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Jakarta Attacks: At Least Seven People Killed in Indonesian Capital Explosions

Roy Siemens
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Jakarta Attacks: At Least Seven People Killed in Indonesian Capital Explosions

At least seven people have been killed after a series of explosions hit the Indonesian capital Jakarta on January 14.

The explosions were centered around Thamrin Street, a major shopping and business district in Jakarta close to foreign embassies and the United Nations offices.

According to police, the situation is now under control, with five suspected attackers among at least seven people killed.

ISIS claimed it carried out the attacks, a news agency linked to the militant group said.

Separately, Indonesian police said they suspected a local group allied to ISIS was to blame.

President Joko Widodo described the attacks as an “act of terror”.

“We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident, but we also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people,” he said.

Images from Jakarta have shown several bodies lying on the road outside a cafe, as well as seriously injured people being carried away.

Details remain unclear, but at least one of the blasts hit a Starbucks cafe and a police security post.

It appears the gunmen then holed up in the Djakarta Theater, part of the complex that houses the Starbucks.

Armed police, snipers and armored vehicles were deployed on the streets of the capital.Jakarta attacks 2016

Gunfire broke out after police arrived at the cafe – there were several further explosions and reports of police chasing suspects. Sporadic gunfire was reported for several hours afterwards.

A few hours later, police said four attackers had been killed, then shortly after revised the number to five, including a foreigner.

National Police Deputy Chief Commander Gen. Budi Gunawan said two had been killed in a shootout outside a theatre and two others blew themselves up at the police post in front of Starbucks.

Police spokesman Col. Muhammad Iqbal said the situation was “under control”, with no suspects hiding inside the shopping centre.

Police had initially said there could be up to 14 assailants. Three attackers have been arrested, reports say.

Indonesia has been attacked by Islamist militant groups in the past and was on high alert over the New Year period after threats from ISIS.

There has been no confirmation of the group’s claim it carried out the attack, but National police spokesman Anton Charliyan said the group had earlier warned of a “concert in Indonesia” which would be international news.

Anton Charliyan said the attackers had tried to imitate the co-ordinated attacks on Paris and there was a “strong suspicion that this is an ISIS-linked group in Indonesia”.

Up to 200 Indonesians are estimated to have gone to Syria to fight with ISIS.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation but by and large is secular, although in recent years the threat of radicalism has remained high as small networks of militants are still thought to be operating in the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zTK7VPUQsQ

Turkey Police Station Attack Kills at Least 6 People in Diyarbakir

Roy Siemens
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0
Turkey Police Station Attack Kills at Least 6 People in Diyarbakir

At least six people were killed and other 39 injured after a car bomb explosion has hit a police headquarters in south-eastern Turkey, officials say.

Five civilians including a baby were among the dead. Rescuers searched the rubble for survivors at the scene in Cinar district, Diyarbakir province.

Turkish officials blamed the blast on Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) militants, who are active in the mainly Kurdish province.

No group has so far said it carried out the attack.

The bomb was detonated at the entrance of the Cinar district police complex, officials say. The attackers then reportedly fired rockets at the headquarters.

The explosion damaged nearby residential buildings, where a mother and her 5-month-old baby were killed. A girl aged one and a 5-year-old boy also died when a house collapsed.

Another police station, in Midyat town, in neighboring Mardin province, was also attacked by militants, according to Turkish media, but there are no reports of casualties.

A ceasefire between the army and the PKK collapsed in July.

A curfew was imposed on Diyarbakir and several other towns and cities as part of a security crackdown after PKK attacks in the east that left 16 soldiers and 14 police officers dead.

Photo AP
Photo AP

There have been repeated clashes between PKK separatists and the Turkish army in recent months, but the violence has escalated in the past week.

Civilians have been caught up in the clashes in the towns of Cizre and Silopi, close to the borders with Syria and Iraq.

Since August 2015, human rights activists say 170 civilians have lost their lives in areas under curfew.

More than 1,100 Turkish and foreign academics have signed a petition calling for an end to Turkish military operations in the south-east, drawing criticism from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Speaking after a suicide bombing in Istanbul blamed on ISIS jihadists, in which ten German tourists were killed, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government drew no distinction between terror groups, whatever their name.

The hashtag #1128katil (1,128 killers) was trending in Turkey on January 14, particularly among government and nationalist supporters, apparently in reference to the academics.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu condemned the overnight bomb attack and echoed the president’s criticism of the petition.

Turkish jets have bombed PKK bases in northern Iraq and the army launched a ground operation there.

Turkey is also part of a US-led coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria.

However, Ankara has been accused of hitting mostly PKK targets, angering Kurds who are themselves fighting ISIS in the two countries.

David Bowie Funeral: Star’s Body Secretly Cremated in New York

Sonia Pantiss
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David Bowie Funeral: Star’s Body Secretly Cremated in New York

According to new reports, David Bowie’s body has been secretly cremated in New York soon after his death.

The star, who closely guarded his privacy in his final years, wanted to avoid a funeral service.

In line with David Bowie’s wishes, no family or friends were present at the ceremony, the Daily Mirror reported.

David Bowie died of cancer on January 10 at the age of 69.

The singer had released a new album, Blackstar, on his birthday, just two days earlier – which has been retrospectively interpreted as his epitaph.

Although the record features lyrics such as “Look up here, I’m in heaven,” its producer Tony Visconti said David Bowie had written and demo-ed five new songs in recent weeks.David Bowie cremation

Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Tony Visconti said David Bowie had called him about a week before his death and “at that late stage, he was planning the follow-up to Blackstar”.

Tony Visconti will be one of the musicians performing at a memorial concert for David Bowie at New York’s Carnegie Hall in March.

The Music of David Bowie had originally been billed as a tribute show, with artists including Cyndi Lauper and The Roots also performing, but the event will now give fans the opportunity to mourn.

Tributes will also be paid at next month’s Brit Awards, with a performance celebrating the “extraordinary life and work of one of our greatest icons”.

Meanwhile, Blackstar is set to become David Bowie’s first No 1 album in the US, as sales surged after news of his death broke on January 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFYNybr4rXc

Powerball Jackpot: At Least Three Winning Tickets Sold in LA, Tennessee and Florida

Nancy Clayson
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Powerball Jackpot: At Least Three Winning Tickets Sold in LA, Tennessee and Florida

There are at least three winning tickets in the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot – sold in Los Angeles, Tennessee and Florida – lottery officials said.

The previous draw was the 19th without a grand prize winner, which requires all six numbers to match.

Thousands of people earlier queued up outside shops across the United States, hoping to defy the odds of 292.2 million to one.Powerball winning tickets 2016

Lottery spokesman Alex Traverso told the Associated Press that one of the winning tickets was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Chino Hills, in suburban Los Angeles.

Alex Traverso had no information on where in Tennessee and Florida the other winning tickets were purchased, the AP reports.

The winners can collect their winnings in annual payments over 29 years, or opt to share a lump-sum payment of $930 million.

The government would also share in the big prize, however, levying a 39.6% federal income tax on the winners, plus any taxes that the winners’ home states may impose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVLTaT9Imwo

Japan Stock Market Closes Down after Wall Street Sell-Off

Clyde K. Valle
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Japan Stock Market Closes Down after Wall Street Sell-Off

Japanese shares have tumbled after a heavy sell-off on Wall Street added to nervousness among investors.

Nikkei 225 index fell more than 4% before closing down 2.7% at 17,240.95. Earlier, the index had fallen below the key resistance level of 17,000 for the first time since September.

US shares had fallen over 2% as a oil stockpiles report and a Federal Reserve survey suggested more sluggish growth.

Weak economic data from Japan also dented investors’ confidence.

Government data showed that core machinery orders fell 14.4% in November from the previous month.

The orders were down for the first time in three months in the world’s third largest economy.

Brent crude prices, meanwhile, fell 0.9% to $30.05 a barrel after earlier hitting a fresh 12-year low of $29.73.Japan stock market falls

In Australia, S&P/ASX 200 share index ended 1.6% lower at 4,909.40, despite the release of better than expected employment data.

The unemployment rate in the country was 5.8% in December, with fewer jobs lost than economists were expecting.

Australia lost 1,000 new jobs, as against expectations of 10,000.

In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index closed down 0.9% at 1,900.01 after its central bank kept interest rates unchanged for the seventh consecutive month.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was 0.5% lower at 19,830.64 in afternoon trade.

China’s Shanghai Composite index was the only bright spot in the region – rising 0.6% to 2,967.35 – as it reversed earlier losses.

Regulators had announced late on January 13 that they had stepped up monitoring share-selling by listed companies’ major shareholders.

The securities commission also said that its transition to a US-style registration system for listings would be a gradual process and not lead to a surge in initial public offerings (IPOs).

The announcement was the latest in a series of measures to support the market after heavy losses since last week.

Elsewhere in the region, Indonesia’s Jakarta composite index was down 1.7% at 4,459.32 after multiple bomb blasts rocked the capital city.

Oil Prices Falls below $30 a Barrel for First Time since April 2004

Clyde K. Valle
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Oil Prices Falls below $30 a Barrel for First Time since April 2004

Oil prices fell below $30 a barrel on international markets for the first time since April 2004, before recovering again.

Brent crude, used as an international benchmark, fell as low as $29.96, but bounced back to trade at $30.22.

Oil prices have fallen by 70% in the past 15 months.

Earlier, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev warned tumbling oil prices could force his country to revise its 2016 budget.

Dmitry Medvedev said that the country must be prepared for a “worst-case” economic scenario if the price continued to fall.

Taxes from oil and gas generates about half the Russian government’s revenue.

The 2016 federal budget that was approved in October was based on an oil price of $50 a barrel in 2016 – a figure President Vladimir Putin has since described as “unrealistic”.

Government departments have been ordered to cut spending by 10%, repeating a policy imposed in 2015, Reuters reported.Oil price and Russia economy

Pensions and pay for government workers will be protected from the cuts, which could save as much as 700 billion rubles ($9.1 billion).

Finance minister Anton Siluanov said that the Russian budget could only be balanced at an oil price of $82 a barrel.

He said the 2016 budget should be revised to assume an oil price of $40 a barrel.

“Our task is to adapt our budget to the new realities,” Anton Siluanov said.

Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev warned that Russia faced a long period of low commodity prices with oil at $15 or $20 a barrel.

“The biggest risk is that there will be low prices for a long time – that is, for years, for decades,” he said.

Dmitry Medvedev also said that high interest rates were holding back economic growth in Russia.

The Bank of Russia held rates at 11% last month, with Governor Elvira Nabiullina warning of “high volatility” in global markets.

In 2015, the central bank shocked markets by increasing rates from 10.5% to 17%.

Inflation stands at 15% in Russia, but the bank hopes it would fall to 4% by 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R__gtzfRhks

Lawrence Phillips Dead: Former NFL Star Kills Himself in Jail

Clyde K. Valle
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Lawrence Phillips Dead: Former NFL Star Kills Himself in Jail

Former NFL player Lawrence Phillips, whose career was cut short by disciplinary problems, has been found dead inside his California prison cell.

Officials believe Lawrence Phillips, 40, killed himself on January 13.

In the 1990s, Lawrence Phillips was a star player at the University of Nebraska, making him a sought-after rookie in the NFL.

He played for the St Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers until 1999, but he was plagued by trouble on and off the field.Lawrence Phillips found dead in prison

After his NFL career, Lawrence Phillips continued to have problems with the law.

Eventually, he was sent to prison after being convicted of assault for driving his car into a group of teenagers.

In another case, Lawrence Phillips was convicted of assaulting a former girlfriend.

Lawrence Phillips, who was serving a term of more than 30 years, had been placed in a cell alone after he was accused of killing his former cellmate.

On January 12, a judge found that there was enough evidence to try Lawrence Phillips in the death of Damion Soward, 37.

Powerball Jackpot: At Least One Winning Ticket Sold in Los Angeles

Nancy Clayson
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Powerball Jackpot: At Least One Winning Ticket Sold in Los Angeles

The winning numbers for the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot at January 13 draw are 4, 8, 19, 27, 34, PB 10.

At least one winning ticket was sold, at a shop in Los Angeles, officials say.

The previous draw was the 19th without a grand prize winner, which requires all six numbers to match.

Thousands of people earlier queued up outside shops across the US, hoping to defy the odds of 292.2 million to one.Powerball winning ticket January 2016

The winner – assuming no split in the prize – stands to take home the jackpot in annual payments over 29 years. He or she could also opt for one lump-sum payment of $930 million.

The government would share in the big prize, however, levying a 39.6% federal income tax on the winner, plus any taxes that the winner’s home state may impose.

After paying tax, however, the winner would still be wealthier than Beyonce and Lionel Messi, according to AFP news agency.

Six of the 50 US states do not participate in the lottery, forcing some of their residents to drive hours to buy tickets.

Alabama, Mississippi and Utah cite religious reasons while Alaska has said it would not be economical in such a sparsely populated state.

In Hawaii, proposed legislation to start it fails consistently and in Nevada the lottery is rejected because the state’s world famous casinos prefer not to have competition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P9461_0vjk

GM Shares Soar on Raised Profit Outlook

Clyde K. Valle
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0
GM Shares Soar on Raised Profit Outlook

General Motors shares have soared after the company announced it would be more profitable and return more money to shareholders.

Shares in America’s biggest automaker rose more than 2% after it raised its 2016 earnings forecast by 25 cents to between $5.25 and $5.75 per share.

GM also plans to raise its stock buyback program by 80% to $9 billion and extend it to the end of 2017.

In total it plans to give $16 billion back to shareholders by the end of 2017.

Photo AP
Photo AP

GM executive Mary Barra said: “We made significant progress executing our strategic plan and the results are being demonstrated through our improved earnings.”

Shares in rival automaker Ford fell more than 3.5% after it said US margins could hit a plateau of 9.5%.

Ford said on January 12 it would give a special $1 billion dividend, and that it expects pre-tax profit of between $10 billion and $11 billion in 2015.

However, this figure was at the lower end of analyst expectations.

General Electric to Cut 6,500 Jobs in Europe

Clyde K. Valle
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General Electric to Cut 6,500 Jobs in Europe

General Electric has announced it is planning to cut up to 6,500 jobs in energy units it bought from French engineering giant Alstom over the next two years.

The figure includes 765 jobs to go in France.

To secure the deal last year, GE had soothed French government concerns by pledging to create 1,000 jobs in the country.

A GE spokesman said the company would stick to its pledge, creating the roles in the next three years.

In Europe as a whole, staff in Alstom’s renewables, power services and energy management divisions could be affected.

A spokesman said unions had been informed.General Electric job cut Europe

“This is a plan, which could change following discussion with employee representatives,” he added.

Around 1,300 of the layoffs will be in Switzerland, the company said.

In May 2015, GE pledged to create jobs in France as part of efforts to calm French government concerns about the company’s proposed acquisition of Alstom’s energy units.

At the time, both GE and Siemens were in talks with the French government to try to secure a deal.

The French government had previously given itself powers to block foreign takeover bids for companies deemed “strategic”.

GE’s takeover of Alstom’s energy business – which includes gas and steam turbines, wind turbines, turbines for hydro dams and power grids – added about 65,000 employees to GE’s workforce of about 305,000.

The head of GE’s power division said in September 2015 the company would seek to make $3 billion in cost savings over five years from the Alstom acquisition.

Iran Releases US Navy Sailors Held in Persian Gulf

Roy Siemens
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Iran Releases US Navy Sailors Held in Persian Gulf

Ten US Navy sailors held in Iran on January 12 for entering its territorial waters have been released on January 13.

The US expressed its gratitude to Iran for swiftly resolving the issue.

The sailors were detained on January 12 when one of their two vessels broke down while training in the Gulf.

It comes at a sensitive time, amid reports that a deal on Iran’s nuclear activities is just days away from implementation.

Iranian state media said the sailors were released into international waters after they apologized. However, White House officials said the US administration had not issued an apology to Iran.

The incursion was “unintentional”, a statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards quoted by state media said.

Earlier, the naval commander of the Guards, General Ali Fadavi, said investigations found a navigational failure was to blame.

“We have concluded that passage of Americans in our territorial waters was not a hostile passage or for espionage or similar acts,” he told Iranian television.US Navy sailors held in Iran

The US is investigating how the sailors entered Iranian waters.

Secretary of State John Kerry said he wanted to “express my gratitude to Iranian authorities for their co-operation in swiftly resolving this matter”.

“That this issue was resolved peacefully and efficiently is a testament to the critical role diplomacy plays in keeping our country safe, secure, and strong,” John Kerry said in a statement.

John Kerry called Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif shortly after the incident. The pair developed a personal rapport during the nuclear talks.

Those detained – nine men and one woman – were taken to Farsi Island, in the middle of the Gulf, where Iran has a naval base.

Pictures published on the Revolutionary Guards’ website showed the group sitting on a Persian rug, with the one female member wearing a headscarf.

Conservatives in both countries have opposed the nuclear deal, under which Iran will limit its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

In the US, Republican presidential candidates were among those expressing outrage at the sailors’ detention.

Iran’s deputy nuclear chief has meanwhile denied a report the Arak heavy-water reactor had been decommissioned, which would be a final step towards implementation of the nuclear deal.

Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.5 Billion

Nancy Clayson
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Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.5 Billion

The current estimated jackpot in the multi-state Powerball lottery has now reached $1.5 billion.

That means a single winner would have the option of a lump-sum cash payout of an estimated $930 million.

“Jackpot increased because of yesterday’s strong sales,” Kelly Cripe, director of media relations at the Texas Lottery Commission, said in a statement announcing the higher estimated payoff.Powerball largest jackpot 2016

Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. No players have correctly selected the six numbers required to win the jackpot in the last 19 drawings dating back to November 11.

Retailers say demand for tickets to the drawing at 10:59 p.m. ET on January 13 has been off the charts, raising the possibility that the payoff could climb even higher.

A $2 ticket has a one in 292.2 million chance of winning the grand prize, Powerball said. That compares with a one in 700,000 chance of being killed by an asteroid in a lifetime, according to astronomers at the Space Science Institute.

Yoga tips for beginners

Dana R
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Yoga tips for beginners

Whole-body health means more than just how many push ups you can do. Mental and spiritual health are part of one’s overall well being and as that becomes more and more understood, practices that marry the mind with the body such as yoga have gained enormous popularity (despite having been practices for more than 2,000 years). For many beginners, yoga can seem very intimidating because of the complex postures that are involved. However, with a little bit of understanding even the greenest of yogis can soon enjoy the benefits of the practice of yoga.

Introduce yourself into your instructor

If you are intimidated, before the first class begins get there early and introduce yourself to your instructor before the class begins. If the instructor knows you are feeling a little apprehensive, he is more likely to spend time helping you through the first class.  That can give you the boost of confidence and security you might need to feel more at ease.

yoga-beginners

Choose the right clothes

This isn’t about looking like a Sports Illustrated model. It’s about being comfortable and able to move freely and without restriction. Lines such as Fabletics by Kate Hudson offer affordable and accessible fitness wear pieces that are perfect for everyone, from beginners to more advanced yogis. No matter where you choose to purchase your yoga wear, the important thing is to choose pieces that allow you to move freely without being too loose fitting. You don’t want to accidentally give your classmates a peep show! Form-fitting yoga clothes will also allow your instructor to observe your form and make any necessary corrections.

Accessories

In addition to proper yoga clothing, there are a few things you might also want to consider bringing. A yoga mat is one of the most important things to consider, even if your yoga studio provides them. Not only is it more sanitary to use your own mat, purchasing your own means that you can also practice your poses while at home, for example. In addition, some beginners find it helpful to purchase a yoga block to use during class. Yoga blocks are designed to help steady yourself during postures, allowing you to improve your form.

You’ll also need a towel and a water bottle – especially if you are doing hot yoga. All types of yoga are strenuous on beginners, however, and you will very likely need to hydrate!

Take it all in

One of the biggest benefits of yoga is its ability to give its practitioners a feeling of calm and peace. You won’t get that benefit, however, if you don’t give yourself over to it. It will likely take some practices to learn to control your breathing and calm your mind so that you can fully immerse yourself in the yoga experience, but there are small steps you can take to help you down that road. Focus on one thing at a time.  For example, during your first class, go into the class with the intention of being as present as possible. Don’t run through your grocery list or ideas for your presentation at work while you are in yoga class.

Being as fully mentally present as you can be. Or, focus on your breathing. You may not be able to control your breathing to the point of an experience yoga practitioner at first, but you can at least learn to focus and be mindful of your breathing, which is something that most of us probably don’t think about very often. Simply becoming aware of our breath is a good stepping stone toward the kind of mind-body awareness that makes yoga so beneficial for so many people.

South Korean Soldiers Fire Warning Shots at Suspected North Korean Drone

Roy Siemens
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South Korean Soldiers Fire Warning Shots at Suspected North Korean Drone

South Korea has fired warning shots at a suspected North Korean drone flown across the DMZ.

Soldiers fired about 20 rounds before the craft turned back, Yonhap news agency said citing South Korean officials.

Earlier, South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye urged China to impose the strongest possible sanctions against North Korea, following its apparent nuclear test.

North Korea claims it has tested a hydrogen bomb.

That claim is doubted by experts, who say the blast, though probably nuclear, was not big enough to have been a thermonuclear explosion.

In her annual press conference, President Park Geun-hye said the international community’s response to North Korea “must differ from the past”, without giving details.

Park Geun-hye said new sanctions on Pyongyang must go further than before, with China’s support crucial. She also warned of possible further action by North Korea, including “cyber terrorism”.DMZ North Korean drone 2016

China, North Korea’s closest ally, has repeatedly condemned North Korea’s nuclear tests but is often accused of doing little to try and stop them.

Park Geun-hye stressed China’s past statements but added: “I am certain that China is very well aware if such a strong will isn’t followed by necessary steps, we will not be able to stop the North’s fifth and sixth nuclear tests and we cannot guarantee true peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.”

“I believe the Chinese government will not allow the situation on the Korean peninsula to deteriorate further.”

Last week Secretary of State John Kerry also urged China to take a tougher line, telling his Chinese counterpart the relationship with North Korea cannot be “business as usual”.

President Park Geun-hye also spoke about the steps South Korea was taking with the US to “neutralize North Korea’s provocative actions” including additional deployments of American military assets on the Korean peninsula.

Answering a question about whether Seoul would consider ending its involvement in the jointly-run Kaesong industrial zone, just north of the border, Park Geun-hye said its future depended on Pyongyang’s actions.

Seoul has already limited access to Kaesong from South Korea, to only those directly involved in its operations.

SOTU 2016: Barack Obama Strikes Optimistic Note for America’s Future

Diane A. Wade
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SOTU 2016: Barack Obama Strikes Optimistic Note for America’s Future

President Barack Obama has given his last State of the Union address last night defending his legacy while striking an optimistic note for America’s future.

Barack Obama criticized the negative tone of the current presidential race, arguing the US has the “strongest, most durable economy in the world”.

“Anyone claiming that America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction,” he told lawmakers in Washington.

The speech to Congress highlighted Barack Obama’s accomplishments such as health reform.

He adds that with just a year to go and a Republican Congress, there is neither the time nor the votes to get much done.

Republicans attacked many of Barack Obama’s assertions, with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley saying in the party’s official response his record “had fallen short of his soaring words”.

“For my final address to this chamber, I don’t want to talk just about the next year. I want to focus on the next five years, 10 years, and beyond,” Barack Obama said.

“I want to focus on our future.”Barack Obama final SOTU 2016

The president rejected suggestions by politicians and commentators that America’s economy is getting weaker.

However, Barack Obama added: “What is true – and the reason that a lot of Americans feel anxious – is that the economy has been changing in profound ways.”

He focused on the need to tackle income inequality, use technology to combat climate change and maintain national security while not becoming mired in foreign conflicts.

The president called on voters and politicians to change the divisive tone of politics and to “change the system to reflect our better selves”.

Barack Obama said a major regret of his presidency was that Republicans and Democrats had become more hostile towards each other.

“Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get all the attention,” he said.

He took indirect aim to Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump who has been criticized for his comments about Muslims and immigrants.

“When politicians insult Muslims, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid bullied, that doesn’t make us safer,” BarackObama said.

“That’s not telling it like it is. It’s just wrong… And it betrays who we are as a country.”

For 2016, Barack Obama said he wanted to: close the Guantanamo Bay prison; achieve meaningful criminal justice reform; address rising tide of prescription drug abuse; authorize the use of military force against ISIS and lift the embargo on Cuba.

He also announced a new national cancer research initiative that Vice-President Joe Biden will be leading.

Barack Obama only mentioned guns briefly, despite a recent policy push for executive actions on gun control, though a chair was left empty in the chamber to symbolize victims of gun violence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPS_58oxXCc

Samar Badawi: Saudi Activist Waleed Abu al-Khair’s Wife Arrested

Diane A. Wade
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Samar Badawi: Saudi Activist Waleed Abu al-Khair’s Wife Arrested

Samar Badawi, the wife of jailed prominent Saudi human rights campaigner Waleed Abu al-Khair, has been arrested, activists say.

She was detained for allegedly managing a Twitter account calling for the release of her husband.

Amnesty International called the arrest “the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s utter contempt” for human rights.

Waleed Abu al-Khair was jailed for 15 years for “undermining the regime” in 2014. He is the founder of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia group.

Samar Badawi is also the sister of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who in 2014 was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam.Samar Badawi arrested

Raif Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, also reported the arrest in her tweet: “Urgent: #Samar_Badawi was arrested on the charge of directing @WaleedAbulkhair twitter account.”

Samar Badawi was arrested on January 12 in Jeddah and transferred along with her two-year-old daughter to a police station, Amnesty International USA quoted local activists as saying.

After questioning, Samar Badawi was sent to prison and is expected to appear before a prosecutor on January 13, it says.

Amnesty’s Philip Luther said the arrest “demonstrates the extreme lengths to which the authorities are prepared to go in their relentless campaign to harass and intimidate human rights defenders into silent submission”.

Saudi officials have not publicly commented on the issue.

Lego Reverses Bulk Purchase Policy after Ai Weiwei Controversy

Sonia Pantiss
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Lego Reverses Bulk Purchase Policy after Ai Weiwei Controversy

Lego has announced it is reversing its policy on bulk purchases and will no longer ask customers what they want to use the bricks for.

The U-turn follows a recent controversy involving Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.

In October 2015, Ai Weiwei accused Lego of censorship when it refused to sell its bricks directly to him.

Lego said its policy was to reject requests if it believed the bricks would be used to make a political statement.

Ai Weiwei wanted to make an artwork on political dissidents.

The artist ended up using bricks donated to him by the public for an exhibition in Melbourne, Australia.Lego and Ai Weiwei controversy

In a statement posted on its website on January 12, Lego said it used to ask customers ordering bulk purchases for the “thematic purpose” of their project, as it did not want to “actively support or endorse specific agendas”.

“However, those guidelines could result in misunderstandings or be perceived as inconsistent, and the Lego Group has therefore adjusted the guidelines for sales of Lego bricks in very large quantities,” it said.

As of January 1, 2015, Lego will instead ask that customers make clear the group does not support or endorse their projects, if exhibited in public.

Lego’s decision to refuse Ai Weiwei’s request angered the artist, who accused the company of censorship and discrimination, and of attempting to define political art.

Ai Weiwei also linked Lego’s stance with plans for a new Legoland in Shanghai.

The controversy sparked a public backlash resulting in supporters around the world offering to donate toy bricks.

Ai Weiwei set up “Lego collection points” in different cities, and ended up making a new series of artworks based on the incident as a commentary on freedom of speech and political art.

State of the Union 2016: Barack Obama to Deliver Final Address

Diane A. Wade
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State of the Union 2016: Barack Obama to Deliver Final Address

President Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address.

The president will focus on cementing his legacy rather than unveiling new policies, officials have said.

Barack Obama is expected to frame some of the key issues in a way that fellow Democrats can embrace during campaigning for the upcoming election.

However, recent polls suggest that seven in 10 people in the US do not share their leader’s optimism.

A response by the GOP will be delivered by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Barack Obama’s aides have avoided characterizing the speech as a victory lap, but say it will highlight his accomplishments over the past seven years.

They say that it will present an optimistic alternative to the dire narratives put forward by Republican presidential candidates.

Among the events and developments that Barack Obama will tout as successes are: nuclear deal with Iran; rapprochement with Cuba; Paris climate change deal; positive economic indicators; budget deal with Republicans; recent gun control reforms.State of the Union 2016

Barack Obama will also continue his public messaging campaign aimed at improving the image of his strategy against ISIS.

Keeping with tradition, the president will speak about what he would like to see Congress work on and his vision for the US beyond his last year in office.

While Barack Obama is not expected to offer a large list of policy proposals, he could urge action on a number of items he feels have been left undone or could be accomplished with bipartisan support during his remaining year in office.

Among the items that could be on Barack Obama’s to-do list are: criminal justice reform; closing Guantanamo Bay prison camp; approving the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Also keeping with tradition, First Lady Michelle Obama will host several guests that reflect the president’s vision for US society.

In 2016, an empty chair will be featured in remembrance of gun violence victims.

Among guests are: Syrian refugee Refaai Hamo, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, first female US Army Ranger Lisa Jaster, Supreme Court plaintiff Jim Obergefell, Muslim US Army Veteran Naveed Shah, Mexican immigrant and science proponent Oscar Vazquez.

The speech is expected to begin around 21:00 local time, and has – in the past – had a duration of about an hour.

Barack Obama’s remarks mark the fulfillment of a constitutional mandate that requires the president to “from time to time give the Congress information on the State of the Union”.

Historically, the update has usually been given annually, in January, as a speech to a joint session of Congress.

VW Emissions Scandal: EPA and CARB Reject Recall Plans

Clyde K. Valle
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VW Emissions Scandal: EPA and CARB Reject Recall Plans

VW’s recall plan for diesel cars equipped with emissions “cheat” devices has been rejected by US regulators.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said VW’s proposals did “not adequately address overall impacts on vehicle performance, emissions and safety”.

The CARB also said the proposed fix was not fast enough.

It said it would continue its investigation as well as talks with VW to find a suitable solution.

The head of the CARB, Mary Nichols, said: “Volkswagen made a decision to cheat on emissions tests and then tried to cover it up.

“They continued and compounded the lie and when they were caught they tried to deny it. The result is thousands of tons of nitrogen oxide that have harmed the health of Californians. They need to make it right.”EPA rejects VW recall plans

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also said the VW plan for cars with 2 liter diesel engines was not acceptable.

The rejection comes ahead of a meeting between VW CEO Matthias Muller and EPA chief Gina McCarthy on January 13 to discuss the emissions scandal.

Volkswagen said in response: “Today’s announcement addresses the initial recall plans Volkswagen submitted to CARB in December. We are committed to working co-operatively with CARB and other regulators, and we plan to continue our discussions tomorrow when we meet with the EPA.”

The issue affects almost 600,000 cars in the United States and up to 11 million worldwide.

The scandal has severely damaged VW’s reputation and sparked investigations in several countries.

In the US alone VW is facing fines that could run into tens of billions of dollars.

The Department of Justice is suing Volkswagen on behalf of the EPA with a lawsuit that was filed on January 4 in a federal court in Detroit, Michigan.

The DoJ said the filing was the first step in “bringing Volkswagen to justice”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWgPc-xBkDM

Title loans: best option for fast cash

Dana R
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Title loans: best option for fast cash

Sacramento title loan is one of the fastest, easy and most convenient ways to access cash with just the title of your car which you use as collateral; your credit score is usually not taken into account.

The size of your title loan largely depends on the amount of money you require, the value placed on your car as well as your ability to pay back the loan. A title loan in Sacramento gets you as much cash at the time you need it. We also help you keep your payment manageable.

Our online application makes the process of accessing this loan faster and a lot easier. Soon as you begin the process online, you would just be a step away from getting the cash.

Wondering how you would get a car title loan in Sacramento title loan

With an illustrious history of customer satisfaction, Sacramento title loan has made the process of getting title loans simple and fast. For instance, we accept all sorts of credits so long as our esteemed clients possess a car that has been paid for in full and has a title to show for it; you can get your car title loan approved for you very quickly.

In addition, we understand the value you place on time and for this reason, we specifically tailor the process of accessing this loan to be smooth and efficient. From the beginning up to the end, you would end up spending less than 3o minutes and by this time, you would have the cash you seek. With the Sacramento title loans, you get to go home with the money the very day you apply. We would not make you go through unnecessary twists and bends that would delay the process. Other lenders may do this, but it is not our style. One of our most important missions is to provide the best title loan experience for our clients. Our desire is to be your resource for title loans and that fast cash you need.

Now, why wait when we provide the best option for fast cash? All that is required is that you fill out an online application form and then bring your car, the car’s title, along with government issued identification to your nearest Sacramento title loan location. We would do an appraisal of your vehicle and then determine reasonable transaction amount that is based on your need along with our appraisal of your vehicle.

Once the application is approved, you would get the cash you need while you retain the use of your vehicle. This whole process, as earlier stated takes the duration of 30 minutes. Once you complete servicing the loan, you get back your car title.

Some great benefits of dealing with Sacramento title loans

There are some great benefits that come with getting title loans in Sacramento. These includes:

  • Fast approval for title loans.
  • Accepts all credit types.
  • Simple application process.
  • Cash in hand within 30 minutes.
  • Needs no car insurance.
  • Accepts all makes and models.
  • You get to keep your car and continue driving it
  • Flexible payment option.

Getting a title loan in Sacramento is a lot faster and easier compared to borrowing cash from other sources. With a title loan you are able to get the cash you need depending on your car value.

Even when you have collected the money, you still get to keep your car for the duration of the loan. You do not need a job, but you need to have some kind of income. Without doubt title loan in Sacramento is one of the fastest ways to get cash.

David Bowie Memorial Gig Planned in New York

Sonia Pantiss
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David Bowie Memorial Gig Planned in New York

A David Bowie memorial gig is to be held at New York’s Carnegie Hall on March 31.

The Music of David Bowie was originally billed as a tribute show featuring his songs, but organizers changed it to a memorial in the wake of his death.

David Bowie producer Tony Visconti’s house band will perform, along with artists including Cyndi Lauper.

A statement on the concert organizer’s website said: “The show is taking on many more emotions. RIP David.”

Tickets had only gone on sale on January 11, just as news of David Bowie’s death was filtering through, and have already sold out. He died of cancer at the age of 69.

“The unexpected death of David Bowie has turned this tribute, which we have worked on for the past seven months, into a memorial concert,” the show’s organizers said.David Bowie memorial concert

“This year’s concert will certainly be remembered as a poignant celebration of his music by his friends, peers, and fans. We are all deeply saddened by this news. The timing of our public on-sale date is bizarre in its timing… may God’s love be with you.”

The concert, organized by Michael Dorf and City Winery, will feature 20 artists, each performing songs by David Bowie. The concert is a benefit for a variety of music education programs for underprivileged young people.

Other performers will include The Roots, Bettye Lavette and Robyn Hitchcock.

As yet there has been no official confirmation of the type of cancer David Bowie had.

However, Ivo van Hove, who directed David Bowie’s current off-Broadway play Lazarus, told Dutch public radio broadcaster NOS that he had suffered from liver cancer.

“He told me more than a year and three months ago just after he had heard himself… he said it was liver cancer,” Ivo van Hove said.

Meanwhile, on the US iTunes albums chart, David Bowie’s most recent album Blackstar – released on his birthday on January 8 – peaked at No 1 on January 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unoA7phQdKE

Sultanahmet Explosion: At Least 10 Killed and 15 Injured in Istanbul Blast

Roy Siemens
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Sultanahmet Explosion: At Least 10 Killed and 15 Injured in Istanbul Blast

At least 10 people have died and other 15 injured in an explosion in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district near the Blue Mosque, the city authorities say.

Foreign tourists are reportedly among those hurt in the blast.

Some reports suggest the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber.

Turkish police have sealed off the area and the authorities are investigating the type of explosive used, the governor’s office said.Sultanahmet explosion January 2016

Norway’s foreign ministry said a Norwegian man injured in the blast was receiving treatment in hospital, Reuters reported.

Germany’s foreign ministry is investigating reports that German citizens have been hurt in the blast, German media reported.

The ministry has on its website urged German tourists in the city to avoid large crowds and tourist attractions and warned that further violent clashes and “terrorist attacks” are expected across Turkey.

In recent months there have been sporadic attacks by a far-left group in Istanbul, while violence has soared between Turkish forces and PKK Kurdish militants, mainly in southeast Turkey, after a ceasefire broke down.

Turkey has also been hit by bomb attacks blamed by prosecutors on ISIS.

Two suicide blasts in the capital Ankara in October killed more than 100 people and more than 30 people were killed in an attack near the border with Syria in July.

Wanda to Buy Controlling Stake in Legendary Studios for $3.5 Billion

Clyde K. Valle
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Wanda to Buy Controlling Stake in Legendary Studios for $3.5 Billion

Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group will buy a controlling stake in Hollywood film studio Legendary Entertainment in a deal valued at $3.5 billion.

The announcement, made at a press conference by both companies in Beijing, comes after a week of rumors about a possible deal.

Wanda is the world’s biggest movie theatre operator with a majority stake in the US chain AMC.

The rapidly growing group is led by China’s richest man Wang Jianlin.Wanda buys Legendary studios

Wang Jianlin has been looking to buy a Hollywood studio for several years and was reported to be in talks with DreamWorks Animation in 2015, but a deal was not announced.

Legendary is the maker of blockbuster hits such as Jurassic World, the Dark Knight Batman trilogy and Godzilla.

Chairman and CEO Thomas Tull, who also started the company, will remain as the head of the studio.

Wanda described the deal as “China’s largest cross-border cultural acquisition to date”. It is aimed at increasing ties between Hollywood and the world’s fastest growing movie market, China.

The Chinese conglomerate said that Legendary’s films have grossed over $12 billion globally.

Wang Jianlinsaid he plans to pair the Hollywood studio with its in-house film production unit and make a stock market listing. A timeline for the launch an initial public offering (IPO) was not given.

Wanda had released its earnings report a day earlier and said that its revenue rose 19% in 2015 from a year ago on a surge of sales in its leisure and financial businesses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-luYTchFBM

Paris Attacks: Images of Fugitive Suspect Salah Abdeslam Emerge

Roy Siemens
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Paris Attacks: Images of Fugitive Suspect Salah Abdeslam Emerge

Footage of the fugitive Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam are said to have emerged, according to French news channel BFM TV.

The images were captured on the morning of November 14 by CCTV cameras at a French petrol station, a day after the attacks in which 130 were killed.

In them, Salah Abdeslam seems relaxed, walking with his hands in his pockets.

Salah Abdeslam is thought to have been in charge of logistics for the groups of gunmen who carried out the attacks.

He is said to have called his two friends, Mohammed Amri and Salah Hamza Attou, from Paris early on November 14 to come and pick him up and take him to Belgium.

En route from Paris to Brussels, the three men stopped at a petrol station near the Belgian border for about 15 minutes, where a CCTV camera filmed them, BFM reports.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

At that point, the three men had already been through three police checks, but had not been stopped as Salah Abdeslam had not yet been connected to the Paris attacks.

Mohammed Amri and Salah Hamza Attou later dropped off Salah Abdeslam in the district of Laeken in Brussels.

The two were arrested in Molenbeek the next day and face terror charges, while Salah Abdeslam is still on the run.

The Paris attacks are believed to have been at least partly planned in Brussels. Belgian police have arrested 10 people as part of their investigation.

The suspected ringleader was Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian national. He and his cousin Hasna Aitboulahcen died in a fierce gun battle five days after the attacks, when police raided a flat in Paris where they were hiding, heavily armed.

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