Top Story: Four large parts of crashed AirAsia jet found on sea floor (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

US-Led airstrikes hit multiple IS positions in Syria, Iraq: Central Command .

ISIS takes 170 men hostage in N. Iraq in search for flag-burners.

Iraqi General warns of military woes in fighting extremists .

Intense clashes between Syrian troops, al-Qaida militants rage near Lebanese borders .

Report: Two hostage rescues fail in Syria .

Syrians fleeing war maimed by landmines .

Islamic State seeking bases inside Lebanon: Lebanon security chief .

Iran, 6 powers move closer to nuclear talks deal . Iranian Foreign Ministry denies reports of nuclear agreement with US .

Resurgent Yemeni rebels mark religious event .

Israel freezes funds to Palestinians over ICC approach .

Rise in young women drug addicts triggers alarm in Iran .

ASIA

AirAsia QZ8501: Plane crash blamed on weather .

4 large objects detected in AirAsia wreckage hunt . Four ‘big’ parts of AirAsia QZ8501 plane found – Indonesian officials .

Four killed in fresh India-Pakistan border clashes .

US embassy in Indonesia issues security alert for hotels and banks .

U.S. sanctions North Korea over Sony cyberattack .

Political revolt roils Sri Lanka presidential vote .

China-Japan dispute over islands spreads to cyberspace .

Thousands flee homes as Australian wildfires rage . Bushfires in Victoria and South Australia threaten homes .

Japan 2014 births fall to lowest on record .

AFRICA

Congo threatens to attack Rwandan Hutu rebels as ultimatum expires .

Boko Haram unrest: Gunmen kidnap Nigeria villagers .

New air strike on Libyan city Misrata, clashes near oil port .

At least 20 Egyptian Christians kidnapped in Libya . Egyptian Christians kidnapped in Libya .

4 soldiers, 6 militants die in Al-Shabaab attack, Somali police official says .

Al-Shabab terrorism threat casts wider shadow over Kenya.

South Sudan general elections will be held June 30 .

Somalia dismisses Ebola scare .

UN predicts end of Ebola outbreak in 2015 .

EUROPE

Germany says Ukraine, Russia ready to meet 'as soon as possible' . Kyiv and Moscow to hold talks on Ukraine crisis 'as soon as possible' .

Russia throws lifeline to companies starved for cash by sanctions .

No foreign aircraft violated Russian airspace in 2014: Defense Ministry .

Nagorno-Karabakh claims 2 of its soldiers killed .

Hungarian protesters keep up pressure on government .

Migrants: Smugglers wore hoods before leaving ship .

83% of Rome’s police call in sick on New Year Eve .

Greek police arrest fugitive Marxist guerrilla .

Prince Andrew sex claims woman 'should not be believed' .

UK Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey 'in critical condition' .

AMERICAS

US debt soars by $100 billion on last day of 2014, hits record $18.14 trillion .

Security on agenda as embattled Mexican president visits Obama .

Maduro tells Biden United States 'must respect Venezuela' .

Mexican prisons are worsening and inmate control is growing: study .

Guyana to issue new passports, crack down on fraud .

NY Police Commissioner asks officers to refrain from political protest at funeral .

Serious winter weather expected across US as January starts with cold spell .

Ecuador tops list of best countries for retirement .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. embassy bombings suspect Abu Anas al Libi dies in U.S. hospital . Suspect in U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya, Tanzania, dies before NY trial.

Taliban video highlights training camp, operations in Kunar .

Jihadi commanders in Russia pledge allegiance to Islamic State’s al-Baghdadi .

Boston Marathon bombings: a timeline .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Uber loses bid to withhold CEO emails in gratuity lawsuit .

Here's what 13 top Wall Street pros are predicting for stocks in 2015 .

10,000 apply for human paintball bullet tester job .