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1. Co-pilot was flying AirAsia Flight 8501
The co-pilot was at the helm of AirAsia Flight 8501before it crashed into the Java Sea with 162 people aboard, the head of the agency that is investigating the crash told reporters in Indonesia on Thursday. Investigators continue to probe the reasons behind the accident. The plane was traveling from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore.
2. Islamic State sets Thursday deadline for release of prisoner
Islamic State-affiliated Twitter accounts posted a video setting a Thursday deadline for a hostage exchange. In the video, Japanese hostage Kenji Goto declares that if the Jordanians do not present Iraqi prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi by sunset then pilot Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh will be executed "immediately." Jordan is prepared to make the swap at the Turkish border. However, there was no word on whether a Japanese hostage would be included in any exchange as the 24-hour deadline to secure his release passed.
3. Author Dean Koontz takes your questions
What have you always been dying to ask Dean Koontz? Get those questions ready because the best-selling author answers yours on Thursday via online video chat from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. The occasion: The publication this month of Saint Odd, the conclusion to Koontz's popular seven-book series about Odd Thomas, the fry cook who can see the spirits of the dead. Koontz will answer questions about the series, which began in 2003, and talk about his life and writing career.
4. Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt named Hasty Pudding's woman and man of the year
There's nothing hasty about these decisions. Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest acting society in the U.S., crowns Chris Pratt and Amy Poehler as 2015's top man and woman. Last year, Neil Patrick Harris and Helen Mirren won the title and Mirren even twerked to celebrate.
Oscar Winning actress Helen Mirren reluctantly demonstrated that she knows how to twerk, while being honored as Woman of the Year by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Mirren won best actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. (Jan. 31) AP
5. Confirmed Ebola cases fall most in a week since June last year
The World Health Organization said there have been fewer than 100 new confirmed cases of Ebola in a week in the three most affected countries. A total of 99 new cases were reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the week to Jan. 25.
And, the essentials:
Weather: Another storm will bring a mix of messy weather to the Northwest while showers begin to move into the Southwest.
The national weather forecast for Thursday, January 29 calls for light snow in the Great Lakes, and showers through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. VPC
Stocks: Pre-market U.S. stocks rise as Asia markets decline.