Catch up on a few national headlines that have helped ring in the new year.

Thousands gather in New York City to honor slain police officer

The funeral for Officer Wenjian Liu was held yesterday after he and fellow officer Rafael Ramos were killed by a gunman. In a silent protest, some officers turned their backs on New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, who some have accused of encouraging anti-police fervor. Click here to read more about the proceedings.

Veteran ESPN anchor dies after long battle with cancer

Stuart Scott, a retired ESPN news anchor, passed away yesterday after a seven-year battle with cancer. Widely recognized for his work motivating others plagued by the disease, Scott was commemorated by public figures such as sportscaster Rich Eisen and President Barack Obama. Read more about Scott here.

United States issues new sanctions on North Korea

Last Friday, the United States enacted new sanctions against North Korea after the FBI identified the country as the source behind the massive Sony computer hack. North Korea fought back, calling the new restrictions repugnant and hostile. Click here to read more about the conflict.

Officials report that the AirAsia airline wasn’t licensed to fly on the day of the crash

According to recent reports, the AirAsia Indonesia flight that crashed into the ocean did not have a license to fly last Sunday. Indonesia’s Ministry of Transport has launched an investigation to check all airlines operating within the country to make sure they are complying with licensing agreements. Click here to read more about the incident.