The Democratic Party loses one of its icons. Bad weather slows AirAsia search. And the college football national championship is set.
It's Friday and here are the 5 things to know for your New Day
1. MARIO CUOMO
Party standard-bearer: The Democratic Party has lost one of its giants. Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo died yesterday at the age of 82. He had been hospitalized recently to treat a heart condition, but passed away, at home, from "natural causes due to heart failure," his family said. Cuomo's passionate and powerful keynote address at the 1984 Democratic political convention vaulted him onto the national political scene. President Barack Obama praised Cuomo for his faith in God and championing of progressive values in a statement issued by the White House.
Surabaya, Indonesia (CNN) - It was a stark and painful reminder. The sound of fireworks echoing through the streets of Surabaya as the clock dragged toward midnight underlining the fact that so many of the victims of QZ8501 were on their way to Singapore to celebrate the new year there.
They never made it. And for the past four days, the CNN crew has witnessed the shock, disbelief, frustration, and finally the devastating realization from the families of those missing.
Since Sunday evening, we have been staffing our live camera position 24 hours a day just a few paces from the crisis center at Surabaya International Airport.
We have spoken to family members and friends, trying to negotiate the fine line between prying and reporting, trying to show the human side of a disaster without gross intrusion into private grief.
(CNN) - Searchers looking for more bodies and wreckage from AirAsia Flight QZ8501 in the Java Sea faced fresh difficulties with bad weather on Thursday.
Ships, planes and helicopters are trying to find victims of the disaster. Most of the people on board the flight remain missing, and officials are yet to confirm that they've found the fuselage of the plane.
* Bang! * Boom! * Pop! * Cheer! * Suddenly it’s here! The New Year! 2015 beckons us to look ahead with best resolutions for the next twelve months and to reminisce on the dozen we laid to rest last night.
How about we start 2015 with an aspirin for that hangover and “5 Things to Know for Your New Day."
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What we have in common: Wear red underwear if you want love - Brazil. Throw beans out the front door to ward off misfortune – Japan. Eat black-eyed peas and greens for luck and money – the American South. Pour molten lead into water to tell your fortune – Germany. New Year’s traditions vary from culture to culture, but there’s one that spans the globe – fireworks displays. From Sydney to L.A. the pyro blossoms were spectacular last night. Here are collections of the most luminous midnight skylines.