Pope condemns religious persecution
Pope Francis delivers his traditional Christmas Day address, denouncing violence against religious and ethnic minorities – notably in Syria and Iraq. BBC News – Europe
Craig Taylor
US to pay freed Cuba prisoner $3.2m
American Alan Gross, freed last week after five years in a Cuban jail, is to receive $ 3.2m (£2m) from the US government. BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean
Jordan plane ‘not shot down by IS’
The Jordanian air force plane that crashed in Syria was not shot down by Islamic State militants, the US says. BBC News – Middle East
French jobless total at new record
The number of people seeking work in France has risen to a record high, official figures show. BBC News – Business
US shares close at record level
The Dow Jones index closes above 18,000 for the first time, after figures show the US economy growing at its fastest pace for 11 years. BBC News – Business
Indians raid remote Peruvian village
A remote Amazonian community is to be evacuated after uncontacted Indians looking for food raided homes and killed domestic animals BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean