10 things you need to know today: December 22, 2014

1. New York steps up precautions for patrols after police killings

New York City police leaders ordered new precautions for the city's patrol force after two officers — Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40 — were shot dead in their patrol car, apparently targeted by a gunmen aiming to murder police officers. Officers in the city's 35,000-member force — the nation's largest — will work only in pairs when on foot patrol, and sentries are being posted at station houses. The killings deepened a rift between police and Mayor Bill de Blasio after weeks of protests over police tactics.

The New York Times

2. Gas prices fall to their lowest level since mid-2009

The average price of regular gasoline continued its months-long plunge over the last two weeks, falling nearly 25 cents to $2.47 per gallon, according to a Lundberg Survey released Sunday. Prices are now at their lowest level since May 15, 2009, and 79 cents lower than they were a year ago. The decline came as crude oil prices fell for a fourth straight week. The Energy Information Administration estimates slumping pump prices will save the average American household $550 in 2015.

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Bloomberg

3. Pakistan arrests suspects linked to Taliban attack that killed 132 students

Pakistani authorities arrested several people on Sunday in connection with last week's deadly Taliban attack on a military-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar. The seven insurgents killed 148 people, including 132 schoolchildren. "Quite a few suspects who were facilitators in one way or the other have been taken into custody," Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said. The Taliban said the attack was retaliation for an army operation that has killed more than 1,200 militants in North Waziristan since June.

CBC

4. Essebsi declares victory in Tunisia's landmark presidential run-off

Secular politician Beji Caid Essebsi declared victory in Tunisia's Sunday presidential run-off vote. Essebsi, 88, served as parliament speaker under Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, the autocratic leader overthrown in the country's 2011 Arab Spring revolt. Official results for the election are due on Monday, and interim president Moncef Marzouki, the favorite of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, rejected Essebsi's victory claim, saying he would emerge the winner of the vote seen as the country's final step in a transition to full democracy.

Reuters

5. Bail revoked for partner of Sydney siege gunman

An Australian court on Monday revoked the bail of Amirah Droudis, the partner of Sydney cafe-siege gunman Man Haron Monis, on charges that she murdered Monis' ex-wife, who was stabbed and set on fire in April 2013. Chief Magistrate Graeme Henson said he did not think the magistrate who granted Droudis bail a year ago knew she was awaiting sentencing for Monis' plot to send letters to the families of dead Australian soldiers. Henson said Droudis posed an "unacceptable risk" to the community.

The Guardian

6. Jordan ends an eight-year moratorium on capital punishment

Jordan on Sunday executed 11 men convicted of murder, ending an eight-year moratorium on the death penalty. Jordanian authorities gave no reason for the move, although Interior Minister Hussein Majali recently said many Jordanians blamed the moratorium for an increase in violent crime. Before the Sunday hangings, Jordan's last execution was in June 2006. Since then 122 people have been sentenced to death in the country.

BBC News

7. Muhammad Ali hospitalized with pneumonia

Muhammad Ali, whom many consider the greatest boxer ever, has entered a hospital to be treated for a mild case of pneumonia, according to news reports on Sunday. His prognosis is believed to be good. Ali, 72, has suffered from Parkinson's disease for decades. In a 61-fight professional boxing career, he posted a 56-5 record with 37 knockouts, and won the heavyweight championship three times.

Sports Illustrated

8. Judge orders Spain's Princess Cristina tried on fraud charges

A Spanish judge on Monday ordered Princess Cristina — the sister of King Felipe VI — to face trial on tax fraud charges, along with her husband. She will be the first member of the royal family to face court charges since the monarchy's 1975 restoration. A prosecutor recommended on Dec. 9 that Cristina be fined but not tried. The case centers on charges that Cristina's husband, businessman and former Olympic handball medalist Inaki Urdangarin, tried to embezzle $7.4 million in public contracts.

The Associated Press

9. China says there is no proof North Korea hacked Sony Pictures

China on Monday condemned all forms of cyberattacks, but said there was no proof that North Korea was behind the recent hacking of Sony Pictures. Threats by the hackers prompted Sony to cancel the Christmas Day release of The Interview, a comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and U.S. officials blame the hacking attack on North Korea. Pyongyang denies it was responsible, and Chinese foreign ministry officials said an investigation was necessary "before making any conclusions" regarding any cyberattack.

Reuters

10. Winter solstice arrives

Winter officially began at 6:03 p.m. on Sunday, the day of the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the shortest of the year in the Northern Hemisphere — the day when the sun reaches its lowest point on the horizon at midday. It will now begin rising slowly each day, making each day last a little longer from now until the summer solstice on June 21, the longest day of 2015.

Slate