BUSINESS
* The Belarusian delegation that came to Moscow for talks on a pricing structure for Russian oil deliveries to Belarus in 2010 is flying back to Minsk for consultations, a Russian official said.
* Officials from Russia and Belarus held a second day of talks on Thursday to try to resolve the dispute over 2010 oil deliveries, but again failed to reach an agreement.
* Russia"s Gazprom confirmed it had received payment in full for December"s gas deliveries to Ukraine.
RUSSIA
* David Sarkisyan, director of the Schusev Museum of Architecture and campaigner for Moscow"s architectural heritage, died in the Russian capital aged 62.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a Christmas message to the nation that the anniversary of the birth of Christ was a time for "good wishes and good deeds."
* Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed 21 pardons of convicted criminals, the Kremlin press service said.