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Star Wars: Boba Fett’s Voice Jason Wingreen Dies Aged 95

Actor Jason Wingreen, who provided the voice of Star Wars character Boba Fett, has died at the age of 95.

Jason Wingreen’s son Ned told the Hollywood Reporter he died at his home in Los Angeles on Christmas Day.

The actor also played Harry the barkeeper in the sitcoms All in the Family and Archie Bunker’s Place between 1976 and 1983.

Jason Wingreen was the voice of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The actor only had four lines of dialogue but the character has become a favorite with his own fan club.

In 2004, when director George Lucas re-released the original trilogy, Jason Wingreen’s voice was replaced by Temuera Morrison, who played Boba Fett’s father, Jango Fett, in the prequel movies.

The role of Boba Fett was physically played by Jeremy Bulloch.

Jason Wingreen also appeared in many TV series. He was a regular on The Untouchables and appeared in the original Twilight Zone and Star Trek series.

Three Ways to Put Your Best Foot Forward with the Perfect Socks

You’ll be surprised to know shoppers in U.S alone spend billions of dollars every year on men’s socks. But one clothing accessory that is not given attention by men is socks. Did you know feet are one of the most perspiring parts of your body? Majority of men feel this hidden accessory is not very important, although they may have an excellent collection of socks in all shades and designs. They automatically reach out to navy blue or black socks all the time. However, it’s high time they realized socks are also an important part of their dressing that needs to be given importance as being fashionable calls for attention to each and every minute detail of your dressing.

Three-Ways-to-Put-Your-Best-Foot-Forward-with-the-Perfect-Socks

Bear in mind the fact that mismatched socks can ruin your entire outfit regardless of how smart and well-dressed you appear. The perfect outfit is complete only when the VKNagrani pair of designer men’s socks you wear goes well with your pants and not shoes!

Wearing brown shoes and socks with black pants is a real blunder that’s easily noticed. Instead adorning something bold and pleasing-to-the-eye pair of socks can really turn heads in your direction. Although you may be under the impression socks are just a minute part of your fashionable dressing, bear in mind one who pays attention to the infinitesimal detail will stand out in the crowd. Mastering the art of wearing the perfect pair of socks for every dress, not only depends on your attire, but also on what occasion you are dressed for.

Sports

 

There are those who take the extra effort to ensure they adorn the right kind of socks for sporting activities. But there are people who come to the gym in the very same socks they had been to work for the entire day. Since your main criterion is wearing something that’s comfortable and absorb sweat well. This implies thick cotton socks would be ideal for sporting activities. Once the practical side is dealt with, you can think about the fashion side. Ankle length socks are the trend these days and they go extremely well with shorts. It is better to avoid tube length socks except while playing soccer or along with track suits.

Informal

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An informal outing like a visit to the mall or to the bar calls for the most flexible options for socks. This is not surprising; as informal outings present an opportunity to show your personality through your clothes. This means you can don any kind of socks you want. If you’re not sure where to start, keep in mind a few guidelines:

  • Since a casual outing does not involve exhausting activities, you probably don’t require a very thick pair of socks. It is advisable to settle for cotton here, too, as nylon socks can hold in perspiration, leaving you uncomfortable and smelly.
  • Woolen socks are great in the cold weather, but their heat-retaining properties work too well in warm weather. Wear cotton if you’re going someplace warm, and save the wool for winter.
  • The length of socks depends on your pants length. Long socks are ideal for long pants while ankle length ones are perfect for shorts. It is advisable to adorn colored socks for informal occasions and defer from wearing white at any cost.
  • When in doubt, wear socks that match the color of your shoes or shirt. For a trendy look, you can also venture out in patterned socks that go well with the overall color of your pants or shirt.
  • Don’t be afraid of color or pattern! There are so many fun and whimsical socks for men out there, it would be a shame not to try them. If you’re breaking out of the all-black or all-white habit, start with something like a neutral stripe or polka dot. There are even fun socks for hobbies and interests, such as golf, comic books, and food.
  • There is almost no reason in the world to wear socks with sandals in everyday life. This is such a big no-no that it makes nearly every Dos-and-Don’ts list. Even worse is to wear socks with sandals and shorts! Don’t be “that” guy.

Formal Outings

 

If you are dressing up for a formal outing like a job interview or a wedding, then conservative dressing is advised. As strenuous activity is almost insignificant on such occasions, you can wear nylon socks or any other thin material. Length of socks, as always, depends on the length of your pants, preferably falling anywhere between your shin and below your knee. Bold colors are still okay, but make sure they make sense with the theme of the event. The best options are socks that go with your shoes or pants, presenting a long continuous line when seen. A subtle pattern may be passable, but save the hula girl socks for your off-time.

You have a wonderful range of options while shopping for men’s socks for different occasions. Socks are an inevitable accessory to any attire. It is high time you paid attention to this small but significant accessory that’s guaranteed to have a positive effect on your overall dressing.

Poland Cold Snap Leaves 21 Dead

At least 21 people have been killed over the weekend in one of Poland’s deadliest-ever cold snaps, with temperatures falling to -0.4F, officials say.

Since November 1, 2015, at least 39 people have been killed by cold weather in Poland.

Six people slipped and fell to their deaths in the Tatra Mountains on the border with Slovakia.Poland cold snap January 2016

Meanwhile in the German city of Bremen 300 refugees were reportedly evacuated from tents.

Since the New Year freezing temperatures have made conditions even more difficult for migrants living in temporary accommodation.

The water supply and heating to the tents in Bremen had stopped working, officials told the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper.

Other German media said refugees waiting to be registered as refugees were standing in freezing temperatures outside government offices in Berlin, which have reopened after the holidays.

Global Stock Markets Fall after Sharp Decline in Chinese Shares

The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and NASDAQ indexes have opened more than 2% down as Wall Street has continued the rout on global share markets on January 4.

It followed sharp falls in China, where trading on the main stock markets was halted early after indexes tumbled 7%.

A survey indicating China’s manufacturing sector contracted again last month was blamed for the falls.

Other Asian markets also fell, while in Europe, the FTSE 100 closed down 2.6% and Germany’s Dax index dropped 4.3%.

Meanwhile, news that Saudi Arabia had severed diplomatic ties with Iran sent oil and gold prices higher.

On Wall Street, all 10 major S&P sectors were lower, led by the 2.4% fall in the technology sector. Bank stocks were also hard hit, with Goldman Sachs down 3.2%.

Photo AAP
Photo AAP

On January 4, trading on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges was halted for the first time under new “circuit breaker” rules, which are designed to curb market volatility.

The share price falls came after more signs of trouble in the world’s second-largest economy.

The Caixin/Markit purchasing managers’ index slipped to 48.2 in December, marking the 10th consecutive month of shrinking factory activity in the sector. A reading below 50 indicated contraction.

Some analysts also attributed the decline in share prices to the imminent end of a six-month lockup period on share sales by major institutional investors, a policy implemented to shore up indexes. Big shareholders may start dumping shares once the ban is lifted on January 8.

The January 4 sell-off in China had a knock-on across the region. Japan’s Nikkei 225 tumbled 3.1% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng retreated 2.6%.

Markets were also rattled by growing tensions between Middle East powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran over the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The execution in Saudi Arabia led to protests in Tehran. Saudi has cut diplomatic ties with Iran and given diplomats 48 hours to leave.

The price of Brent crude jumped more than 3% at the start of the day on the back of heightened tensions, but then fell back sharply after US stock markets opened. In late afternoon trading, Brent was down 1% at $36.96 a barrel, while US crude was down 1.4% at $36.52.

Analysts said the underlying trend of oversupply would continue to weigh on prices over the longer term.

Oil prices are down by two-thirds since mid-2014, with analysts estimating that producers are pumping between 0.5 million and two million barrels of oil every day in excess of demand.

Worries about the impact of Middle East tensions were underlined in the gold price, which rose more than 1% on January 4 to $1,070.20 an ounce.

Gold is frequently seen as an alternative investment during times of geopolitical and financial uncertainties. The gold price lost 10% in 2015.

Another traditional haven is the Swiss franc, which gained about 0.8% against both the dollar and the euro in January 4 trading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkn-n7teFGk

EU Refugee Crisis: Denmark Tightens Border with Germany

Denmark has decided to tighten its border controls with Germany, hours after Sweden imposed similar measures to deter refugees entering from Denmark.

Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the decision was “not a happy moment” but Denmark “must respond” to Sweden’s restrictions.

Danish police will carry out border spot checks for the next 10 days.

The two countries are the latest to impose controls in Europe’s Schengen passport-free travel area.Denmark border control refugee crisis

In a letter to the European Commission, Inger Stojberg, Denmark’s integration minister, said the controls would focus initially on the border with Germany but may be extended to all of Denmark’s borders.

Inger Stojberg said the measures taken by Sweden meant Denmark was “faced with a serious risk to public order and internal security because a very large number of illegal immigrants may be stranded in the Copenhagen area”.

The new controls would not cause a problem for “ordinary” Danes and Germans, Lokke Rasmussen said.

“We are introducing temporary border controls, but in a balanced way,” the prime minister said.

“If the European Union cannot protect the external border you will see more and more countries forced to introduce temporary border controls.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ciqJcZxjW0

India: 6.7 Earthquake Hits Manipur Killing at Least Nine People

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake has hit northeast India, near its borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, killing at least nine people.

The quake hit at 04:35 local time on January 4 about 18 miles northwest of Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Strong tremors have been felt across the region.

The quake was originally reported to have measured 6.8-magnitude.

India’s Meteorological Department said the tremor struck at a depth of 10 miles.

Photo AP
Photo AP

The quake cracked walls and a newly-built six-storey building in Imphal collapsed, police said. Other buildings were also reported to have been damaged.

At least six people have been killed in Manipur and more than 30 injured, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

In the neighburing Bangladesh, three people were reported dead while dozens were being treated in hospital for injuries sustained during the quake.

A 23-year-old man died when he suffered a stroke after the quake while two others died of heart attacks, AFP quoted police as saying.

A university student, who jumped from a fourth-floor balcony to escape, was among the critically wounded, the agency added.

Deepak Shijagurumayum, a resident of Imphal, told AFP by phone that his house was severely damaged by the quake.

Shaking was felt as far away as Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), 370 miles away.

Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted that he had spoken to the region’s chief ministers and federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh “on the situation arising in the wake of the earthquake”.

Casualties have not yet been reported on the Myanmar side of the border, which is sparsely populated.

The region has a history of powerful earthquakes caused by the northward collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. They are moving towards each other at a rate of 4-5cm per year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXSt5kCpp44

Mark Zuckerberg Plans to Build Artificial Intelligence Similar to Iron Man’s Jarvis

Mark Zuckerberg has announced he is planning to build artificial intelligence (AI) to help him around the house and with his work.

In a Fecebook post, the social media site founder said his personal challenge in 2016 would be to build a “simple AI” similar to the butler Jarvis from Iron Man.

Mark Zuckerberg says he plans to share his progress over the course of the year.

In December 2015, he made headlines for plans to give away 99% of his Facebook stake.

Mark Zuckerberg had to defend his philanthropic venture – launched to celebrate the birth of his daughter Maxima Chan Zuckerberg – after critics argued that it could provide a way for the founder to avoid paying tax on the sale of his shares.

On January 4, Mark Zuckerberg said he would start to build the AI with technology that is already out there and teach it to understand his voice to control everything in his home from music and lights to temperature.

Photo Facebook
Photo Facebook

“This should be a fun intellectual challenge to code this for myself,” he said.

“I’ll teach it to let friends in by looking at their faces when they ring the doorbell,” Mark Zuckerberg added.

“I’ll teach it to let me know if anything is going on in Max’s room that I need to check on when I’m not with her.”

For Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg added that the system would help him visualize data in virtual reality and help him build better services, as well as lead his company.

His announcement comes as Facebook is in the midst of AI initiatives such as building an assistant through its Messenger app for users.

The Facebook founder said a part of the motivation behind 2016 challenge was the reward of building things yourself.

Mark Zuckerberg’s previous personal challenges have included learning Mandarin, reading two books a month and meeting a new person every day.

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

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr Execution: Saudi Arabia Severs Diplomatic Ties with Iran

Saudi Arabia has decided to break off diplomatic ties with Iran, amid a row over the execution of Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in the Sunni Muslim kingdom, Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir has announced.

Adel al-Jubeir was speaking after demonstrators had stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others were executed on January 2 after being convicted of terror-related offences.

Adel al-Jubeir said that all Iranian diplomats must leave Saudi Arabia within 48 hours.

Saudi Arabia was recalling its diplomats from Tehran, he said.

Photo AFP
Photo AFP

Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia would not let Iran undermine its security, accusing it of having “distributed weapons and planted terrorist cells in the region”.

“Iran’s history is full of negative interference and hostility in Arab issues, and it is always accompanied by destruction,” he told a news conference.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said: “We will continue to urge leaders across the region to take affirmative steps to calm tensions.”

“We believe that diplomatic engagement and direct conversations remain essential,” he said.

Earlier on January 3, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Saudi Arabia would face “divine revenge” for the execution – an act which also angered Shia Muslims elsewhere in the Middle East.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr a “martyr” who had acted peacefully.

Protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran on January 2, setting fire to the building before being driven back by police. The Saudi foreign ministry said none of its diplomats had been harmed in the incident.

Iran is Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival – they back opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

Relations between the countries have been strained over various issues in recent decades, including Iran’s nuclear program and deaths of Iranians at the Hajj pilgrimage in 1987 and again in 2015.

Most of the 47 people executed by Saudi Arabia were Sunnis convicted of involvement in al-Qaeda-linked terror attacks over the last decade.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was involved in anti-government protests that erupted in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the Arab Spring, up to his arrest in 2012.

The execution sparked new demonstrations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, where Shia Muslims complain of marginalization, as well as in Iraq, Bahrain and several other countries.

The top Shia cleric in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani denounced the execution as an “unjust aggression”.

The leader of Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah, launched his sharpest attack yet on the Saudi ruling family on January 3, accusing them of seeking to ignite a Shia-Sunni civil war across the world.

Hassan Nasrallah said the blood of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr would “plague the Al Saud [family] until the Day of Resurrection”, prompting cries of “Death to the Al Saud!” among an audience watching his address.

Donald Trump Defiant after Al-Shabab Propaganda Video

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has defended his call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States after it was used in a propaganda video by Somali militant group al-Shabab.

Donald Trump said people had praised his courage in truthfully highlighting a “problem” that others preferred to ignore.

During an appearance on CBS News, Donald Trump said: “Now people are getting involved.”

The tycoon’s call, after San Bernardino shooting in which 14 people died, has been widely condemned.

Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Donald Trump’s rhetoric was turning him into the “best recruiter” for ISIS.Donald Trump al Shabab video

A propaganda video by Al-Shabab, al-Qaeda’s Somali affiliate, used a clip of Donald Trump repeating his call at a campaign rally last month.

His appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation, to be shown on January 3, Donald Trump was questioned over how his comments had been framed by al-Shabab as an incentive for Muslims to join holy war.

“Look, there’s a problem,” Donald Trump said.

“I bring it up. Other people have called and say you have guts to bring it up because frankly it’s true and nobody wants to get involved.

“People that are on different persuasions than me right now are saying, you know, maybe Trump isn’t wrong. We want to examine it.”

The video, released by al-Shabab’s media wing, also urges African-Americans to convert to Islam and take part in holy war. It says racism, police brutality and anti-Muslim sentiment are rife in the US.

In recent years, several Somali-Americans from Minnesota have gone to fight for al-Shabab in Somalia.

Al-Shabab, which seeks to overthrow Somalia’s Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Sharia, has carried out attacks in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Last month’s campaign statement from Donald Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims” entering the United States until the authorities could “figure out what is going on”.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr Execution: Iran Says Saudi Arabia Will Face Divine Revenge

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Saudi Arabia will face “divine revenge” for its execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as a “martyr” who acted peacefully.

Protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran on January 2, setting fire to the building before being driven back by police.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was one of 47 people executed for terrorism offences.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr had been executed for his opposition to Saudi Arabia’s Sunni rulers.Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemns Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr execution

The ayatollah tweeted: “This oppressed scholar had neither invited people to armed movement, nor was involved in covert plots.”

“The only act of #SheikhNimr was outspoken criticism,” he added, saying the “unfairly-spilled blood of oppressed martyr #SheikhNimr will affect rapidly & Divine revenge will seize Saudi politicians”.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr had been a figurehead in the anti-government protests that erupted in the wake of the Arab Spring up to his arrest in 2012.

Iran – Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival – has led condemnation among Shia communities over the execution.

The foreign ministry in Tehran said the Sunni kingdom would pay a high price for its action, and it summoned the Saudi charge d’affaires in Tehran in protest.

Some of the protesters at the Saudi embassy in Tehran hurled petrol bombs and rocks. Forty people have been arrested, officials said.

There have also been demonstrations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, where Shia Muslims complain of marginalization, as well as in Iraq, Bahrain and several other countries.

For its part, Saudi Arabia complained to the Iranian envoy in Riyadh about what it called “blatant interference” in its internal affairs.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr’s execution has worsened long-running tensions between the two Middle Eastern nations, which support opposite sides in the Syrian and Yemen conflicts.

The US and UN have both called for restraint.

In a statement after the executions, State Department spokesman John Kirby appealed to Saudi Arabia’s government to respect and protect human rights, and to ensure fair and transparent judicial proceedings.

John Kirby also urged the Saudi government to permit peaceful expression of dissent and, along with other leaders in the region, to redouble efforts to reduce regional tensions.

Most of the 47 executed by Saudi Arabia were Sunnis convicted of involvement in al-Qaeda-linked terror attacks last decade.

Saudi Arabia carried out more than 150 executions in 2015, the highest figure recorded by human rights groups for 20 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9vvjuy27H4

Spratlys Plane Landing: Vietnam Accuses China of Violating Its Sovereignty

China is accused by Vietnam of violating its sovereignty by landing a plane on an artificial island built in a contested part of the South China Sea.

According to the Vietnamese foreign ministry, the airfield was built illegally on a part of the Spratly archipelago that lies within its territory.

China said it has complete sovereignty over Fiery Cross Reef and had used a civilian plane to test the airstrip.

Several nations dispute China’s territorial claims in the area.

China claims almost the whole of the South China Sea, resulting in overlapping claims with several other Asian nations including Vietnam and the Philippines.

They accuse China of illegally reclaiming land in contested areas to create artificial islands with facilities that could potentially be for military use.China Spratlys plane landing

The US has said it was concerned that January 3 flight had exacerbated tensions.

Pooja Jhunjhunwala, a spokeswoman for the US State Department, said there was “a pressing need for claimants to publicly commit to a reciprocal halt to further land reclamation, construction of new facilities, and militarization of disputed features”.

“We encourage all claimants to actively reduce tensions from unilateral actions that undermine regional stability, and taking steps to create space for meaningful diplomatic solutions to emerge,” Pooja Jhunjhunwala said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China conducted the flight to test whether the airfield facilities met the standards for civil aviation.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. China will not accept the unfounded accusation from the Vietnamese side,” Hua Chunying said, referring to the Spratly Islands by their Chinese name.

Hanoi’s foreign ministry said Vietnam handed a protest note to China’s embassy and asked China not to repeat the action, Reuters reported.

It called the flight “a serious infringement of the sovereignty of Vietnam on the Spratly archipelago”.

Satellite images published in April 2015 showed China making progress with building the airstrip on reclaimed land on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands.

The landmass could accommodate a runway about 3,000m long.

It also showed dredging to the south of the reef, in apparent work to improve the reef’s port facilities.

China says its work is legal and needed to safeguard its sovereignty.

MASH: Wayne Rogers Dies of Complications from Pneumonia Aged 82

Actor Wayne Rogers, who was best known for playing surgeon “Trapper” John McIntyre in the TV series MASH, has died at the age of 82.

Wayne Rogers, who also had a recurring role in the 1990s series Murder, She Wrote, died of complications from pneumonia.

He became a household name after playing Trapper, despite only staying with the show for the first three of 11 seasons of the 1970’s cult series.

Wayne Rogers continued to act, and was latterly hailed for his talent as an investor.

Born in Alabama, Wayne Rogers was a Princeton graduate and Navy veteran before finding fame as an actor.

His early career saw him appear in numerous TV westerns, as well as small roles in the movies such as Cool Hand Luke and The Glory Guys.

It was his on-screen partnership in MASH with fellow surgeon Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda, which propelled him into the limelight, as one half of one of TV’s most beloved duos.Wayne Rogers dead at 82

MASH was set in a fictional mobile army hospital during the 1950-53 Korean War. It was based on Robert Altman’s 1970 film of the same name, which saw Elliot Gould play Trapper opposite Donald Sutherland’s cynical Hawkeye.

Wayne Rogers had initially intended to audition for the role of Hawkeye, but ultimately opted to play the sunnier Trapper. The mischievous surgeons began the show as equals, but after a couple of seasons Wayne Rogers became unhappy as the scripts began to champion Alan Alda’s character over his own.

He left the show, in 1975, after just three years, following a contractual dispute.

Wayne Rogers said the producers wanted to impose one that included, among other things, “an old-fashioned morals clause”.

In a 2012 radio interview, Wayne Rogers said: “It said that, in the eyes of the studio, if you behaved in an immoral fashion, they have the right to suspend you. Well, nobody defined an <<immoral fashion>>, as it were – so it was at the whim of whoever ran the studio.”

MASH went on to run for a further 8 seasons, until 1983, with Mike Farrell replacing Wayne Rogers as Hawkeye’s new cohort, Captain BJ Hunnicut.

Wayne Rogers later said that he had realized MASH would last so long, he might have “kept my mouth shut and stayed put”.

He continued to act for another 30 years, earning a Golden Globe nomination for his role as another surgeon, Dr. Charley Michaels, in TV comedy House Calls in 1981.

The actor also became known for his financial acumen after considerable success in property investment. He wrote the self-help book Make Your Own Rules and served as a regular panelist on Fox TV’s Cashin’ In.

Wayne Rogers was awarded a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 2005.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr Execution Sparks Anger and Protests in Shia Communities

The execution of Saudi Arabia’s prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has sparked anger and protests in Shia communities across the region.

Shia-led Iran, Sunni-led Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival, has led the official condemnation of the execution.

Protests have taken place in Saudi Arabia’s Shia-majority Eastern Province, in Bahrain and several other countries.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was a vocal supporter of mass protests in the province in 2011.

He was a prominent, outspoken cleric who articulated the feelings of those in Saudi Arabia’s Shia minority who feel marginalized and discriminated against.Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr execution protests

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was among 47 people put to death on January 2 after being convicted of terrorism offences.

In the early hours of January 3, unconfirmed reports from Tehran said that the Saudi embassy in the Iranian capital had come under attack from protesters.

Iranian officials have been strident in their condemnation of the execution. The foreign ministry said the Sunni kingdom would pay a high price for its action, and it has summoned the Saudi charge d’affaires in Tehran in protest.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps said a “harsh revenge” would be exacted for the execution, Iranian news agencies report.

Saudi Arabia in turn summoned the Iranian envoy “and handed him a strong-worded protest note on the aggressive Iranian statements”, a foreign ministry statement said.

The website of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei posted a picture suggesting the execution was comparable to the actions of ISIS.

As the Shia power in the region, Iran takes huge interest in the affairs of Shia minorities in the Middle East.

However, one of the principal concerns of the Saudis is what they see as the growing influence of Iran in places like Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

At least one protest march was held in Qatif, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, defying a ban on public protests.

Protesters shouted the slogans “The people want the fall of the regime”, and “Down with the al-Saud family”, reminiscent of the 2011 protests in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr ‘s arrest in 2012, during which he was shot, triggered days of protests in Eastern Province in which three people were killed.

January 2 executions were carried out simultaneously in 12 locations across Saudi Arabia. Of the 47 executed, one was a Chadian national while another was Egyptian. The rest were Saudis.

The international rights group Amnesty International said the 47 executions demonstrated the Saudi authorities’ “utter disregard for human rights and life” and called Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr’s trial “political and grossly unfair”.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr ‘s family said he had been found guilty, among other charges, of seeking “foreign meddling” in the kingdom but his supporters say he advocated only peaceful demonstrations and eschewed all violent opposition to the government.

Saudi authorities deny discriminating against Shia Muslims and blame Iran for stirring up discontent.

Saudi Arabia carried out more than 150 executions in 2015, the highest figure recorded by human rights groups for 20 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dj2e4wRfE

Gisela Mota: Mexican Mayor Shot Dead on Her Second Day in Office

Temixco Mayor Gisela Mota has been shot dead on her second day in office in the Mexican city.

Gisela Mota was killed at her home in Temixco, 50 miles south of the capital Mexico City, hours after taking her oath of office on January 1, police said.Gisela Mota Temixco

Reports said Gisela Mota, a former federal congresswoman, was attacked by four gunmen. Police shot two of the attackers dead and arrested the others.

A motive for the killing is unclear. Several Mexican mayors were killed in 2015 by alleged drug traffickers.

Gisela Mota, who was in her early 30s, had promised to try to clean up Temixco, an industrial city where problems associated with drugs and organized crime are rife.

Tel Aviv Attack: Security to Be Tightened in Israeli Arab Areas

Security will be tightened in Israeli Arab areas after a gunman killed two people in a shooting at a popular bar in Tel Aviv, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

Visiting the scene of the attack on January 2, Benjamin Netanyahu demanded “loyalty to the state’s laws from everyone”.

Police have named a 29-year-old Israeli Arab as the suspect. No motive has been established for the shooting.

Seven people were also wounded, four of them seriously, in January 1 attack outside the bar.

Security forces are on “heightened alert” and are searching for the gunman who is still at large, police said on January 2.Benjamin Netanyahu Tel Aviv attack January 2016

Visiting the bar in Dizengoff Street, Benjamin Netanyahu praised Israeli Arab leaders for condemning the killings – but said Israel was in danger of becoming “a state of law for most citizens, and a state within a state with Islamist incitement and illegal arms that are often used in weddings, celebrations and criminal incidents”, the Jerusalem Post reports.

Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would “bolster law enforcement efforts in the Negev, the Galilee, the Triangle, everywhere”. This would include building new police stations and recruiting more police officers.

The attack took place in a busy part of Tel Aviv city center filled with bars and cafes.

Security camera footage showed the gunman taking an automatic rifle out of his backpack and then firing at least 15 shots at people in the street before fleeing the scene.

The two victims have been identified as Alon Bakal, 26, who was a manager at the bar targeted, and Shimon Ruimi, 30.

The suspect, from northern Israel, had stolen the gun from his father, who works in security, Haaretz newspaper reported.

The father recognized his son from media reports and contacted the police, the newspaper said.

Tel Aviv shootings follow a wave of Palestinian attacks against Israelis over the past few months.

Donald Trump Footage Used in Al-Shabab Propaganda Video

A new propaganda video released by the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab features Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

The video shows Donald Trump’s recent call for Muslims to be barred from entering the United States.

It also shows al-Shabab – al-Qaeda’s East African affiliate – urging African-Americans to convert to Islam and to take part in holy war.

The video says racism, police brutality and anti-Muslim sentiment are rife in the US.

Donald Trump’s campaign team has not responded to the video.

In recent years, several Somali-Americans from Minnesota have gone to fight for al-Shabab in Somalia.Donald Trump in al Shabab propaganda video

Donald Trump is shown 10 minutes into the 51-minute film making his December call for the US to bar all Muslims, in the wake of deadly San Bernardino shootings on December 2.

He said a “total and complete” shutdown should remain until the US authorities could “figure out” Muslim attitudes to the US. His comments were widely condemned in the US at the time.

Recently, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said that, with his rhetoric, Donald Trump was becoming ISIS’ “best recruiter”.

Donald Trump’s statement is shown between two clips of militant leader Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in a drone strike in Yemen in 2011.

The video was distributed on Twitter on January 1 by the al-Kataib media foundation, an Islamist militant organization, intelligence agency SITE Monitoring reported.

Al-Shabab, which seeks to overthrow Somalia’s Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Sharia, has carried out attacks in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Top Shia Cleric Executed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has been executed, the interior ministry said.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was among 47 put to death after being convicted of terrorism offences, it said in a statement.

He was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that erupted in Eastern Province in 2011, where a Shia majority has long complained of marginalization.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr’s arrest the following year triggered days of unrest.

His death sentence was confirmed in October 2014.Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr executed in Saudi Arabia

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr’s family said he was found guilty of seeking “foreign meddling” in the kingdom, “disobeying” its rulers and taking up arms against the security forces.

Shia-led Iran – the main regional rival of Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia – said Riyadh will pay a “high price” for executing Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Those also put to death include Sunnis convicted of involvement in al-Qaeda-linked terror attacks in 2003, reports said.

Of the 47 executed, one was a Chadian national while another was Egyptian. The rest are Saudis.

Protests broke out in early 2011 in the oil-rich Eastern Province in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr ‘s supporters say he supported only peaceful demonstrations and eschewed all violent opposition to the government.

He had been a persistent critic of Saudi Arabia’s Sunni royal family.

His brother, Mohammed al-Nimr, said he hoped any reaction to the execution would be peaceful.

A lawmaker in Iraq’s governing Shia coalition said the death aimed at “provoking sectarian fighting”, while Lebanon’s Shia council called it a “grave mistake”, Reuters reported.

Saudi authorities deny discriminating against Shia and blame Iran for stirring up discontent.

Saudi Arabia carried out more than 150 executions in 2015, the highest figure recorded by human rights groups for 20 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyebHR2UZnE

Pathankot Attack: Six Killed in Indian Air Force Base Attack

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Two soldiers and four gunmen have been killed in an overnight attack on Indian air force base Pathankot near Pakistani border, officials say.

Operations at the base are continuing, with some reports saying gunmen are holed up in the base.

The incident came days after the Indian and Pakistani leaders Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif met in Lahore to launch a surprise peace initiative.

The whole of India’s Punjab state has been placed on alert.

The Pathankot base is on the main highway leading to Indian-administered Kashmir.

The gunmen wore Indian military uniforms and drove a hijacked car when they launched the attack at 03:30 local time.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

They entered living quarters at the base, but were contained there and so were unable to cause any damage to military hardware, said air force spokeswoman Rochelle D’Silva.

On January 2, fresh gunfire was heard and a helicopter seen firing at an area inside the base.

It is not yet clear who the attackers were but suspicion is already falling on Kashmiri militant groups based in Pakistan.

Some Indian security officials suggested the Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed was to blame.

India says the group is backed by Pakistan, but Islamabad denies this.

Pathankot air force base is about 270 miles north of the Indian capital, Delhi and is on the road linking Indian-administered Kashmir with the rest of the country.

Indian-administered Kashmir has seen a long-running insurgency against rule from Delhi, and Kashmir has been a flashpoint in relations between Pakistan and India for nearly 70 years since independence.

Barack Obama to Bypass Congress on Gun Control Laws

President Barack Obama has announced he will take unilateral action to tackle the gun violence in the United States.

In his first weekly address of 2016, Barack Obama said he would meet Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss actions he could take.

Barack Obama said he was using his executive powers as president because the US Congress has failed to address the problem.

Analysts say there will be a backlash from gun activists and Republicans.

However, Barack Obama told Americans that he had received too many letters from parents, and teachers, and children, to sit around and do nothing.

“We know that we can’t stop every act of violence,” he said.Barack Obama gun control laws

“But what if we tried to stop even one? What if Congress did something – anything – to protect our kids from gun violence?”

Barack Obama has admitted that his inability to win Congressional backing for what he called “common sense gun laws” was the greatest frustration of his presidency.

The president could use his executive authority in several areas, including expanding new background check requirements for buyers who purchase weapons from high-volume dealers.

However, he is likely to face stiff opposition to his plans.

The National Rifle Association has already launched a video series attacking gun control activists.

In Texas, a new “open carry law” will allow Texans with a permit to wear handguns on their hips in holsters – openly displaying the fact they are armed.

Last month a Texas police chief warned the president that trying to disarm Americans could spark a revolution.

Previous efforts to introduce stricter gun control laws have repeatedly foundered despite the large number of people dying in gun attacks.

A joint Democrat-Republican bill following the 2012 shooting of 20 children and six adults at a primary school in Connecticut failed to get the 60 votes needed to broaden background checks and ban assault weapons.

Natalie Cole Dead: Nat King Cole’s Daughter Dies Aged 65

Natalie Cole, the daughter of Nat “King” Cole, has died at the age of 65.

The singer died on December 31 at a hospital in Los Angeles, her publicist told the Associated Press.

Natalie Cole’s hit songs included the duet Unforgettable with her father.

She rose to fame as an R&B artist with tracks such as This Will Be and Inseparable.

Natalie Cole recently had canceled a series of performances, including one on New Year’s Eve.Natalie Cole dead at 65

According to AP, a statement from Natalie Cole’s son Robert Yancy, and sisters, Timolin and Casey Cole said: “Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived… with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain unforgettable in our hearts forever.”

Natalie Cole had battled drug problems and hepatitis in the past, and underwent a kidney transplant in 2009.

Her greatest success came with her 1991 album, Unforgettable… With Love, which paid tribute to her father with reworked versions of some of his best-known songs, including That Sunday That Summer, Too Young and Mona Lisa.

Unforgettable saw Natalie Cole’s voice remixed with her father’s, 25 years after Nat King Cole’s death.

Tel Aviv Bar Shooting: At Least Two Killed and Seven Injured

Two people have been killed and seven others injured after a gunman opened fire with an automatic rifle at a Tel Aviv bar, Israeli police say.

Four of the wounded had suffered serious injuries.

Security forces have launched a huge manhunt for the gunman, cordoning off areas of the city.

The incident took place in Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv’s center.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

It was not immediately clear what motivated the shooting, which follows a wave of Palestinian attacks against Israelis over the past few months.

Undercover units and counter-terrorism units were working in different areas of Tel Aviv.

However, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai told reporters at the scene that “this appears to be a terrorist attack motivated by nationalism,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

As of December 23, 2015, at least 21 Israelis had been killed in the recent violence, most of them in stabbings and shooting attacks by Palestinians.

At least 131 Palestinians have also been killed. More than half were said by Israel to be attackers. Others have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0jmWzK7y_0

Mein Kampf to Be Available to Buy in Germany

Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf will be available to buy in Germany for the first time in 70 years.

Reprinting the Nazi manifesto was banned after WW2 by Bavaria’s regional government, which held the copyright.

The copyright has now expired and Munich’s Institute of Contemporary History is to publish a new edition.

Mein Kampf’s new versions are expected in many countries. Historians say the book helps academics understand what happened in the Nazi era.Mein Kampf in Germany

Its annotated version, with thousands of academic notes, will aim is to show that Mein Kampf (My Struggle) is incoherent and badly written, rather than powerful or seductive.

Many Jewish groups have welcomed this particular publication, saying it is important to have access to a critical edition to help explain the Holocaust.

Mein Kampf was originally printed in 1925 – eight years before Adolf Hitler came to power.

After Nazi Germany was defeated in 1945, the Allied forces handed the copyright to the book to the state of Bavaria.

The local authorities have refused to allow the book to be reprinted to prevent incitement of hatred, although the book was so widely printed during the war that it remained relatively easily available.

Under European copyright law, the rights of an author of a literary or artistic work runs for the life of the author and for 70 years after his death – in Adolf Hitler’s case on April 30 1945, when he shot himself in his bunker in Berlin.

Those rights cease on the first day of January, 70 years after Hitler’s death, and so publishers now have free access to the original text.

However, German officials have said they will limit public access to the text amid fears that this could stir neo-Nazi sentiment.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame Confirms He Will Seek Third Term in 2017

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has confirmed that he will seek re-election for a third term in 2017.

The announcement was expected after a referendum approved constitutional changes to allow him to run for three further terms and could potentially see him to stay in power until 2034.

Paul Kagame said Rwandans had made clear they wanted him to lead the country after 2017, and he could only accept.

He has dominated Rwandan politics since his rebel army ended the 1994 genocide.

Last month’s referendum result means Paul Kagame can run for a third seven-year term in 2017 and then two further five-year terms.Paul Kagame New Year address 2016

In his New Year’s address at midnight, Paul Kagame, 58, said Rwanda did not need a president for life, and that someone else would take over sooner rather than later.

“You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept.

“But I don’t think that what we need is an eternal leader,” he said.

Part of the president’s New Year’s message was directed towards his critics abroad.

Paul Kagame was clearly telling them that democracy was at work in Rwanda and that he was only responding to the people’s wishes.

The US and the EU have said Paul Kagame should step down in 2017 to allow a new generation of leaders to emerge.

They also denounced the results of the referendum, saying voters were not given enough time to make informed decisions.

Paul Kagame has received widespread praise for bringing economic development to Rwanda, but critics have also accused him of a heavy-handed rule.

Rights groups accuse the government of stifling the media and political opposition.

Paul Kagame became acting president in 2000 and was then elected in 2003 and 2010. However, he has effectively held power since 1994, when his rebel force entered the capital, Kigali, to end the country’s genocide.

Dubai Hotel Fire: Authorities Investigate Address Downtown Fire on New Year

Dubai authorities are trying to find out what caused a spectacular fire to engulf a 63-storey luxury hotel in the city center on New Year’s Eve.

Firefighters managed to subdue the fire, but part of the Address Downtown Hotel is still smoldering.

A significant fire is still visible on the 20th floor, where the blaze apparently started.

The tower was evacuated and 16 people were hurt. But a fireworks show went ahead at the Burj Khalifa tower nearby.

The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building and an iconic symbol of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Streets around the Address Downtown Hotel have been cordoned off, but boulevards around the Burj Khalifa are open.

The fire broke out at about 21:30 local time on December 31 and appeared to engulf much of the Address Downtown, a five-star hotel and apartment complex, within 10 minutes.

Four teams of firefighters battled the blaze for hours, officials said.

The Dubai government tweeted that 14 people had suffered minor injuries, one moderate injuries and there was one “heart attack case” due to “overcrowding and smoke”.

The fireworks display went ahead as smoke continued to billow from the hotel.

Alternative accommodation would be offered to evacuated guests, the Dubai government said.

New Year 2016: Celebrations Begin Around the World

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New Year celebrations have begun across the world, with revelers in Australia and New Zealand among the first to welcome 2016.

Crowds counted down the last seconds of 2015 at Auckland’s Sky Tower in New Zealand with a laser show and fireworks display.

Up to 25,000 people had been expected to turn up for the festivities.

In Australia, fireworks lit up Sydney harbor at midnight. A million were expected to turn up.

New Zealand welcomed in 2016 an hour after Samoa and Kiribati, the first countries to ring in the New Year.

As the New Year sweeps across Asia, major cities like Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing will kick off their own celebrations.

In Egypt, festivities will be staged in front of the pyramids near Cairo, as the government works to revive its tourist industry.

Meanwhile, in Dubai, an extravagant display will illuminate the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks set to be used.Happy New Year 2016

In Europe, approximately one million people will countdown at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany’s capital, Berlin.

Despite security fears across the continent, many major public events are going ahead, though with heightened security restrictions.

In Madrid, only 25,000 people will be allowed into the Puerta del Sol Square. More than 100,000 people are expected to watch the Mayor of London’s fireworks show, a ticketed event.

Over in Sierra Leone, the declared end of Ebola will mark a return to festivities, after Freetown, the capital, was left deserted a year ago due to the disease’s outbreak.

As 2016 finally reaches the Americas, up to a million people are expected to converge on Times Square in New York, amid tight security, to watch the famous ball descend.

On Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, crowds will not only mark the New Year – they will also fete the 100th anniversary of Samba music, and the upcoming summer Olympics.