Breaking News: US has imposed new sanctions on North Korea in response to cyber-attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment

The US has imposed new sanctions on North Korea in response to a cyber-attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The White House said President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Friday sanctioning three North Korean organisations and 10 individuals.
The White House said the move was a response to North Korea's "provocative, destabilising, and repressive actions".
US sanctions are already in place over North Korea's nuclear programme.
But Friday's actions are the first time the US has moved to punish Pyongyang for cyber-attacks.
The FBI previously said it believed North Korea was behind the Sony hack.
The entertainment giant was embarrassed after a group calling itself Guardians of Peace leaked data from Sony computers, exposing emails and personal details.
The group later threatened cinema chains planning to screen Sony's satirical North Korea comedy, The Interview. Oblique references to the 9/11 terror attacks prompted cancellation of the film's nationwide release.
"We take seriously North Korea's attack that aimed to create destructive financial effects on a US company and to threaten artists and other individuals with the goal of restricting their right to free expression," the White House said in a statement.
Among those named in the sanctions are three government entities:

• The Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea's primary intelligence organisation
• North Korea's primary arms dealer
• Korea Tangun Trading Corporation, which supports North Korea's defence research.

It is unclear how those entities were related to the cyber-attack.

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AirAsia flight QZ8501 mishap: more bodies found at sea

More bodies have been recovered from the Java Sea, five days after AirAsia flight QZ8501 crashed, bringing the total found so far to 30, Indonesian rescue officials say.

The Airbus A320 disappeared with 162 people on board while flying from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore.

Operations to recover victims continue but no survivors have been found.

Specialist equipment has arrived to aid the search for the plane itself and its "black box" flight recorders.

However officials said it could not be used on Friday because of high waves, Reuters reported.

The plane is almost certainly at the bottom of the relatively shallow Java Sea.

The cause of the crash is not known yet.

'Strapped in seats'

Some 20 more bodies were found on Friday, as a massive search operation in the presumed crash area continued.

Some were reported to be still strapped into their seats.

The aircraft's fuselage has still not been located, and it is thought most of the passengers could be inside.

"Waves were between three and four metres today, making it difficult to load bodies onto ships and [move them] between ships," the head of Indonesia's search and rescue agency said.

Bambang Soelistyo told reporters in Jakarta that some vessels would search through the night. "Tonight we are sending tug boats which should make the [body] transfers easier."

He estimated the fuselage was at a depth of about 25-30m (80-100ft).

In a statement, AirAsia confirmed only that 22 bodies had been found, adding: "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of our passengers and colleagues on board QZ8501."

The bodies recovered from the sea are being taken to Surabaya in numbered coffins.

Four people have been identified so far: Hayati Lutfiah Hamid; Grayson Herbert Linaksita; Kevin Alexander Sutjipto; and Khairunisa Haidar Fauzi.

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Selena Gomez receives backlash after Instagram picture that infuriated Muslims during visit to Abu Dhabi mosque

Selena Gomez was so heavily criticized for posting pictures of herself flashing her ankle inside Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque on Instagram that she appears to have deleted the evidence altogether.

A second picture, showing Gomez and fellow musicians Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Cody Simpson and Shay Mitchell smiling and striking poses has also been lambasted but remained on her Instagram Thursday.

Mosque visiting rules strictly ban all 'intimate behavior' including holding hands and kissing, and states that all skirts must be ankle-length.

Commenting on the picture, Alaa Almitwally said: 'Disrecpectful! It's a religion place not a place to have fun in, so disappointed.'

Meanwhile another user, Ayisha Elturk, said: 'If their intent was to learn about Islam they wouldn't be posing like they were standing outside and amusement park.

'I like Selena Gomez but to have her do something like this makes me no longer a fan.'

However, not everyone was critical of the pictures, with user Lemouza adding: 'They're not disrespectful. Hundreds of thousand of people visit Sheikh Zayed's mosque in Abu Dhabi.

'It's a place of worship, yes I know, but God never forbade the entry of other religions into any mosque. So please respect the fact that they actually want to get to know Islam and its beauty.'

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Michael Owen posts very suggestive tweet at wife

Michael Owen has prompted astonishment after tweeting a suggestive photograph of one of his dogs lying beside another’s genitals.

The shocking picture, which the former England footballer posted to his three million followers on Tuesday evening, was accompanied with the caption: ‘I wonder if Mrs O will be so kind tonight’.

Father-of-four Owen, 35, was referring to his wife Louise, 34, then posted a further photograph on Twitter of her sticking two fingers up to the camera, saying: ‘Oh well, it was worth asking.’

The original tweet by Owen of his dogs, believed to be called Belle and Ronnie, has been retweeted 8,000 times since it was posted on Tuesday - and attracted bemusement on Twitter.

Comedian James McNicholas said: 'The timeline of @themichaelowen this evening has made feel unwell.' And telecoms expert Dan Beasley said: 'Looks like Michael Owen had a banter injection.'

Meanwhile, referring to his goal against Manchester City in 2009, a user posting under the name of 'United Religion' said: ‘That tweet and the City goal are the two greatest things you've ever done.’

Owen, who is now a football pundit for BT Sport and lives with his family in a multi-million pound mansion in North Wales, has attracted derision in the past for having a ‘boring’ broadcasting style.

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Rihanna shows off her sexy body in strapless bathing suit in the Caribbean island of St. Barts

On Thursday, Rihanna showed off her enviable figure while on holiday with close friends in the Caribbean island of St. Barts. 

The 26-year-old barefaced beauty donned a strapless purple and white striped bikini underneath her oversized black hoodie jacket.

Rihanna appeared to be makeup-free and let her long tresses down naturally around her shoulders.

She added a bit of glam with three silver necklaces and designer pair of sunglasses.

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Kim Kardashian clears some issues... failed second child attempt.. marriage on the rocks

Kim Kardashian set the record straight on the rumor that she tried but failed to have a second child and another report that her marriage to Kanye West is on the rocks. "No I'm not pregnant," she tweeted. "Kanye & I are not having marriage problems. Were literally obsessed with each other!"

"Hope everyone has a safe & Happy New Year! Cheers 2 less negativity & NO mean comments on social media. Positivity in the new year! STOPBULLYING," she earlier said. "lets clear up some rumors before the new year... I'm bored looking online and seriously don't know where they come up with this stuff!"

The mother of one later wrote, "The Wests are cooking, watching movies and just relaxing tonight. Best way to ring in the new year! Hope you all are safe and having fun! xo."

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Anfield Legend: Steven Gerrard set to leave Liverpool at end of season

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Gerrard, 34, became free to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas team on Thursday and is believed to be wanted by clubs in the United States.

The former England skipper, who made his Liverpool debut in 1998, will not move to another English club.
Liverpool offered midfielder Gerrard a new deal in November and will make a statement on his future on Friday.
LA Galaxy president Chris Klein declined to comment on suggestions his club want to sign Gerrard.

Jamie Carragher, Gerrard's former Liverpool and England team-mate, tweeted: "Sad day for Liverpool and English football. I think it's the right decision, all things considered."
Match of the Day presenter and former England captain Gary Lineker tweeted:  "One of the finest players to have graced the Premier League. A top, top player."
Gerrard, born in the Merseyside village of Whiston, joined Liverpool's academy when he was nine years old, making his first-team debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in November 1998.

He replaced Sami Hyypia as club captain in October 2003 and led the club to the Champions League title in 2005, scoring his side's first goal as they came from three down to draw 3-3 against AC Milan and then win on penalties.

Gerrard also won the Uefa Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield and two Uefa Super Cups.

He won 114 England caps, having made his international debut in 2000, captaining his country for the first time in 2008 and leading them at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, as well as at Euro 2012.
The midfielder retired from international football after England exited the 2014 World Cup in Brazil at the group stage.

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