Craig Taylor

Nicaragua launches the construction of a canal that aims to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and to rival Panama’s waterway.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

The Ukrainian government swaps scores of prisoners with rebels in the east while on the same day freezing vital bus and rail links with Russian-held Crimea.
BBC News – Europe

Snow, sleet and rain fall in parts of the UK with one airport diverting flights, and forecasters warning of further travel disruption.
BBC News – UK

A US city government is suing the Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras over investor losses due to a corruption scandal.
BBC News – US & Canada

Ivory Coast’s ex-first lady, Simone Gbagbo, goes on trial for her alleged role in post-election violence which killed thousands five years ago.
BBC News – Africa

SAN ANTONIO – As families and friends gathered around living rooms across the country and the wor
Oklahoma City Thunder

SAN ANTONIO – As families in Oklahoma and around the world gather together on Christmas Day, they’ll have a chance to jo
Oklahoma City Thunder

The number of people seeking work in France has risen to a record high, official figures show.
BBC News – Business

The Jordanian air force plane that crashed in Syria was not shot down by Islamic State militants, the US says.
BBC News – Middle East

American Alan Gross, freed last week after five years in a Cuban jail, is to receive $ 3.2m (£2m) from the US government.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

Pope Francis delivers his traditional Christmas Day address, denouncing violence against religious and ethnic minorities – notably in Syria and Iraq.
BBC News – Europe

The Queen will highlight the ceramic poppy tribute to World War One casualties, and those dealing with the Ebola disease, in her Christmas Day broadcast.
BBC News – UK

The Sony Pictures comedy The Interview opens in some US cinemas and online, after a major cyber-attack and threats over its release.
BBC News – US & Canada

A lockdown is declared in northern Sierra Leone, with shops and travel services shut for at least three days, in a bid to contain the Ebola virus.
BBC News – Africa

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