10 Things to Know for Today

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. CLOCK TICKING ON JAPANESE HOSTAGES

Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group post an online warning that the "countdown has begun" to kill the pair if demands for ransom haven't been met.

2. NEW SAUDI MONARCH TO CONTINUE IN SAME VEIN

"We will continue adhering to the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment," says King Salman.

3. OBAMA'S TELLING HIT LIST

The president's veto threats can be viewed as a microcosm of American politics, representing the roiling issues of the day.

4. NATO WARNS MAJOR UKRAINE REBEL OFFENSIVE LOOMING

Meanwhile, the U.N. human rights agency says the overall death toll in the conflict has risen above 5,000 as fighting escalates.

5. FEDS ASKED TO PROBE PRISON DEATH

New York City asks federal prosecutors to investigate the 2013 death of a mentally ill Rikers Island inmate who sexually mutilated himself after being locked alone without medication.

6. RUSSIANS WILL 'EAT LESS' FOR PUTIN

Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov says at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the nation is ready to sacrifice its wealth to support the president.

7. HOW ECB'S NEW STIMULUS CAN WORK

AP's Paul Wiseman says the central bank's plan to resuscitate Europe's economy hinges on whether people, governments and companies accelerate the intervention.

8. WHY SNOWBOARDING IS FADING IN POPULARITY

Aging athletes, new skis and a lack of snow are ganging up on the sport, which has seen a marked drop in participation over the last decade.

9. SETH ROGEN RESPONDS TO 'SNIPER' COMMENTS

The actor tells AP that the tweets he sent about the movie "American Sniper" were not meant to have political implications.

10. WHO'S OUT AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

For the first time since 2003, Roger Federer won't be featured in the tennis major's semifinals after losing to Italy's Andreas Seppi in the third round.