In a new strategy document, Russia has for the first time appraised the United States as a threat to its national security. Times of India reports: The document, “About the Strategy of National Security of Russian Federation”, was signed by President Vladimir Putin on New Year’s Eve. It replaces a 2009 version, endorsed by Dmitry Medvedev, president then, and the current prime minister, which mentioned neither the United States not Nato. It says Russia has managed to heighten its role in solving global problems and international conflicts.

Happy New Year Another year is upon us and before you know it, it will be gone, moment after moment. The following is a quote from American scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher,William Arthur Ward.   “Another fresh new year is here . . . Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give! This bright new year is given me To live each day with zest . . . To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best! I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs!” William Arthur Ward quotes

Via NorthmanTrader.com,

If there was one key trading lesson to draw from 2015 it is this: Ignore the noise and focus on the technicals. Hence in today’s article I’m outlining what I’m seeing from a technical perspective across multiple time frames and asset classes. Note I’m not trying to convince you of any particular view here, but my aim is to share, what I consider to be, fascinating data sets that hopefully offer some insights worth considering.

A father of two suffocated his youngest son to death as punishment for not going to bed on time during Christmas Eve. The 19-stone dad sat playing computer games, as he used his weight to pin down and smother his six year old son against the couch, according to police. The Mirror reports: James “Rick” Dearman, 31, carried on playing games with his live-in girlfriend at the same time he was squeezing the life from his child, according to cops. Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputies say the dead boy’s 7-year-old sibling watched the horrific incident.

Earlier today, Saudi Arabia announced it had staged its largest mass execution in 25 years. 

43 al-Qaeda conspirators were killed along with 4 Shiites accused of shooting policemen in the anti-government protests which broke out during the Arab Spring. Among the Shiites killed: prominent cleric Nimr al-Nimr.