Fake news is "killing people's minds" and a campaign is needed to fight against it, Apple boss Tim Cook has said.
The tech giant's chief executive said governments should wage information wars against fake news reports and businesses should create tools to root out propaganda.
Fake stories have dominated social media during highly divisive political campaigns, especially the US presidential election.
In the UK, the Culture, Media and Sports Committee is investigating the phenomenon over fears it could have a "significant impact" on democracy.
Mr Cook told the Daily Telegraph a "massive campaign" was needed, involving a "modern version" of a public service announcement.
He told the newspaper: "We are going through this period of time right here where unfortunately some of the people that are winning are the people that spend their time trying to get the most clicks, not tell the most truth.
"It's killing people's minds in a way.
"All of us technology companies need to create some tools that help diminish the volume of fake news."
The Canadian musician responded to a video posted on social media in which he was heard telling a fan to take off her scarf.
In a post on Instagram, he denied the woman was wearing a hijab and said he "would never make a disrespectful comment like that".
He wrote: "I make a point every night to end my shows on tones of unity and love so to find out that I am being utilised in a fake media story about me disrespecting Muslims is devastating to me."
The singer said he had been talking to four women at his gig at the O2 Arena and one of them was wearing a winter scarf.
He added: "I made a comment about taking off the scarf because I enjoy friendly banter with the fans.
"I am well aware of what a hijab is and I would never make a disrespectful comment like that in my life towards someone who is wearing one."
Saturday, February 11, 2017
President Trump says he has 'a lot of options' to revive travel ban
President Donald Trump has said he may sign a "brand new" executive order to revive his travel ban - a day after an appeals court ruled it should remain suspended.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Mr Trump said his administration has "a lot of options" to achieve its aim of restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.
One of those options might involve rewriting the controversial executive order, or replacing it with a new one, to sidestep the legal issues which have caused the travel ban to become held up in the courts.
:: Donald Trump's travel ban: What happens next?
Mr Trump said it is likely that "very little" would be changed in a second executive order, and hinted that it could be signed as early as Monday or Tuesday.
"We need speed for reasons of security. So it could very well be that we do that," the President added during the surprise visit to the press cabin, where he was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.
Green card holders or permanent residents from the seven affected countries may be excluded from the travel ban if the decree is revised, according to a congressional aide.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Mr Trump said his administration has "a lot of options" to achieve its aim of restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.
One of those options might involve rewriting the controversial executive order, or replacing it with a new one, to sidestep the legal issues which have caused the travel ban to become held up in the courts.
:: Donald Trump's travel ban: What happens next?
Mr Trump said it is likely that "very little" would be changed in a second executive order, and hinted that it could be signed as early as Monday or Tuesday.
"We need speed for reasons of security. So it could very well be that we do that," the President added during the surprise visit to the press cabin, where he was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.
Green card holders or permanent residents from the seven affected countries may be excluded from the travel ban if the decree is revised, according to a congressional aide.
Thousands join newlywed's quest to find lost wedding dress
A Facebook appeal to reunite a newly married woman with her lost wedding dress has gone viral.
Tess Newall turned to social media for help after her local dry cleaners in Edinburgh lost the beloved gown.
The wedding dress had been lovingly created by Mrs Newall's great-great-grandmother in 1870, and was proudly worn at her ceremony last June.
Mrs Newall fears the dress may have been sold and "could be winging its way anywhere".
In her Facebook appeal, she added: "I realise there are far greater issues in the world but it means the world to us.
"More family memories need to be woven into its threads."
At the time of writing, her post had been shared more than 180,000 times, with 25,000 people taking the time to comment and wish her luck in her quest.
Mrs Newall's appeal has travelled all over the world - catching the attention of people from Stoke-on-Trent to Switzerland, Cornwall to California, and from Manchester to Melbourne.
One well-wisher in the US wrote: "I pray that you find your dress. It is stunning! Keep believing, have faith and don't give up!"
:: Sky News will be speaking to Mrs Newall and her husband about the launch of their search for the missing wedding dress at around 8.15am
Friday, February 10, 2017
Trump and Iran: Scenarios of escalation
Iran and the new Trump administration have already clashed with potentially disastrous consequences. The extreme vulnerability of the rapport between the two countries following the nuclear deal was on show recently as Iran tested a new long-range missile, and the Washington put Iran "on notice".
Yet, it is unsurprising that after 35 years of enmity, the revived US-Iran relationship would stumble as a radically different leadership takes power in Washington. Indeed, it might fall further should a similar shift occur in May after presidential elections take place in Iran. Does this mean the nuclear deal is doomed? It may be. But if so, it would be as much by default as by design. Four unexpected consequences of ill-conceived moves on Washington's part could intensify the conflict and collapse the deal. One smart move could save it.
The pitfalls
1) Misreading Iran's bluster as more than an 'opening position'
The legality of the missile launch within the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 by both governments, has drawn much speculation by American analysts, but no actual determination that it broke the letter of the law.
The Trump administration's inexperience in reading the tea leaves of Iran's foreign policy manoeuvres, however, has led it to decide, that, legal or not, the launch was an insult and a threat. So it hurled back a threat of its own.
Yet - much like Trump himself - the Islamic Republic is a prodder and doesn't back down when it gets a reaction. The result: public denunciations and shows of power will likely escalate.
2) Viewing diplomacy with Iran as useless, assuming that all it understands is force
To Trita Parsi, of the American Iranian Council (whose forthcoming book tells the inside story on how exactly the deal was done), to put shouty cards on the table without a soft-exit plan is to misunderstand the game of diplomacy, particularly when it comes to Iran.
What the Iranians do is play multiple hands - the public stage, the back-corridors, the phone lines - which Trump's predecessors did too. If the new administration only grandstands and doesn't balance tough words with secret meetings and smart compromises that suit both countries, the relationship will crash.
3) Mistaking Iran for a failed state
By placing it on the "List of Seven", Trump has put Iran in strange company. The other six are either at war, or lacking central government authority - unlike Iran, which has conducted high-level, government-backed international negotiations with the US over a significant security deal.
This is shaming for Iran, just as it was when George W Bush inducted Iran into the Axis of Evil after it publicly offered to materially support Washington's plans against al-Qaeda after 9/11.
Yet, it is unsurprising that after 35 years of enmity, the revived US-Iran relationship would stumble as a radically different leadership takes power in Washington. Indeed, it might fall further should a similar shift occur in May after presidential elections take place in Iran. Does this mean the nuclear deal is doomed? It may be. But if so, it would be as much by default as by design. Four unexpected consequences of ill-conceived moves on Washington's part could intensify the conflict and collapse the deal. One smart move could save it.
The pitfalls
1) Misreading Iran's bluster as more than an 'opening position'
The legality of the missile launch within the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 by both governments, has drawn much speculation by American analysts, but no actual determination that it broke the letter of the law.
The Trump administration's inexperience in reading the tea leaves of Iran's foreign policy manoeuvres, however, has led it to decide, that, legal or not, the launch was an insult and a threat. So it hurled back a threat of its own.
Yet - much like Trump himself - the Islamic Republic is a prodder and doesn't back down when it gets a reaction. The result: public denunciations and shows of power will likely escalate.
2) Viewing diplomacy with Iran as useless, assuming that all it understands is force
To Trita Parsi, of the American Iranian Council (whose forthcoming book tells the inside story on how exactly the deal was done), to put shouty cards on the table without a soft-exit plan is to misunderstand the game of diplomacy, particularly when it comes to Iran.
What the Iranians do is play multiple hands - the public stage, the back-corridors, the phone lines - which Trump's predecessors did too. If the new administration only grandstands and doesn't balance tough words with secret meetings and smart compromises that suit both countries, the relationship will crash.
3) Mistaking Iran for a failed state
By placing it on the "List of Seven", Trump has put Iran in strange company. The other six are either at war, or lacking central government authority - unlike Iran, which has conducted high-level, government-backed international negotiations with the US over a significant security deal.
This is shaming for Iran, just as it was when George W Bush inducted Iran into the Axis of Evil after it publicly offered to materially support Washington's plans against al-Qaeda after 9/11.
Prince's high-security vault of unreleased tracks bought by Universal
Prince's unreleased demos, outtakes and live recordings are set for release after Universal bought up exclusive rights.
The deal gives UMG (Universal Music Group) control of 25 Prince albums released on his NPG Records label.
It also gains control of his publishing and merchandising rights after signing the agreement with the singer's estate.
Universal said the deal would give the chance to create "innovative new products" based around his back catalogue.
But it is the star's unreleased work that is most likely to excite fans.
The exact number of tracks is unknown, but Prince was known to be a prolific songwriter with a large stash of unreleased works under tight security at his home Paisley Park studio.
Rolling Stone reported that the recordings are in a "climate-controlled room behind a steel door straight out a bank, complete with a time lock and large spinning handle".
People who worked at the studio have said the vault includes entire albums that never saw the light of day.
Prince died in April after an accidental overdose of powerful painkiller. The enigmatic musician sold more than 100 million albums during his career and famously played 21 nights at London's 02 arena in 2007.
The deal gives UMG (Universal Music Group) control of 25 Prince albums released on his NPG Records label.
It also gains control of his publishing and merchandising rights after signing the agreement with the singer's estate.
Universal said the deal would give the chance to create "innovative new products" based around his back catalogue.
But it is the star's unreleased work that is most likely to excite fans.
The exact number of tracks is unknown, but Prince was known to be a prolific songwriter with a large stash of unreleased works under tight security at his home Paisley Park studio.
Rolling Stone reported that the recordings are in a "climate-controlled room behind a steel door straight out a bank, complete with a time lock and large spinning handle".
People who worked at the studio have said the vault includes entire albums that never saw the light of day.
Prince died in April after an accidental overdose of powerful painkiller. The enigmatic musician sold more than 100 million albums during his career and famously played 21 nights at London's 02 arena in 2007.
Under Armour slammed by 'The Rock' over Trump support
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is the latest star to criticise Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank over his support for Donald Trump.
The wrestler turned actor - who has a shoe line with the sportswear retailer - tweeted to say that Mr Plank's comments "were divisive and lacking in perspective".
Earlier this week, the company's founder threw his support behind Mr Trump in an interview with CNBC, saying: "To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country."
A backlash ensued, with various stars - including those with ties to the company - voicing their anger.
In an interview with The San Jose Mercury News earlier in the week, NBA athlete Stephen Curry, who is sponsored by Under Armour, said Mr Trump was "an asset", but only if you "remove the et".
Professional ballerina Misty Copeland - another brand representative - wrote in an Instagram post that she was so concerned about Mr Plank's comments that she had spoken to him directly.
The company has since released a statement saying Mr Plank's comments were in regard to the President's business policies, not his social viewpoints.
One of the sport brand's biggest rivals, Nike, sent a letter to their employees earlier this year condemning Mr Trump's travel ban and saying it "threatened" the company's values.
Most of Under Armour's clothes are made overseas, which doesn't fit well with Mr Trump's America First policy.
Shares in Under Armour fell sharply last year after the company saw a disappointing fourth quarter and a slowdown in revenue growth.
The wrestler turned actor - who has a shoe line with the sportswear retailer - tweeted to say that Mr Plank's comments "were divisive and lacking in perspective".
Earlier this week, the company's founder threw his support behind Mr Trump in an interview with CNBC, saying: "To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country."
A backlash ensued, with various stars - including those with ties to the company - voicing their anger.
In an interview with The San Jose Mercury News earlier in the week, NBA athlete Stephen Curry, who is sponsored by Under Armour, said Mr Trump was "an asset", but only if you "remove the et".
Professional ballerina Misty Copeland - another brand representative - wrote in an Instagram post that she was so concerned about Mr Plank's comments that she had spoken to him directly.
The company has since released a statement saying Mr Plank's comments were in regard to the President's business policies, not his social viewpoints.
One of the sport brand's biggest rivals, Nike, sent a letter to their employees earlier this year condemning Mr Trump's travel ban and saying it "threatened" the company's values.
Most of Under Armour's clothes are made overseas, which doesn't fit well with Mr Trump's America First policy.
Shares in Under Armour fell sharply last year after the company saw a disappointing fourth quarter and a slowdown in revenue growth.
122 die as police in Espirito Santo, Brazil, strike over pay
Some 122 people have been killed in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo as police strikes enter their seventh day.
The coastal state, north of Rio de Janeiro, has seen chaos in the streets despite 1,200 soldiers being deployed to keep order.
The Brazilian Ministry of Defence has said that number will rise to as many as 3,000 by the weekend.
Most of the violence has occurred in the state capital, Vitoria.
Police claim the majority of those killed there were tied to drug trafficking or some other type of crime.
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