Christmas spending at UK supermarkets and weak sterling helped boost London’s Ftse 100 blue-chip index, which hit fresh record highs yesterday, as other European shares also ended slightly in positive territory.

"I should have had a pizza or had a kebab …"

The little girl was born profoundly deaf and fitted with two tiny hearing aids for the first time this week.

Annabelle Lawrence has found herself a viral star at just three months of age.

A CSX freight train heading to North Carolina derailed near a Metro stop in Washington DC today, sending 14 cars off the tracks and spilling hazardous material, officials said.

Maria Malone-Guerbaa is one talented lady.

Premier League

In England, a man attempted to rob a shopkeeper at gunpoint last week - only to have his gun snatched and turned on him with ease.

Fifa doesn’t allow non-rights holders such as Sky Sports access to any of its World Cup media centres, but a broadcasting colossus like Chris Kamara doesn’t need that kind of mollycoddling to make an impact in Brazil.

Major supermarkets are coming under increased pressure to have sweet-free checkouts after Tesco stole a march on them by removing sugary treats from the tills in all their stores.

Matt LeBlanc was happy to live a "normal life" after 'Joey' flopped.

Peaches Geldof's Instagram account has been shut down.

The 'Game of Thrones' writers prank the cast by killing them off in fake scripts.

Chelsea have confirmed that there were two incidents involving supporters in Istanbul on yesterday evening, with police warning it is “not safe” for fans to use the Metro to and from the Champions League last-16 clash with Galatasaray.

Jonathan Sexton flies back to France this week for a crucial Top 14 clash between his Racing Metro side and reigning champions Castres with opinion divided over his form.

Harlequins 17 Racing Metro 3

No compo for this guy!

The couple who allegedly held three women for more than 30 years were leaders of an extremist Maoist collective, it has been claimed.

One Direction are planning a wild stag night for Zayn Malik.

At least 13 people died during a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard yesterday.

A couple have held their wedding for just £1.

Paris Hilton insists she's not an "airhead", saying 'The Simple Life' ditziness was all an act for the cameras.

A UK man was forced out of bed by police for holding a remote control.

Shark found at door of Nantucket pub

Charlie Hunnam spent 14 hours a day, for 27 days, on a cross-trainer while filming 'Pacific Rim'.

A dog has become the first canine to sniff out nuts.

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson "push each other" to be as funny as possible.

A British village is in mourning following the death of a 22-stone sheep.

The world's oldest cat has celebrated its 27th birthday.

Felix Jones and James Downey return to the Munster starting XV for the first time since facing Racing Metro in mid January, for Sunday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso at Stadio di Monigo (3pm).

Harry Styles and Taylor Swift will be kept apart by bosses of the BRIT Awards tonight.

Gemma Arterton has decided to "shun" big movies.

Steer 20 stone men around the pitch in a foreign language, battle with other internationals for your position and deal with the president’s whims... those are the challenges facing Jonny Sexton in Racing Metro, according to Montauban out-half Peter Durcan.

Anne Hathaway almost collapsed during filming for 'Les Misérables'.

A burger has been created whereby people have to show ID to be able to eat it.

The owner of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday delivered a 10% rise in annual profits today, but said advertising revenues had slipped back into the red at its national newspaper titles.

Dara O'Briain thinks 'The Apprentice' will only run for two more series.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has told Munster they can all but guarantee themselves at least eight invaluable pool points by beating Racing Metro 92 in their Heineken Cup opener.

As an influential former backs coach at Racing Metro, Munster’s Simon Mannix believes the Parisians can become European greats but may have to become national champions first.

Furniture store giant Ikea has been criticised for deleting images of women from the Saudi version of its catalogue, a move the company says it regrets.

A cat has survived a three-week ocean trip.