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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is sending a Christmas wish of peace "to the ends of the Earth." In his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas Day message, he wished peace to those who have lost loved ones to terrorism, which he said is sowing "fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities." He also asked the international community to find a negotiated solution to the Syrian war and urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is pressing ahead with promises of retaliation and damage control following a U.N. vote last week on an anti-settlement resolution that passed thanks to an abstention by the U.S., Israel's close ally. Israel's foreign ministry says it's summoning the ambassadors of countries who voted in favor of the resolution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says "We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision."
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — More than 3,000 rescue workers on 32 ships are searching an area of the Black Sea where a Russian military plane with 92 people aboard crashed Sunday morning. The Tu-154 was on its way to Syria when it went down minutes after takeoff from Sochi, Russia. The passengers included dozens of singers in Russia's famed military choir. Investigators say they're looking into every possible cause for the crash, including terrorism.
UNDATED (AP) — British pop superstar George Michael is dead. His manager says he died of heart failure on Sunday at his home in England. He was 53. Michael reached early fame with the group WHAM! and went on to a successful solo career. Madonna has tweeted: "Farewell My Friend! ... Another Great Artist leaves us." The loss of Michael continues a year of grief in the music industry, with David Bowie, Prince and Glenn Frey (fry) among those dying before age 70.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York authorities say rapper Troy Ave has been shot while sitting in his car at a Brooklyn intersection. His attorney says his client, whose real name is Roland Collins, was on his way to visit family Sunday evening when he was shot twice. Police say the 31-year-old Collins was in a Maserati when a man fired several rounds into the car, striking him in the arm and grazing his head. Collins is hospitalized in fair condition. No arrests have been made.
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