Christmas Day In his Christmas Day message, Seán Brady, the controversial head of Ireland's Catholic hierarchy, calls upon his flock to continue their opposition to abortion. In the wake of the death of Savita Halappanavar, the Indian dentist recently denied an abortion of her dying foetus by Ireland's conservative laws, the country's government is once again to attempt to legislate for the 1992 X Case in the coming year, with Ireland the only remaining EU state to outlaw the procedure.
Israel Israel greenlights the fast-track development of another 1,200 housing units around Jerusalem, including East 1. This week's total now stands at 5,500, the largest in some time.
Archbishop of Westminster Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, criticises the UK government's plans for gay marriage as a "shambles", saying they do not have a mandate to introduce the policy.
Venezuela Recently re-elected Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez starts walking and exercising again following a recent cancer operation.
Hebei A man rams his car into a group of schoolchildren in Hebei, China, with at least 13 casualties reported.
Stuxnet Iran rebuffs a Stuxnet-style computer worm attack on a power plant in southern Iran. Tehran accuses Israel and the United States of planting the malware.
Philippines At least eight people have died and thousands been left homeless in the Philippines after two fires struck Manila on Christmas Day. A fire has sparked violent clashes between residents and firefighters.
M6 motorway Two young brothers and a woman are killed motor car accident on the northbound carriageway of the M6 motorway in Staffordshire, England.
Mi-8 Five people are killed when a Mi-8 helicopter of Ukraine's internal troops crashes in Oleksandriia, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine.
Copahue An alert is issued after the Copahue stratovolcano, located on the border between Argentina and Chile, begins spewing ash.
Air Bagan An Air Bagan plane carrying more than 60 passengers, including many foreigners, from the city of Yangon to Heho Airport in Shan State, Burma, makes an emergency landing, killing a passenger and a motorcyclist and injuring 11 others.
Antonov An-72 An Antonov An-72 plane carrying senior Kazakh border officials crashes close to the city of Shymkent, killing all 27 on board.
Elizabeth II Elizabeth II addresses her Commonwealth subjects in her annual Royal Christmas Message, referring to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the "humbling" experience of her diamond jubilee celebrations. Her speech – the first to be broadcast in 3D – does not include mention the recently-announced pregnancy of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wife of her eldest grandson.
Pope Pope Benedict XVI delivers the annual Christmas message at Saint Peter's Square and holds the traditional Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Seleka The Seleka rebel coalition captures Kaga-Bandoro, the fourth major city to fall since the return to hostilities on December 10. Meanwhile, President François Bozizé meets with military advisors in the capital Bangui.
Boko Haram Suspected members of Boko Haram attack a church in northeastern Nigeria, killing six people.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Six AQAP militants and two Yemeni soldiers are killed after clashes near a damaged oil pipeline in Ma'rib Governorate. Separately, gunmen target military officials and the home of the transport minister in the capital Sana'a, killing a brigadier general and injuring four others.
Syrian civil war Pope Benedict XVI calls for a political solution to the conflict in Syria during his Christmas message, delivered to thousands of pilgrims in Vatican City.
Rebels take over the city of Harem in Idlib Governorate on the border with Turkey, about 55 kms west of Aleppo.