OBAMA

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii — President Barack Obama marks the end of more than a decade of combat in Afghanistan by paying tribute to America's military, telling troops on Christmas Day that their sacrifices have allowed for a more peaceful, prosperous world to emerge out of the ashes of 9/11. By Josh Lederman.

DETAINED IN EAST TIMOR

PORTLAND, Oregon — A U.S. traveler detained for months in East Timor has been released from jail. Stacey Addison, 41, was arrested in September shortly after crossing the border into the Southeast Asian nation. By Steven Dubois.

SONY HACK-THE INTERVIEW

NEW YORK — Critics and early viewers agree that "The Interview" is less than a masterpiece. But thanks to threats from hackers that nearly derailed its release, it has become an event. By Hillel Italie.

CUBA-US MIGRATION

HAVANA — Like tens of thousands of Cubans, Gerardo Luis wants to get to the United States, and he's suddenly worried that time may be running out. Across an island where migrating north is an obsession, the widespread jubilation over last week's historic U.S-Cuba detente is soured by fear that warming relations will eventually end Cubans' unique fast track to legal American residency. By Ben Fox and Anne-Marie Garcia.

HAITI-PRIME MINISTER

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A former mayor of Port-au-Prince and presidential candidate is nominated to be the next prime minister amid an ongoing standoff with parliament that has stalled legislative elections.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

SONY HACK-FUTURE OF STREAMING

ATLANTA — Sony's "The Interview" has been a hacking target, a punchline and a political lightning rod. Now, with its release online at the same time it debuts in theaters, it has a new role: a test for a new kind of movie release. By Mae Anderson.