BBC News with David Austin.
The African Union force in Somalia says 3 of its peacekeepers and a civilian contractor had been killed in an attack on its headquarters in the capital Mogadishu. An AU statement said Alshabab militants entered the base disguised as Somali government troops. Ground Ferrick reports.
This was an sustained assault on the heart of the international effort in Somalia. They fought fight site next to Mogadishu’s International Airport, host the headquarters of UN operations in Somalia and British and Italian embassies. It’s also the main base for the 20000 strong African Union force. An AU spokesman said the attack on the officers' mass inside the base was foiled. Shooting and explosions were still been heard several hours after the fighting began. As well as 3 peacekeepers and a civilian, the AU said 5 al-Shabab attackers were killed and 3 others captured.
Pope Francais has used his annual Christmas message to condemn what he called the brutal prosecution of minorities in Syria and Iraq. This report is from James Venols in Rome.
A marching band headed along a main avenue towards the Vatican. Thousands of tourists took photos and then walked to St. Peters Square. They looked up to the balcony of Basilica. They cheered as the Pope stepped out to deliver his Christmas message.
I ask him, the savior of the world to look upon our sisters and brothers in Syria and Iraq who for too long now have suffered the effects of ongoing conflicts and who together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups are suffering a brutal prosecution.
For the Pope’s fellow Catholics then, there is a lot to pray for.
Police in Sweden say a fire that destroyed a mosque in the town of Eskilstuna was caused by arson. Aken Briphen reports.
Witnesses have told Swedish media that they saw a man throw something through the windows of the mosque which is in the basement of a block of flats. There was an explosion and flames quickly took hold, gutting what’s known as the Dawer center. All of those inside managed to escape, most in bare feet. 5 people were taken to hospital including two suffering from smoking inhalation. Eskilstuna is an industrial town, 100 kilometres western of Stockholm and has the sizable immigrant population. Earlier this year, there was seen a violent clashes involving two neo-Nazi groups which vigorisly opposed to the coutnry's general silent policy.
The father of a Jordanian pilot captured by IS militants in Syria has appealed his captors to treat his son well. Speaking to reportors in the Jordanian capital, Amman Youssef al-Kasaesbeh said he wanted to remind the militants that his son was also a Muslim.
World News, from the BBC.
2 Saudi women detained for nearly a month after violating the kingdom’s driving ban on women have been referred to a court established to trail terrorism cases. Lawyers for the women have appealed against the decision. One of the women, Loujain al-Hathloul, was detained after she tried to drive into the kingdom from the neighboring United Arab Emirates. Maysa al-Amoudi, a UAE base Saudi journalist arrived the border to support Ms. al-Hathloul but was also arrested. Several people close to the two women say they have been charged not for the defying the driving ban, but for the opinions they voiced online.
Thousands of Indonesians have held a memorial at a grand mosque in Banda Aceh on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Indian ocean tsunami. The 19th century mosque is one of the few buildinds that remain standing in the city. Those attending said the service had helped them to come to terms of what had happened.
Hopefully by doing this, everyone will feel peace in mind and peace in heart.
The pray session makes us remember the tsunami and be thankful that we are safe. The tsunami destroyed the city but it also blessed us. God has brought love among the people and actually we received so much health from the outside of the world because of the disaster. Governor thanked Indonesians and the outside world for helping Banda Aceh recover from the tragedy, which left 170000 people dead or missing across the province.
The prays I should made since we remember the tsunami and be thankful that we are safe. The tsunami destroyed the city but it also blessed us. God has brought love among the people and Aceh has recieved so much help from the outside world because of the disaster. The governer thanked Indonisians and the outside world for helping Aceh recovery from the tradegy, which left about 170,000 dead or mising across the province.
In her annual Christmas broadcast, Queen Elizabeth has highlighted the need for reconciliation between opposing sides. The Queen referred to the Chirstmas truce 100 years ago during WWI. She said it was a reminder that even the unlikeness took place, hope could still be found. The Queen also said she had been deeply touched by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who helped victims of conflicts or diseases such as Ebola.