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  • The Mask, Pulp Fiction star Peter Greene passes away at 60

    The Mask, Pulp Fiction star Peter Greene passes away at 60

    Peter Greene, the acclaimed character actor celebrated for his compelling performances in cinematic classics including ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Mask’, has died at the age of 60. His passing was confirmed on Friday, December 12th, after he was discovered deceased in his Lower East Side apartment in New York City.

    Greene’s manager, Gregg Edwards, formally verified the tragic news in an official statement. The specific circumstances and cause of his death have not been publicly disclosed at this time.

    The New Jersey-born performer launched his on-screen career with a 1990 guest spot on NBC’s crime series ‘Hardball’. His journey into feature films commenced two years later with a role in ‘Laws of Gravity’, sharing the screen with Edie Falco.

    Greene’s breakthrough arrived in the mid-1990s with a series of iconic performances. He memorably portrayed the sinister antagonist Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey in the 1994 blockbuster ‘The Mask’. That same year, he delivered a powerful performance as Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking film ‘Pulp Fiction’.

    His extensive filmography includes significant roles in ‘Clean Shaven’ (1993), ‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995), ‘Kiss & Tell’ (1997), ‘Blue Streak’ (1999), and the critically acclaimed drama ‘Training Day’ (2001) where he acted alongside Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke.

    Beyond his film work, Greene established a substantial television presence with recurring roles in ‘The Black Donnellys’, ‘Life on Mars’, and ‘Chicago P.D.’. His most recent appearances included the John Wick prequel series ‘The Continental’ in 2023 and an episode of ‘Dope Thief’ earlier this year.

    Peter Greene is survived by his sister and brother. The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a distinctive talent whose contributions to film and television left an indelible mark on popular culture.

  • Israeli military confirms killing of top Hamas commander Raad Saad in Gaza City drone strike

    Israeli military confirms killing of top Hamas commander Raad Saad in Gaza City drone strike

    A targeted Israeli drone strike in western Gaza City on Saturday resulted in the death of Raad Saad, a high-ranking Hamas military commander. The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating it was coordinated with the Shin Bet intelligence agency and targeted what they identified as Hamas’s production headquarters.

    According to Israeli media, the strike hit Saad’s vehicle near al-Nabulsi square, killing him and three others. Conflicting casualty reports emerged, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting four fatalities and at least 25 wounded, while Al Jazeera Arabic placed the death toll at five.

    The Israeli military described Saad as “one of the last senior veterans remaining in the Gaza Strip” who had held numerous leadership positions and was closely associated with Marwan Issa, deputy head of Hamas’s military wing. An Israeli defense official identified him as head of Hamas’s weapons manufacturing operations, with Reuters sources indicating he was second only to the group’s current military chief, Izz al-Din al-Haddad.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated the operation was ordered in response to a recent explosion that injured Israeli soldiers in Gaza. They characterized the strike as targeting Hamas’s efforts to “restore its capabilities and strengthen itself” in recent weeks.

    Hamas condemned the attack as “a blatant violation” of the October ceasefire agreement, accusing Israel of “deliberately seeking to undermine and sabotage the agreement through its escalating and continuous violations” in a Telegram post. The group did not confirm whether Saad was specifically targeted.

    In a significant diplomatic development, Axios reported that Israel had not provided advance warning of the strike to the United States government.

  • UAE: Burj Khalifa turns red as Liwa International Festival 2026 begins in Al Dhafra

    UAE: Burj Khalifa turns red as Liwa International Festival 2026 begins in Al Dhafra

    The Liwa International Festival 2026 commenced with extraordinary fanfare as Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa was illuminated in vibrant red lights, signaling the start of the UAE’s premier winter carnival. This spectacular visual tribute on Friday evening marked the opening of the month-long festival running through January 3, 2026, in the Liwa area of Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region.

    The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region. The royal delegation conducted an extensive tour of the festival grounds, receiving detailed briefings about the diverse sporting tournaments, heritage exhibitions, and entertainment attractions comprising this year’s edition.

    Liwa Village serves as the cultural epicenter of the festival, offering an immersive program blending traditional art forms, heritage experiences, and family-oriented activities. The opening ceremony featured an innovative multimedia spectacle combining synchronized sound, advanced lighting systems, laser projections, and drone formations, culminating in a breathtaking fireworks display that illuminated the Liwa desert sky. The UAE’s official aerobatic team, Al Fursan, delivered a special performance that added aerial drama to the celebrations.

    Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the festival represents a collaborative effort involving Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, and several other government entities.

    The 2026 edition presents an exceptionally diverse program featuring motorsports competitions including speed races, dune driving challenges, freestyle demonstrations, sand racing, and UTV circuit races. Traditional sports enthusiasts can enjoy falconry championships, sand wrestling, and boxing matches, while adventure seekers can participate in the inaugural Extreme Mud Fest driving challenge.

    Additional attractions include daily light shows, drone flight demonstrations, hot air balloon experiences, and weekend fireworks displays. The festival transforms into a premier New Year’s Eve destination with a special concert followed by fireworks and the Moreeb Dune Car Championship commencing on December 31st.

    Liwa Village continues its celebration of Emirati heritage through traditional marketplaces, creative workshops, and family zones featuring water karting, carnival games, zip lines, and authentic culinary experiences. The festival solidifies Al Dhafra Region’s position as a leading destination for cultural tourism while attracting international audiences passionate about desert adventures, traditional sports, and speed racing.

  • Senior Hamas commander Raed Saed killed in Gaza strike, Israeli media say

    Senior Hamas commander Raed Saed killed in Gaza strike, Israeli media say

    Israeli forces conducted a targeted military operation in Gaza City on Saturday, resulting in the death of senior Hamas commander Raed Saed, according to multiple Israeli media reports. The strike targeted a vehicle transporting Saed, who Israeli defense officials identified as one of the principal architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel.

    The operation represents the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader since the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in October. Gaza health authorities confirmed the strike resulted in four fatalities, though Israeli military officials initially declined to provide specific details about the target.

    Saed held multiple critical positions within Hamas’ military structure, serving as both the head of the organization’s weapon manufacturing division and the second-in-command of its armed wing, reporting directly to Izz eldeen Al-Hadad. Previously, he commanded Hamas’ Gaza City battalion, considered one of the group’s most substantial and well-equipped military formations.

    The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas originated with the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians and seized 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in over 70,700 Palestinian casualties according to Gaza health officials, though Israel maintains its operations specifically target Hamas militants and infrastructure.

    While the October ceasefire has facilitated the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to Gaza City and enabled increased humanitarian aid delivery, violence has persisted. Palestinian health authorities report at least 386 fatalities from Israeli strikes since the truce began, while Israel confirms three soldier deaths and numerous operations against militants during the same period.

  • Memorial ceremony remembers victims of Nanjing Massacre

    Memorial ceremony remembers victims of Nanjing Massacre

    The city of Nanjing observed a profound moment of remembrance on December 13, 2025, as citizens from diverse backgrounds convened at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre. This solemn gathering marked the 88th anniversary of the tragic historical event that occurred following the capture of Nanjing by Japanese military forces on December 13, 1937.

    Under the evening sky, participants held a moving ‘Candlelight Memorial’ ceremony, creating a sea of flickering lights in honor of the approximately 300,000 victims. The visual tribute served as both an expression of collective grief and a powerful testament to the enduring call for peace and reconciliation.

    The memorial ceremony represented more than historical remembrance—it stood as an educational imperative for future generations about the consequences of conflict and the essential value of humanitarian principles. Attendees included survivors’ descendants, students, local officials, and international visitors, all united in their commitment to ensuring that such tragedies are neither forgotten nor repeated.

    This annual observance has evolved into a significant cultural and historical tradition, emphasizing the importance of learning from past atrocities while fostering dialogue and understanding between nations. The ceremony’s peaceful nature underscores Nanjing’s transformation from a site of suffering to a symbol of resilience and hope for peaceful coexistence in the modern era.

  • Rain and rubble: Gaza families face a double threat in makeshift homes

    Rain and rubble: Gaza families face a double threat in makeshift homes

    Across Gaza’s displacement camps, families surviving in makeshift shelters face a new humanitarian emergency as winter storms overwhelm their fragile living conditions. Multiple households report catastrophic flooding, structural collapses, and sewage contamination amid freezing temperatures, creating life-threatening conditions for vulnerable populations.

    At al-Yarmouk stadium in central Gaza, Saber Dawas recounts his futile attempts to reinforce his family’s tent against relentless rain. Despite borrowing money for plastic tarpaulins and wooden supports, the structure collapsed during recent storms, soaking all possessions and leaving his seven daughters shivering through flooded conditions. His youngest child, a two-year-old with stomach cancer and compromised immunity, now battles influenza without access to medication. “I wish I had died before reaching a day where I watch my daughters freezing while I can’t provide them warmth,” he told Middle East Eye.

    Nearby, Sanaa al-Ayubi’s family shelters in equally dire circumstances. Her husband, a double amputee from Israeli airstrikes that destroyed their Tel al-Hawa home in December 2024, now crawls through sewage-contaminated floodwaters after their tent’s central pole snapped. The malfunctioning sewage infrastructure has created biohazard conditions, with bacteria forming on her husband’s residual limbs and most bedding ruined by contamination. Despite contacting municipal authorities, no assistance has arrived.

    In northern Gaza’s al-Karama neighborhood, widow Nesma Hassan and her four-year-old daughter occupy the remnants of their bomb-damaged home. Though two rooms remain partially roofed, winter winds tore away protective coverings, leaving them scooping water throughout nights while huddling in corners. The child now exhibits trauma responses to thunder and wind noises echoing through the rubble.

    Gaza’s civil defense reports at least 11 fatalities and 11 injuries from partial building collapses during the three-day storm period, with emergency teams responding to 13 structural failures and hundreds of flooded tents. The agency has prioritized water pumping and drainage channel clearance, but overwhelming needs outstrip available resources.

    Many displaced residents express bitter irony that their suffering continues despite ceasefire declarations, with one father questioning: “Is this what a ceasefire looks like? Instead of being in our homes we are dying of cold in fragile tents.”

  • Louvre’s largest showcase in China goes on display at Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai

    Louvre’s largest showcase in China goes on display at Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai

    Shanghai’s Museum of Art Pudong has inaugurated the largest-ever Louvre Museum exhibition presented in China, featuring an extraordinary collection of over 300 artifacts spanning four centuries of artistic heritage. The groundbreaking exhibition, titled ‘The Wonder of Patterns: Masterpieces from India, Iran and the Ottoman World from the Musée du Louvre,’ commenced on December 13, 2025, and will remain on display through May 6, 2026.

    This monumental showcase traces its origins to four foundational pieces from the personal collection of France’s King Louis XIV, representing the historical depth and royal provenance of the exhibited works. The comprehensive exhibition presents a diverse array of artistic mediums including exquisite ceramics, intricate carpets, masterful paintings, opulent jewelry, and delicate glass artifacts, many of which are being displayed publicly for the first time.

    The exhibition’s thematic focus on ‘patterns’ reveals the interconnected artistic dialogue between three great civilizations: the Mughal Dynasty of India, Iran’s Safavid Dynasty, and the expansive Ottoman Empire. While each civilization maintained distinct aesthetic traditions and cultural tastes, they shared a common visual language expressed through their decorative arts and pattern designs.

    Curators emphasize the contemporary relevance of these historical artifacts, noting how modern audiences can identify the enduring influence of these classical patterns in contemporary high jewelry, architectural ornamentation, bookbinding techniques, and graphic design. The exhibition specifically aims to engage younger visitors by demonstrating the timeless modernity and dynamic vitality inherent in these traditional artistic expressions, bridging centuries of cultural exchange and artistic innovation.

  • Iran raises fuel prices for heavy users to curb consumption, smuggling

    Iran raises fuel prices for heavy users to curb consumption, smuggling

    In a significant economic policy shift, the Iranian government has introduced a revised fuel pricing structure effective Saturday, December 13, 2025. The new system imposes substantially higher rates for heavy consumers while maintaining subsidized prices for moderate users, according to government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani’s announcement on state television.

    The revised pricing mechanism establishes a three-tier system: Regular vehicles can purchase up to 60 liters monthly at the subsidized rate of 15,000 rials per liter, with an additional 100 liters available at 30,000 rials. Consumers exceeding the 160-liter monthly threshold will now pay 50,000 rials per liter – representing a 233% increase from the previous highest tier. Emergency vehicles including ambulances remain exempt from these changes.

    This strategic move addresses Iran’s dual challenges of soaring domestic fuel consumption and widespread gasoline smuggling to neighboring countries, where prices are significantly higher. As an OPEC member with some of the world’s lowest fuel prices, Iran has long struggled with inefficient energy usage patterns that strain government resources.

    The policy adjustment follows careful consideration of potential social implications, particularly memories of the 2019 protests that erupted after previous fuel price hikes. Government officials have emphasized that the graduated approach specifically targets heavy users while protecting essential services and average citizens. Taxi operators, crucial to public transportation, will maintain their existing fuel quotas unchanged.

    Market analysts suggest this measured approach reflects Tehran’s attempt to balance fiscal responsibility with social stability, using economic incentives rather than rationing to modify consumption behavior. The success of this policy may determine future energy sector reforms in Iran’s sanctioned economy.

  • India: Organiser of Messi’s Kolkata event arrested after chaos at Salt Lake Stadium

    India: Organiser of Messi’s Kolkata event arrested after chaos at Salt Lake Stadium

    KOLKATA – A highly anticipated exhibition event featuring football legend Lionel Messi descended into violent chaos at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, culminating in the arrest of the chief organizer and promises of full refunds for thousands of disgruntled fans.

    The event, part of Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour,’ was marred by severe mismanagement that triggered a massive fan uprising. Attendees who had paid premium ticket prices grew enraged as the Argentine icon departed the venue early, leaving many without even a glimpse of the star. Frustrations were further fueled by allegations that VIPs and politicians monopolized Messi’s attention throughout the event.

    The situation rapidly escalated as sections of the crowd began hurling bottles and attempting to breach security gates. A group of angry fans then stormed the pitch, vandalizing equipment including goal posts and a temporary tent. Police were forced to intervene with mild physical force to disperse the crowd and restore order.

    West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose confirmed the arrest of Satadru Dutta, the event’s primary organizer. An investigation is now underway. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim stated that while normalcy had been restored, a First Information Report (FIR) had been officially lodged. He publicly guaranteed that the organizing body would refund all ticket fees, with authorities overseeing the process.

    In a swift response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology on social media platform X, expressing she was ‘deeply disturbed and shocked’ by the fiasco. She announced the formation of an independent inquiry committee, to be chaired by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray and including senior government officials. The committee is tasked with conducting a detailed investigation, assigning responsibility, and recommending future preventative measures.

    The All India Football Federation (AIFF) swiftly distanced itself from the incident, clarifying in an official statement that the event was privately organized by a PR agency without its involvement, knowledge, or required clearance. The Federation emphasized that safety and security should remain the paramount priority and urged full cooperation with authorities.

  • Indonesian foundation to fund students, school administrators to exchange and study in Tianjin

    Indonesian foundation to fund students, school administrators to exchange and study in Tianjin

    A significant educational partnership between Indonesia and China has been established through an agreement that will enable hundreds of Indonesian students and educators to pursue academic opportunities at Tianjin University over the next five years. The initiative, spearheaded by Yayasan Warga Bumiputra Indonesia foundation, represents a major step in international educational cooperation.

    During a high-level delegation visit to Tianjin University on Friday, foundation chairman A.M. Hendropriyono outlined the ambitious program that will fund at least 250 students and over 100 school administrators for exchange programs and advanced studies. “Our objective is to leverage China’s educational expertise to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesia’s next generation,” Hendropriyono stated. “The first cohort of Indonesian scholars is scheduled to commence studies next year, with plans for gradual expansion of our collaborative efforts.”

    The delegation, which included Garibaldi Thohir, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral Committee for China, conducted comprehensive inspections of the university’s academic infrastructure, research facilities, and student accommodations. The visit facilitated substantive discussions with Tianjin University President Chai Liyuan regarding student exchange programs, faculty development initiatives, and industry-academia collaboration.

    Thohir emphasized the strategic importance of educational cooperation in strengthening bilateral relations: “Education serves as a crucial foundation for deepening Indonesia-China friendship. Through this visit, I have witnessed Tianjin University’s exceptional educational standards, research capabilities, and faculty expertise. This exchange will not only provide knowledge acquisition but also broaden cultural understanding between our nations.”

    The partnership extends beyond student exchanges to include joint research projects and development initiatives between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry China Committee and Tianjin University. Collaboration will focus on cutting-edge fields including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, meteorological science, and food industry innovation.

    This agreement follows President Chai Liyuan’s two visits to Indonesia in October, during which preliminary cooperation agreements were established. The December meeting served to advance scholarship implementation mechanisms and refine industry-academia-research collaboration frameworks.

    Hendropriyono expressed confidence that “this transnational education model will cultivate a new generation of youth with international perspectives, innovative capabilities, and strong academic foundations, ultimately enabling Indonesia to achieve breakthroughs across multiple sectors.”