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Prince Charles praises 'Cumbrian spirit' after floods

The Prince of Wales visits Cockermouth, the town worst hit by last week's deluge, to support residents' recovery efforts

Postal union warns of pre-Christmas strikes

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes has told members strikes could resume because Royal Mail hasn't offered enough concessions

Church set to lose a tenth of clergy by 2014

The traditional model of a vicar in every parish is over as the credit crunch and a pension funding crisis hits dioceses

Sport News  

Dawson strikes to send Spurs third

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1: Sweet strike late on from defender ensures honours remain even at Villa Park

• Rooney hat-trick gives Grant plenty to chew on

• Rodallega puts Wigan back on course

Irish Lions get their revenge through Sexton's boot

Ireland 15 South Africa 10: young fly half kicks five penalties to beat Springboks who had led through a Schalk Burger try

• Scotland blow lead to go down to Pumas

• Giteau inspires Australia to rout of Wales

Davydenko shocks Federer at World Tour Finals

World no 1 suffers surprise exit in three sets at O2 to Russian who finally beats opponent at 13th time of asking

Business news  

Judge asks for phone records after Tullett death call

Key witness in dispute between City brokers says that he received death threats the night before giving evidence

Broadband and iPhone boost Carphone's profits

Britain's second-biggest broadband provider has increased its earnings forecast after unexpectedly strong first half

• Tempus: Carphone Warehouse plays its jolly ringtone

• Carphone Warehouse renegotiates Tiscali deal

National Express sees off investor revolt

Train and bus operator secures backing for £360 million rescue rights issue, despite opposition from main shareholder

Comment  

Jordan and Dubai: parallel universes

If Dubai was a person it would be Katie Price. Both have tumbled from extravagant success built on virtually nothing

• Janice Turner

Going to war wasn’t heroic: it was a no-brainer

Tony Blair saw only victory when he sided with the biggest boy in the playground, not an ugly wound to his reputation

• Matthew Parris

My final dispatch after 38 years. Copy ends

Life as a correspondent for The Times has involved wars, summits, the Hitler diaries – and late-night calls from butlers

• Michael Binyon

Life and Style  

How to throw a Christmas party

Our experts explain what to wear, who to kiss and what music will get the revellers dancing

Ten great canapés: what chefs serve at their parties

Bite-sized morsels are just minutes away — with a little help from our celebrity line-up and your friends

How to solve the big style questions

A season where one finds little to tempt provides an opportunity to ponder the important style issues

Arts & Entertainment  

Yippee! The Eighties bitches are back

With a new TV channel showing only America’s hottest Eighties soaps, it’s time to celebrate Dynasty and Alexis Colby

Orson Welles — a theatrical giant

Orson Welles knew how to make an entrance. Whatever the frustrations of later years, his directorial debut was a triumph

Canned laughter is not canned!

Canned laughter, on a sitcom? Don’t make me laugh. It's all a myth, that laughter is the real thing, says David Baddiel