• Obama Says He is Praying for Persecuted Christians at Christmas

  President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that he and his wife Michelle are praying for persecuted Christians as the world prepares to celebrate Christmas

  

• As Islamic State Threat Mounts on its Doorstep, Indonesia Scours Jungle

  Indonesian forces are mobilizing for a manhunt in steamy jungles on the far-flung island of Sulawesi to flush the country's most-wanted man from his hideout and deal a pre-emptive blow to Islamic State. The real threat could be much closer to home.

  

• Physical Labor Linked to Disability After Retirement

  People who toil away in physically demanding jobs may find that aches and pains follow them into retirement, limiting daily activities in their golden years, a study from France suggests.

  

• U.S.-Backed Alliance Pushes Toward Islamic State-Held Dam in Northern Syria

  A U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian Kurds and Arab rebel groups advanced toward a dam in northern Syria held by Islamic State fighters on Thursday, in an assault aimed at capturing the militants' stronghold of Raqqa, rebels and a monitor said.

  

• Western Countries Issue Rare Christmas Security Alerts for Beijing

  At least four Western countries took the unusual step on Thursday of issuing Christmas security warnings for Westerners in a popular Beijing diplomatic and entertainment district as police stepped up patrols.