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Donald Trump Questions Whether Ted Cruz Is Eligible to Become GOP Nominee

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Questions Whether Ted Cruz Is Eligible to Become GOP Nominee

Donald Trump has questioned whether rival candidate Ted Cruz is eligible to become a GOP nominee because he was born in Canada.

The Republican presidential front-runner called it a “very precarious” issue for the party and said that Ted Cruz’s nomination could be challenged in court.

Ted Cruz was born in Calgary to an American mother and a Cuban father.

Most legal experts believe Ted Cruz meets the requirements to be president.

The Cruz campaign responded by saying Donald Trump had “jumped the shark” – a pop culture reference to when a TV show or fad has overreached and fallen into decline.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The Texas senator is performing well in polling in the early voting state of Iowa. While Donald Trump leads most polls, several surveys show Ted Cruz is the top choice of likely Republican voters.

Candidates for US president must be a “natural born citizen” – interpreted as being born in the US or having one parent who is a US citizen; be 35 years of age or older; live in the US for the past 14 years.

Much of Donald Trump’s support comes from independents, disillusioned Democrats and people who have never voted before.

Some analysts are predicting that Ted Cruz will win because of how the voting process is structured in Iowa.

The caucus format requires more time and dedication from voters than a typical US primary election.

Before Donald Trump became a presidential candidate, the New York tycoon had repeatedly questioned President Barack Obama’s citizenship.

Barack Obama was born in Hawaii to an American mother and a Kenyan father.

Authorities in Hawaii and Barack Obama both provided detailed birth records after some conservatives such as Donald Trump questioned where he was born.

Barack Obama’s allies have said the “birther” movement was a racist effort to discredit the county’s first black president.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bV_nzD7B9Q

Netflix Goes Live in Nearly Every Country in the World

Nancy Clayson
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Netflix Goes Live in Nearly Every Country in the World

Netflix has extended its service to nearly every country in the world.

The streaming service company announced it had switched on its service in 130 additional countries.

Netflix said it was still trying to expand to China. The other exceptions are North Korea, Syria and Crimea, where it is banned from operating by US law.

The announcement was made by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings at his keynote speech at the CES tech show in Las Vegas.

Reed Hastings also confirmed that Netflix would begin offering HDR (high dynamic range) content later this year.

Netflix shares jumped to about 8% over their opening price following the announcements.

Reed Hastings said Netflix was in talks with the Chinese government, but acknowledged it would take time to reach an agreement.

“It’s a very large country, you know a billion Chinese that we want to give access to the Netflix content,” he said.

“In China you need specific permission from the government to operate, so we are continuing to work on that and we are very patient.”

As part of its expansion, Netflix has added support for Korean, Chinese and Arabic to its list of supported languages.

That brings the total number – in which the firm provides subtitles, captions and alternative audio – to 21 languages.

Reed Hastings added that Netflix would initially focus on expanding the reach of its existing content rather than commissioning extra locally-made shoNetflix at CES 2016ws.

For consumers who already have Netflix, the biggest change may be the addition of HDR.

High dynamic range video allows compatible TVs to show millions more colors and a wider dynamic range – added shades of brightness in between black and white – letting more detail be shown.

Many experts believe the impact is greater than that of just jumping from 1080p to 4K ultra-high definition resolution alone. One consequence of using the format, however, is that it requires more data, and few TVs support it yet.

Reed Hastings said users with compatible TVs should get a “visceral sensation that’s pretty amazing”.

Netflix’s rival, Amazon, began streaming a limited number of shows in the format in 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz7wvfUa_Jc

Pierre Boulez Dies in Baden-Baden Aged 90

Sonia Pantiss
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Pierre Boulez Dies in Baden-Baden Aged 90

Composer Pierre Boulez has died on January 5 at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany, aged 90, his family has said.

In a statement, the French composer and conductor’s family said: “For all those who met him and were able to appreciate his creative energy, his artistic vigor… will remain alive and strong.”

As well as being a world-famous composer and conductor, Pierre Boulez was a prolific writer and pianist and head of the music venue The Paris Philharmonic.

Pierre Boulez was also the founder and former director of the Paris based Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique and was famed for his work alongside leading experimental composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Olivier Messiaen.

French PM Manuel Valls paid tribute to Pierre Boulez on Twitter: “Courage, innovation, creativity, this is what Pierre Boulez meant to the world of French music, of which he made a beacon of light throughout the world.”

French President Francois Hollande said in a statement: “Pierre Boulez made French music shine throughout the world. As a composer and conductor, he always wanted to reflect on the ages.”Pierre Boulez dead at 90

Pierre Boulez had been considered one of the most influential voices in the contemporary music since the 1950s and, as a conductor, he was in demand on both sides of the Atlantic.

One of his particular trademarks as a conductor was that he shunned the baton, always choosing to conduct with his hands.

As a composer, Pierre Boulez’s work was noted for its difficulty, with one of his most celebrated works, Le Marteau Sans Maitre, being inspired by the complexity and lack of formal artistic structure of surrealist poetry.

Born in the Loire region of France in 1925, Pierre Boulez began his musical career at the Conservatoire in Paris, one of the world’s most celebrated music schools.

He graduated in 1945 and, still only 21, became musical director of the theatre company of Jean-Louis Barrault and Madeleine Renaud.

During this period Pierre Boulez composed violent early pieces such as his first two piano sonatas and Livre Pour Quatuor for the string quartet.

Pierre Boulez’s career as a conductor took off in the 1950s, during which time he performed with the Sudwestfunk (South-West German Radio).

He also began acting as guest conductor for some of Europe’s leading orchestras and festivals.

His rebellious nature also led him once being briefly detained by Swiss police on suspicion of being linked to terrorist activities in the period of heightened security soon after the 9/11 terror attacks.

Swiss authorities confiscated his passport in the town of Basle, where he had been conducting at a music festival, after discovering he had said in the 1960s opera houses should be blown up and therefore considered him a potential security threat.

Pierre Boulez was also conducted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame in 2012.

Huawei Smartphone Revenue Jumps 70% in 2015

Clyde K. Valle
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Huawei Smartphone Revenue Jumps 70% in 2015

Huawei Technologies’ revenue jumped 70% to more than $20 billion in 2015 from a year ago on strong smartphone sales.

The Chinese tech giant, one of the biggest smartphone vendors behind Apple and Samsung, said that its shipments also rose 44% to 108 million units in 2015.

Huawei’s growth figures come as it launched its latest flagship smartphone – the Huawei Mate 8 – in Las Vegas.

The company’s telecom devices for carriers, such as routers, are banned in the US.

Huawei is also one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, but has been blocked from participating in broadband projects in the US and Australia over espionage fears.

Photo Huawei
Photo Huawei

Other businesses, such as consumer electronic products including mobile devices, are allowed into the US market.

Huawei’s smartphone business has been growing rapidly. Earlier this year, the company said sales had jumped almost 40% in the first half of 2015.

The growth in 2015 smartphone sales is being attributed to strong sales in China and Western Europe.

The company’s new premium Huawei Mate 8, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, is priced at $644 for the base model.

Huawei has previously said it wants to shed its low-cost appeal and produce high-margin premium devices to challenge Samsung and Apple at the top end of the market.

US Gun Sales Rise Ahead of Control Measures

Clyde K. Valle
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US Gun Sales Rise Ahead of Control Measures

The US gun sales are rising, just as President Barack Obama unveils control measures designed to limit the availability of weapons.

Smith & Wesson’s shares rose to their highest value since 1999 ahead of Barack Obama’s announcement.

On January 4, Smith & Wesson raised its sales estimate, saying the market was “stronger than originally anticipated”.

The number of background and CRB checks on potential buyers – a guide to future sales – has also risen.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System said that checks were up by about 38% last month compared with December 2014.

Smith & Wesson’s trading update said that for the three months ending January 31 it expected sales to be about $175 million-$180 million. Earlier guidance put the likely figure at between $150 million and $155 million.Gun sales and control measures

The gunmaker said that “the sell-through rate of its products at distribution has been stronger than originally anticipated, resulting in reduced distributor inventories of its firearms”. That means guns are being bought faster than Smith & Wesson is supplying them.

The company said its net profit was $14.2 million for the period, compared with $5.2 million for the same period last year.

In December, Smith & Wesson reported that profits had nearly tripled for the three months to October and net sales have increased 38% over the last five years.

On January 4, the White House unveiled proposals for gun control measures that require more sellers to get licenses and more gun buyers to undergo background checks.

The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will require that people who sell guns at stores, at gun shows or over the internet be licensed and conduct checks.

The bureau is also finalizing a rule requiring background checks for buyers of dangerous weapons from a trust, corporation or other legal entity.

News of the stronger gun market saw Smith & Wesson’s shares up 11% on January 5, despite stock markets in general falling sharply. Competitor Sturm Ruger’s share rose 7.28% to a 52-week high.

China Stock Market Trades Higher after Recent Big Falls

Clyde K. Valle
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0
China Stock Market Trades Higher after Recent Big Falls

China stock market traded higher on January 6, recovering some of the steep losses made earlier this week on concerns about the economy.

The Shanghai Composite index was up 1.8% to 3,348.22 as measures from regulators to support the stock market started to have an impact.

Local reports said the securities regulator would keep in effect its ban on share sales by major shareholders until new rules were released.

The ban was set to expire on January 8.

It was put in place six months ago at the height of the mainland stock market sell-off over the summer and locked up an estimated 1.24 trillion yuan ($190 billion) worth of shares.

Photo AFP/Getty Images
Photo AFP/Getty Images

The 7% plunge in the Shanghai market on January 4, which led to the suspension of trading for the first time, triggered a global equities rout.

Beijing’s decision on January 5 to inject cash into the falling market also helped soothe fears.

Economic data that suggested activity in China’s services sector expanded at its slowest pace in 17 months in December had little impact on investors’ confidence.

The Caixin/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 50.2 from 51.2 in November. A reading above 50 suggests growth in the sector, while one below that suggests contraction.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index failed to match the positive run from the mainland market and was down 0.7% to 21,042.89.

Traders in the rest of Asia were cautious after a North Korean nuclear test heightened geopolitical tensions.

North Korea claimed that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb on January 6, drawing widespread criticism from around the world.

South Korea’s Kospi index finished down 0.3% to 1,925.43, but the index was already lower before the news of the bomb.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index ended lower by 1% to 18,191.32, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 closed down 1.2% to 5,123.1.

Shares of Japanese electronics maker Sharp fell 3.3% after reports that the troubled tech company is expected to book an operating loss of at least 10 billion yen ($84 million) for the nine months to December.

North Korea Successfully Tests First Hydrogen Bomb

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Successfully Tests First Hydrogen Bomb

North Korea claims it has successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen bomb which, if confirmed, would be its fourth nuclear test since 2006.

It came after a 5.1-magnitude quake was detected close to its nuclear test site at Punggye-ri, indicating a test may have been conducted.

This is North Korea’s first claim to have tested a H-bomb – more powerful than an atomic bomb.

International experts have cast doubt over North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.

Suspicion of an underground test was first raised after the US Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake – detected at 10:00 Pyongyang time – was in the north-east of the country, some 30 miles from Kilju city, near Punggye-ri.North Korea hydrogen bomb test 2016

Then in a surprise announcement, a newsreader on North Korean state TV said: “The republic’s first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016.”

It could be days or weeks before independent tests are able to verify the claim.

In December 2015, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Pyongyang had developed a hydrogen bomb, although many experts were skeptical.

Hours before the seismic activity, South Korean media reported that Pyongyang had test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine in late December. It is unclear whether the test was successful or not.

In May 2015, North Korea claimed it had successfully launched a missile from a submarine.

Strong reaction started pouring in after the North Korean announcement of the hydrogen bomb test, with South Korea saying it was a serious challenge to global peace and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe said it was a threat to Japan’s safety and could not be tolerated.

The US called on North Korea to abide by its international commitments and obligations saying it would respond to provocations.

After previous tests, the international community has responded with economic and political sanctions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iKzYlfOnK8

Gun Controls: Republicans Denounce Barack Obama’s Executive Actions

Diane A. Wade
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Gun Controls: Republicans Denounce Barack Obama’s Executive Actions

Republicans have denounced President Barack Obama’s executive actions to tighten gun controls.

House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said the executive orders, which bypass Congress, “undermined liberty” and would be challenged in court.

Donald Trump said that, if elected, he would reverse the measures.

In an emotional address on January 5, Barack Obama accused the gun lobby of holding the country hostage.

Wiping away tears, Barack Obama recalled the 2012 Sandy Hook primary school shooting in which 20 children and six adults were killed.

Barack Obama’s executive actions involve:

  • Background checks for all gun sellers, overturning current exemptions to some online and gun show sellers
  • States providing information on people disqualified from buying guns due to mental illness or domestic violence
  • Increased workforce for the FBI to process background checks, hiring more than 230 new examiners
  • Congress being asked to invest $500 million to improve access to mental healthcare in the US
  • The departments of defense, justice and homeland security exploring “smart gun technology” to improve gun safetyRepublicans and gun control

The largest gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association (NRA), said Barack Obama’s steps would not have prevented any recent mass killings in the United States.

Correspondents say the announcement is already shaping up to be an issue in the 2016 presidential election.

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump said that he would “un-sign” the measures if elected to the White House – a sentiment echoed by other Republican presidential candidates.

Senator Ted Cruz tweeted that the executive actions were unconstitutional, with a link to sign up for his campaign correspondence on a web page that says “Obama wants your guns”.

Jeb Bush, also a Republican candidate, tweeted that he would repeal the actions and protect the Second Amendment.

Barack Obama announced the law change at the White House, surrounded by survivors and relatives of victims of shootings.

“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now, but they can’t hold America hostage,” he said.

Gun violence is significantly higher in the US than in other advanced countries, killing about 30,000 people each year.

Sales of guns in the US appear to have risen recently amid speculation that the White House was going to tighten the law.

Shares in gunmaker Smith & Wesson rose to their highest value since 1999 ahead of Barack Obama’s announcement.

Congress has been reluctant to pass any laws restricting gun ownership, facing pressure from gun owners and the NRA.

Save Time While Shopping with These Handpicked Daily Deal Sites

Sonia Pantiss
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Save Time While Shopping with These Handpicked Daily Deal Sites

There are so many deals available during and after the holiday season. It’s tough to feel secure in knowing what truly is the best price. Scanning retailer websites can be time-consuming enough, but walking from shop to shop in a mall or shopping center can a real chore.

Mobile shopping 

 Save-Time-While-Shopping-with-These-Handpicked-Daily-Deal-Sites

The numbers are in from Black Friday. Of course, online sales were up from last year, but what may be surprising are the mobile numbers. In a Mobile Marketing story, Ben Frederick wrote that mobile app revenue was way up compared with other Fridays in November and Cyber Monday.

One way to take advantage of the mobile trend in a way that can save time and money while shopping at brick-and-mortar stores is to use the DailySale website to find the deal of the day per category or to use the search bar. It’s a great way to tell whether a local sale is a truly good deal or just hype. Most of the items on the website include free shipping. Sales tax on orders depends on the buyer’s state.

Timing is effective

 

The end of the year is a good time to save on certain categories consumers might not need immediately. Tools usually are marked down quite a bit in December, according to Jason Notte of The Street. That roadside emergency kit might come in handy, someday. It sure beats waiting on AAA.

Golf clubs are another bargain at the end of the year. Why pay more for the 2016 model, when the 2015 model is just fine? Other December deals to look for include gift cards, cookware and Christmas decorations, says Jon Lal of U.S. News and World Report.

Buying these items well in advance of the next season or birthdays can be like visiting a theme park on the first day of school. Prices will be low, and no one will be around to get in the way. This brings up another advantage to shopping online.

Mobile shoppers can enjoy the best of both worlds. They can browse the aisles of the brick-and-mortar stores, photograph the items they want with their cellphone, walk past the checkout lines and order the items they want potentially at a lower price from the comfort of their car in the mall parking lot. It will feel like shopping on an isle away from the masses.

Make a plan

 

Deal of the day websites can help knock off email spam and endless Googling. One way to reduce search time frustration is to make a list of the items needed including the name brand. Hopefully, the list is not too long.

Consumers can plug in the search terms from their list at the same time every day or take a more relaxed approach and check every few days. This method maximizes the chances of finding a deal and reduces time spent searching.

Of course, this technique is most practical for relatively big-ticket items such as laptops and cellphones. A proactive approach should produce faster and more valuable results than sampling putting items into a wish list on a retailer’s website or signing up for individual retailer email alerts. Who cares whether the price of a Nikon camera dropped $1?

With deal of the day websites, shoppers can get the thrill of finding a great price without the agony of trudging through the mall or hunting for shipping policies on retailer websites. Savvy shoppers won’t have to enter their personal and financial information into a slew of retailer websites just see whether a promo code works. The best Daily Deal websites have their codes prominently displayed.

Of course, while checking out specific items on the deal websites, consumers might run across impulse buys, but at least they’ll be buying them at a discount therefore reducing the regret buyers sometimes face, according to Science Of Us.

Burger King Launches 5 for $4 Value Menu

Nancy Clayson
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Burger King Launches 5 for $4 Value Menu

Burger King has begun selling a five-item meal for $4 on January 5, a deal that marks its answer to the recently-launched McDonald’s McPick 2 and Wendy’s 4 for $4 deals.

The new Burger King promotion includes a bacon cheeseburger, small French fries, small drink, 4 piece chicken nuggets and a warm chocolate chip cookie. The fast-food chain and its rivals all acknowledge they are aggressively pursuing value-conscious customers looking for the cheapest of the deals. Burger King officials did not say how long their promotion will last.

Alex Macedo, president for Burger King in North America, said the promotion builds on the company’s “strategy of bringing people into our restaurants with great tasting food at an accessible price point”.

The new deal comes as McDonald’s on January 5 launched its McPick 2 promotion, which allows customers to choose two of the following items for $2: McChicken, McDouble, mozzarella sticks, and small French fries.Burger King value menu January 2016

Wendy’s beat their burger rivals to the punch last year when the Dublin, Ohio-headquartered chain introduced its 4 for $4 deal that includes a junior bacon cheeseburger, 4 chicken nuggets, small fries and a drink.

It’s not just the fast food burger giants that are fighting for customers looking for lots of food for little money.

On January 4, Pizza Hut launched a seven-item value menu in which each item is $5 if the customer purchases two or more. The menu options includes one-topping medium pizzas, eight boneless wings, pasta, double order of breadsticks, chocolate chip cookie pizza, brownies, and four Pepsi beverages.

McDonald’s is initially testing its McPick 2 for five weeks, but has already expressed confidence that it will be a winner in driving sales. Company officials downplay concerns that customers will trade down for cheaper items and depress overall sales.

“So far in the tests, we have done  we haven’t seen that,” McDonald’s chief marketing officer Deborah Wahl told reporters ahead of the launch.

Barack Obama Unveils New Restrictions on Gun Purchases

Diane A. Wade
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Barack Obama Unveils New Restrictions on Gun Purchases

President Barack Obama has unveiled new restrictions on gun purchases at the White House, saying the “constant excuses for inaction” have to stop.

The White House has outlined Barack Obama’s plans for executive action, which focus on background checks.

Most of the actions can be carried out without Congressional approval.

“That’s why we’re here, not to do something about the last mass shooting, but to prevent the next one,” Barack Obama said.

“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now, but they can’t hold America hostage,” he said.

Barack Obama gave his remarks surrounded by survivors and relatives of victims of shootings, recalling mass shootings across the United States in the past few years and everyday gun violence in cities like Chicago.

Gun violence is significantly higher in the US than in other advanced countries, killing about 30,000 people each year.Barack Obama gun control speech

Congress has been reluctant to pass any laws restricting gun ownership, facing pressure from gun owners and the powerful National Rifle Association.

Barack Obama tried to pass expanded background check legislation in 2012 after the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that left 20 children and six adults dead but it failed in Congress.

The executive actions include:

  • Background checks for all gun sellers, overturning current exemptions to some online and gun show sellers
  • States providing information on people disqualified from buying guns due to mental illness or domestic violence
  • Increased workforce for the FBI to process background checks, hiring more than 230 new examiners
  • Congress being asked to invest $500 million to improve access to mental healthcare in the US
  • The departments of defense, justice and homeland security exploring “smart gun technology” to improve gun safety

The announcement is already shaping up to be an issue in the 2016 presidential election.

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton tweeted: “@POTUS is right: We can protect the second Amendment while protecting our families and communities from gun violence. And we have to.”

Republican candidate Senator Ted Cruz tweeted that the executive actions are unconstitutional, with a link to sign up for his campaign correspondence on a webpage that says “Obama wants your guns” with a photo of the president in an army jacket and hat.

Jeb Bush tweeted that he would repeal the actions and protect the Second Amendment.

During Barack Obama’s speech, comedian Amy Schumer, cousin of New York Senator Chuck Schumer, was in the audience. Two women died in a shooting at a movie theatre in Louisiana during a showing of her movie Trainwreck.

Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman who survived a shooting, was there as well, in addition to many relatives of victims and survivors of mass shooting.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr Execution: Kuwait Recalls Its Ambassador to Iran

Roy Siemens
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Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr Execution: Kuwait Recalls Its Ambassador to Iran

Kuwait has recalled its ambassador to Iran as a regional row over the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia deepens.

Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran was ransacked and set alight on January 2, after it executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others.

The kingdom severed diplomatic ties with Iran in response, followed on January 4 by its allies Bahrain and Sudan.

The UN, United States and Turkey are among those calling for calm in the region.

Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran are major rivals for power in the Middle East and back opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

Saudi Arabia insists peace efforts should not be affected by the dispute but has criticized Iran’s contribution to the process.

Iran has reiterated its condemnation of Saudi Arabia, with President Hassan Rouhani saying it cannot “hide its crime of beheading a religious leader by severing political relations with Iran”.

The Kuwaiti government said it was recalling its ambassador from the Iranian capital, describing the attacks as a “flagrant breach of international norms”.

Kuwait did not expel Tehran’s ambassador or downgrade diplomatic ties.

Saudi Arabia’s unexpected decision to carry out the executions – following convictions over terror offences – prompted an expression of “deep dismay” from the UN secretary general, while the US accused Saudi Arabia of exacerbating tensions “at a time when they urgently need to be reduced”.Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr execution Kuwait Recalls Ambassador to Iran

Since then, Saudi Arabia has gained support from some allies in its response to the attacks on its missions in Tehran and the Iranian city of Mashhad.

Saudi authorities on January 3 severed diplomatic relations with Iran. They said that all commercial and air traffic links were being cut and that Saudi citizens were banned from travelling to Iran.

As well as the moves by Bahrain, Sudan and Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has downgraded its diplomatic team in Iran.

On January 4, the UN Security Council issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attack on the Saudi embassy – making no mention of the execution of the cleric.

However, several of the smaller Gulf Arab states have good working relationships with Iran, and two of them, Oman and Qatar, have yet to take any action at all.

Protests against Saudi Arabia have erupted outside Iran, including in Shia-majority Bahrain, where nonetheless Sunni authorities moved to express solidarity with Saudi, clamping down on demonstrations.

Iran has responded angrily to the diplomatic moves, insisting it had no hand in the violent protests that followed the execution.

Earlier, in New York, Saudi UN ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi accused Iran of “interfering in the affairs of other countries, including our own”, and “taking provocative and negative positions”.

The UN’s special international envoy for peace in Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is holding talks in both countries and will be hoping the storm will blow over before a major peace conference on Syria is held towards the end of the month.

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

China Stock Market Opens 3% Lower after Suspension

Clyde K. Valle
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China Stock Market Opens 3% Lower after Suspension

China stock market extended losses in a volatile session, following January 4 suspension of trading which led to a global equities sell-off.

The Shanghai Composite fell 0.3% to close at 3,287.71 points, although it had opened more than 3% lower.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index also fluctuated through the day, and ended 0.7% lower at 21,188.72.

Trading in Shanghai was suspended on January 4 under a new rule designed to limit dramatic falls in markets.

However, regulators said on January 5 they may restrict stock sales to stem falls.

Photo AFP/Getty Images
Photo AFP/Getty Images

The China Securities Regulatory Commission said it would consider restricting the proportion of shares that major shareholders could sell during a given period of time.

The Chinese central bank also injected an unexpected 130 billion yuan ($19.94 billion) into the market to keep borrowing costs down – in a move to reassure retail investors.

The measures, however, did little to prevent Chinese shares from falling in afternoon trade.

Analysts said investors were waiting to see if Beijing could stem the latest selling in Chinese stocks and whether more measures would be introduced.

The new “circuit breaker” rule that suspended trading nationwide for the first time on January 4 was created after sharp falls last summer and was meant to curb market volatility in China.

Yesterday’s 7% fall in China spooked global markets.

Overnight, US benchmark indexes lost up to 2% as concerns grew that the dive in the Chinese stocks was the start of another volatile period after last summer’s dramatic market rout.

Escalating tensions in the Middle East, which affected oil prices, also dented investors’ confidence.

Oil prices were flat after rising as much as 4% on Monday following the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index ended 0.4% lower at 18,374.00, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 closed down 1.6% at 5,184.43.

Only South Korean shares bucked the downward trend after a senior finance ministry official said the government would take action to stabilize the market if needed, following January 4 steep plunge. The Kospi finished up 0.6% at 1,930.53.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYNjDEe8Hyk

Gun Control: Barack Obama to Announce New Measures

Diane A. Wade
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Gun Control: Barack Obama to Announce New Measures

President Barack Obama has taken actions over the US gun control laws by widening background checks on buyers of firearms.

The new measures meant to address gun violence will be announced on January 5 by the president, despite opposition from Congress to new gun laws.

All sellers who operate online or at gun shows will be forced to conduct background checks on potential buyers.

Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul said he would fight the executive actions “tooth and nail”.

Several of his Republican rivals said they would erase the measures “on day one” if they win the White House.

However, Barack Obama says his new measures will be within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment, which grants Americans the right to bear arms.Barack Obama Loretta Lynch gun control laws

While they will not solve every violent crime in the US, he said, they will potentially “save lives and spare families the pain” of loss.

Under the plan announced on January 4 by the White House:

  • All sellers must be licensed and conduct background checks, overturning current exemptions to some online and gun show sellers
  • States must provide information on people disqualified due to mental illness or domestic violence
  • FBI will increase workforce processing background checks by 50%, hiring more than 230 new examiners
  • Congress will be asked to invest $500 million to improve access to mental healthcare
  • The departments of defense, justice and homeland security will explore “smart gun technology” to improve gun safety

On January 4, Barack Obama heard recommendations from Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials.

The Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, accused President Barack Obama of “dismissiveness” towards Americans who value the right to bear arms.

Paul Ryan said in a statement: “This is a dangerous level of executive overreach, and the country will not stand for it.”

VW Emissions Scandal: Justice Department Sues German Car Giant

Clyde K. Valle
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VW Emissions Scandal: Justice Department Sues German Car Giant

VW has been sued by the US Justice Department over the emissions scandal that saw the German automaker fitting software in millions of cars to cheat emissions tests.

In September 2015, following an investigation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VW admitted fitting the so-called defeat device on 11 million cars globally.

The emissions scandal has hit Volkswagen sales worldwide.

The German car giant has put aside billions of euros to deal with the fallout.

The lawsuit, on behalf of the EPA was filed on January 4 in a federal court in Detroit, Michigan.

“The complaint alleges that nearly 600,000 diesel engine vehicles had illegal defeat devices installed that impair their emission control systems and cause emissions to exceed EPA’s standards, resulting in harmful air pollution,” the filing said.VW sued by Department of Justice

It also alleges that VW “violated” clean air laws by selling cars that were different in design from those originally cleared for sale by the EPA.

“With today’s filing, we take an important step to protect public health by seeking to hold Volkswagen accountable for any unlawful air pollution, setting us on a path to resolution,” said assistant administrator Cynthia Giles for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

“So far, recall discussions with the company have not produced an acceptable way forward. These discussions will continue in parallel with the federal court action.”

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

VW is also facing separate criminal charges, and a raft of class-action lawsuits filed by car owners.

The EPA says that VW fitted many of its cars with a device that was able to recognize test conditions and adjust the engine settings accordingly, with the express purpose of giving distorted readings on nitrogen oxide emissions.

VW admitted to “totally screwing up”, and there has been a shake-up in the management structure and personnel as a result. Martin Winterkorn resigned as CEO and was replaced with Matthias Muller, the former boss of Porsche.

The company is currently conducting an internal investigation that it says will “leave no stone unturned”.

VW will begin recalling millions of cars worldwide soon, and has set aside €6.7 billion to cover costs. That resulted in the company posting its first quarterly loss for 15 years, of €2.5 billion in October 2015.

With the lawsuits piling up, experts say the final costs for VW are likely to be much higher than that.

YOGA 900S: Lenovo Unveils World’s Thinnest Laptop at CES 2016

Nancy Clayson
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YOGA 900S: Lenovo Unveils World’s Thinnest Laptop at CES 2016

Lenovo has unveiled the world’s thinnest ultraportable, the 13-inch YOGA 900S laptop.

With a carbon fiber body, the new laptop is just a half an inch thick weighs just 2.2 pounds.

Photo Lenovo
Photo Lenovo

It comes with the latest Intel Skylake Core M7, which helps the new laptop to get an impressive 10.5 hour battery life.

The YOGA 900S will be available in March starting at $1,100 in Champagne Gold or Platinum Silver.

Lenovo’s new offerings at this year’s CES consist of nearly 40 new products, including laptops, desktops, tablets, gaming gear, and even a selfie-centric smartphone.

Scott Disick Is Dating Model Lina Sandberg

Lisa.Felice
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Scott Disick Is Dating Model Lina Sandberg

Scott Disick is dating Swedish model Lina Sandberg, multiple outlets reported.

Like Scott Disick, Lina Sandberg is no stranger to the spotlight. The model is listed as working for the prestigious Ford models agency, as well as Wilhelmina Models.

It is not known how the two initially met, but Lina Sandberg recently appeared in a music video for Diddy featuring Scott Disick’s buddy French Montana.

Lina Sandberg was reportedly born in Sweden but now resides in Los Angeles.Scott Disick and Lina Sandberg

The romance is surprising in that many people assumed that Scott Disick and his long-time partner Kourtney Kardashian would eventually get back together, and they certainly still could, but even she moved on from her boyfriend of nine years and the father of her three children.

In December 2015, it was widely reported that Kourtney Kardashian hooked up with Justin Bieber, but that it was more of a fling. That theory would go along with Justin Bieber’s Instagram account over the weekend in which he posted an image of him and Hailey Baldwin kissing.

Scott Disick was reportedly upset about Kourtney Kardashian’s fling.

On the most recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, filmed several months ago, Scott Disick teared up and admitted that he was unhappy and had suicidal thoughts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN_9KuaFVPs

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

Sonia Pantiss
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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

Lisa.Felice
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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

 22-Socks-Woolen

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

Diane A. Wade
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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

Clyde K. Valle
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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

Diane A. Wade
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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

Diane A. Wade
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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

Nancy Clayson
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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

Roy Siemens
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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.

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