MIDDLE EAST

U.S.-led forces launch 10 air strikes in Syria, Iraq .

Syria Kurds control 70 percent of besieged Kobani: monitor .

Kurds in new Islamic State group offensive in Iraq .

Iraqi forces 'recapture Dhuluiya from Islamic State' .

Shi'ite militias expand influence, redraw map in central Iraq .

Houthis killed in Yemen suicide bombing . At least 23 killed in Yemen suicide bombing: state news agency .

Palestinians join International Criminal Court . Palestinians decide to join ICC .

Netanyahu threatens Israeli response to ICC approach .

Iran says new U.S. sanctions violate spirit of nuclear talks .

Hamas govt employees strike over expected job losses .

Saudi beheads 83 people in 2014, the most in years .

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia hospitalised .

ASIA

AirAsia QZ8501: First bodies returned to airport . Weather hinders effort to recover AirAsia bodies . Bodies from crashed AirAsia plane arrive in Indonesian city .

‘Unbelievably’ steep climb recorded before AirAsia crash, report says .

2,000 “separatists” killed in ongoing Pakistan army operations .

India, Pakistan trade fire in Kashmir; 1 dead .

South Korean to drop Sony film into North by balloon .

Retired Afghan leader meets, advises successor 'almost daily' .

Myanmar enters election year with powerful military largely unchanged .

Mudslides, flash floods kill at least 53 in Philippines .

No New Year’s fun: Indonesian city bans celebrations under Sharia law .

AFRICA

Yayha Jammeh: Gambia president 'home after coup plot' .

Many killed in Burundi-DRC border clashes .

U.S. envoy urges U.N., Congolese military action against Rwandan rebels .

Libya containing Es Sider oil fire but export resumption in question .

Djibouti government reaches deal to bring opposition into parliament .

New Tunisia president pledges reconciliation .

Spain: 800 migrants storm North African border fence .

Ebola-hit Liberia lifts night curfew for New Year .

EUROPE

US, NATO unwilling to raise tensions with Russia: Pentagon .

Russia annual inflation jumps to 11.4% as rouble falls .

Putin calls annexation of Crimea a historic landmark .

Putin sends New Year greetings to Obama, recalls responsibility of Russia, US .

Pussy Riot activist arrested after pro-Alexei Navalny protests in Moscow .

Cargo ship carrying '700 migrants' docks in Italy . Almost 1,000 migrants arrive in Italy on packed cargo ship .

Italy: 98 still unaccounted for from fire-ravaged ferry .

Cyprus says Turkey must stop 'bullying' over gas .

Greece formally dissolves parliament ahead of election . Greece: Election campaign starts with clash over debt.

AMERICAS

US police shooting deaths up 56 per cent this year .

US warns of threats to media from Sony hackers .

US unemployment claims rise .

Venezuela recession confirmed as Maduro attacks US 'oil war' .

U.S. condemns Cuba's 'practice of repressing' after activists detained.

Severe flu cases on the rise in U.S. .

Canada Edmonton: Eight killed in 'senseless mass murder' . Suspected killer of eight in Canada had criminal past -police .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US strike in Somalia 'killed al-Shabab intelligence chief' . U.S. confirms drone strike killed al Shabaab leader in Somalia .

Five Guantanamo Bay inmates 'resettled' in Kazakhstan .

UAV strikes to continue in Afghanistan despite mission end: Former official .

Al-Qaeda’s glossy media and how they help expand ‘Media Jihad’ .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil industry set for year of mergers and takeovers, says PwC .

Oil slides, Brent slated for biggest annual drop since 2008 .

Bull market for stocks keeps on going in 2014 .

Billionaires chasing Warhols fuel $16 billion art sales .