Syria's war enters new year more fragmented than ever
Attempts to find a "political solution" to conflict that has killed more than 200,000 have gone nowhere.
Sudan expels two senior UNDP officials -UN sources
Expulsions appear to be an escalation of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's move against U.N. activities in Sudan
Sombre Christmas, gatherings banned in Ebola-hit Sierra Leone
With more than 9,000 cases, Sierra Leone accounts for nearly half of the known cases of Ebola in this year's outbreak
India's military hunts rebels after deadly attacks in remote state
More than half of the victims of rebel attack were women and children of tea plantation workers - official
Afghan women's cricket crushed by threats, bombs and tradition
A national women's cricket team formed in 2010 with some fanfare was quietly dissolved this year amid Taliban threats.
FEATURE-Out of tragedy, fortune for Sri Lankan tsunami village
"Nothing has changed in our lives," says fisherman G. Premalal. "A lot of money was donated but was not distributed equally."
Spain's Felipe VI condemns corruption in first Christmas speech
Speech made no reference to upcoming tax fraud trial of his sister Princess Cristina
Israel police hold dozens of public officials in corruption probe
Suspected crimes include fraud, breach of trust and money laundering
Refugees are welcomed by vast majority of Germans -president
Tens of thousands of Germans are privately taking in refugees
Rebel attacks in India kill 51, spark violent protests
Victims of guerrilla attacks were mostly tea-plantation workers from other parts of India