When Ronald Jackson found a text he thought was rude and inappropriate on his then-12-year-old daughter’s phone in September 2013, he took the cell away. But the child’s mother, Michelle Steppe, balked at his action — and she called the police.Story: What It Really Means When a Father Abandons His ChildrenSteppe and Jackson have not been a couple for years, and Steppe is now married to a Grand Prairie, Texas, police officer. When the police showed up at Jackson’s door later that day and asked for the iPhone 4 back, Jackson refused. “At that point I decided the police don’t interfere with my ability to parent my daughter,” he told KHOU 11 News on Wednesday. But Steppe insisted that the phone belonged to her, and three months after Jackson refused to return it, he got a citation in the mail for theft of property. He was offered a plea deal in January 2014 if he would return the phone. Instead, Jackson hired an attorney and requested a jury trial.The case moved to Dallas County and, unbeknownst to Jackson, a warrant was issued for his arrest. The police showed up at his door around 2 a.m. in April 2015, and Jackson was handcuffed and taken to jail.Story: Parents Face Felony Charges After Kids Play Hooky. Is It Fair?“It made no sense to me for them to show up and make a big deal out of something that was a small thing,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t believe they would go to this extent for a cellphone. It didn’t seem right.” He posted $1,500 bail and was released after a night in jail.“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Cameron Gray, Jackson’s defense attorney, told KHOU Wednesday. “You would think we were on the Jerry Springer Show.”After just a two-day trial — in which Jackson’s daughter, now 15, testified — Dallas County Criminal Court Judge Lisa Green ordered the jury to find Jackson not guilty, citing insufficient evidence to prove a theft charge. Steppe disagrees with the verdict. “Even if you purchase something with your own money and have a receipt, it’s not yours,” she said. “Someone can take it from youAlthough Jackson won the case and is allowed to keep the phone, he said he has had to separate himself from Steppe and his daughter because of this incident. “I can’t ever have a relationship with them again,” he said.

Bernie Sanders speaks to reporters at the White House after his meeting with President Obama. At his side is his wife, Jane. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Days before Iowa voters decide the first battle of the 2016 White House race, Sen. Bernie Sanders emerged from a rare face-to-face meeting with Barack Obama on Wednesday denying that the president was trying to tip the Democratic primary scales in Hillary Clinton’s favor.Sanders, speaking in front of the West Wing after his 45-minute Oval Office visit, also talked up his chances in Iowa, New Hampshire, and beyond — but played down the odds that he would upset Clinton in the Hawkeye State the way Obama did eight years ago.“I’m not saying we can do what Barack Obama did in 2008. I wish we could, but I don’t think we can,” the Vermont senator said. “If there is a large turnout, I think we win; if not I think we’re going to be struggling.”Asked whether he had asked the president for his endorsement, Sanders laughed and replied: “Of course not.” He also disputed the widely held view that Obama has tried to convince Democratic voters to support Clinton.What the president has tried to do, what Vice President Biden has tried to do, is to be as evenhanded as they could be,” he insisted. “And I know there was some discussion the other day about a Politico interview in which he was tipping the scale towards Secretary Clinton — I don’t believe that at all.“I think he and the vice president have tried to be fair and evenhanded in the process, and I expect they will continue to be,” he said.Asked whether Clinton has overplayed her ties to Obama, Sanders grinned and replied: “I think the people of Iowa will make that decision in a few days.”With enough snow on the White House grounds to recall the senator’s home state of Vermont, Sanders had arrived around 11:35, accompanied by two aides and his wife. The foursome entered the West Wing through a side door that is frequently used by powerful visitors and keeps them well out of range of media questions.Obama’s public schedule listed a meeting with Sanders at 11:45 a.m., followed by lunch with Vice President Joe Biden at 12:30. The timing resembled that of a blind date between two wary Washingtonians, who agree to have coffee together but only with a firm time for the interlude to be over, a frequently unsuccessful effort to limit any awkwardness at “goodbye.” But White House aides later let reporters know that Sanders would likely take questions.The meeting came days after Obama made clear in an interview with Politico that he viewed his former secretary of state, Clinton, as his natural successor, while dismissing Sanders’ surprisingly strong campaign as “the bright, shiny object that people haven’t seen before.”His remarks were widely seen as Obama putting his thumb on the Democratic primary scales at a time when public opinion polls show the rough-edged Vermont senator posing an increasingly real threat to Clinton’s campaign in Iowa and leading her by double digits in New Hampshire.“Bernie came in with the luxury of being a complete long shot and just letting loose,” Obama told Politico. “I think Hillary came in with the both privilege — and burden — of being perceived as the frontrunner. … You’re always looking at the bright, shiny object that people haven’t seen before — that’s a disadvantage to her.”At the same time, Obama sketched out the political logic for his meeting with Sanders. The president has long made it clear that his goal is to unify the party after the primaries to make sure a Republican does not win in November.“Here’s my view: That whoever the nominee is, is going to need the other person’s supporters,” he told Politico.Obama regularly meets with Hillary Clinton at the White House, and their respective staffs are in close communication, while the Sanders team has comparatively been kept at arm’s length. But the meeting on Wednesday, held at Sanders’ request, suggested an evolving view at 1600 Pennsylvania of the coming primary battle for the Democratic nomination — a newly discovered need to cultivate him.Sanders and Obama have been in Washington together 11 years — ever since the latter took office as senator from Illinois. But the presidential candidate who proclaims himself a socialist and the president whose enemies insult him by calling him a socialist don’t appear to have much of a political relationship and even less of a personal one.

View photosJames Packer and a beaming Mariah Carey showing off her ring following the proposal. (Photo: Splash News)This is what an engagement ring from a billionaire looks like.Mariah Carey accepted a proposal — and a hulking, 35-carat diamond — from Australian businessman James Packer on Thursday and we can bet that it’s got her feeling emotions deeper than she ever dreamed of. The songstress flashed the bling soon after, while walking down the street with the mogul in NYC, but we have an even better look at it.

View photosThe massive 35-carat ring came from jeweler Wilfredo Rosado, who has been friends with Mariah for 25 years. (Photo: Wilfredo Rosado)Let’s hope she was accompanied by an army of bodyguards during that street stroll because that is one expensive ring. Vogue reports that it’s the size of Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé’s engagement rings combined. Yeah.The ring — featuring two small baguettes next to the massive center stone — was created by Carey’s jeweler friend Wilfredo Rosado, who said he “took the standards super high” when creating the piece that “could not be measured up to.” It took an “army of craftsman,” including an expert who is used to working with that large of a diamond, and the job was completed in two weeks with the team working 12-hour days.There is a small empty space on the back of the ring where Packer plans to engrave a sentiment.“I really wanted to create something for her that was about new beginnings,” Rosado told the mag. “But it is epic. It’s an epic ring for an epic time in her life.”According to TMZ, the engagement took place on Thursday when Packer — who has been marriedtwice and is the father of three children — secretly rounded up some of her closest friends for a dinner at Eleven Madison Park, which is known for its over the top flares, including one dish emerging from a dome of smoke. It was there that he popped the question in front of her nearest and dearest.Mariah, who is mom to twins Monroe and Moroccan from her second marriage to Nick Cannon, started dating Packer last spring. See how their globe-trotting, whirlwind romance unfolded in photos.

What’s $250,000 a month in rent when you’re a billionaire?Mariah Carey and her fiancé, 48-year-old billionaire businessman James Packer, will be living together in an upscale gated community called The Oaks in Calabasas, California, ET can confirm. Emil Hartoonian from The Agency – a luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company – brokered the deal that has the couple paying around $250,000 a month (or $3 million a year) to lease the mansion.“The deal was done in just a few days,” a source tells ET. “The couple was not looking at homes for a long time. This is just the perfect place for Mariah and her family – it’s safe, it’s secure, it’s home.”WATCH: Nick Cannon Reacts to Mariah Carey’s Engagement With Hilarious MemeUndoubtedly, the 18,000-square-foot estate with sweeping views is impressive. The mansion contains a theater, sauna and gym, and all the stones making up the house are imported from Italy, our source says. Carey and Packer also have the option to purchase the estate, which has never been on the market before.The family-friendly estate is ideal, given that the 45-year-old singer has two children – 4-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan – with her ex, Nick Cannon. Packer also has three children from his relationship with his ex-wife, model and singer Erica Baxter – 7-year-old Indigo, 5-year-old Jackson, and 3-year-old Emmanuelle.Of course, the newly engaged pair is going to have some equally famous neighbors. The Kardashians, Drake, Will Smith, and Britney Spears are just some of the celebs who have homes in Calabasas.NEWS: Mariah Carey Rents Impressive Malibu Mansion – From Airbnb!Clearly, money is no object for the wealthy couple. Packer proposed to Carey last Thursday with a stunning 35-carat diamond and platinum engagement ring, designed by New York-based jewelry designer Wilfredo Rosado. The massive ring beats out pretty much all celeb engagement rings in size, including previously much talked-about bling like Kim Kardashian’s Lorraine Schwartz cushion-cut diamond ring from husband Kanye West, and Beyonce’s 18-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring from husband Jay Z, valued at over $5 million.

A 65-year-old woman identified as Adejoke Adefuye was on Saturday, January 23, burnt to death by suspected cultists after setting her residence on fire.
The sad incident, which occurred at 19, Oshinfolarin Street Bariga, Lagos, rendered all the occupants of the building homeless, The Nation reports.
The hoodlums who struck at about 9:00 am, trapped the woman inside her room and set it on fire.
The suspects were gathered have camped behind the deceased’s room to ensure she did not escape.


According to a statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the incident was a reprisal attack from one of the cult groups after a fight that began on Friday
While other occupants of the building were said to have escaped with minor injuries, Adefuye who was inside one of the rooms, was burnt beyond recognition.
It took fire service officials and other emergency responders about three hours to put out the fire.
Rasaq Fadipe, the Lagos State Fire Service Director, while confirming the incident, urged residents to always inform the agency of fire outbreak on time.

He noted that the timely arrival of firemen to the scene reduced the extent of damage, adding that only two rooms were affected.

The army has reported that about seventy Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in several clashes with Nigerian troops in the northeastern region of the country

According to a report by Major General Lucky Irabor,  the deputy theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the army says 70 insurgents and four officers have been killed in different encounters.

In the military’s update on successes recorded in operation Lafiya Dole, the army said on Sunday, January 17, the troops conducted a clearance operation at Shentimari general area and cleared Boko Haram enclaves and recovered 78 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.


Similarly, on Monday, January 18, at Chukun Gudu, troops encountered and destroyed terrorist camps in Jillam, Bula Butube general areas. During an exchange of fire, 10 terrorists were killed, 2 AK47 Rifles, 2 AK47 magazines, 2 solar panels and 2 GSM handsets were recovered, while 1 Isuzu vehicle was destroyed.
The statement further reveals that on Wednesday, January 20, troops cleared terrorist camps/enclaves at Ngwalimiri and Gazama in Damboa local government area. While conducting operations in Mufurundi village along Damboa-Bale road, the army intercepted 10 Boko Haram suspects from Bego, Mesemarri and Bale villages carrying bags containing food condiments, soaps, and other items. The suspects are reportedly undergoing interrogation.
The troops also had an encounter with terrorists during an advance from Wajirok to Ajigin. During the encounter, three of the terrorists were killed.



The statement further said: “In another development, one of our units located in old Marte repelled an attacked by BHT and in the process, killed 21 terrorists, while 3 soldiers were wounded during the encounter. One Anti Air Gun, 10 AK47 rifles,1 FN rifle,7 x 60mm MOR bombs, qty 342 rounds of 12.7mm, Qty 507 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions, 1 Toyota Hilux, 1 Land Cruiser vehicle, 1 IED with charger were captured from the terrorists.
 “In a related development, troops took custody of 3 suspected BHT who voluntarily surrendered themselves to Damboa Vigilante Group at Kaya village. During interrogation, they claimed to have been forced to join the BHT Group and also participated in the Group’s previous attacks at Askira and other locations. As about 1719hrs yesterday, 21 January 2016, ahead of Cashew plantation near Maiduguri, an unknown civilian tried to gain access into the village but was confronted by a civilian JTF. In the process of the ensuing interrogation, he stabbed a member of civilian JTF to death but was shot by another Civilian JTF.

“In continuation of the ongoing operation, troops advancing to clear Dure village, came under BHT ambush at Rugga Fulani but were cleared. During the encounter, 8 BHTs were killed, 2 AK47 rifles,2 locally made Dane Guns, 3 AK47 Magazined with 38 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Similarly, a unit of troops cleared BHT hideouts in Wala, Tirkopytir, and Durubajuwe villages. During the operation, troops recovered 1 rusty GPMG barrel, 1 grinding machine and 1 locally made Dane gun.
“Equally, troops conducted a fighting patrol in Afe, Kudiye, Souma, Dika, Mijigeta and Mida. During the operation, the team made contact with BHT at Kudiye, Mijigete and 20 BHT were killed, while 3 rifles, 41 motorcycles were destroyed, and 370 hostages rescued and brought to IDP camp at Dikwa. Also, around Huyum, Jeje and Diba villages. The terrorists sighting own troops, abandoned their families behind which include 5 women, 12 children. However, own troops killed 4 of the BHTs. The women are currently undergoing interrogation.


The army report further stated that on Friday, January 22, three suicide bombers attempted to infiltrate into Maiduguri a kilometre ahead of Mafa roadblock. The troops in the area shot one dead, while the other detonated a bomb and in the process killed the third suicide bomber.
In his communique, Major General Hassan Umaru commended the efforts of the troops and renewed calls for the troops and the public to be more vigilant and security conscious at all times, particularly at check points, markets, worship centres, motor parks and schools.
He equally appreciated the support from the public in rendering useful information on the activities of the terrorists. He said the public would be kept informed of the situation as the need arises.

Dreadlocks as soon become a trend in all countries around the world. While some as started their dreadlocks way back many are beginning to join the new fashion trend in order not to feel left out.
Even Nigerian celebrities do not want to be left out of the fashion trend as both male and female actors and actresses, music stars and many more rock their dreadlocks in different styles in order to complement their looks or to symbolize their personality.
, gathered a list of top Nollywood actresses with the hottest dreadlocks:
Nse Ikpe Etim:
The beautiful gap-tooth Nollywood actress is famous for the dreadlocks trademark. Even on her wedding day, Etim carried her natural look. She got married to Clifford Sule in 2013. Nse can be described as one of the most talented actresses in the movie industry as she never fails to properly interpret each role given to her. Nse Ikpe Etim does not permanently lock her dreadlocks as she loosens them once in a while for movie productions or leave it depending on her character in the movie
Annie Idibia:
Nollywood actress and music legend’s wife, Annie Idibia who recently locked her hair is not looking bad at all as she looks pretty nice.

Since Nigeria got her independence in 196o, at least 13 men have ruled the country both as civilian and as military. However, the most handsome Nigerian presidents are not more than five.

There are some Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who have stood shoulder high above their peers in terms of natural characteristics. A few of them are alive, while some are dead.

1. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida

The Minna state General was the admiration of many people even the Western world while he was the military Head of State. He had a way of getting along with everybody. He was a very handsome man. He also had tooth-gap like Muhammadu Buhari. He piloted the affairs of Nigeria from 1985 to 1993 before he stepped down and handed power over to an interim government.

2. Yakubu Gowon

He is still the youngest person ever to rule Nigeria up to this present moment. The Plateau state general became the Head of State at 32 years of age. He has a dark chocolate complexion. He ruled from 1966 to 1975. He was at the helms of affairs of the nation during the Nigerian Civil war from 1967 to 1970.

3. Umar Musa Yar’Adua

The 2-time governor of Katsina state between 1999 and 2007 died before he could complete his first term presidency. He was the country’s number one citizen from 2007 to 2010.
Yar’Adua was without doubt one of the most handsome Nigerian presidents in the history of the country. He died as a result of heart-related disease.

4. Muhammadu Buhari

While he was the military ruler of Nigeria between 1983 and 1985, he was one of the most handsome military chiefs around. He was tall, lanky and had an aquiline nose. His physique was unique among his peers. He was a charming Fulani man.
Buhari has tooth-gap which is believed to be one of the features of sociable people. He has an infectious smile that attracts the female folks. He is from Katsina state.


5. Rahmat Murtala Mohammed
Mohammed was assassinated in a botched military coup on February 13, 1976. He ruled Nigeria from 1975 to 1976 before he was killed in a coup led by Sukar Bukar Dimka. He was a miltary Head of State. He was from Kano state.

The wife of the number 2 citizen of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, was spotted looking all glowing and radiant in a red dress.
She got heads turning at the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives Season Two which held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja yesterday, January 21. See the adorable photos below:






Cute or nah?

Douglas Maistre Breger da Silva (90 cm/35 in) and Claudia Pereira Rocha (93 cm/36 in) were married on 27 October 1998 in Curitiba, Brazil. They still hold the record to this day.

A prominent Chinese banker says authorities in China need to let more companies fail as the country adapts to a new age of slower economic growth.
Concerns about China's economy have hammered financial markets this year and are at the top of the agenda for many participants at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Zhang Yichen, CEO of CITIC Capital, says Chinese authorities are protecting state companies from downsizing, which is a politically delicate issue when it involves job cuts. That makes it harder for the private sector to grow. He told a panel in Davos that to solve the country's problem of overcapacity "we should let some (state-owned companies) fail."
He argued that the Chinese currency will not drop as sharply as some fear because China has strong underlying public finances.
Nouriel Roubini, an economist from New York University, claimed investors' reaction in recent weeks was overdone: "Markets tend to be manic depressive — going from excessive optimism to excessive pessimism."
That said, the longer Chinese authorities delay reforms, such as shrinking some state-owned companies, the higher the risk of the downturn becoming painful.
4:00 p.m.
Iran's foreign minister says his country does not want a confrontation with Saudi Arabia, and there's "no need" for Saudi Arabia to panic about recent heightened tensions.
Mohammad Javad Zarif said Wednesday that Iran's Saudi neighbors "need to realize confrontation is in the interest of nobody."
He said he was asked to break relations with Saudi Arabia as tensions mounted between their governments following an arson attack earlier this month on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. But Zari said, "I refused." He did not say who had asked him.
Zarif, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, urged regional cooperation to combat Islamic State extremists.
1:45 p.m.
Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg says the world won't change for the good if only men continue to rule the roost.
Speaking at a panel on the first full day of deliberations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sandberg said the gender gap in business and government needs to be dealt with.
She says "men still run the world and I'm not sure it's going that well."
Sandberg, the only woman on a panel of six, also said Facebook will use its "Safety Check" more regularly in the future when necessary.
During the Paris attacks in November, the feature was used widely by people wanting to tell their friends and families they were ok. Originally intended for natural disasters, the feature was also used widely in April's devastating earthquake in Nepal.
1:25 p.m.
In an AP interview, Iran's foreign minister is decrying what he calls the United States' "addiction to coercion" with its new sanctions against Iran over ballistic missile tests.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the new US sanctions 'illegal' and justified Iran's program as self-defense. He spoke to The Associated Press ahead of an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he was expected to take part in a debate focusing on the Islamic Republic.
The United States on Sunday imposed sanctions against 11 individuals and entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile program as a result of Tehran's firing of a medium-range ballistic missile. The new punishment came one day after the Obama administration lifted economic penalties against Iran over its nuclear program.
12:30 p.m.
The president of Germany says that limiting the number of refugees entering Europe is necessary and "morally acceptable" if the continent is to continue to provide help to those in need.
While stressing the "humanitarian responsibility" of taking in victims of persecution, Joachim Gauck told a conference in Davos, Switzerland, that Germany and European countries must limit the numbers of people who want to come in to avoid being overwhelmed.
He cited the risk of some countries in the European Union wanting to re-establish borders within the 28-nation bloc, as security issues grow over the lack of checks. He said the EU's rules on freedom of movement throughout the bloc "can only be guaranteed if movement is controlled at the external borders."
The flow of millions of people, mainly from war-torn Syria, in recent months has put huge pressure on European countries to shut their borders and limit entries. The issue has become a hot topic and been used by populist politicians, some of whom favor closing national borders within the EU.
Gauck said that without limits on migration, the problem would grow and feed more populist movements, in turn creating even greater limits on Germany's ability to welcome those in need.

The head of the EU's executive commission expressed concern on Wednesday that a summit of EU leaders on Feb. 18-19 would be too focused on keeping Britain inside the bloc, and he recommended that government heads give equal focus to the challenges posed by the migrant influx.
"I'm rather worried that we won't have enough time to tackle the refugee question in sufficient depth," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters. His call came as countries in northern Europe, the preferred destination of many of the more than 1 million people who arrived last year seeking sanctuary or jobs, began calling for caps on the number of migrants that should be allowed to enter.
European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs EU summits, warned on Tuesday that the EU's passport-free travel area could break apart if the migrant strategy is not sorted out within two months. The commission has floated a plan aimed at coping with Europe's biggest refugee emergency in more than half a century. Ideas include the relocation plan to distribute refugees among EU nations, which would be strung out over two years, and more than 3 billion dollars over two years plus fast track visa and EU membership process for Turkey in exchange for stopping people leaving for Europe.
The commission also advocates tougher measures to return people who don't qualify for asylum, and has boosted funding of Frontex border agency. A new European border agency plan is to be rolled out in March to protect the frontiers of countries unable or unwilling to do so.
Juncker lamented the lack of national action, saying "we would do better if we implemented what has been decided." The mass arrivals last year, mostly through Greece from Turkey, overwhelmed border authorities and reception centers and raised tensions between EU neighbors as they struggled to respond.
More than 2,000 people are still arriving daily, according to EU figures, and numbers are expected to accelerate as spring arrives. A spokeswoman for the U.N. refugee agency, said that around 2,000 migrants continue to cross from Macedonia into Serbia daily, even with temperatures plunging to a low of -19 C (-2 F) Wednesday.
Liene Veide said many arrive ill-prepared, without clothing or boots appropriate for winter weather. Some have pneumonia, fever or other illnesses, but she said most refuse hospitalization and press on with their journeys.
Temperatures plunged overnight Wednesday in Romania to the lowest of the year, with -29.5 C (-21 F) recorded in one town in central Romania Meanwhile Austria's deputy chancellor, Reinhold Mitterlehner, was quoted Wednesday as saying that his conservative party wants to cap migrant entries to no more than 40,000 per year.
Close to 90,000 refugees applied for asylum last year in Austria. Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, called for limits to the number of people entering, saying that ceilings are "morally acceptable" if Europe is to continue helping those in need.
Speaking at a conference in Davos, Switzerland, Gauck said the EU's rules on freedom of movement throughout the bloc "can only be guaranteed if movement is controlled at the external borders.

The State Department said the two men had discussed plans for the negotiations that the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to convene in Geneva on Jan. 25 and "the importance of maintaining progress toward a diplomatic solution to the crisis." But, while both sides said they did not support a delay in the talks, it was not immediately clear if the differences had been resolved.
"We do not have any kind of thoughts about changing the beginning of the talks from January to February," Lavrov told reporters. "This is the position of Russia and the USA." "The political process will begin, we hope, in the nearest future, during January," he said. "Various dates have been named, but the final decision will be taken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the advice and recommendations of his special envoy Staffan de Mistura."
Lavrov added that the main topic of conversation with Kerry was "coordination," primarily about terrorist organization, which would be left out of the political process as well as a ceasefire that is envisioned to take effect once the negotiations begin.
In the meeting, Kerry also called for Russia to use its influence with Syrian President Bashar Assad "to ensure immediate, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to all Syrians in need," State Department spokesman John Kirby said, particularly in besieged communities like Madaya, where deaths from starvation have been reported.
The negotiations between the Assad government and the opposition are to be the first step in a proposed 18-month political transition for Syria, which has been mired in civil war for four years. Differences over which Syrian opposition groups should be labeled terrorists and barred from the negotiations and the ceasefire have led to concerns that the talks may have to be postponed.

“Iron” Mike Sharpe, has passed away at age 64, WWE reports.
Sharpe’s father and uncle were a successful tag team in the 1950s, recognized as champions from San Francisco to Japan.
How WWE Superstars Celebrated Christmas


The source reports that he joined the WWE in January 1983 and managed by WWE Hall of Famer Captain Lou Albano, Sharpe used the mysterious (and often loaded) black brace on his right forearm to defeat opponent after opponent while simultaneously berating them.
His  final match was  in 1995 against Billy & Bart, The Smoking Gunns.
Meanwhile, here are the most important highlights of WWE Raw from January 4.
1. Roman Reigns interrupted Stephanie McMahon’s entrance.
Reigns said: “I don’t think we need you out here tonight, Steph.”
McMahon answered: “Hope is not a strategy, Roman.”
Reigns added: “If anybody screws me tonight, you won’t be picking up your father from jail; you’ll be picking him up from the hospital.”
2. Kevin Owens wins Neville.
3.  Titus O’Neil wins Stardust
4. Charlotte loses to Becky Lynch
5.  Ryback vs. Big Show
Match ends in a no-contest.
John “Bradshaw” Layfield said: “Get your pitchforks and lanterns. They’re about to storm the giant.”
Wyatt said: “We are war. We are famine. We are pestilence