10 Things to Know: Dec. 23

1. NORTH KOREA HAVING SEVERE INTERNET OUTAGES AFTER SONY HACK

The White House and the State Department declined to say whether the U.S. government was responsible.

2. NYC MAYOR CALLS FOR PAUSE IN PROTESTS

Bill de Blasio, accused of creating mistrust that contributed to the execution of two officers, said it's time to support grieving families.

3. CUBA SAYS IT HAS RIGHT TO GRANT ASYLUM TO U.S. FUGITIVES

It was the clearest sign yet that the communist government has no intention of extraditing America's most-wanted woman.

4. WHY ARIZONA IS CHANGING EXECUTION DRUGS

Although a panel said no protocols were broken, they recommended different drugs after an inmate gasped repeatedly over nearly two hours while being put to death in July.

5. THE BIG ISSUES OBAMA TACKLED IN 2014

The president made major moves on immigration, climate change and U.S.-Cuba relations, but also angered the GOP and suffered a crushing midterm election defeat.

6. WHY FORMER COP WASN'T CHARGED IN SHOOTING

A white Milwaukee police officer who was fired after the fatal shooting of a mentally ill black man in April won't face criminal charges, as prosecutors say he shot in self-defense.

7. WHO THE POPE ACCUSED OF 'SPIRITUAL ALZHEIMER'S'

Francis issues a blistering critique of Vatican bureaucracy, saying some lust for power while living hypocritical lives.

8. AT 89, NO CONFESSION TO 50-YEAR-OLD KILLINGS

Edgar Ray Killen, convicted in 2005 of the slayings of three civil rights workers, tells the AP he's a segregationist but bears no ill will toward blacks.

9. SANDRA THE ORANGUTAN GRANTED BASIC RIGHTS

The ape's attorney says the unprecedented ruling paves the way for the animal to be moved into a sanctuary after spending 20 years at the Buenos Aires Zoo.

10. BRITISH SINGER JOE COCKER DIES AT 70

Known for his intense, twitchy stage presence, Cocker's hits included "You Are So Beautiful" and "Up Where We Belong."