Iran determined to develop missile program

1. Saudi Arabia executes the country’s top Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr despite international calls for his release. The 55 year-old cleric was shot and arrested in Qatif in 2012 on charges of causing sectarian strife and disobeying the country's ruler. Sheikh Nimr repeatedly demanded reforms in Saudi Arabia's political system.

2. Iran has strongly denounced the execution of Sheikh Nimr by the Saudi government. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber-Ansari says Saudi Arabia supports terrorists and executes its critics. He says Riyadh will pay a high price for adopting such irresponsible policies.

3. Condemnations are pouring in over Saudi Arabia’s execution of Sheikh Nimr. Figures from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Yemen were quick to react and warn about repercussions. Sheikh Nimr’s brother says there will definitely be reactions to the killing. People in eastern Saudi Arabia are preparing to take to the streets.

4. Bahraini regime forces have fired tear gas at protesters rallying against the execution of Sheikh Nimr by Saudi Arabia. The rally was being held in Abu-Saiba village, west of the capital Manama. Bahraini activists have called for nationwide protests in condemnation of the cleric's execution.

5. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says Iran is determined to continue developing its missile technology. Larijani says no ballyhoo can stop Iran from proceeding with its defense programs. The comments are made in the wake of US plans to impose new sanctions on Tehran over its defense program.

6. Two children have reportedly been killed in fresh Saudi airstrikes in the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa’ada. They are said to have been killed by cluster bombs. In the meantime, Saudi fighter jets bombarded four areas in central Bayda province. There has been no word on possible casualties or damage.

7. British daily the Guardian has published a report saying young black men were 9 times more likely than other Americans to be killed by police in 2015. The report says a record number of 1,134 people were killed by US police last year most of them black.

8. Unidentified gunmen have attacked an Indian airbase near the border with Pakistan. Officials in Punjab state say all the four assailants and two Indian soldiers were killed in the exchange of fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the raid but authorities blame it on pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan.

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