Black Friday has kicked off America’s bumper early christmas shopping weekend, black because shoppers queued in the pitch dark for stores to open at midnight.

Silly prices on flagship items like flatscreen TV’s drew the consumers in like moths to a flame. 20 percent of America’s retail spending takes place over the 72-hour period, with Sunday opening a further stimulus. Because of this the weekend is a key economic indicator, and many shoppers are saying they have pared back budgets this year. In response retailers have embarked on their most agressive-ever marketing and discounting campaign. Meanwhile one turkey will be celebrating christmas in style, out west in sunny California. “Courage” as he is now known, was ceremonially pardoned by President Obama, and has been flown to Disneyland in style where he will peacefully live out the rest of his days in Disney’s “Frontierworld”. No more nightmares of bread sauce and brussel sprouts for “Courage”. Instead he is already a star attraction at the park, but whether or not he will be inspiring pester power among his admiring child fanbase to persuade their parents to go vegetarian this year remains to be seen.More about: USA

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