Fears over online gift no-shows

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The Daily Mail says hundreds of thousands of families face disappointment when presents ordered online fail to arrive in time.

It says many may have to make last-minute purchases in shops.

According to the Daily Telegraph shops are expecting a record-breaking day in any case, with an estimated £2billion being spent.

The Guardian says many have left their shopping until the last minute in order to pick up goods at discounted prices.

Pilgrims return

It was full 2,000 years ago when Mary and Joseph needed a place to stay, and it's full again in 2007.

The Independent reports that all 2,000 beds in Bethlehem's hotels and hostels are booked out to pilgrims visiting the birthplace of Jesus at Christmas time.

Hoteliers endured seven lean years while the conflict of the intifada put off visitors.

But now more peaceful times have arrived in Bethlehem and the tourists are back.

MPs' pay

According to the Guardian, Gordon Brown has ordered his whips to stop Labour MPs from voting themselves a 10% pay rise in the New Year.

The Sun says the prime minister is "furious" at the proposed increase, which would be staged over three years.

The Daily Express describes MPs as being greedy and having their "snouts in the trough".

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror calls the proposed pay hike "an insult to the rest of us".

Interest rates

According to the Financial Times selling a house is taking longer than at any time in the last six years.

In a further indication of a housing market slowdown, the paper says the average time to sell has crept up to 8.3 weeks.

The Daily Mail is among several papers to report predictions that interest rates could fall sharply in 2008.

Financial analysts believe there could be four quarter point cuts, bringing base rates down from 5.5 to 4.5%.