ISTANBUL — An Uzbek citizen who confessed to killing 39 people at an Istanbul nightclub in a New Year gun attack claimed by the Islamic State extremist group goes on trial in Istanbul on Monday. Abdulkadir Masharipov faces 40 life sentences, one for each of the victims and the massacre itself, when the trial gets under way at the Silivri prison complex outside the centre of Istanbul. A total of 57 suspects are due to go on trial, including Masharipov’s wife Zarina Nurullayeva who is a suspected accomplice and risks similar penalties to her husband. All but six are being held in custody. Masharipov was captured alive in a massive police operation and analysts say his evidence in confessions have helped Turkish authorities break up the elaborate network of jihadist cells in the city. He is facing charges ranging from "attempting to destroy constitutional order", "membership of an armed terrorist organisation", to "murdering more than one person". After taking a taxi to the … [Read more...] about Trial opens of Istanbul New Year massacre gunman
New year
Culture and Tourism Village hosts joyous New Year 2018 celebrations
A typical rural market in the northwest and east-west regions is recreated at the village, where visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere during New Year with the locals in the regions. Visitors are invited to enjoy folk songs and dances, play folk games, and enjoy indigenous dishes from the Mong, Dao, Thai, Tay and, Muong people.Khu Cu Te festival, which has a significant meaning in the cultural and spiritual life of the La Chi ethnic community in Ha Giang province, will also be introduced during the programme. It is the biggest traditional festival of the La Chi people in the year, in which they cheer for bumper crops and pray for peace and happiness.The festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. There are also traditional arts performances by artists from the Vietnam Tuong (classical drama) Theatre, a puppet show staged by the Vietnam Puppet Theatre and a circus show by the Vietnam Circus … [Read more...] about Culture and Tourism Village hosts joyous New Year 2018 celebrations
Culture and Tourism Village hosts joyous New Year celebrations in December
Joyous celebrations for New Year 2018 are being held this December at the Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, in the Dong Mo tourism area of Son Tay town, Ha Noi. The programme welcomes the participation of 100 ethnic people from 11 ethnic groups across the country, including Tay, Dao, Mong, Thai, Muong, Kho Mu, Ta Oi, Raglai and Khmer. A typical rural market in the northwest and east west regions is recreated at the village, where visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere during New Year with the locals in the regions. Visitors are invited to enjoy folk songs and dances, play folk games, and enjoy indigenous dishes from the Mong, Dao, Thai, Tay and, Muong people. Khu Cu Te festival, which has a significant meaning in the cultural and spiritual life of the La Chi ethnic community in Ha Giang province, will also be introduced during the programme. It is the biggest traditional festival of the La Chi people in the year, in which they cheer for bumper crops and pray … [Read more...] about Culture and Tourism Village hosts joyous New Year celebrations in December
Police foil Australia New Year’s Eve ‘terror plot’
An Islamic State sympathiser planned to buy a gun and kill as many revellers as possible on New Year's Eve in Melbourne, police alleged Tuesday after foiling the plot.Ali Ali, born in Australia to Somali parents, was arrested in a raid on a house in the Melbourne suburb of Werribee on Monday.He appeared in court Tuesday charged with preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terror attack. No bail was applied for.Police claim the 20-year-old accessed a guide book online produced by Al-Qaeda on how to carry out terror acts and use firearms, but was arrested before he could purchase an automatic rifle."What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could in the Federation Square area on New Year's Eve," said Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton."It is a tremendous concern to us that (during) the festive season, when people are out enjoying themselves, that there is a potential plot … [Read more...] about Police foil Australia New Year’s Eve ‘terror plot’
100 fashion models on catwalk to usher in New Year
One-hundred fashion models will perform in The Muse 2 show by fashion designer Do Manh Cuong of HCM City to usher in the New Year. Fashion models work on clothes from fashion designer Do Manh Cuong for the show The Muse 2 in HCM City on December 30 to usher in the New Year — Photo Courtesy of the show’s organizers Top fashion models Hoang Thuy, Le Thuy, Mau Thuy and Thuy Trang will be featured, and movie stars Diem My and Tang Thanh Ha will appear together with young pop singer Toc Tien. The Muse 2 will feature Cuong’s 100 designs from collections that led to the designer’s fame over the last 10 years. The clothes, for female and male, used high-quality materials including satin, silk and velvet. Ready-to-wear clothes can be seen in vibrant colours like golden yellow, lemon green, scarlet and lotus pink. “My show is a gift to my fans,” said 36-year-old Cuong, a graduate of the Ecole Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienme. … [Read more...] about 100 fashion models on catwalk to usher in New Year