Oil price ‘to remain low in 2016’
The oil price is unlikely to recover next year, according to the boss of French energy giant Total. BBC News – Business
Craig Taylor
US court passes on assault weapons ban
The US Supreme court has refused to take up a case brought by gun owners challenging an Illinois city’s ban on so-called assault weapons. BBC News – US & Canada
Storm Desmond flooding chaos continues
Schools, hospital services and travel are disrupted after Storm Desmond brings flooding to parts of north-west England, while Cumbria Police say a man’s body has been found after a river search. BBC News – UK
Le Pen says French elite ‘crumbling’
The leader of France’s far-right National Front says voters rejected the “old political class” in regional elections that put her party top. BBC News – Europe
Venezuela’s Socialists trounced in vote
The opposition in Venezuela wins a majority of seats in the National Assembly, overturning nearly two decades of dominance by the governing Socialists. BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean
Coalition denies strike on Syrian army
The US-led coalition against Islamic State denies carrying out an air strike on an army camp in Syria that the government says killed three soldiers. BBC News – Middle East