Sony , the Japanese consumer electronics group, has ruled out cutting the price of the PlayStation 3 console before Christmas, insisting that the PS3 is better value than rivals half its price.

Customs to stop covert Christmas crackers (The New Zealand Herald)

Customs are hoping to put a stop to covert Christmas crackers this year, reminding importers they are explosives and must have the proper paperwork.

This early, Customs on alert vs illegal Christmas goods (Philstar.com)

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is now on full alert in monitoring all imported firecrackers, toy guns and unsafe Christmas decorations in a bid to prevent the illegal entry of sub-standard products during the holiday season.

Vince Gill, Amy Grant coming to Coliseum for Christmas show (The Pantagraph)

BLOOMINGTON -- The holiday music scene just got a little merrier with the addition of “Christmas with Vince and Amy” to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum’s December slate. | Interactive graphic: Coliseum attendance, revenues, events | Video: Alan Jackson at the Coliseum

More than a million Britons to be out of job by Christmas (The Economic Times)

A bleak Christmas lies ahead for many as global turmoil spreads into the so-called real economy. UK bailout | 2008: Year of crisis I Losing sleep over financial crisis