A ship passes a petro-industrial complex in Kawasaki near Tokyo December 18, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Thomas Peter

Top Story: Oil extends crash into new year as glut fear deepens (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

U.S. leads 20 more air strikes against Islamic State

U.S. troops training Iraqi military at bases in Anbar, Taji .

U.S. delays sending 1,500 troops to Iraq: report .

Three Saudi guards killed in suicide, gun attack on Iraq border: ministry .

Iraqi forces kill 26 Islamic State fighters near oil refinery town: Reports .

Islamic State touts $250M year-end budget surplus; opens bank . ISIS puts payments to the poor and disabled in $2 billion budget .

Lebanon limits entry of Syrians fleeing war . Syrians worried over Lebanon's new visa rules .

Syria complains to U.N.: McCain, others illegally entered country .

Turkey, U.S. to finalize Syrian rebel training this month: official .

Blast hits Houthi rebel base in Yemen capital .

Saudi border guards killed in attack .

Saudi Arabia to reopen Baghdad Embassy after 25-year hiatus .

Abbas plans to re-submit statehood bid to UNSC . Abbas rolls statehood dice with International Criminal Court move .

Hamas opposed to Abbas’ resubmission of UN bid .

ASIA

Searchers may have found black boxes of AirAsia jet .

Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan president: Obama should ‘re-examine’ withdrawal .

Four killed in Bangladesh unrest . Clashes rock Bangladesh on poll anniversary . Bangladesh rocked by violence on election anniversary .

China lodges protest after North Korea man 'kills four' .

India, Pakistan step up border fighting ahead of Kerry visit .

India says Pakistan lacks ‘sustained commitment’ to combat terrorism .

Confusion as India’s defence ministry claims sunken Pakistani boat exploded .

Japan's leader says he will express remorse for World War II .

Sri Lanka’s President faces tough election .

Australians opposed to taking sides in any conflict between China and Japan .

South Australia bushfire: Firefighters warn of worsening weather .

AFRICA

DR Congo president calls major meeting in Katanga stronghold .

American citizens charged after failed attempt to overthrow Gambian dictator in violent coup .

Former interior minister nominated as Tunisian premier .

Arab League to hold emergency talks on Libya unrest .

UN postpones Libya peace talks again .

Greek oil tanker bombed in Libyan port of Derna .

France vows to strike at terrorists leaving southern Libya . Hollande: France will not intervene in Libya .

At least 100 dead in Burundi attack by rebel group: military source . Burundi army says rebel group trying to disrupt elections .

Boko Haram killed dozens seizing Nigerian town and army base . Boko Haram seizes Nigerian army base . Boko Haram seizes military base in Nigeria.

Cameroon military to provide security along border .

Jihadists launch rare attack on central Malian town; army flees after 2 soldiers killed .

Al-Shabab claims deadly Somalia car bombing .

Son of Kenyan opposition leader found dead at home .

EUROPE

EU vows swift action against Mediterranean migrant smugglers .

Defiant Dresden protesters proceed with anti-immigrant rally .

Germany and France cast doubt on Jan. 15 Ukraine summit .

More shelling in eastern Ukraine as new round of peace talks begins in Berlin .

Latest bomb blast in Ukraine’s Odessa devastates pro-govt office .

Kremlin critic cuts monitor tag, won't comply with house arrest .

France seeks end to Russia sanctions over Ukraine .

Euro touches a nine-year low against US dollar .

Pope names 20 new cardinals .

Prince Andrew returns home after Palace 'emphatically denies' sex allegations .

AMERICAS

Arctic blast to send temperatures plummeting across the U.S. . Cold rush: 'Dangerous' arctic air roaring into U.S. .

Flu widespread in 43 U.S. states: CDC report .

Meth seizures at U.S.-Mexico border soar in 2014 .

700 miles of U.S.-Mexico border still insecure, congressional investigators say.

Mayor gives solemn eulogy at NYPD officer's funeral as thousands of cops outside turn backs .

Venezuela's Maduro to visit China, some OPEC countries .

Venezuela's Maduro would free Lopez if U.S. freed Puerto Rican .

Poll: Venezuelan President's popularity sinks to 22% .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaida threatens to use ‘undetectable’ bombs against U.S. .

Jury selection to get underway in Boston Marathon attacks .

Terrorists adapting to avoid U.S. drones .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China eases controls on rare earths after WTO complaint .

Oil hits five and a half year low under $55 on supply glut .

Revamped U.S. oil hedges may test OPEC's patience .

Get ready for interest rate shock in 2015 .