Emily Taylor

The Thunder made a furious comeback. It just couldn’t slam the door.
Oklahoma City Thunder

The Dow Jones index closes above 18,000 for the first time, after figures show the US economy growing at its fastest pace for 11 years.
BBC News – Business

A German author who spent time in Islamic State territory tells the BBC the group is stronger, more brutal and harder to confront than he expected.
BBC News – Middle East

A remote Amazonian community is to be evacuated after uncontacted Indians looking for food raided homes and killed domestic animals
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

Ukraine’s parliament votes to drop the country’s non-aligned status and work towards Nato membership, a move quickly criticised by Russia.
BBC News – Europe

An appeal fund for the victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash will open later as the city continues to come to terms with the tragedy.
BBC News – UK

A number of cinemas in the US say they will screen Sony film The Interview on Christmas Day.
BBC News – US & Canada

Algeria’s defence ministry says troops have killed the leader of a jihadist militant group which kidnapped and beheaded a French tourist.
BBC News – Africa

During the holiday season, nothing can be tougher on a family than not being able to have a special meal together.
Oklahoma City Thunder

Thunder Basketball is a brand that Head Coach Scott Brooks wants to see from his team every night, and while it got close on Sunday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Russia’s former finance minister warns the country is entering a “full blown economic crisis” and will enter recession next year.
BBC News – Business

Oil-rich Gulf states vow not to cut crude production, blaming speculators and producers outside the Opec group for falling prices.
BBC News – Middle East

A court in Argentina rules that a shy orangutan who spent the last 20 years in a zoo can be granted some legal rights enjoyed by humans.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

The Spanish king’s sister, Princess Cristina, is to face a tax fraud trial over alleged links to her husband’s dealings.
BBC News – Europe

Several pedestrians have been killed after a bin lorry crashed into a group of people in George Square in Glasgow city centre.
BBC News – UK

New York City’s police chief backs Mayor Bill de Blasio after claims he had increased ill-feeling towards police prior to two officers being shot dead.
BBC News – US & Canada

Beji Caid Essebsi is confirmed as winner of Tunisia’s first free presidential poll, but critics say this marks the return of the old regime.
BBC News – Africa

After winning two out of three on the road in California, it’s time for the Thunder to get back into the friendly confines of Loud
Oklahoma City Thunder

Details are revealed of a network which attempted to defraud thousands of customers of the online travel agent Booking.com.
BBC News – Business

Tunisians are set to vote for their first freely elected president in a run-off election seen as a landmark in the country’s move to democracy.
BBC News – Middle East