It also said that soldiers did not know the hostages were there when they began their operation.
Astronauts on the International Space Station send a festive message from orbit, some 250 miles (400km) above Earth.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will be attending the service, but the Duke of York will be absent.
She has called on people to show kindness to those who may be "carrying grief this holiday".
La Liga strugglers Valencia appoint West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan as their new head coach.
Archbishop Andrew John prays that those lonely or grieving at Christmas find hope.
West Mercia Police refers itself to the policing watchdog after a man was shot in Redditch.
There were 67 people on board when the plane crashed near the city of Aktau.
The old Allerdene Bridge is being removed and engineers say this stage is "particularly noisy".
Englyn gan enillydd y Gadair yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Rhondda Cynon Taf
BBC News NI speaks to volunteers who provide free meals and gifts to those in need on Christmas Day.
The play will be performed in a church just a few miles from where the Narnia author grew up.
What happened to the Kirkstead bugler, and does a ghost haunt a Skegness bingo hall?
Jessie was an army donkey and served her time in Shrewsbury.
Hundreds took part in previous events in Worcester.
Ray and Barbara Wragg won big - but gave much of their fortune away to good causes.
Foster mum Heather says two siblings who came to live with her had never been visited by Santa before.
Over centuries, caves in Kinver, Staffordshire, are turned into rock houses by families.
People volunteering on Christmas Day explain why they think it is important to give the gift of time.
Bluey spends Christmas with her new family after being found on golf course on 25 December 2023.
Turkeys on fire in ovens are one of the most common call-outs to fire service over festive period.
Enillydd Bake Off, Georgie Grasso, yn siarad â Cymru Fyw am ei phrofiad o gystadlu gan rannu peth cyngor am baratoi bwyd ar gyfer y Nadolig.
Why was Beverley a town of sanctuary and what monsters roamed ancient Holderness?
Yn eu negeseuon Nadolig arweinwyr crefyddol Cymru yn rhoi'r prif sylw i heddwch byd ac unigrwydd.
At 6ft 6in (1.98m) Alex Forman believes he is the tallest panto dame in the UK.
