The US Congress begins a new term with the Republicans in control for the first time in eight years, but with a leadership headache to overcome.

The US opposes Israel's freeze on the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority over its bid to join the International Criminal Court.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio rebukes police officers who turned their backs on him as he spoke at the funerals of two officers.

The wife of the former mayor of Iguala, the Mexican city where 43 students disappeared, has been charged with organised crime and money laundering.

Sony has publicly condemned the "vicious" cyber attack that led to it suspending the release of its film The Interview.

California Governor Jerry Brown makes history as he is sworn in for a record-breaking fourth term, setting out ambitious targets for climate change.

Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State in Kobane, northern Syria, have seized a key district and now control 80% of the town, activists say.

The area being searched for a missing AirAsia plane is extended, as poor weather continues to hamper efforts to find bodies and flight recorders.