Pole?
THE North Pole may be Santa's home, but the Arctic is set to become a tense new frontier, as countries jostle to use it for economic and military purposes.
Waitress's mistake earns big tip
A PREGNANT waitress who returned US$1000 she found to the wrong customer has received an unexpected windfall.
Dad shoots girl, mistakes for burglar
A 14-YEAR-OLD girl was shot dead by her stepfather after he reportedly mistook her for a burglar.
Secrets of the world's busiest airports
GOING away these Christmas holidays? Getting stuck in transit for hours on end can suck so here are some hidden things you never knew you could do to fight boredom at the airport.
Rocker united with homeless mate
A TV reporter interviewed a homeless man in the US who said he used to be in Carlos Santana's band. What happened next was truly heartwarming.
Killed on his way home for Christmas
A MELBOURNE cyclist killed by an alleged drink driver in Los Angeles was on his way home for Christmas.
Tori's husband accused of cheating
IN A Christmas bombshell 28-year-old Emily Goodhand has told UsWeekly magazine that she spent "an alcohol-fuelled" evening with Spelling's husband.
The 25 must-know Christmas facts
THINK you know all there is to know about the festive season? From sexy Santas to stocking stuffers, we bring you the 25 fun facts of Christmas.
From our News Partners
It turns out Love Actually, was, actually, right
FEELING a bit low this Christmas? If you want to experience real joy, happiness and hope head to the airport. We did. You'll be amazed by the people we met.
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THE Modern Family actress has quashed rumours there is trouble in paradise.
LARA Bingle and boyfriend Sam Worthington can't stop posting pictures of each other to Twitter and Instagram.
BEFORE the greatest kids movie ever gets replayed on TV, check out these surprising facts
JUST wait till you see the Tom Ford dress Beyonce wore the other day. Stunning!
STEVE Kardynal is famous for his YouTube clips where he performs songs tof unsuspecting Chatroulette users. This is his best.
THE Jolie and Pitt clan prove once again just how down to earth they are.
Best from newsplus
1 of 6
- Thousands turn out for community lunches
- Two men arrested over SA police chase
- Man charged after NSW church-goer stabbed
- WA police concerned for missing woman
- Man badly burned preparing Christmas lunch
- Ice storm causes power cuts in Canada, US
- US drummer Ricky Lawson dies at 59
- Two Perth ATMs blown up on Xmas morning
- 'God is light,' Pope tells faithful
- US gunman 'had told patients to flee'
Boxing Day sales start early
SHOPPERS can take advantage of the early start to Boxing Day sales, with the bonanza to begin online with David Jones having started its sales at 6pm.
MCG ton to cap big year for Warner
AUSTRALIANS having to work hard to conceal shock at how England's campaign fell apart in this Ashes series.
Footballer in strife over 'stupid' selfie
A FOOTBALLER is in strife today over a selfie image which police have slammed as "absolutely stupid" behaviour.
Cyclone could develop Christmas Day
A TROPICAL cyclone is expected to form in northern Western Australia on Christmas morning
Toddler abduction sparks alert
UPDATE: A MAN who abducted two small boys south of Brisbane on Christmas Eve has taken them south of the border.
Bad drivers nabbed for 15,000 offences
POLICE have nabbed hundreds of dodgy drivers committing more than 15,000 offences during the summer crackdown on Victorian roads.
The Air Jordans so popular they cause brawls
NIKE'S new Air Jordan edition was released in the US over the weekend. While the shoemaker expected the model to be popular, it probably didn't expect this.
Canada, US, Britain, France pounded
AN ice and snow storm in parts of Canada and the US has claimed 17 lives, while gale-force winds and pounding rain killed at least five people in Britain and France.
'Santa Claus' shot with pellet gun
IT's war on Christmas. Police say 'Santa Claus' was popped in the back with a pellet gun as he delivered toys.
6000 more troops for South Sudan
UPDATE: THE UN Security Council has agreed to almost double the size of the peacekeeping force in troubled South Sudan, adding 6000 extra soldiers and police.
THE NEW HOME OF BUSINESS, MONEY & REAL ESTATE
Agents 'caught having sex in listed home'
TWO real estate agents are being sued for allegedly using a home they were supposed to be selling for late-night sex sessions.
Apple ad delivers sad message
APPLE'S latest ad "Misunderstood" is leaving viewers with impassioned and conflicting interpretations.
Branson to boycott anti-gay Uganda
RICHARD Branson has urged companies to boycott Uganda over a draconian anti-homosexuality bill passed by its parliament last week.
Kidnapped lottery winner freed by cops
BRAZILIAN police have freed the kidnapped $US3 million ($3.4 million) lottery winner whose captors were demanding a ransom of about $US200,000.
BlackBerry co-founder trims stake on loss
BLACKBERRY co-founder Michael Lazaridis has trimmed his stake in the smartphone pioneer to just below 5 per cent from 5.7 per cent.
We're shopping until we drop
EXPECT a lot of presents and lots of food over Christmas as we've spent a staggering $29.6 billion, with another $13.1 billion to go on the sales.
Tiffany exec who took $1m in jewels jailed
A FORMER Tiffany & Co. executive will spend a year behind bars for stealing more than $1.35 million in jewellery.
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Tiny baby heads home for Christmas
DOCTORS weren't sure Connor Sorensen would survive. But today, he is going home to spend Christmas with his family.
Is it time for 'Fat Barbie'?
A PLUS-SIZE Barbie doll has sparked a heated debate about the doll's impact on body image.
Why you can't remember faces
IF you struggle to remember faces, your genes could be to blame, new research has found.
Three new hearts for family
THE triple-transplant Kremises are a rarity even in the world of advanced cardiac specialty medicine.
More from our lifestyle sites
My 'orgy' with Leonardo DiCaprio
FROM extras hitting on Leo to the 'intimidating' audition process, here's what really happened on The Wolf of Wall Street.
Kevin Bacon's 12 degrees of Xmas
FORGET turkey, it's all about Bacon this Christmas ... Kevin Bacon. The Footloose star has released a hilarious festive video.
Home Alone: 10 things you never knew
WHICH female character was actually a male, and did Elvis Presley make a cameo appearance in the film? Here are some surprising facts about the classic kids movie.
'Nigella locked herself in secret cell'
A SECRET bunker was built in Nigella Lawson's $27 million mansion which she nicknamed 'The Cell', according to her former housekeeper.
Best bikini beaches in the world
BEST places to show off a bikini bod? This is the bucket list that dreams are made of.
Elephant kills man who snuck into cage
A ZOOKEEPER has been killed by a two-tonne elephant that picked him up with his trunk and smashed him into a water tank.
Aussie in Sri Lankan flag spat
THE owner of one of the world's most exclusive hotels has been given temporary permission to return to Sri Lanka. Geoffrey Dobbs flew the country's flag upside down. Cue anger.
24 flights cancelled because of the flu
FLU-STRICKEN pilots and flight attendants have grounded 24 flights, effecting 270 passengers.
Flight attendant's epic rant over cheese
AN angry flight attendant repeatedly screamed "F*** you" at a passenger over a pack of "rip-off" cheese and crackers.
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Pietersen rebuffs retirement talk
ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen says he still has the desire to play for his country despite being disappointed with his form.
Federer to become a father again
ROGER Federer might be hoping for a Grand Slam title next year but he'll definitely becoming a father for the third time.
MCG ton to cap big year for Warner
AUSTRALIANS having to work hard to conceal shock at how England's campaign fell apart in this Ashes series.
Beat the bookie on Boxing Day
PUSH the Christmas pudding aside, grab the form guide, it's time to find decent-priced winner on one of the biggest racing days on the calendar on Thursday.
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Snowden: My mission is accomplished
NSA leaker Edward Snowden said his "mission's already accomplished" after revealing secrets that have caused a reassessment of US policies.
Astronauts take a Christmas spacewalk
TWO NASA astronauts have stepped out on a rare Christmas Eve spacewalk to complete repairs at the International Space Station.
NASA's dazzling new images of Saturn
A NASA spacecraft has released dazzling new images of the ringed planet Saturn and its moon as a Christmas greeting.
Man jailed for making fun of Dubai
AN AMERICAN has been jailed for a year for making a satirical video that pokes fun at the "gangsta" youth culture in Dubai.
Pirate: 'US stole my Bitcoins'
THE internet "pirate" accused of running the notorious illegal-drug-peddling website Silk Road claims that the feds are the real buccaneers.
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BEST FAILS AND CRASHES OF 2013
Mega-wrap of the dumbest stunts, crashes and fails we saw in 2013.
Save up to 80% on unique Christmas gift ideas! Local experiences, fine dining and much more!
Since 2007, Hyundai Goals for Grassroots has donated almost $400,000 to 154 local grassroots football clubs across Australia.
