en >> announcer: this is al jazeera. ♪ >> welcome to the news hour, i'm sue in doha, our top stories. three turkish ministers resign over a corruption probe and urge the prime minister to go too. the south sudanese town retaken from the rebels. and i'm in london with the latest from europe, including. [ cheers ] >> the pope delivers his first christmas mass calling the christmas day a burst of light

in sometimes dark human history. ♪ >> and how this musician is creating a showcase for cuban artists in the heart of havana. ♪ we begin this news hour with a developing story out of turkey. three cabinet ministers have resigned after their sons were detained. the latest officials to step down the environment minister and he is urging the prime minister to follow suit. the economy minister and interior minister stepped earlier. both have sons still many police custody. they describe it as a dirty conspiracy against the government, the ak party, and the country.

>> translator: we're facing an attack against the turkish people and the turkish republic which is presented as a corruption probe. this is an obvious setup against us. >> can you talk about [ inaudible ] speaking a couple of hours ago and this call for his resignation, was he in any way addressing that? >> no, he didn't. rather than addressing or answering his former minister, he was talking more in general terms and he said the ministers, his former ministers will be cleared and will come back again among them. he -- he repeated kind of his discourse that he was telling since the beginning of -- since the start of the scandal last week. he said it's an international plot against his government and

there is an internal gang within the state who is organizing that plot. so there was nothing concrete as a kind of answer, as a kind of response to his inster's demands for him to resign. >> the third minister almost seemed to be blaming the prime minister saying he was just carrying out orders from the prime minister is that how you read it? >> could you please repeat the question, because i hear you very hardly. >> the environment minister almost seemed to be saying the reason he had walked because he was just carrying out the instructions of the prime minister is that how you were reading it? >> yeah, the minister openly and directly addressed to the prime minister and accused him of putting pressure on him. he say he was asking me to resign, but in the meantime

asking me to make a declaration that would ease him. he said i had the prime minister on every urban construction plan or change they was doing. and what he says is very important because at the heart of the scandal there were accusations about urban planning, urban construction plans all over turkey, but especially in istanbul, and that minister was head of the urban construction also before becoming minister, so what he says is very significant, very important. >> thank you. speaking to us there from turkey. south sudan's government says its troops have recaptured a strategic town. it comes as the united nations approves sending more troops to

the country. the rebels have disappeared into the bush . her is an update. >> reporter: this part of bor is very, very quiet. occasionally we hear sporadic gunfire. there are dead bodies on the streets. some of them look like they have been here for days. the government took back the city on tuesday and say they are now in control, but some are wondering where have the rebels gone to. the stench on the street is terrible. thousands are still staying at the un compound, because they are not sure where the rebels have gone to.

civilians are concerned that some of the rebels will take off of their uniforms and melt into the population. the average person wants the fighting to end. they say they want peace. we know the former vice president wants to sit down and talk with the president, but he wants all of those arrested for this coup plot released from prison. at least 38 people have been killed in baum attacks in bagdad. a blast outside a church killed 27 people, 11 others died in a separate explosion in a market. over the last ten years many of iraq's christians have fled the violence. on christmas day it's not just a chance to celebrate, but also a time to reflect. >> reporter: giving thank and praying for the future.

? this region of northern iraq christians come together to celebrate the birth of jesus christ. for this father is it is a particular special day. he moves to chicago two days ago, and this is his first christmas day service sin then. >> for me it is overwhelming, this is the first service that i do for christmas since 28 years that i left my family, and it was undescribable, honestly, that's what i told the congregation when i first started the speech and getting the direction to follow for the rest of the service. >> reporter: after the service, it's time to catch up with new friends and old. >> well, i was excited. i felt very well. was -- i can see finally people

from my church and nation coming here together. >> reporter: for some, though, this day represents more than celebrating the life of jesus christ, although this is a joyous occasion it is tinged with sadness for some. for those who have had to move from bagdad to this city, it is a big change. this man moved his family from mussel one of the worst-hit cities. he is happy they can practice their religion openly. >> translator: it was so dangerous in mu -- meusel, there was no work, and my children couldn't go to school. so i had to move here. >> reporter: there is no

accurate number of how many christians have fled iraq. but for many out there violence-prone iraq there is no chance to celebrate openly and safely. christian pilgrims from around the world packed the church of the nativity in bethlehem on christmas morning. it is believed to be where jesus was born. this year's turnout was the largest in years. still ahead we'll be reporting from the province where people are still recovering from a deaf stating typhoon. >> and i'm jane ferguson in afghanistan where a major success in women's education is now threatened with closure. plus in sport why a new age of professionalism could hit the

future of an historic spanish sport. ♪ pope francis has delivered his first christmas mass to thousands of spectators at the vatican. let's cross to london and get more from felicity. >> yes, the pope's address focused on the lives of children disrupted in conflict. and called for better humanitarian aid in syria and social harmony in south sudan. many say pope francis has helped change the image of the church after years of damaging scandaling. >> reporter: when he first stepped out on the this balcony in march, pope francis was a relative i will unknown cardinal archbishop from argentina. and now he is greeted like a

superstar everywhere he goes. the regal trappings of the vatican on display. but pope francis' message was always to the poorest people in the world and victims of conflict from syria to south sudan. >> translator: looking at the child in the manager our thoughts turn to those who effected by war. wars shatter and hurt so many lives. >> reporter: he also prayed for ref fees and migrants from africa to europe. >> translator: tragedies like those we have witnessed this year, may so many deaths like lampedusa never occur again. >> reporter: he has quickly

cemented himself as an important figure. he was recognized for taking the papacy out of the palace and on to the streets. and that's what he did in south america, where he receive adhere row's welcome. 3 million people came to see him. the pope has promised to reform the church, answering tough questions on homosexuality and women. for the pope's words could have repercussions with conservative priests in many countries often making combatting contraception, gay marriage and abortion their top priorities. observers say he is just trying to change the tone of what the church is saying. his christmas message of peace and hope for a better world will resinate with people from all faiths. well this year saw the 60th

anniversary of the queen of england's core nation. >> all of this i promise to do. ♪ >> this year queen elizabeth reflected on changes in society since she was crowned. >> reflection can take many forms. when families and friends come together at christmas, it's often a time for happy memories and reminiscing. our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us. we also remember those who through doing their duty cannot be at home for christmas, such as workers in essential or emergency services. and especially at this time of year, we think of the men and women serving overseas in our

armed forces. we are forever grateful to all of those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe. for christians as for all people of faith, reflection meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in god's love as we strife daily to become better people. ♪ man who lifted the lid on some of the biggest u.s. spying operations says his mission for the year has been accomplished. he made the statement in his first interview for six months. the former contractor for the nsa started leaking secret documents back in june. charged with espionage back home, he is now living in russia on a temporary asylum. he said . . .

>> anti-government protesters in the ukraine are demanding an immediate investigation after a brutal attack on a prominent journalist. the journalist was beaten and left in a ditch just an hour after publicing an article about politicians assets. the opposition says the government's increasingly resorting to violence as it tries to repress activists. >> reporter: stephane calls himself the commandant in

independence square. >> translator: freedom has no price, truth has no price. freedom and democratic thinking for our children and grandchildren is priceless. >> reporter: but not cheap. the business donors want to stay out of sight. >> translator: people don't want to be open about it, because then their business disappears. >> reporter: he says businessmen who publicly protest are hassled by the tax authorities. in the evenings and withins the number of demonstrators swells, but not enough. >> translator: the main thing is that ukraine is boiling, and our goal is to shake up those in power. >> reporter: make no mistake this is not a repeat of the 2004

orange revolution. >> 2004 because politicians had their own structures, you know, they would run it well. >> reporter: demonstrators say the strength of the protest is its grassroots organization, but with no person or party in charge, there is no clear message or plan. opposition leaders created a new people's movement as the next step. it is supposed to spread economic reforms. >> translator: go back to the regions they take the thoughts of [ inaudible ] with them, and the regional [ inaudible ] will carry on our coarse. >> reporter: they say they plan to put more pressure on government officials to make sure the ideas born on this square don't die here. well time for a little bit of christmas cheer, or perhaps i would say chill, because a group of germans known as the berlin

seals took their traditional christmas dip. they braved freezing temperatures, and they actually look like they are enjoying themselves. ♪ >> and faster frost as he is known in russia arrived in style to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the moscow zoo. >> you are fully up to date with the latest news in europe, let's return you now to doha. ♪ people in the philippines are celebrating christmas. it's usually a day of festivities in the mostly catholic nation. but this year the celebrations are somber. the country is still recovering

from typhoon haiyan. >> reporter: last-minute christmas shopping at a market in the central philippines. you wouldn't think that just a month and a half ago a storm that has been called the strongest to ever make landfall destroyed nearly everything in site. this is a midwife in one of the worst effected towns. she has worked constantly in makeshift conditions ever since it happened. a single mother from the age of 18, the last time she saw her 4-year-old daughter angel was when she left for work the night of the storm. >> she -- she leave the prayer with us, and she -- and she loved god, and then she said

after the prayer, oh, jesus stop the rain. she said that. >> reporter: she's searched and searched but still hasn't found her baby's remains. >> translator: sometimes i feel like i'm in prison in my dreams, but in my dreams she doesn't cry she just laughs. >> reporter: christmas eve is traditionally the night for a big feast in the philippines, nobody is in the mood here. the home is ruined and they are not making much money. at the biggest church workmen finish last-minute repairs before the main religious service. the entire roof came off of the cathedral, and it's raining heavily. more than a million people are in makeshift shelters across the region. the mood is serious and solemn

on what is supposed to be a joyful celebration for christians. two babies were born here, both girls at exactly midnight on the 25th of december 2012 at the medical center. outside the hospital, the talk is of the destruction of the risk to health and food security. a different story in here. one of repressible life. mother and newborn daughter rest in a powerful moment, intimate and full. while other mothers mourn this christmas. the u.s. embassy compound in afghanistan's capitol has come under attack. there were no reports of injuries. improving women's education is considered one of the

stand-out successes in afghanistan since the invasion of international forces, but as the forces prepare to leave that legacy is looking less certain. >> reporter: it's a place offering more than these girls know. a quality education and real tangible skills, a path away from poverty and early marriage, and towards a university and career. since 2002, the kandahar institute of modern studies has been teaching young women. they are skills that speak of ambition which in the heart of taliban country is remarkable, and says the teacher, dangerous. >> we are a unique school. our school is preparing women to go to jobs, are preparing -- our school is preparing women to go to universities. our school is preparing women to

take part. here the coif -- conservatives are opposite to the idea that women come out and play a role in the public. >> reporter: the journey to school is risky for these young women. those coming from villages travel in covered trucks. few here believe they will stop arriving. >> we look for many other girls to come, and still they are coming. they will come. if they are not coming now, they will come, and they will -- their parents will let them to get education. >> reporter: but after surviving conservative hard liners for so long, it is money problems that will likely end these girls studies. one of the favorite studies by far are computer skills.

these girls are learning to use the internet and various spreadsheets for future employment. but this used to be the most special classroom of the school. here they had a pioneering project where girls would skype online. those running the school now say that they can no longer afford internet at high speed and that they have had to cancel the project. funding from abroad has dried up. this month the teachers have agreed to forfeit their salaries, but that won't fill the gap. >> unless we get funding, we are going to close, all of these women today you saw in the classes, that's going to close. >> reporter: he says he now has to charge the girls a dollar a day. several hundred have dropped out, unable to afford it. the lucky ones still here return

to their conservative lives each day, unsure if the next one will offer so much promise. at least 400 people have been killed in syria's city during a ten-day government bombing campaign. they say 117 of those killed were children. the syrian government started its air assault on the 15th of decemb decemb december -- damascus has drawn international opposition due to the assault. this country's military backed government had blamed the muslim brotherhood for tuesday's attack. shops and businesses were then targeted in the nile delta city. the yemen government has agreed to a new political

government. the deal gives more autonomy to the south of the country. it would see the creation of a federal state despite disagreement on where the borders would lie. this is what a future federal yemen could look like. there is expected to be a federal government and parliament where each region would have its own institutions. lots more toment come on the al jazeera news hour. we'll have an exclusive report from moli, plus -- the california condor was once under threat of deting shun, i'll show you what is being done to save them.

(vo) al jazeera america we understand that every news story begins and ends with people. >> the efforts are focused on rescuing stranded residents. (vo) we pursue that story beyond the headline, past the spokesperson, to the streets. >> thousands of riot police deployed across the capitol. (vo) we put all of our global resources behind every story. >> it is a scene of utter devastation. (vo) and follow it no matter where it leads, all the way to you. al jazeera america. take a new look at news. ♪ welcome back. you are watching the al jazeera news hour, a reminder of the top

stories. a third senior member of the turkish government has stepped down and called for the prime minister to resign as well. the environment minister quit his job over a high profile krep shun investigation. the economy and interior minister have also stepped down. government forces in south sudan say they have retaken a key town. bodies litter the streets in the aftermath of the fighting. at least 38 people have been killed in in blasts in iraq. bomb attack killed 27 people. 11 others were killed in a nearby market. there are an estimated 1.3 million syrians who have crossed into jordan since the beginning of the war in 2011.

christmas means different things to different people but for a group of children at a syrian refugee camp in lebanon, it's a time to learn. ♪ >> reporter: these children from syria, are recycling their christmas wishes, and they don't include new toys. santa, i want my old clothes back, they sing, i want my old toys and to go back home. ♪ >> reporter: in the freezing cold of lebanon's valley, in a makeshift refugee camp, in a mix shift pool of tents, a safe zone for these children. almost 500 students come here to get an education, some psychological support, and even some food. a non-governmental organization from lebanon called beyond uses money to try to create a safe

haven for these children. they are under tremendous pressure says the director, and the goal is to alleviate some of their suffering and give them some emotional support. >> translator: we can watch buildings destroyed, neighborhoods wiped, but to see a whole generation destroyed is not acceptable. ♪ >> reporter: although most children here are muslims, maria says it's important to celebrate christmas like they celebrate other non-christian holidays. >> translator: to teach them coexistence, to celebrate each other's holidays and give them a break from the reality. >> reporter: last year this girl lost her father, and last week her mother died during a snow storm, yet she still can sing. ♪ >> reporter: this girl is only four and she is an orphan as well. most of these children have lost

something or someone. >> translator: i want to forget the suffering. i want my toys back, this girl sings. 12,000 children across lebanon received gifts like this. dolls and cars, and maybe most precious of all, hats to stay warm. france is preparing to pull many of its troops out of moli. the conflict began almost two years ago. they want independence for the region. in march 2012 they captured the largest cities there. but they were attacked by groups that wanted islamic law in the region.

by july the biggest of them controlled most of the north. last january, france sent troops to moli, and within months the territory was under government control. in june it oversaw a peace deal. now they are caught between a resurgrant molian army and al-qaeda fighters. >> reporter: a check point like this is symbolic more than practical. the area is traditionally a strong hold of no mads, but now the molian army is trying to reassert itself. the nationalist fighters lost control here when al qaed qaeda-linked troops moved in in 2012. but now the fighters find

themselves doing battle on two front, with the molian army and with remanents of al-qaeda fighters. >> translator: we surprised by the attack because we have a ceasefire. they killed our people. >> reporter: hundreds of kilometers away, fighters share intelligence with a small number of french and un forces that remain here. >> translator: we exchange numbers and information, and anything we have, we call them, and they call us. our biggest threat here is al-qaeda. >> reporter: much of the area now is calm, but memories of the fighting are fresh.

the french, though are beginning to pull out of here, and will eventually hand over to molian forces. some 2,000 refugees from the central african republic have arrived in the capitol to escape the violence raging in the country. here is an update from the capital of chad. >> reporter: there is this situation of tension between chadian groups and some of the protesters inside. we understand that chad has about half a million [ inaudible ] central african republic, most of them are muslims, and because the conflict has taken a religious twist, the perception is the chadians are part of the problem, and they have been treated with a little bit of animosity in the last few days after the clashes that took

place [ technical difficulties ] >> reporter: the capitol of the central afghan republic. and they are organizing fights for this purpose. they expect this operation to continue, because they don't know how many will need to be evacuated in the next few days and the secretary general of the foreign affairs ministry have been telling us if the number reaches like 100,000 people this might create a humanitarian crisis here in chad. now the story of a train that has been bringing hope to hundreds of thousands of poor south africans who can't afford health care. tanya paige has the story.

>> reporter: seer of the dentist is almost universal, especially if it's your first time. this 14-year-old may not be very impressed, but he has just become the latest of 600,000 south africans to be treated at this unique facility. this train's name means clean life. it has been delivering health care for 19 years. it's mostly funded by the state transport company transnet. >> a lot of people rely on the services we offer. a lot of people look forward to us being back. a lot of questions get is when is the train coming back. >> reporter: when this boy and his grandmother traveled for two hours to get here. she had cataracts that is

effecting her sight. on this train her glasses with made immediately. and the cost is subsidized. $3 a pair. if she couldn't afford it, they would be free. >> translator: i'm grateful for the train coming. it's a great help to me, because i have a problem with my eyes. but i can see over there. even the ones that help me see close. i will be able to read, write, and do my bead work again. so i'm very grateful. i came a long way to be here. >> reporter: staff often work well into the night, spending up to two weeks at a station before moving on. twice as many south africans will soon benefit because there will be two trains on the track. staff believe that by offering patients the chance to pay what

they can afford, it adds dignity to the process. the train has lifted some of life's burdens. but now it is time to fact up and move on. a journey that started 19 years ago is still going. we have breaking news coming out of egypt. a government spokesman has announced the muslim brotherhood group has now been designated a terrorist organization. the government has just announced they are designating the muslim brotherhood as a terrorist organization. we'll get you more details when we can. and i'm told we can talk to peter in cairo. can you give us anymore detail than that? >> reporter: well, just as you said the announcement is now being made. this is an incredibly serious development for the muslim brotherhood. and by declaring them a terrorist organization, this carries all sorts of significant

legal consequences. it means the brotherhood won't be able to meet. it is officially a banned organization, and it gives the security services all sorts of powers and authorities with which to deal with the brotherhood. what we need to see now is how the brotherhood as an organization responds. already there have been demonstrations on the streets. the organization continuing to refuse the authority of the government and any of its decisions, declaring it to be a coup and an illegal occupying administration. so i think we're really now going to see something of a showdown. we really need to see how they respond to this under the circumstances, or whether they escalate their protests. >> do you think it is significant this comes just a day after a large explosion,

which initially the government blamed the brotherhood for? >> i think the timing is very, very significant. the government has been under some pressure, and the prime minister for months declaring the brotherhood a terrorist organization. a lot of people have held the government responsible for all sorts of acts of conflict, not just in the sinai peninsula. although, an extremist group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, late last night or yesterday morning, the brotherhood is still in the minds of a lot of people intimately linked to that attack. people don't see the distinction between the brotherhood and those organizations. so i think broodly speaking the government will probably have a lot of public support for

this -- for this act, and i think that the timing -- i think the attack is perhaps made it a lot easier for them to make the declaration. >> peter the deputy prime minister was the one that made the announcement. and he said there will be punishment to anyone participating in the activities of muslim brotherhood, and punishment for anyone funding it. many don't even have charges against them that are already in prison, but it doesn't bode well for those already incarcerated inside egypt. >> no, it doesn't. and it puts a lot of people who would consider themselves to be peaceful activists in a very, very difficult position. that makes them collaborating with a terrorist organization, which i think is not the way a lot of them would regard

themselves. so it has all sorts of implications and legal consequences for these people. i think this is really a very significant turning point. it's not going to make those who support the brotherhood any less likely to support them, i think. it will drive a lot of them underground, but at the same time i think it will also deepen the divisions, the splits within this country, and particularly for those who -- who really do regard the government as an illegitimate organization. >> many thanks to you, peter. we'll be back after the break with much more news. don't go away. ♪

every sunday night join us for exclusive, reveali

the birds remain under a constant threat. lead is the leading cause of death.

it has killed about 40% of the condors. >> reporter: led by bullets for animals which later become a meal for the birds. wildlife byologist oversees the refuge that tracks the birds. condors that have toxic led levels are sent to the los angeles zoo for treatment under the care of dr. curtis ange. >> most of us stay with us about two weeks. >> reporter: in october the zoo took in a record number of condors. 21 birds tested positive for toxic levels of led. >> if they stopped taking them in treating them for led

poisoning, and providing food for them, the condor would likely go extinct. >> reporter: this agency cosponsored a bill to ban led bullets in california. jerry brown recently signed the bill. >> i really do applaud the governor. i think he was under a lot of prefrom the advocates of the gun and ammunition industry. >> reporter: the nra declined a question for an interview, but on the website say they, quote . . . but the doctor at the l.a. zoo has seen the damage from led poisoning first hand. >> this is the fragments. itting from -- it fragments into

thousands of pieces. >> reporter: stephanie stanton, al jazeera, los angeles. now let's get all of the sport. >> the outafter can cricketer has called time on his career, it will be his 166th and final of a great career. he started back in 1995. few games the 38 year old has played could have equalled the drama that was seen in this series. >> i think as a team perspective is always want in understanding -- you know, put things into context and understand what needs to be done, and, you know, i feel that

we are ready. i think today's training session is an important part of that. and hopefully today's training session will be really good and high intensity. and we'll be ready. australia will take a 3-0 lead into thursday's fourth ashes test in melbourne. >> two months ago we were the worst australian cricket team to ever tour india. two months on i think ricky said we would be the greatest ashes team. so in two months things will change. >> we're desperate to turn it around. it will be sold out from the first day, and i think that's an incredible opportunity we have has players.

right now pakistan is taking on sri lanka. liverpool's ambitions to win a first english league title in more than 20 years will be put into some sort of perspective over the next few days. they face away games. in 2008 they become the last side not to win a title for that position. loui suarez has been key to their success, and they will need him to be his very best on thursday. >> our vision is in place. we know where we want to be, and we're working towards that. the players have been working brilliantly, and the effort they are putting into their work and into learning, which is important, and as i said, they are continually getting regards

for that. >> all of the teams in action on thursday. >> so we'll give it our best shot. i think we go and protect ourselves on arsenal's abilities, and then try to exploit some of the weaknesses that i have to say that are not as apparently as they used to be. a lot of work has gone on quietly while they defend now. ten teams meet in the nba today. the chicago bulls will be in brooklyn to play the nets. paul pierce has been fined $15,000 for his flagrant foul on monday. kevin durant and carmelo anthony, and the knicks are on the road to face the l.a. lakers. an age old spanish sport

finds itself facing some problems. it dates back to the 14th century, but as matt reports, professionalism and gambling could threaten its future. >> so what are those hands about to do with that ball? flick it, of course, across a read line towards an opponent wearing blue. it has been played here since before the 14th century. only recently have players turned professional. >> translator: things are different for me now. as a professional player people recognize you and your skills. i can make a living on the salary they pay me, and that means i don't have to have a second job. >> reporter: like the old pull fighting stars the players revered, celebrated, and most

importantly bet on. the sums that exchange hands can be huge. >> translator: you can never know before a match how much betting will take place. sometimes people might think before a big game bets will be large, but then that doesn't happen. and then a lot of money could change hands in a match where not much is expected. >> reporter: as much as 70,000 has been exchanged in a game. any sport with money involved is always open to allegations of corruption. in this case, it is aimed by the organization handing out professional contracts. favoritism is ripe but not only for the best players. this man works for the

organization handing out those controversial professional contracts. >> translator: taking a decision on who gets a contract isn't easy now that the sport is professional. obviously we would like to choose more players, but that's not possible. you can't please everybody all the time. >> reporter: they recently opened museum, a testament to the sport's glorious past, the unregulated dishing out of professional contracts, however, is blighting the professional future. >> more news on our website, aljazeera.com/sports. that is it for now. >> thank you, andy. for years cuba's artists have struggled to showcase their work. now one musician is creating an artistic space in one of havana's ruined buildings. >> reporter: havana boasts

hundreds of crumbling buildings, slowly and painstakingly being restored. renowned cuban musician has taken this former power station and is renovating it to house his dream, the factory of cuban art. >> translator: it's a place that would allow cuban artists to enhance their work and give it greater value. >> reporter: in this particular corner of havana, this former power station is being slowly and pain-stakingly renovated to provide a showcase for the best of cuban art. he has found fame both at home and abroad, but like most cuban artists, he often had to struggle to be heard. >> translator: there are a lot of talented youngsters out

there, who simply have nowhere to perform. >> reporter: with his own money and support of the cuban authorities, the factory will be home to music, photography and a theater for art. >> translator: there is a public out there hungry for culture, who want to see it all in the same place. i remember when i was at the school of the arts, the artists, musicians, and photographers were all related through the same energy. there has never been anything like this before in cuba. certainly not of this quality. >> reporter: the dream is slowly coming to fruition, a venue emerging from the ruins, but it is hoped to allow young cuban art to breathe and thrive. stay with us here on al jazeera. i'll be back with another full bulletin of news straight ahead, don't go away.

>> welcome to al jazeera america. i'm richelle carey. here are the stories we're following for you. pope francis attends his first christmas mass. edward snowden broadcasts an alternative christmas message on britain's channel four television. and parts of the u.s. still without heat following an ice storm that brought down power lines. ♪ today pope francis delivered his first christmas message at