A nation online says the front page of the Times this Boxing day morning

Internet shopping signalled its growing domination of Britain’s consumer habits yesterday as millions began their annual sales hunt from their armchairs.
More than 3.5 million shoppers – 770,000 more than attended Anglican church services – racked up total online sales of around £53 million in what was retailers’ busiest Christmas Day ever.
The maturing online market-place even prompted high street retailers, who year-on-year are losing a greater share of pre-Christmas sales to internet ventures, to join the festive fray.

Shopping frenzy as store discounts hit 70pc says the Telegraph

Shoppers are expected to flock to the high street as a host of big-name shops open their doors with record price cuts, averaging 54 per cent, industry experts say.

Holiday price war bonanza says the front page of the Express

The papers as usual report on yesterday's speeches

Human greed is a threat to the planet, warns Williams says the Independent

A stark warning that human greed is threatening to destroy the environment was issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury in his Christmas message, while the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales appealed to people to be more welcoming to immigrants.
Dr Rowan Williams appealed to Christians to do more to safeguard the planet, saying it should not be used "as a warehouse of resources to serve humanity's selfishness".

Forces tribute in Queen's Christmas message says the Telegraph

In my experience, the positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence that has not changed,” the Queen said.
“The immediate family of grandparents, parents and children, together with their extended family, is still the core of a thriving community.
“When Prince Philip and I celebrated our Diamond Wedding last month, we were much aware of the affection and support of our own family as they gathered round us for the occasion.”

IT'S ABOUT TIME WE STARTED CARING says the Express

With a Christian theme, the head of the Church of England spoke of how Mary, Joseph and the newborn Jesus were a family who were shut out. The Queen urged people to take care of those cut off from society.
“The Christmas story also draws attention to all those people who are on the edge of society - people who feel cut off and disadvantaged; people who, for one reason or another, are not able to enjoy the full benefits of living in a civilised and law-abiding community,” she said.
“For these people, the modern world can seem a distant and hostile place. “It is all too easy to ’turn a blind eye’, ’to pass by on the other side’, and leave it to experts and professionals.


Britain should be more welcoming to immigrants, says head of UK Roman Catholic Church says the Mail

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, used his Christmas Homily to highlight the needs of the excluded and the importance of Christian compassion towards the less fortunate.
He delivered his message at Westminster Cathedral, London during Midnight Mass and broadcast live on BBC Radio 4.

The Telegraph leads with the report that

Britain in secret talks with the Taliban

Agents from MI6 entered secret talks with Taliban leaders despite Gordon Brown's pledge that Britain would not negotiate with terrorists, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.An intelligence source said: "The SIS officers were understood to have sought peace directly with the Taliban with them coming across as some sort of armed militia. The British would also provide 'mentoring' for the Taliban." adding that

The disclosure comes only a fortnight after the Prime Minister told the House of Commons: "We will not enter into any negotiations with these people."

Western diplomats expelled from Kabul reports the Independent

Michael Semple, the acting head of the European Union mission in Afghanistan and a close confidant of Britain's ambassador, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, and Mervin Patterson, the third-ranking United Nations official in the country.They were accused of threatening Afghanistan's national security. President Hamid Karzai's spokesman, Humayun Hamidzada, said the two were " involved in some activities that were not their jobs".
The men were ordered out of Afghanistan after allegedly offering aid and development incentives to tribal elders in the Taliban heartlands. Diplomats say they were given until Thursday to leave, although there were hopes last night that a negotiated solution could be found as officials spoke of a " misunderstanding".

Royal Marines fight Christmas Day battle with Taliban - then march back to base wearing Santa hats reports the Mail

Royal Marines won a dawn firefight with Taliban on a Christmas Day sortie yesterday - then marched back to base in Santa hats.
The men of 40 Commando left their Afghan base at 4.30am - midnight in Britain - to probe rebel lines a few hundred yards from their camp.
It was only a matter of time before the insurgents attacked. As shots rang out, one commando joked: "Merry Christmas!"

The Telegraph reports that

Christians pack out Bethlehem for Christmas

Between 30-40,000 tourists were expected to visit the Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, over the holiday season, which stretches until the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on Jan 7.
All of the town's 5,000 hotel rooms were booked for Christmas Eve and many hotels said they would be at capacity until the New Year.

Maddy coverage in the tabloids,the Mirror's front page

Hundreds call hotline after Maddy appeal

'We'll NEVER give up looking for Maddie,' say McCanns after saying Christmas Day prayers for her says the Mail

The couple and their two-year-old twins spent Christmas Day with relatives in North Yorkshire but their thoughts remained with Madeleine.
They took Sean and Amelie to Mass at St Stephen's Church in Skipton where they said special prayers for their little girl.

The Independent leads with

Drug promises end to migraine misery

A British doctor is leading a drugs trial that could spell the end of the misery endured by thousands of migraine sufferers. John Chambers, a consultant cardiologist at Guy's Hospital London, says that when, on a mere hunch, he tested clopidogrel, a simple clot-busting drug, on five patients plagued by migraines, it worked, in some cases, "spectacularly well

£1-a-day slimming pill that promises to make women drop a dress size will go on sale in months says the Mail's front page

A slimmming pill said to help women drop a dress size could be available over the counter within months.
Taking an Alli tablet with every meal is claimed to cause 50 per cent more weight loss than willpower alone.
The £1-a-day drug - the first of its kind to be sold without prescription - promises to cut the weight of men and women by between 5 and 10 per cent in four months

The Mirror reports on a Xmas tragedy

Killer husband's car horror

A husband bludgeoned his wife to death and left her body under the Christmas tree - then committed suicide by deliberately crashing his car.
Police found the blood-covered body of 63-year-old Susan Goswell lying among the presents and tinsel after arriving at her house to break the news of husband Roger's death.
He had been discovered critically injured behind the wheel of a Smart car that had smashed into a tree less than a mile away.

Secretary dies on dual carriageway 'after yobs pelt her car with stones' reports the Mail

The sister of a woman who died when her car careered off the road has said that her death was caused by stone-throwing yobs.
Suzanne Singer, 40, suffered multiple injuries when she lost control of her Vauxhall Corsa and smashed into a tree days before Christmas.
Police are investigating reports that teenagers were spotted on a bridge hurling stones and branches at the traffic below.

More Xmas cheer in most of the tabloids

Machette horror of sugarbabe

SUGABABE Amelle Berrabah’s boyfriend was last night seriously ill in hospital after his arm was almost hacked off in a savage machete attack.
Hardman Freddie Fuller, 25, was found lying in a pool of blood with his left arm “hanging by a thread” after the vicious Christmas Eve assault.

Arise Sir Parky says the front page of the Sun

TELLY legend Michael Parkinson will become a Sir after chatting his way through thousands of interviews with some of the world’s biggest stars.
Guests on his long-running show ranged from sporting greats like Muhammad Ali and George Best to political giants like Nelson Mandela.
His easy manner and relaxed style of questioning made him the top choice of interviewer among a host of global mega-stars during more than 3½ decades on TV. Parky’s knighthood will be revealed in Saturday’s New Year Honours list.

Finally the Sun reports that

A 50-STRONG gang of rampaging drunken Santas ransacked a cinema frightening customers, damaging property and swearing.
Police believe the Santas, who went on the rampage in New Zealand, were a group of university students.
They ran amok for through Hoyts Cinema complex in the South Island city of Christchurch on Saturday, manager Derek Rive said.
“As they ran through the complex they wrecked everything they could, the Christmas tree - they bowled everything over ... (they were) just absolute fools,” he said.