News Headlines - 21 December 2013

▽Obama keeps eye on tense situation in South Sudan | Fox News

President Barack Obama said Saturday that continued violence and militancy in South Sudan would cost the world's newest country the support of the United States and other nations. Obama said South Sudan's leaders have a responsibility to help protect Americans, who came under fire hours earlier during an evacuation attempt.

▽BBC News - PM's Christmas message to troops in Afghanistan

The prime minister, who visited troops there last week, said British people should remember the "extraordinary sacrifices" made by UK forces overseas. The UK would not leave Afghanistan perfect, he wrote in the Sun on Sunday.

▽BBC News - Lockerbie anniversary: Memorials held for victims

Memorial events have been held across the UK to mark the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing. Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was the only person jailed for the atrocity, which killed 270 people. But the legitimacy of his conviction has been questioned by some of the victims' families. The UK, US and Libyan governments have vowed to work together to reveal "the full facts" of the attack on 21 December 1988.

▽AFP: Bulgaria warns migration laws risk Britain's reputation

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev on Saturday warned Prime Minister David Cameron his tough rhetoric and policies on immigration risked damaging Britain's reputation and leaving it isolated. Plevneliev told The Observer newspaper that Britain should see itself as "a great global power that pioneered integration" and resist nationalist calls for hard laws to limit immigration.

▽Retailers panic and slash prices amid low sales - The Independent

Retailers have slashed their prices this weekend in the hope that shoppers will finally flood Britain’s high streets today after one of the slowest Christmases on record.