<p>Microsoft was investigating a disruption in its Bing search engine in China on Thursday, with social media users fearing it could be the latest foreign website to be blocked by censors.</p>

<p>Attempts to open cn.bing.com has resulted in an error message for users since Wednesday.</p>

<p>"We're aware of reports that Bing may be inaccessible to some customers in China and are investigating," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement.</p>

<p>China's Communist authorities operate an online censorship apparatus known as the "Great Firewall", which blocks a slew of websites including Facebook, Twitter and several foreign media outlets.</p>

<p>But it was not clear whether or not Bing joined the long list of prohibited websites, or if its China service was experiencing technical difficulties.</p>

<p>China's cyberspace administration could not immediately be reached for comment.</p>

<p>China's Great Firewall can be circumvented by using a virtual private network (VPN), which can hide a user's IP address.</p>

<p>While its rival Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010 after rows over censorship and hacking, Bing has continued to operate in the country along with Microsoft-owned Skype.</p>

<p>On Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media site, people complained about the lack of access, with some speculating that Bing too had been "walled off".</p>

<p>Others aired their dissatisfaction about having to use Baidu, China's largest domestic search service.</p>

<p>"I can't open Bing, but I don't want to use Baidu -- what to do?" wrote one user.</p>

<p>"Bing is actually dead -- is this to force me to use Baidu??" said another, cursing.</p>

<p>China has tightened policing of the internet in recent years, shuttering 26,000 "illegal" websites in 2018 alone and deleting six million online posts containing vulgar content, the official Xinhua news agency said earlier this month.</p>

<p>Bing's disruption comes as the United States and China are locked in a bruising trade war, with US accusations that China steals technological know-how among the core disagreements.</p>

<p>The two sides are scheduled for new trade negotiations next week.</p>


Microsoft was investigating a disruption in its Bing search engine in China on Thursday, with social media users fearing it could be the latest foreign website to be blocked by censors.

Microsoft was investigating a disruption in its Bing search engine in China on Thursday, with social media users fearing it could be the latest foreign website to be blocked by censors. Attempts to open cn.bing.com has resulted in an error message for users since Wednesday. "We're aware of reports that Bing may be inaccessible to some customers in China and are investigating," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. China's Communist authorities operate an online censorship apparatus known as the "Great Firewall", which blocks a slew of websites including Facebook, Twitter and several foreign media outlets. But it was not clear whether or not Bing joined the long list of prohibited websites, or if its China service was experiencing technical difficulties. China's cyberspace administration could not immediately be reached for comment. China's Great Firewall can be circumvented by using a virtual private network (VPN), which can hide a user's IP address. While its rival Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010 after rows over censorship and hacking, Bing has continued to operate in the country along with Microsoft-owned Skype. On Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media site, people complained about the lack of access, with some speculating that Bing too had been "walled off". Others aired their dissatisfaction about having to use Baidu, China's largest domestic search service. "I can't open Bing, but I don't want to use Baidu -- what to do?" wrote one user. "Bing is actually dead -- is this to force me to use Baidu??" said another, cursing. China has tightened policing of the internet in recent years, shuttering 26,000 "illegal" websites in 2018 alone and deleting six million online posts containing vulgar content, the official Xinhua news agency said earlier this month. Bing's disruption comes as the United States and China are locked in a bruising trade war, with US accusations that China steals technological know-how among the core disagreements. The two sides are scheduled for new trade negotiations next week.

Microsoft's Bing search engine goes offline in China

<p>Your privacy on Facebook and Twitter may be at risk even if you have never been on social media or have deleted your account, a study suggests.</p>

<p>Individual choice has long been considered a bedrock principle of online privacy, said scientists from the University of Vermont in the US and the University of Adelaide in Australia.</p>

<p>However, the study shows that if a person leaves a social media platform -- or never joined -- the online posts and words of their friends still provide about 95 per cent of the "potential predictive accuracy," even without any of that person's data.</p>

<p>Published in the journal Nature Human Behavior, the study gathered more than thirty million public posts on Twitter from 13,905 users.</p>

<p>With this data, the researchers showed that information within the Twitter messages from eight or nine of a person's contacts make it possible to predict that person's later tweets as accurately as if they were looking directly at that person's own Twitter feed.</p>

<p>"Looked at from the other direction, when you sign up for Facebook or another social media platform, you think you're giving up your information, but you're giving up your friends' information too!" said James Bagrow from the University of Vermont.</p>

<p>The research raises profound questions about the fundamental nature of privacy -- and how, in a highly networked society, a person's choices and identity are embedded in that network.</p>

<p>The study shows that, at least in theory, a company, government or other actor can accurately profile a person -- think political party, favourite products, religious commitments -- from their friends, even if they have never been on social media or delete their account.</p>

<p>"There's no place to hide in a social network," said Lewis Mitchell, formerly a researcher at the University of Vermont and now a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide in Australia.</p>

<p>How information moves on social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, has become a powerful factor in protest movements, national elections, and the rise and fall of commercial brands, researchers said.</p>

<p>People on these platforms reveal massive amounts of information about&nbsp;<br />
themselves -- and their friends, they said.</p>

<p>However, scientists have not known if there is a fundamental limit to how much predictability is contained within this tidal wave of data.</p>

<p>The scientists used their analysis of Twitter writings to show that there is a mathematical upper limit on how much predictive information a social network can hold.</p>

<p>However, it makes little difference if the person being profiled, or whose behaviour is being predicted, is on or off that network when their friends are on the network, researchers said.&nbsp;</p>


Your privacy on Facebook and Twitter may be at risk even if you have never been on social media or have deleted your account, a study suggests. Individual choice has long been considered a bedrock principle of online privacy, said scientists from the University of Vermont in the US and the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Your privacy on Facebook and Twitter may be at risk even if you have never been on social media or have deleted your account, a study suggests. Individual choice has long been considered a bedrock principle of online privacy, said scientists from the University of Vermont in the US and the University of Adelaide in Australia. However, the study shows that if a person leaves a social media platform -- or never joined -- the online posts and words of their friends still provide about 95 per cent of the "potential predictive accuracy," even without any of that person's data. Published in the journal Nature Human Behavior, the study gathered more than thirty million public posts on Twitter from 13,905 users. With this data, the researchers showed that information within the Twitter messages from eight or nine of a person's contacts make it possible to predict that person's later tweets as accurately as if they were looking directly at that person's own Twitter feed. "Looked at from the other direction, when you sign up for Facebook or another social media platform, you think you're giving up your information, but you're giving up your friends' information too!" said James Bagrow from the University of Vermont. The research raises profound questions about the fundamental nature of privacy -- and how, in a highly networked society, a person's choices and identity are embedded in that network. The study shows that, at least in theory, a company, government or other actor can accurately profile a person -- think political party, favourite products, religious commitments -- from their friends, even if they have never been on social media or delete their account. "There's no place to hide in a social network," said Lewis Mitchell, formerly a researcher at the University of Vermont and now a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide in Australia. How information moves on social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, has become a powerful factor in protest movements, national elections, and the rise and fall of commercial brands, researchers said. People on these platforms reveal massive amounts of information about themselves -- and their friends, they said. However, scientists have not known if there is a fundamental limit to how much predictability is contained within this tidal wave of data. The scientists used their analysis of Twitter writings to show that there is a mathematical upper limit on how much predictive information a social network can hold. However, it makes little difference if the person being profiled, or whose behaviour is being predicted, is on or off that network when their friends are on the network, researchers said.

Never been on social media? Your privacy may still be at risk, says study

<p>Russia's communication watchdog said on Monday it was opening administrative proceedings against <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/when-pm-modi-indulged-in-some-twitter-conversations-with-bollywood-stars-191728&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjjo9b_4f7fAhUJLo8KHS75Aq4QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw20c9deQJ6kS9ZuF2KJy51K">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-backs-election-integrity-ai-initiatives-in-germany-191671&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiz8vHs4f7fAhWLQo8KHaCTAfwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0z8aw3lk2sxdq9BlsmfZpJ">Facebook</a> for failing to explain how they plan to comply with local data laws, the Interfax news agency reported.</p>

<p>Roskomnadzor, the watchdog, was quoted as saying that Twitter and Facebook had not explained how and when they would comply with legislation that requires all servers used to store Russians' personal data to be located in Russia.</p>

<p>The agency's head, Alexander Zharov, was quoted as saying the companies have a month to provide information or else action would be taken against them.</p>

<p>Russia has introduced tougher internet laws in the last five years, requiring search engines to delete some search results, messaging services to share encryption keys with security services and social networks to store Russian users' personal data on servers within the country.</p>

<p>At the moment, the only tools Russia has to enforce its data rules are fines that typically only come to a few thousand dollars or blocking the offending online services, which is an option fraught with technical difficulties.</p>

<p>However, sources in November told Reuters that Moscow plans to impose stiffer fines on technology firms that fail to comply with Russian laws.</p>


Russia's communication watchdog said on Monday it was opening administrative proceedings against Twitter and Facebook for failing to explain how they plan to comply with local data laws, the Interfax news agency reported.

Russia's communication watchdog said on Monday it was opening administrative proceedings against Twitter and Facebook for failing to explain how they plan to comply with local data laws, the Interfax news agency reported. Roskomnadzor, the watchdog, was quoted as saying that Twitter and Facebook had not explained how and when they would comply with legislation that requires all servers used to store Russians' personal data to be located in Russia. The agency's head, Alexander Zharov, was quoted as saying the companies have a month to provide information or else action would be taken against them. Russia has introduced tougher internet laws in the last five years, requiring search engines to delete some search results, messaging services to share encryption keys with security services and social networks to store Russian users' personal data on servers within the country. At the moment, the only tools Russia has to enforce its data rules are fines that typically only come to a few thousand dollars or blocking the offending online services, which is an option fraught with technical difficulties. However, sources in November told Reuters that Moscow plans to impose stiffer fines on technology firms that fail to comply with Russian laws.

Russia opens civil cases against Facebook, Twitter: Report

<p>The young Saudi woman who fled her family seeking asylum abroad is scheduled to land in Canada on Saturday after successfully harnessing the power of Twitter to stave off deportation from Thailand.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-teens-asylum-case-being-judged-at-lightning-speed-189621">Rahaf Mohammed al-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-teens-asylum-case-being-judged-at-lightning-speed-189621">Qunun</a>, 18, was already en route to Toronto late Friday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would take her in.</p>

<p>Trudeau's surprise announcement came after officials had heavily hinted that she was bound for Australia.</p>

<p>"Canada has been unequivocal that we'll stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world," Trudeau said. "When the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-asks-australia-to-consider-saudi-teen-for-refugee-resettlement-189253">United Nations</a>&nbsp;made a request of us that we grant al-Qunun's asylum, we accepted."</p>

<p>The move is sure to further strain Canada's relations with the kingdom that went sideways last August over Ottawa's rights criticism of Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel the Canadian ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest.</p>

<p>Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the "immediate release" of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, whose family lives in Quebec.</p>

<p>Qunun's attempt to flee the ultra-conservative kingdom was embraced by rights groups as a beacon of defiance against repression.</p>

<p>Thai authorities initially threatened to deport her after she arrived in Bangkok from Kuwait last weekend.</p>

<p>But armed with a smartphone and hastily opened a Twitter account, she forced a U-turn from Thai immigration police who handed her into the care of the UN's refugee agency as the #SaveRahaf hashtag bounced across the world.</p>

<p><strong>'Precarious situation'</strong></p>

<p>"Ms. al-Qunun's plight has captured the world's attention over the past few days, providing a glimpse into the precarious situation of millions of refugees worldwide," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.</p>

<p>"Refugee protection today is often under threat and cannot always be assured, but in this instance, international refugee law and overriding values of humanity have prevailed."</p>

<p>Raif Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar also praised Canada, calling Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Twitter "the real hero" behind efforts to prevent Qunun's repatriation to Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>Qunun alleged that she was abused by her family -- who deny the allegations -- and rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>Qunun first said she was aiming for Australia where officials had suggested they would give serious consideration to her claim for asylum, which was endorsed as legitimate by the UNHCR on Wednesday.</p>

<p>But late Friday Thailand's immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn said a smiling and cheerful Rahaf was bound for Toronto and had left on a flight after 11pm (1600 GMT).</p>

<p>"She chose Canada... Canada said it will accept her," Surachate told reporters at Bangkok's main airport.</p>

<p>"She is safe now and has good physical and mental health. She is happy."</p>

<p>Qunun left from the same airport where her quest for asylum began less than a week ago in a swift-moving process that defied most norms.</p>

<p><strong>Death threats</strong></p>

<p>On Friday afternoon Qunun posted a cryptic tweet on her profile saying "I have some good news and some bad news" -- shortly afterwards, her account was deactivated in response to death threats she had faced, her friends said.</p>

<p>But she was back online later in the day, tweeting: "I would like to thank you, people, for supporting me and saving my life. Truly I have never dreamed of this love and support."</p>

<p>Qunun's swift use of Twitter saw her amass more than tens of thousands of followers within a week, highlighting her plight at a time when Saudi Arabia's human rights record is under heavy scrutiny following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year.</p>

<p>Her deployment of social media allowed her to avoid the fate of countless other refugees who are quietly sent back home or languish in Bangkok detention centers.</p>

<p>She refused to see her father, who travelled to Thailand and expressed opposition to her resettlement.</p>

<p>Surachate said her father and brother were due to return home on a flight in the early hours of Saturday.</p>

<p>Although her asylum case moved fast the final manoeuvres that led to her flight to Canada remain largely a mystery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australia had dropped strong hints it would accept her after the UN urged the country to do so and it remains unclear why the resettlement location changed.</p>

<p>On Thursday its foreign minister said Canberra was still assessing the request.</p>

<p>Thailand's immigration chief Surachate had earlier told reporters Friday that "two or three" countries were ready to offer her asylum.</p>

<p>The Southeast Asian country is not a signatory to a convention on refugees and asylum seekers must be referred to a third country.</p>


The young Saudi woman who fled her family seeking asylum abroad is scheduled to land in Canada on Saturday after successfully harnessing the power of Twitter to stave off deportation from Thailand.

The young Saudi woman who fled her family seeking asylum abroad is scheduled to land in Canada on Saturday after successfully harnessing the power of Twitter to stave off deportation from Thailand. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, was already en route to Toronto late Friday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would take her in. Trudeau's surprise announcement came after officials had heavily hinted that she was bound for Australia. "Canada has been unequivocal that we'll stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world," Trudeau said. "When the United Nations made a request of us that we grant al-Qunun's asylum, we accepted." The move is sure to further strain Canada's relations with the kingdom that went sideways last August over Ottawa's rights criticism of Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to expel the Canadian ambassador and sever all trade and investment ties in protest. Canada also sparked fury in Riyadh by demanding the "immediate release" of jailed rights campaigners, including Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, whose family lives in Quebec. Qunun's attempt to flee the ultra-conservative kingdom was embraced by rights groups as a beacon of defiance against repression. Thai authorities initially threatened to deport her after she arrived in Bangkok from Kuwait last weekend. But armed with a smartphone and hastily opened a Twitter account, she forced a U-turn from Thai immigration police who handed her into the care of the UN's refugee agency as the #SaveRahaf hashtag bounced across the world. 'Precarious situation' "Ms. al-Qunun's plight has captured the world's attention over the past few days, providing a glimpse into the precarious situation of millions of refugees worldwide," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said. "Refugee protection today is often under threat and cannot always be assured, but in this instance, international refugee law and overriding values of humanity have prevailed." Raif Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar also praised Canada, calling Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Twitter "the real hero" behind efforts to prevent Qunun's repatriation to Saudi Arabia. Qunun alleged that she was abused by her family -- who deny the allegations -- and rights groups also said she had renounced Islam, risking prosecution in Saudi Arabia. Qunun first said she was aiming for Australia where officials had suggested they would give serious consideration to her claim for asylum, which was endorsed as legitimate by the UNHCR on Wednesday. But late Friday Thailand's immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn said a smiling and cheerful Rahaf was bound for Toronto and had left on a flight after 11pm (1600 GMT). "She chose Canada... Canada said it will accept her," Surachate told reporters at Bangkok's main airport. "She is safe now and has good physical and mental health. She is happy." Qunun left from the same airport where her quest for asylum began less than a week ago in a swift-moving process that defied most norms. Death threats On Friday afternoon Qunun posted a cryptic tweet on her profile saying "I have some good news and some bad news" -- shortly afterwards, her account was deactivated in response to death threats she had faced, her friends said. But she was back online later in the day, tweeting: "I would like to thank you, people, for supporting me and saving my life. Truly I have never dreamed of this love and support." Qunun's swift use of Twitter saw her amass more than tens of thousands of followers within a week, highlighting her plight at a time when Saudi Arabia's human rights record is under heavy scrutiny following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Her deployment of social media allowed her to avoid the fate of countless other refugees who are quietly sent back home or languish in Bangkok detention centers. She refused to see her father, who travelled to Thailand and expressed opposition to her resettlement. Surachate said her father and brother were due to return home on a flight in the early hours of Saturday. Although her asylum case moved fast the final manoeuvres that led to her flight to Canada remain largely a mystery. Australia had dropped strong hints it would accept her after the UN urged the country to do so and it remains unclear why the resettlement location changed. On Thursday its foreign minister said Canberra was still assessing the request. Thailand's immigration chief Surachate had earlier told reporters Friday that "two or three" countries were ready to offer her asylum. The Southeast Asian country is not a signatory to a convention on refugees and asylum seekers must be referred to a third country.

Saudi teen seeking asylum expected to land in Canada today

<p><br />
Police searched courtrooms in at least seven German cities on Friday after bomb threats and security alerts, with at least one emailed warning signed: "Nazi offensive", officials and media said.</p>

<p>Police said they temporarily evacuated or searched courts in the eastern city of Potsdam, the western cities of Wiesbaden and Saarbruecken, as well as in the central cities of Magdeburg and Erfurt and in the northern ports of Kiel and Hamburg.</p>

<p>German Justice Minister Katarina Barley condemned the bomb threats and a separate arson attack on the Federal Supreme Court in Leipzig on Dec. 31 which was reportedly claimed by a radical leftist group.</p>

<p>"Those who threaten courts attack the independent judiciary and our democratic society," Barley said.</p>

<p>She said it was imperative to investigate the cases carefully and hold the perpetrators accountable.</p>

<p>None of the searches conducted on Friday revealed any explosive devices, police and media reported.</p>

<p>However, the bomb threats caused disruption in the affected cities. Dozens of people were evacuated and court proceedings were interrupted as court buildings were searched and in most cases evacuated. Some adjacent streets were also closed temporarily.</p>

<p>Oliver Pohl, police spokesman in Kiel, said city officials received an emailed bomb threat late on Thursday that was signed with the words: "Nazi offensive."</p>

<p>He said there was no information thus far about the identity of the perpetrator, and authorities in affected cities were comparing notes. The court in Kiel had received a separate bomb threat in December, although that one was delivered via a public "comment" website, not an email, a spokesman said.</p>

<p>A spokesman for the force covering Wiesbaden said it was too early to say if there was a link between the various bomb threats. "The investigation just began," said Johannes Neumann.</p>

<p>A spokeswoman for Germany's Federal Criminal Police said it knew of the bomb threats solely through media reports and was not currently involved in any investigation.</p>

<p>The threats came after an attack in Leipzig on New Year's Eve, when tires were set aflame outside the federal court building and a wooden emergency door was set on fire. Local officials estimated over 100,000 euros in damages was causued.</p>

<p>Bild newspaper reported last week that a radical leftist group had claimed responsibility.</p>


Police searched courtrooms in at least seven German cities on Friday after bomb threats and security alerts, with at least one emailed warning signed: "Nazi offensive", officials and media said.

Police searched courtrooms in at least seven German cities on Friday after bomb threats and security alerts, with at least one emailed warning signed: "Nazi offensive", officials and media said. Police said they temporarily evacuated or searched courts in the eastern city of Potsdam, the western cities of Wiesbaden and Saarbruecken, as well as in the central cities of Magdeburg and Erfurt and in the northern ports of Kiel and Hamburg. German Justice Minister Katarina Barley condemned the bomb threats and a separate arson attack on the Federal Supreme Court in Leipzig on Dec. 31 which was reportedly claimed by a radical leftist group. "Those who threaten courts attack the independent judiciary and our democratic society," Barley said. She said it was imperative to investigate the cases carefully and hold the perpetrators accountable. None of the searches conducted on Friday revealed any explosive devices, police and media reported. However, the bomb threats caused disruption in the affected cities. Dozens of people were evacuated and court proceedings were interrupted as court buildings were searched and in most cases evacuated. Some adjacent streets were also closed temporarily. Oliver Pohl, police spokesman in Kiel, said city officials received an emailed bomb threat late on Thursday that was signed with the words: "Nazi offensive." He said there was no information thus far about the identity of the perpetrator, and authorities in affected cities were comparing notes. The court in Kiel had received a separate bomb threat in December, although that one was delivered via a public "comment" website, not an email, a spokesman said. A spokesman for the force covering Wiesbaden said it was too early to say if there was a link between the various bomb threats. "The investigation just began," said Johannes Neumann. A spokeswoman for Germany's Federal Criminal Police said it knew of the bomb threats solely through media reports and was not currently involved in any investigation. The threats came after an attack in Leipzig on New Year's Eve, when tires were set aflame outside the federal court building and a wooden emergency door was set on fire. Local officials estimated over 100,000 euros in damages was causued. Bild newspaper reported last week that a radical leftist group had claimed responsibility.

Police evacuate at least six German courts after bomb threats

<p>A Los Angles based artist broke the internet recently after he protested against US President Donald Trump in one of the most unexpected and innovative ways.</p>

<p>An artist, Sam Morrison, has launched a project named 'President Flip Flops' in which he made 1,000 pairs of slippers with&nbsp;Trump's contradictory tweets printed on it.</p>

<p>The hand-made limited-edition "flip flops"&nbsp;are red in colour&nbsp;with rubber base and have a white strap across the slipper. Each slipper has Trump's tweets printed on it and are based on a specific topic. When together the "flip flops"&nbsp;show contradicting opinions on things such as military intervention in Syria, electoral college and more.</p>

<p>On one slipper quote a Trump tweet reads, "Remember, don't believe "sources said" by the very dishonest media. If they don't name the source, the sources don't exist."</p>

<p>The other slipper&nbsp;tweet reads, "An extremely credible sources have called my office and told me that Barack Obama's birth certificate is a fraud."</p>

<p>The project's tagline is, "Walk a mile in his shoes and you'll end up doing a split."</p>

<p>The stocks&nbsp;of the "flip flop" slippers went out of stock within a month, Morrison told the media. According to a media report, he also donated 10 per cent of each purchase to the American Civil liberties Union.</p>

<p>Sam Morrison works in an advertising job and he sold his flip-flop design on his website, "PresidentFlipFlop.com".</p>

<p>As the work of making slippers is a very time-consuming job for one person, Morrison has halted the "flip flops" manufacture currently.</p>


A Los Angles based artist broke the internet recently after he protested against US President Donald Trump in one of the most unexpected and innovative ways. An artist, Sam Morrison, has launched a project named 'President Flip Flops' in which he made 1,000 pairs of slippers with Trump's contradictory tweets printed on it.

A Los Angles based artist broke the internet recently after he protested against US President Donald Trump in one of the most unexpected and innovative ways. An artist, Sam Morrison, has launched a project named 'President Flip Flops' in which he made 1,000 pairs of slippers with Trump's contradictory tweets printed on it. The hand-made limited-edition "flip flops" are red in colour with rubber base and have a white strap across the slipper. Each slipper has Trump's tweets printed on it and are based on a specific topic. When together the "flip flops" show contradicting opinions on things such as military intervention in Syria, electoral college and more. On one slipper quote a Trump tweet reads, "Remember, don't believe "sources said" by the very dishonest media. If they don't name the source, the sources don't exist." The other slipper tweet reads, "An extremely credible sources have called my office and told me that Barack Obama's birth certificate is a fraud." The project's tagline is, "Walk a mile in his shoes and you'll end up doing a split." The stocks of the "flip flop" slippers went out of stock within a month, Morrison told the media. According to a media report, he also donated 10 per cent of each purchase to the American Civil liberties Union. Sam Morrison works in an advertising job and he sold his flip-flop design on his website, "PresidentFlipFlop.com". As the work of making slippers is a very time-consuming job for one person, Morrison has halted the "flip flops" manufacture currently.

LA based artist makes flip flops with Trump's tweets; sells out in a month

<p>Trump was on Christmas bashed on social media after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-wall-no-match-for-mexican-girls-santa-wish-list-186288">he asked a seven-year-old whether he still believed in Santa</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump and his wife Melania were answering calls for NORAD, the US defence agency which "tracks"&nbsp;Santa's Christmas eve movements. The answering of calls by the president is a Christmas tradition.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Helping children across the country track <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Santa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Santa</a> is becoming one of my favorite traditions! <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Potus</a> and I enjoyed working with <a href="https://twitter.com/NoradSanta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NORADSanta</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChristmasEve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChristmasEve</a> <a href="https://t.co/CYNkARbFaI">pic.twitter.com/CYNkARbFaI</a></p>
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1077371798705111041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" the US president asked the child.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And then followed it up with:&nbsp;&nbsp;"Are you still a believer in Santa Claus? 'Cuz at seven it's marginal, right?"&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Expectedly, the blowback on social media was severe:&nbsp;</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I don't think I've ever seen a REAL smile on trump's face before.<br />
<br />
But here he is, spending Christmas Eve, asking a 7-year-old if he still believes in Santa "because at 7, it's marginal, right?" Dream-crushing gets him smiling.<br />
<br />
What a nasty, grinchy crumb bum. <a href="https://t.co/oE8XClS8jv">pic.twitter.com/oE8XClS8jv</a></p>
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mmpadellan/status/1077396376785510400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Per pool, Trump to the first child who called in tonight to talk to Santa: “Are you still a believer in Santa?"</p>
— Dafna Linzer (@DafnaLinzer) <a href="https://twitter.com/DafnaLinzer/status/1077364540105523200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Donald Trump, the lyingest liar of all the liars who ever lied, couldn't bring himself to lie about Santa.</p>
— David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lollardfish/status/1077383788571910145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>It is not known how Coleman answered Trump.&nbsp;</p>


Trump was on Christmas bashed on social media after he asked a seven-year-old whether he still believed in Santa. Trump and his wife Melania were answering calls for NORAD, the US defence agency which "tracks" Santa's Christmas eve movements.

Trump was on Christmas bashed on social media after he asked a seven-year-old whether he still believed in Santa. Trump and his wife Melania were answering calls for NORAD, the US defence agency which "tracks" Santa's Christmas eve movements. The answering of calls by the president is a Christmas tradition. Helping children across the country track #Santa is becoming one of my favorite traditions! @Potus and I enjoyed working with @NORADSanta - #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/CYNkARbFaI — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 25, 2018 × "Hello, is this Coleman? Merry Christmas. How are you? How old are you?" the US president asked the child. And then followed it up with: "Are you still a believer in Santa Claus? 'Cuz at seven it's marginal, right?" Expectedly, the blowback on social media was severe: I don't think I've ever seen a REAL smile on trump's face before. But here he is, spending Christmas Eve, asking a 7-year-old if he still believes in Santa "because at 7, it's marginal, right?" Dream-crushing gets him smiling. What a nasty, grinchy crumb bum. pic.twitter.com/oE8XClS8jv — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) December 25, 2018 × Per pool, Trump to the first child who called in tonight to talk to Santa: “Are you still a believer in Santa?" — Dafna Linzer (@DafnaLinzer) December 25, 2018 × Donald Trump, the lyingest liar of all the liars who ever lied, couldn't bring himself to lie about Santa. — David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) December 25, 2018 × It is not known how Coleman answered Trump.

Trump to 7-year-old: Do you still believe in Santa?

<p>Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday, they had removed accounts and fake news pages linked to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a> government which had posted anti-opposition content, days ahead of an election in the South Asian nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Facebook, Bangladesh's most popular social network with an estimated 30 million users, said it had removed nine fake news pages "linked to individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which mimicked those of independent news outlets.</p>

<p>It also took down six accounts as they, along with the pages, were found "engaging in coordinated inauthentic behaviour." One of the accounts had 11,900 followers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Spokesmen for the Bangladesh government including for the home and information ministers did not respond to calls seeking comment late on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This kind of behaviour is not allowed on Facebook under our misrepresentation policy because we don`t want people or organisations creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they`re doing," Facebook`s Head of Cybersecurity Policy Nathaniel Gleicher said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter said it had identified and suspended 15 accounts originating from Bangladesh for "engaging in coordinated platform manipulation."</p>

<p>"Based on our initial analysis, it appears that some of these accounts may have ties to state-sponsored actors," it added. The accounts had fewer than 50 followers, it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Facebook and other tech giants are under pressure to increase efforts to remove misleading or illegal content and ensure fake news is not uploaded and disseminated. Although Facebook has stepped up fact-checking, it still faces criticism that it is too slow to close rogue accounts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for Bangladesh`s elite security force Rapid Action Battalion that has been tasked by the government with monitoring online content in the run-up to the December 30 polls, did not comment on the Facebook statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said his team had arrested 30 people in recent weeks, some linked to the opposition, who posted "anti-government propaganda" by making clones of popular news websites.</p>

<p>Facebook`s move comes as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-ruling-awami-party-promises-growth-in-bid-for-third-term-in-election-manifesto-185295">Awami League is seeking to win a third term</a> in power amid accusations of carrying out attacks on opposition party candidates.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshi-opposition-pledges-to-remove-media-curbs-raise-pay-freeze-energy-prices-184897">opposition National Unity Front alliance</a> said on Wednesday that 14 of its candidates had been arrested and 1,500 injured in attacks this month by ruling party workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Awami League has denied the allegations and accused the opposition of trying to disrupt a peaceful election environment. Hasina said on Wednesday her party wouldn`t use "unfair means" to win.</p>

<p>Under Hasina`s decade-long rule several people have been arrested for putting up Facebook posts critical of the government, including a prominent photographer released last month after over 100 days in prison.</p>

<p>Her government has taken steps to improve Bangladesh`s digital infrastructure, including making the internet more affordable, but it has kept tight control.</p>

<p>During mass student protests this August, the police`s cybercrime unit said it had scoured Facebook posts to crack down on what it called "fake news" being spread to provoke protests.</p>


Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday, they had removed accounts and fake news pages linked to the Bangladesh government which had posted anti-opposition content, days ahead of an election in the South Asian nation.

Facebook and Twitter said on Thursday, they had removed accounts and fake news pages linked to the Bangladesh government which had posted anti-opposition content, days ahead of an election in the South Asian nation. Facebook, Bangladesh's most popular social network with an estimated 30 million users, said it had removed nine fake news pages "linked to individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which mimicked those of independent news outlets. It also took down six accounts as they, along with the pages, were found "engaging in coordinated inauthentic behaviour." One of the accounts had 11,900 followers. Spokesmen for the Bangladesh government including for the home and information ministers did not respond to calls seeking comment late on Thursday. "This kind of behaviour is not allowed on Facebook under our misrepresentation policy because we don`t want people or organisations creating networks of accounts to mislead others about who they are, or what they`re doing," Facebook`s Head of Cybersecurity Policy Nathaniel Gleicher said in a statement. Twitter said it had identified and suspended 15 accounts originating from Bangladesh for "engaging in coordinated platform manipulation." "Based on our initial analysis, it appears that some of these accounts may have ties to state-sponsored actors," it added. The accounts had fewer than 50 followers, it said. Facebook and other tech giants are under pressure to increase efforts to remove misleading or illegal content and ensure fake news is not uploaded and disseminated. Although Facebook has stepped up fact-checking, it still faces criticism that it is too slow to close rogue accounts. Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for Bangladesh`s elite security force Rapid Action Battalion that has been tasked by the government with monitoring online content in the run-up to the December 30 polls, did not comment on the Facebook statement. He said his team had arrested 30 people in recent weeks, some linked to the opposition, who posted "anti-government propaganda" by making clones of popular news websites. Facebook`s move comes as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s Awami League is seeking to win a third term in power amid accusations of carrying out attacks on opposition party candidates. The opposition National Unity Front alliance said on Wednesday that 14 of its candidates had been arrested and 1,500 injured in attacks this month by ruling party workers. The Awami League has denied the allegations and accused the opposition of trying to disrupt a peaceful election environment. Hasina said on Wednesday her party wouldn`t use "unfair means" to win. Under Hasina`s decade-long rule several people have been arrested for putting up Facebook posts critical of the government, including a prominent photographer released last month after over 100 days in prison. Her government has taken steps to improve Bangladesh`s digital infrastructure, including making the internet more affordable, but it has kept tight control. During mass student protests this August, the police`s cybercrime unit said it had scoured Facebook posts to crack down on what it called "fake news" being spread to provoke protests.

Bangladesh: Facebook and Twitter remove pages, accounts ahead of election

<p>Known to speak her mind, Taapsee Pannu had the best response for a sleazy tweet that was targetted at her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Tuesday, someone tweeted to the actress he was in love with her body parts. Pannu was quick to respond to the tweet with a witty reply. The actress wrote, “Wow! I like them too. BTW which is your favourite? Mine is the cerebrum.”&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wow! I like them too. BTW which is your favourite ? Mine is the cerebrum. <a href="https://t.co/3k8YDbAL64">https://t.co/3k8YDbAL64</a></p>
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) <a href="https://twitter.com/taapsee/status/1074692194425061376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The response quickly shut the fan from tweeting further and lead to loud cheering from the rest of Twitterati for the actress.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Terribly mean of you to boast about a body part which the troll doesn't have</p>
— sushant sareen (@sushantsareen) <a href="https://twitter.com/sushantsareen/status/1074737103404220416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Contender for comeback of the year. <a href="https://t.co/MYfz8XyKJV">pic.twitter.com/MYfz8XyKJV</a></p>
— Enganche (@drzal_af) <a href="https://twitter.com/drzal_af/status/1074693036628570112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wittiest reply. Love how you handle jerks. 😂 keep doing good work <a href="https://twitter.com/taapsee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@taapsee</a> you’re gorgeous and indeed a good actor. ❤️</p>
— meshwashahh (@meshwashahh) <a href="https://twitter.com/meshwashahh/status/1074947985254113281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>What's funnier is that Taapsee's reply&nbsp;also led to a surge in Google Trends for the word 'cerebrum'.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You actually caused a surge in <a href="https://twitter.com/GoogleIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoogleIndia</a> 's search trend last night and today ( after your tweet at 9 pm ) for 'cerebrum' looks like Mr Pandey and his friends were busy trying to figure out what it meant <a href="https://t.co/QtHrFKY4ZB">pic.twitter.com/QtHrFKY4ZB</a></p>
— Rahul (@iam_rahool) <a href="https://twitter.com/iam_rahool/status/1074913021825306624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pannu who was last seen 'Manmarziyaan' will next be seen in Sujoy Ghosh's 'Badla' and Prakash Raj's directorial 'Tadka'.&nbsp;</p>


Known to speak her mind, Taapsee Pannu had the best response for a sleazy tweet that was targetted at her. On Tuesday, someone tweeted to the actress he was in love with her body parts.

Known to speak her mind, Taapsee Pannu had the best response for a sleazy tweet that was targetted at her. On Tuesday, someone tweeted to the actress he was in love with her body parts. Pannu was quick to respond to the tweet with a witty reply. The actress wrote, “Wow! I like them too. BTW which is your favourite? Mine is the cerebrum.” Wow! I like them too. BTW which is your favourite ? Mine is the cerebrum. https://t.co/3k8YDbAL64 — taapsee pannu (@taapsee) December 17, 2018 × The response quickly shut the fan from tweeting further and lead to loud cheering from the rest of Twitterati for the actress. Terribly mean of you to boast about a body part which the troll doesn't have — sushant sareen (@sushantsareen) December 17, 2018 × Contender for comeback of the year. pic.twitter.com/MYfz8XyKJV — Enganche (@drzal_af) December 17, 2018 × Wittiest reply. Love how you handle jerks. 😂 keep doing good work @taapsee you’re gorgeous and indeed a good actor. ❤️ — meshwashahh (@meshwashahh) December 18, 2018 × What's funnier is that Taapsee's reply also led to a surge in Google Trends for the word 'cerebrum'. You actually caused a surge in @GoogleIndia 's search trend last night and today ( after your tweet at 9 pm ) for 'cerebrum' looks like Mr Pandey and his friends were busy trying to figure out what it meant pic.twitter.com/QtHrFKY4ZB — Rahul (@iam_rahool) December 18, 2018 × Pannu who was last seen 'Manmarziyaan' will next be seen in Sujoy Ghosh's 'Badla' and Prakash Raj's directorial 'Tadka'.

Taapsee Pannu's witty reply to a troll on Twitter shoots up Google search for the word 'Cerebrum'

<p>US President Donald Trump took a swipe on Tuesday at America's tech giants, accusing them of having a liberal bias, and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult to follow his account.</p>

<p>"Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names &amp; greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous! Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. They have removed many names &amp; greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075004324567285761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump is a regular critic of social media and his criticism echoed another attack on Twitter as recently as October, when he again accused the platform of stifling the growth of his account.</p>

<p>The internet firms have consistently denied charges of political bias and many analysts have pointed to large social media followings of conservatives including Trump.</p>

<p>Twitter said in a statement it has been working to weed out accounts that hide a user's true identity or seek to manipulate the platform.</p>

<p>"Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes work to remove fake accounts to prevent malicious behavior," Twitter said in an emailed statement.</p>

<p>"Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people."</p>

<p>The criticism came a day after a report for the Senate revealed Russian agents had used social media in an attempt to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favor.</p>

<p>An analysis for the Senate Intelligence Committee described an organized campaign by the St Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA) to hurt Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.</p>

<p>Troll accounts marshalled by the organization had inflamed right-wing conspiracy theories and suppressed the vote of traditionally liberal-leaning groups such as African Americans, the report said.</p>

<p>The IRA-created "Blacktivist" account sent out messages such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton."</p>

<p>Separately, a portion of the 3,841 IRA accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube studied by the researchers sought to provoke Republican-leaning white Americans to get out and vote.</p>

<p>The study showed the IRA US campaign began in 2015, aiming to mobilize conservative voters, with no specific backing for Trump at the time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But as the then-candidate gained support, and especially when he drove his anti-immigrant message, the IRA posts turned in his favor.</p>

<p>While the study did not draw any lines between the IRA propaganda and the election results -- Republican Donald Trump stunned Clinton to take the White House -- post-election data suggests some impact.</p>

<p>According to the Pew Research Center, white voter turnout surged in 2016 while black turnout sank by five percentage points, to 59.6 percent, from four years earlier.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


US President Donald Trump took a swipe on Tuesday at America's tech giants, accusing them of having a liberal bias, and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult to follow his account.

US President Donald Trump took a swipe on Tuesday at America's tech giants, accusing them of having a liberal bias, and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult to follow his account. "Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous!" Trump tweeted. "Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names & greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!" Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous! Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names & greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2018 × Trump is a regular critic of social media and his criticism echoed another attack on Twitter as recently as October, when he again accused the platform of stifling the growth of his account. The internet firms have consistently denied charges of political bias and many analysts have pointed to large social media followings of conservatives including Trump. Twitter said in a statement it has been working to weed out accounts that hide a user's true identity or seek to manipulate the platform. "Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes work to remove fake accounts to prevent malicious behavior," Twitter said in an emailed statement. "Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people." The criticism came a day after a report for the Senate revealed Russian agents had used social media in an attempt to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favor. An analysis for the Senate Intelligence Committee described an organized campaign by the St Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA) to hurt Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. Troll accounts marshalled by the organization had inflamed right-wing conspiracy theories and suppressed the vote of traditionally liberal-leaning groups such as African Americans, the report said. The IRA-created "Blacktivist" account sent out messages such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton." Separately, a portion of the 3,841 IRA accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube studied by the researchers sought to provoke Republican-leaning white Americans to get out and vote. The study showed the IRA US campaign began in 2015, aiming to mobilize conservative voters, with no specific backing for Trump at the time. But as the then-candidate gained support, and especially when he drove his anti-immigrant message, the IRA posts turned in his favor. While the study did not draw any lines between the IRA propaganda and the election results -- Republican Donald Trump stunned Clinton to take the White House -- post-election data suggests some impact. According to the Pew Research Center, white voter turnout surged in 2016 while black turnout sank by five percentage points, to 59.6 percent, from four years earlier.

Trump says Facebook, Twitter, Google biased against him

<p>Twitter shares fell almost 7 per cent after the company said it was investigating unusual traffic that might be from state-sponsored hackers and, in what appeared to be an unrelated issue, a security firm said hackers used the platform to try to steal user data.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/wall-street-stocks-crash-dow-sp-fall-over-2-per-cent-184917">Also read:&nbsp;Wall Street stocks crash; Dow, S&amp;P fall over 2 per cent</a></p>

<p>Twitter said in a blog that it discovered suspicious traffic to a customer-support forum while investigating a security bug that exposed data, including users' phone country codes and details on locked accounts. It said the bug was fixed November 16.</p>

<p>Twitter observed a large amount of traffic to the customer support site coming from individual internet IP addresses in China and Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>"While we cannot confirm intent or attribution for certain, it is possible that some of these IP addresses may have ties to state-sponsored actors," the blog said.</p>

<p>"We continue to err on the side of full transparency in this area and have updated law enforcement on our findings," it said.</p>

<p>A company spokesman declined to elaborate as Twitter shares posted their biggest drop in more than two months.</p>

<p>Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter blamed the decline on concerns that news of a breach could hurt growth and user engagement.</p>

<p>"Clearly, a breach like this impairs user trust in the platform," he said.</p>

<p>Separately, security software maker Trend Micro Inc said in a blog earlier on Monday that attackers sent out two tweets in October in a bid to steal data from previously infected machines.</p>

<p>The hackers hid instructions in tweeted memes that secretly ordered infected devices to send information, including usernames, screen images and other content, Trend Micro said.</p>

<p>The Twitter spokesman declined to comment on the Trend Micro report.</p>


Twitter shares fell almost 7 per cent after the company said it was investigating unusual traffic that might be from state-sponsored hackers and, in what appeared to be an unrelated issue, a security firm said hackers used the platform to try to steal user data.

Twitter shares fell almost 7 per cent after the company said it was investigating unusual traffic that might be from state-sponsored hackers and, in what appeared to be an unrelated issue, a security firm said hackers used the platform to try to steal user data. Also read: Wall Street stocks crash; Dow, S&P fall over 2 per cent Twitter said in a blog that it discovered suspicious traffic to a customer-support forum while investigating a security bug that exposed data, including users' phone country codes and details on locked accounts. It said the bug was fixed November 16. Twitter observed a large amount of traffic to the customer support site coming from individual internet IP addresses in China and Saudi Arabia. "While we cannot confirm intent or attribution for certain, it is possible that some of these IP addresses may have ties to state-sponsored actors," the blog said. "We continue to err on the side of full transparency in this area and have updated law enforcement on our findings," it said. A company spokesman declined to elaborate as Twitter shares posted their biggest drop in more than two months. Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter blamed the decline on concerns that news of a breach could hurt growth and user engagement. "Clearly, a breach like this impairs user trust in the platform," he said. Separately, security software maker Trend Micro Inc said in a blog earlier on Monday that attackers sent out two tweets in October in a bid to steal data from previously infected machines. The hackers hid instructions in tweeted memes that secretly ordered infected devices to send information, including usernames, screen images and other content, Trend Micro said. The Twitter spokesman declined to comment on the Trend Micro report.

Twitter shares fell 7 per cent on concerns about hacking activity

Twitter shares tumble by 7% over hacking concerns

<p>After featuring in Rajinikanth starrer '2.0', Akshay Kumar is all set for his next film 'Kesari', directed by Anurag Singh.</p>

<p>The film is based on the Battle of Saragarhi and will arrive in cinema halls on March 21, 2019.</p>

<p>Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra took to Twitter on Monday to announce the release date of the film. The team recently wrapped up the final schedule in Jaipur.</p>

<p>"And it's a wrap for 'Kesari', a film which swells up my chest with immense pride. Get ready to witness the bravest battle ever fought on 21st March 2019," Akshay wrote on Instagram while sharing a photograph of his character's look from the film.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">And it’s a wrap for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kesari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kesari</a>...a film which swells up my chest with immense pride. See you in cinemas on 21st March,2019.<a href="https://twitter.com/ParineetiChopra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParineetiChopra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/karanjohar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@karanjohar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/apoorvamehta18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@apoorvamehta18</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SinghAnurag79?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SinghAnurag79</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SunirKheterpal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunirKheterpal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CapeOfGoodFilms?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CapeOfGoodFilms</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DharmaMovies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dharmamovies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/iAmAzure?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iAmAzure</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ZeeStudios_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZeeStudios_</a> <a href="https://t.co/zfxBTqR8tf">pic.twitter.com/zfxBTqR8tf</a></p>
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) <a href="https://twitter.com/akshaykumar/status/1074539730178621440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Parineeti wrote, "Anytime I watched a war movie, it was the love story of those brave men that kept me going. So proud to be a part of this epic experience! Thank you Akshay sir, Karan Johar and Anurag sir for allowing me to be a part of your vision. You all have made one of the most beautiful movies people will ever see."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anytime I watched a war movie, it was the love story of those brave men that kept me going..so proud to be a part of this epic experience!!! Thank you Akshay sir, Kjo &amp; Anurag sir for allowing me to be a part of your vision. (1/2) <a href="https://t.co/VTkzFwPA7c">pic.twitter.com/VTkzFwPA7c</a></p>
— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParineetiChopra/status/1074539800261058560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Karan Johar also tweeted that the film is a true historic account of one of the bravest battles ever fought. "So proud to have told this story," he said.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Breia01Dfmf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Film wrap for @akshaykumar and @parineetichopra !! A true historic account of one of the bravest battles ever fought!!!! #KESARI!!! Releasing 21st March 2019!!! So proud to have told this story.... directed by Anurag Singh!!</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karanjohar/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Karan Johar</a> (@karanjohar) on <time datetime="2018-12-17T05:44:10+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 16, 2018 at 9:44pm PST</time></p>
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After featuring in Rajinikanth starrer '2.0', Akshay Kumar is all set for his next film 'Kesari', directed by Anurag Singh. The film is based on the Battle of Saragarhi and will arrive in cinema halls on March 21, 2019.

After featuring in Rajinikanth starrer '2.0', Akshay Kumar is all set for his next film 'Kesari', directed by Anurag Singh. The film is based on the Battle of Saragarhi and will arrive in cinema halls on March 21, 2019. Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra took to Twitter on Monday to announce the release date of the film. The team recently wrapped up the final schedule in Jaipur. "And it's a wrap for 'Kesari', a film which swells up my chest with immense pride. Get ready to witness the bravest battle ever fought on 21st March 2019," Akshay wrote on Instagram while sharing a photograph of his character's look from the film. And it’s a wrap for #Kesari...a film which swells up my chest with immense pride. See you in cinemas on 21st March,2019.@ParineetiChopra @karanjohar @apoorvamehta18 @SinghAnurag79 @SunirKheterpal #CapeOfGoodFilms @dharmamovies @iAmAzure @ZeeStudios_ pic.twitter.com/zfxBTqR8tf — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 17, 2018 × Parineeti wrote, "Anytime I watched a war movie, it was the love story of those brave men that kept me going. So proud to be a part of this epic experience! Thank you Akshay sir, Karan Johar and Anurag sir for allowing me to be a part of your vision. You all have made one of the most beautiful movies people will ever see." Anytime I watched a war movie, it was the love story of those brave men that kept me going..so proud to be a part of this epic experience!!! Thank you Akshay sir, Kjo & Anurag sir for allowing me to be a part of your vision. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VTkzFwPA7c — Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) December 17, 2018 × Karan Johar also tweeted that the film is a true historic account of one of the bravest battles ever fought. "So proud to have told this story," he said. View this post on Instagram Film wrap for @akshaykumar and @parineetichopra !! A true historic account of one of the bravest battles ever fought!!!! #KESARI!!! Releasing 21st March 2019!!! So proud to have told this story.... directed by Anurag Singh!! A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) on Dec 16, 2018 at 9:44pm PST ×

Kesari: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra share first look of the film, call it as an 'epic experience'

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-defends-twitter-ceo-blasted-for-tone-deaf-tweets-183329">Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey</a> on Wednesday said he was "aware of the human rights atrocities and suffering in Myanmar," responding to criticism over his tweets about his meditation retreat in the country that did not mention the plight of Rohingya Muslims.</p>

<p>More than 730,000 Rohingya fled a sweeping army crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017, the United Nations and aid agencies say. The crackdown was launched in response to insurgent Rohingya attacks on security forces.</p>

<p>UN-mandated investigators have accused Myanmar's army of "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied the accusations, saying its forces engaged in a counter-insurgency operation against "terrorists".</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Dorsey said his visit was "purely personal" and he did not "intend to diminish by not raising the issue, but could have acknowledged that I don’t know enough and need to learn more".</p>

<p>In his initial messages on the social network, Dorsey said, "Myanmar is an absolutely beautiful country. The people are full of joy and the food is amazing."</p>

<p>They included pictures of the barren monastery room in which he stayed during the retreat, as well as an analysis of his heart rate while meditating. There was no reference to the Rohingya.</p>

<p>The comments drew critical comments from human rights observers and users of Twitter.</p>

<p>In August, Reuters described how hate speech spread on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook at the peak of Myanmar's military crackdown.</p>

<p>Dorsey said Twitter was a way for people to share news and information about events in Myanmar, as well as "bear witness to the plight of the Rohingya and other peoples and communities".</p>

<p>He added, "We’re actively working to address emerging issues. This includes violent extremism and hateful conduct."</p>

<p>Last month, Dorsey triggered a social media storm in India after a picture of him with a placard reading "Smash Brahminical patriarchy", referring to the highest Hindu caste, went viral.</p>

<p>Twitter later apologised for the photo.</p>


Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Wednesday said he was "aware of the human rights atrocities and suffering in Myanmar," responding to criticism over his tweets about his meditation retreat in the country that did not mention the plight of Rohingya Muslims.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Wednesday said he was "aware of the human rights atrocities and suffering in Myanmar," responding to criticism over his tweets about his meditation retreat in the country that did not mention the plight of Rohingya Muslims. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled a sweeping army crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017, the United Nations and aid agencies say. The crackdown was launched in response to insurgent Rohingya attacks on security forces. UN-mandated investigators have accused Myanmar's army of "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied the accusations, saying its forces engaged in a counter-insurgency operation against "terrorists". On Wednesday, Dorsey said his visit was "purely personal" and he did not "intend to diminish by not raising the issue, but could have acknowledged that I don’t know enough and need to learn more". In his initial messages on the social network, Dorsey said, "Myanmar is an absolutely beautiful country. The people are full of joy and the food is amazing." They included pictures of the barren monastery room in which he stayed during the retreat, as well as an analysis of his heart rate while meditating. There was no reference to the Rohingya. The comments drew critical comments from human rights observers and users of Twitter. In August, Reuters described how hate speech spread on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook at the peak of Myanmar's military crackdown. Dorsey said Twitter was a way for people to share news and information about events in Myanmar, as well as "bear witness to the plight of the Rohingya and other peoples and communities". He added, "We’re actively working to address emerging issues. This includes violent extremism and hateful conduct." Last month, Dorsey triggered a social media storm in India after a picture of him with a placard reading "Smash Brahminical patriarchy", referring to the highest Hindu caste, went viral. Twitter later apologised for the photo.

'Aware of atrocities': Twitter CEO responds to critics of Myanmar tweets

<p>When Canadian columnist Anthony Furey received an email said to be from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey-slammed-after-he-tweets-about-everything-in-myanmar-but-rohingya-crisis-182891">Twitter's legal team </a>telling him he may have broken a slew of Pakistani laws, his first instinct was to dismiss it as spam.</p>

<p>But after Googling the relevant sections of Pakistan's penal code, the Toronto Sun op-ed editor was startled to learn he stood accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad -- a crime punishable by death in the Islamic republic -- and Twitter later confirmed the correspondence was genuine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His perceived offence was to post cartoons of the prophet several years ago.</p>

<p>Furey and two prominent critics of extremism in Islam say they are "shocked" to have received notices by the social media giant this past week over alleged violations of Islamabad's laws, despite having no apparent connection to the South Asian country.</p>

<p>They say the notices amount to an effort to stifle their voices -- a charge Twitter denies, arguing the notices came about as a result of "valid requests from an authorized entity," understood to mean Pakistan, helped users "to take measures to protect their interests," and the process is not unique to any one country.</p>

<p>But Furey is the third prominent user in the space of days to publicly complain about receiving a message linked to Pakistan.</p>

<p>The other two are Saudi-Canadian activist Ensaf Haidar and Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, a progressive Muslim scholar from Australia who was born in Iran.</p>

<p>Both are outspoken critics of religious extremism and have accused the social media giant of helping to silence progressive ideas within Islam.</p>

<p><strong>'Validates blasphemy laws'</strong></p>

<p>Furey, who detailed his experience in a column for his newspaper on Saturday, told AFP: "I'm somewhat alarmed that Twitter would even allow a country to make a complaint like this, as it almost validates their absurd blasphemy laws."</p>

<p>The tweet in question was a collage of cartoons of Mohammad that he posted four years ago.</p>

<p>"Looking back, I remember I did it right after there had been an ISIS-inspired attack in retaliation over the cartoons," Furey wrote in his column, adding he had not posted similar material before or since.</p>

<p>Haidar, who is the wife of Saudi writer Raif Badawi who was jailed in his country in 2012 for charges including apostasy, told AFP: "I'm very shocked by Twitter. They want to silence any voice telling the truth."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter wrote to her concerning an August tweet which showed a woman wearing the Islamic full veil, with the caption: "Retweet if you're against niqab."</p>

<p>A notice sent to her and seen by AFP advised her that Twitter had received official correspondence saying she could be violating Pakistani law for the tweet, adding: "You may wish to consult legal counsel about this matter."</p>

<p>Tawhidi meanwhile was sent a similar notice flagging a tweet that called on Australian police to investigate extremism in mosques following a deadly knife attack in Melbourne in November.</p>

<p>The scholar attached the legal notice sent to him by Twitter informing him of possible violations of Pakistani law and tweeted: "I am not from Pakistan nor am I a Pakistani citizen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Pakistan has no authority over what I say. Get out of here."</p>

<p><strong>Chilling effect</strong></p>

<p>Reached for comment, a spokesperson for Twitter told AFP: "In our continuing effort to make our services available to people everywhere, if we receive a valid requests from an authorized entity, it may be necessary to withhold access to certain content in a particular country from time to time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spokesperson added: "We notify users so that they have the opportunity to review the legal request, and the option to take measures to protect their interests."</p>

<p>Pakistan has previously threatened to block Twitter if the company did not remove content its government found offensive.</p>

<p>It banned Facebook for hosting allegedly blasphemous content for two weeks in 2010 while YouTube was unavailable from 2012 to 2016 over an amateur film about the Prophet Mohammad that led to global riots.</p>

<p>Furey told AFP that although he was taken aback by the notice, "I'm at least glad they brought it to my attention that the Pakistan government has their eye on me."</p>

<p>But he added: "One troubling consequence to all of this is that even people in countries without these blasphemy laws may start to self-censor for fear of the reach foreign governments will have over them in the online world."</p>


When Canadian columnist Anthony Furey received an email said to be from Twitter's legal team telling him he may have broken a slew of Pakistani laws, his first instinct was to dismiss it as spam.

When Canadian columnist Anthony Furey received an email said to be from Twitter's legal team telling him he may have broken a slew of Pakistani laws, his first instinct was to dismiss it as spam. But after Googling the relevant sections of Pakistan's penal code, the Toronto Sun op-ed editor was startled to learn he stood accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad -- a crime punishable by death in the Islamic republic -- and Twitter later confirmed the correspondence was genuine. His perceived offence was to post cartoons of the prophet several years ago. Furey and two prominent critics of extremism in Islam say they are "shocked" to have received notices by the social media giant this past week over alleged violations of Islamabad's laws, despite having no apparent connection to the South Asian country. They say the notices amount to an effort to stifle their voices -- a charge Twitter denies, arguing the notices came about as a result of "valid requests from an authorized entity," understood to mean Pakistan, helped users "to take measures to protect their interests," and the process is not unique to any one country. But Furey is the third prominent user in the space of days to publicly complain about receiving a message linked to Pakistan. The other two are Saudi-Canadian activist Ensaf Haidar and Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, a progressive Muslim scholar from Australia who was born in Iran. Both are outspoken critics of religious extremism and have accused the social media giant of helping to silence progressive ideas within Islam. 'Validates blasphemy laws' Furey, who detailed his experience in a column for his newspaper on Saturday, told AFP: "I'm somewhat alarmed that Twitter would even allow a country to make a complaint like this, as it almost validates their absurd blasphemy laws." The tweet in question was a collage of cartoons of Mohammad that he posted four years ago. "Looking back, I remember I did it right after there had been an ISIS-inspired attack in retaliation over the cartoons," Furey wrote in his column, adding he had not posted similar material before or since. Haidar, who is the wife of Saudi writer Raif Badawi who was jailed in his country in 2012 for charges including apostasy, told AFP: "I'm very shocked by Twitter. They want to silence any voice telling the truth." Twitter wrote to her concerning an August tweet which showed a woman wearing the Islamic full veil, with the caption: "Retweet if you're against niqab." A notice sent to her and seen by AFP advised her that Twitter had received official correspondence saying she could be violating Pakistani law for the tweet, adding: "You may wish to consult legal counsel about this matter." Tawhidi meanwhile was sent a similar notice flagging a tweet that called on Australian police to investigate extremism in mosques following a deadly knife attack in Melbourne in November. The scholar attached the legal notice sent to him by Twitter informing him of possible violations of Pakistani law and tweeted: "I am not from Pakistan nor am I a Pakistani citizen. "Pakistan has no authority over what I say. Get out of here." Chilling effect Reached for comment, a spokesperson for Twitter told AFP: "In our continuing effort to make our services available to people everywhere, if we receive a valid requests from an authorized entity, it may be necessary to withhold access to certain content in a particular country from time to time." The spokesperson added: "We notify users so that they have the opportunity to review the legal request, and the option to take measures to protect their interests." Pakistan has previously threatened to block Twitter if the company did not remove content its government found offensive. It banned Facebook for hosting allegedly blasphemous content for two weeks in 2010 while YouTube was unavailable from 2012 to 2016 over an amateur film about the Prophet Mohammad that led to global riots. Furey told AFP that although he was taken aback by the notice, "I'm at least glad they brought it to my attention that the Pakistan government has their eye on me." But he added: "One troubling consequence to all of this is that even people in countries without these blasphemy laws may start to self-censor for fear of the reach foreign governments will have over them in the online world."

Twitter warns global users their tweets violate Pakistani law

<p>Patriotic internet users in Myanmar have rushed to defend Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose tweets following a visit to the "beautiful" country <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey-slammed-after-he-tweets-about-everything-in-myanmar-but-rohingya-crisis-182891">drew global scorn for failing to mention the persecution of Rohingya Muslims</a>.</p>

<p>Dorsey posted a series of gushing tweets on Sunday following a 10-day silent meditation retreat at a monastery near Mandalay, praising the country's food, people and natural beauty.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But he did not mention the plight of the persecuted Rohingya, 720,000 of whom have fled a military crackdown in the last few years that has been called a genocide by UN investigators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter lit up with outrage as Dorsey found himself pilloried on his own platform for being "tone-deaf" and "clueless" in his tweets. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>But in Myanmar -- where the plight of the Rohingya does not draw much sympathy -- internet users leapt to the defence of the Silicon Valley billionaire.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Many western people say they love democracy but they don't respect someone's inner peace," Aung Aung posted on Facebook, which is far more popular in Myanmar than Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We want to explain about ourselves to the world but we can't," another user Wunna posted.</p>

<p>"Now the CEO of Twitter has explained it... we feel proud," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tourism is a crucial source of income in the former military-ruled nation and has seen steadily rising numbers of visitors since the country started opening up in 2011, peaking at a total of 3.4 million last year.</p>

<p>Industry insiders say the increasing number of regional tourists is helping to compensate for the major drop in western visitors since the Rohingya crisis, but revenues are down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some experts have warned against boycotting the country, which was sealed off for decades by the former junta to all but the hardiest of travellers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Visitors staying away for ethical reasons could always donate their money instead, Vicky Bowman from the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business pointed out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I hope they will put their holiday budget towards humanitarian relief for refugees in Bangladesh and northern Myanmar," she told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dorsey has yet to respond to the criticism.</p>

<p>It is not the first foot-in-mouth moment for the travelling tech mogul.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While on a trip to India in November, Dorsey was accused of inciting hatred against the highest caste after he was photographed holding a poster declaring "smash Brahminical patriarchy".&nbsp;</p>


Patriotic internet users in Myanmar have rushed to defend Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose tweets following a visit to the "beautiful" country drew global scorn for failing to mention the persecution of Rohingya Muslims.

Patriotic internet users in Myanmar have rushed to defend Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, whose tweets following a visit to the "beautiful" country drew global scorn for failing to mention the persecution of Rohingya Muslims. Dorsey posted a series of gushing tweets on Sunday following a 10-day silent meditation retreat at a monastery near Mandalay, praising the country's food, people and natural beauty. But he did not mention the plight of the persecuted Rohingya, 720,000 of whom have fled a military crackdown in the last few years that has been called a genocide by UN investigators. Twitter lit up with outrage as Dorsey found himself pilloried on his own platform for being "tone-deaf" and "clueless" in his tweets. But in Myanmar -- where the plight of the Rohingya does not draw much sympathy -- internet users leapt to the defence of the Silicon Valley billionaire. "Many western people say they love democracy but they don't respect someone's inner peace," Aung Aung posted on Facebook, which is far more popular in Myanmar than Twitter. "We want to explain about ourselves to the world but we can't," another user Wunna posted. "Now the CEO of Twitter has explained it... we feel proud," he added. Tourism is a crucial source of income in the former military-ruled nation and has seen steadily rising numbers of visitors since the country started opening up in 2011, peaking at a total of 3.4 million last year. Industry insiders say the increasing number of regional tourists is helping to compensate for the major drop in western visitors since the Rohingya crisis, but revenues are down. Some experts have warned against boycotting the country, which was sealed off for decades by the former junta to all but the hardiest of travellers. Visitors staying away for ethical reasons could always donate their money instead, Vicky Bowman from the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business pointed out. "I hope they will put their holiday budget towards humanitarian relief for refugees in Bangladesh and northern Myanmar," she told AFP. Dorsey has yet to respond to the criticism. It is not the first foot-in-mouth moment for the travelling tech mogul. While on a trip to India in November, Dorsey was accused of inciting hatred against the highest caste after he was photographed holding a poster declaring "smash Brahminical patriarchy".

Myanmar defends Twitter CEO blasted for 'tone deaf' tweets

<p>Social media has overtaken print newspapers as a news source for Americans, researchers said Monday, highlighting the growing importance of services such as Facebook and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey-slammed-after-he-tweets-about-everything-in-myanmar-but-rohingya-crisis-182891">Twitter</a> as well as the troubled state of legacy news organizations.</p>

<p>The Pew Research Centre report found 20 percent of US adults say they often get news via <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-misinformation-and-biases-infect-social-media-both-intentionally-and-accidentally-146321">social media</a>, compared with 16 percent from newspapers.</p>

<p>In 2016, newspapers were more important that social networks and in 2017 the percentages were roughly even for both sources, according to Pew surveys.</p>

<p>Despite the rise of social media, television remains the most important source for news, cited by 49 percent of American adults, Pew said.</p>

<p>The researchers found sharp differences among age segments in accessing the news, with younger adults far more likely to rely on social media and older consumers favoring television and print.</p>

<p>In the 18-29 age group, social media was the most important news source, cited by nearly three in 10 respondents, with only two percent favoring print newspapers.</p>

<p>A large majority of those 65 and older (81 percent) get news from television, with 39 percent using print newspapers and just eight percent social networks.</p>

<p>"Younger Americans are also unique in that they don't rely on one platform in the way that the majority of their elders rely on TV," said Pew research analyst Elisa Shearer.</p>

<p>"No more than half of those (aged) 18 to 29 and 30 to 49 get news often from any one news platform."</p>

<p>The report, based on a survey of 4,581 US adults in July and August, highlights the ongoing woes of print newspapers, which have been seeing steady readership declines for more than a decade.</p>

<p>A Pew study last year showed total US daily newspaper circulation (print and digital combined) in 2017 was 31 million for weekday and 34 million for Sunday, down 11 and 10 percent, respectively, from the previous year.</p>


Social media has overtaken print newspapers as a news source for Americans, researchers said Monday, highlighting the growing importance of services such as Facebook and Twitter as well as the troubled state of legacy news organizations.

Social media has overtaken print newspapers as a news source for Americans, researchers said Monday, highlighting the growing importance of services such as Facebook and Twitter as well as the troubled state of legacy news organizations. The Pew Research Centre report found 20 percent of US adults say they often get news via social media, compared with 16 percent from newspapers. In 2016, newspapers were more important that social networks and in 2017 the percentages were roughly even for both sources, according to Pew surveys. Despite the rise of social media, television remains the most important source for news, cited by 49 percent of American adults, Pew said. The researchers found sharp differences among age segments in accessing the news, with younger adults far more likely to rely on social media and older consumers favoring television and print. In the 18-29 age group, social media was the most important news source, cited by nearly three in 10 respondents, with only two percent favoring print newspapers. A large majority of those 65 and older (81 percent) get news from television, with 39 percent using print newspapers and just eight percent social networks. "Younger Americans are also unique in that they don't rely on one platform in the way that the majority of their elders rely on TV," said Pew research analyst Elisa Shearer. "No more than half of those (aged) 18 to 29 and 30 to 49 get news often from any one news platform." The report, based on a survey of 4,581 US adults in July and August, highlights the ongoing woes of print newspapers, which have been seeing steady readership declines for more than a decade. A Pew study last year showed total US daily newspaper circulation (print and digital combined) in 2017 was 31 million for weekday and 34 million for Sunday, down 11 and 10 percent, respectively, from the previous year.

Social media has overtaken print as news source for Americans: Pew

<p>Anti-government protesters clashed with French police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Saturday, leaving the area cloaked in tear gas and smoke from fires on a fresh day of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron.</p>

<p>Demonstrators wearing the yellow, high-visibility vests that symbolise their movement threw projectiles at police preventing them from moving along the famed shopping avenue, which was decked out in twinkling Christmas lights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also built barricades in some spots, and tore down traffic lights and street signs, creating <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/more-than-400-hurt-in-french-fuel-price-protests-minister-178016">riotous scenes reminiscent of France's 1968 civil unrest</a>, or street insurrections in the mid-19th century immortalised in paintings and movies.</p>

<p>Police arrested 130 people, 42 of those in Paris, and 24 people were injured, five of them police officers including one who suffered burns to his groin, the city police department and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said.</p>

<p>Elsewhere, protesters took over highway toll booths to let traffic pass for free, or held go-slow vehicle processions, underlining one of their core complaints of escalating taxes on car fuel, especially diesel.</p>

<p>Macron, targeted by protesters' calls that he resign, took to Twitter to thank police.</p>

<p>"Shame" on those who assaulted or intimidated citizens, journalists and politicians, Macron said. "There is no place for violence in the (French) Republic."</p>

<p><strong>Smaller than a week ago</strong></p>

<p>The violence was on a smaller scale than a week ago when the "yellow vest" movement staged its first nationwide protest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're not here to beat up cops. We came because we want the government to hear us," said one protest spokeswoman, Laetitia Dewalle, 37, adding that the largely spontaneous movement denounced "violence by pseudo-protesters" on the fringes.</p>

<p>"We have just demonstrated peacefully, and we were teargassed," said Christophe, 49, who travelled from the Isere region in eastern France with his wife to protest in the capital.</p>

<p>The interior ministry counted 106,000 protesters across France on Saturday, with 8,000 in Paris, of whom around 5,000 were on the Champs-Elysees.</p>

<p>That was far less than the national tally of 282,000 in the November 17 protests.</p>

<p>Castaner said after the tumult died down that damage on the Champs-Elysees &nbsp;was "small".</p>

<p>The French government cast blame for the unruly protests on far-right politician Marine Le Pen, claiming she egged them on.</p>

<p>But Le Pen rejected that accusation saying she had "never called for any violence whatsoever" and in turn accused the government of "organising the tension" and seeking to make her a scapegoat.</p>

<p>Meanwhile opposition parties on both the right and left accused the government of trying to reduce the protests to just the sporadic scenes of violence, and turning a deaf ear to the demonstrators' grievances.</p>

<p>Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the radical left France Unbowed who attended a separate march Saturday protesting violence against women, tweeted that the action on the streets was "a mass protest of the people" which signalled "the end for Castaner".</p>

<p><strong>Rural frustrations</strong></p>

<p>A week ago, two people died and over 750 people, including 136 police officers, were injured in sometimes violent demonstrations that have shone a light on frustrations in many rural areas and small towns of France.</p>

<p>The "yellow vests" hail overwhelmingly from non-urban areas of France. They feel overlooked and penalised by policies they see as being pushed through by elitist politicians in Paris.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former investment banker Macron was elected on a pledge to put more money in workers' pockets. But the effects of his pro-business reforms on unemployment and purchasing power have been limited so far.</p>

<p>Many of the often low-income "yellow vest" protesters are particularly incensed at his decision to hike anti-pollution taxes on diesel, while scrapping a wealth tax on the rich.</p>

<p>"I'm not just fighting against the price of fuel. It's about tax, what we pay," protester Catherine Marguier told AFP near the village of La Gravelle in northwest France.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in a separate protest in the southern city of Marseille, police fired teargas at bottle-throwing demonstrators upset by the &nbsp;"gentrification" renovation work on the town's biggest square. Around 1,200 demonstrators took part and two were arrested.</p>

<p><strong>'Gap between rich and poor'</strong></p>

<p>Revolts against taxes have been a feature of French public life for centuries. Citizens still pay some of the highest in Europe as a percentage of GDP, and fuel-price protests are a common modern occurrence.</p>

<p>Previous rounds pitting the government against drivers took place in 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2008, often when tax increases coincided with high oil prices -- as they have this year.</p>

<p>A poll by the Odoxa research group for Le Figaro newspaper this week found that 77 percent of respondents described it as "justified".</p>


Anti-government protesters clashed with French police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Saturday, leaving the area cloaked in tear gas and smoke from fires on a fresh day of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron.

Anti-government protesters clashed with French police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Saturday, leaving the area cloaked in tear gas and smoke from fires on a fresh day of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron. Demonstrators wearing the yellow, high-visibility vests that symbolise their movement threw projectiles at police preventing them from moving along the famed shopping avenue, which was decked out in twinkling Christmas lights. They also built barricades in some spots, and tore down traffic lights and street signs, creating riotous scenes reminiscent of France's 1968 civil unrest, or street insurrections in the mid-19th century immortalised in paintings and movies. Police arrested 130 people, 42 of those in Paris, and 24 people were injured, five of them police officers including one who suffered burns to his groin, the city police department and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said. Elsewhere, protesters took over highway toll booths to let traffic pass for free, or held go-slow vehicle processions, underlining one of their core complaints of escalating taxes on car fuel, especially diesel. Macron, targeted by protesters' calls that he resign, took to Twitter to thank police. "Shame" on those who assaulted or intimidated citizens, journalists and politicians, Macron said. "There is no place for violence in the (French) Republic." Smaller than a week ago The violence was on a smaller scale than a week ago when the "yellow vest" movement staged its first nationwide protest. "We're not here to beat up cops. We came because we want the government to hear us," said one protest spokeswoman, Laetitia Dewalle, 37, adding that the largely spontaneous movement denounced "violence by pseudo-protesters" on the fringes. "We have just demonstrated peacefully, and we were teargassed," said Christophe, 49, who travelled from the Isere region in eastern France with his wife to protest in the capital. The interior ministry counted 106,000 protesters across France on Saturday, with 8,000 in Paris, of whom around 5,000 were on the Champs-Elysees. That was far less than the national tally of 282,000 in the November 17 protests. Castaner said after the tumult died down that damage on the Champs-Elysees was "small". The French government cast blame for the unruly protests on far-right politician Marine Le Pen, claiming she egged them on. But Le Pen rejected that accusation saying she had "never called for any violence whatsoever" and in turn accused the government of "organising the tension" and seeking to make her a scapegoat. Meanwhile opposition parties on both the right and left accused the government of trying to reduce the protests to just the sporadic scenes of violence, and turning a deaf ear to the demonstrators' grievances. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the radical left France Unbowed who attended a separate march Saturday protesting violence against women, tweeted that the action on the streets was "a mass protest of the people" which signalled "the end for Castaner". Rural frustrations A week ago, two people died and over 750 people, including 136 police officers, were injured in sometimes violent demonstrations that have shone a light on frustrations in many rural areas and small towns of France. The "yellow vests" hail overwhelmingly from non-urban areas of France. They feel overlooked and penalised by policies they see as being pushed through by elitist politicians in Paris. Former investment banker Macron was elected on a pledge to put more money in workers' pockets. But the effects of his pro-business reforms on unemployment and purchasing power have been limited so far. Many of the often low-income "yellow vest" protesters are particularly incensed at his decision to hike anti-pollution taxes on diesel, while scrapping a wealth tax on the rich. "I'm not just fighting against the price of fuel. It's about tax, what we pay," protester Catherine Marguier told AFP near the village of La Gravelle in northwest France. Meanwhile, in a separate protest in the southern city of Marseille, police fired teargas at bottle-throwing demonstrators upset by the "gentrification" renovation work on the town's biggest square. Around 1,200 demonstrators took part and two were arrested. 'Gap between rich and poor' Revolts against taxes have been a feature of French public life for centuries. Citizens still pay some of the highest in Europe as a percentage of GDP, and fuel-price protests are a common modern occurrence. Previous rounds pitting the government against drivers took place in 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2008, often when tax increases coincided with high oil prices -- as they have this year. A poll by the Odoxa research group for Le Figaro newspaper this week found that 77 percent of respondents described it as "justified".

'Shame' on you, Macron tells French fuel hike protesters

<p>Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has been accused of inciting hate against India's highest caste after being photographed holding a poster declaring "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/happy-to-see-the-passion-with-which-youre-leading-pm-modi-meets-twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey-177171">smash Brahminical patriarchy</a>" during a visit to the country.</p>

<p>Dorsey was snapped holding the offending poster alongside six women who participated in a discussion last week on the role of Twitter in India, where caste is a flashpoint issue and grievances can turn violent.</p>

<p>The reference to Brahmins, the traditional priestly class who sit atop the rigid caste hierarchy, outraged some Hindus when the photograph was posted online Sunday evening.</p>

<p>"Do you realise that this picture has potential of causing communal riots at a time when several States are going to Assembly Elections in India," tweeted Indian police officer Sandeep Mittal.</p>

<p>Another user, tweeting under the name&nbsp;Prassant DeshPehle (country first), wrote: "Shame on you @jack. Hate against any community or group should be condemned. Spewing hate on one to please the other isn't right."</p>

<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Late on Monday, Vijaya Gadde, legal, policy and trust and safety lead at Twitter who accompanied Dorsey to India, apologised.</p>

<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'm very sorry for this. It's not reflective of our views. We took a private photo with a gift just given to us - we should have been more thoughtful," she said in a tweet. "Twitter strives to be an impartial platform for all. We failed to do that here &amp; we must do better to serve our customers in India."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, others praised the Twitter chief for touching on the plight of marginalised, low-caste Dalit communities and women in India, a conservative country of 1.25 billion.</p>

<p>"Dalit lynching and oppression, incidents of which we read about every other day, do not cause as much Twitter outrage as Jack Dorsey holding up a placard saying 'End Brahmin Patriarchy'," wrote user Ranjona Banerji.</p>

<p>South Asian historian Audrey Truschke said: "My Twitter feed is full of elite men hyperventilating about Twitter CEO @jack holding a sign that calls out sex-based &amp; caste-based discrimination in India."</p>

<p>"Caste and sexism are real and virulent in modern India. If you want to be angry about something, let it be that reality," she added.</p>

<p>Caste politics can explode into violence in India, where a centuries-old hierarchy has divided Hindus into classes starting with Brahmins and ending with the Dalits -- formerly known as "untouchables".</p>

<p>Although the system has been officially abolished, it still prevails in rural areas and determines where people live, who they marry and what type of work they do.</p>


Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has been accused of inciting hate against India's highest caste after being photographed holding a poster declaring "smash Brahminical patriarchy" during a visit to the country.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has been accused of inciting hate against India's highest caste after being photographed holding a poster declaring "smash Brahminical patriarchy" during a visit to the country. Dorsey was snapped holding the offending poster alongside six women who participated in a discussion last week on the role of Twitter in India, where caste is a flashpoint issue and grievances can turn violent. The reference to Brahmins, the traditional priestly class who sit atop the rigid caste hierarchy, outraged some Hindus when the photograph was posted online Sunday evening. "Do you realise that this picture has potential of causing communal riots at a time when several States are going to Assembly Elections in India," tweeted Indian police officer Sandeep Mittal. Another user, tweeting under the name Prassant DeshPehle (country first), wrote: "Shame on you @jack. Hate against any community or group should be condemned. Spewing hate on one to please the other isn't right." Late on Monday, Vijaya Gadde, legal, policy and trust and safety lead at Twitter who accompanied Dorsey to India, apologised. "I'm very sorry for this. It's not reflective of our views. We took a private photo with a gift just given to us - we should have been more thoughtful," she said in a tweet. "Twitter strives to be an impartial platform for all. We failed to do that here & we must do better to serve our customers in India." Meanwhile, others praised the Twitter chief for touching on the plight of marginalised, low-caste Dalit communities and women in India, a conservative country of 1.25 billion. "Dalit lynching and oppression, incidents of which we read about every other day, do not cause as much Twitter outrage as Jack Dorsey holding up a placard saying 'End Brahmin Patriarchy'," wrote user Ranjona Banerji. South Asian historian Audrey Truschke said: "My Twitter feed is full of elite men hyperventilating about Twitter CEO @jack holding a sign that calls out sex-based & caste-based discrimination in India." "Caste and sexism are real and virulent in modern India. If you want to be angry about something, let it be that reality," she added. Caste politics can explode into violence in India, where a centuries-old hierarchy has divided Hindus into classes starting with Brahmins and ending with the Dalits -- formerly known as "untouchables". Although the system has been officially abolished, it still prevails in rural areas and determines where people live, who they marry and what type of work they do.

Twitter says sorry after CEO Dorsey is snapped with anti-Brahminism poster

<p>Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the importance of global conversations on social media platforms.</p>

<p>After his meeting, Dorsey tweeted pictures from his meeting and said: "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for having us today. I enjoyed our conversation about the importance of global conversation. Also: thanks for the ideas for Twitter!"</p>

<p>In response, Modi said: "Delighted to meet you @jack! Happy to see the passion with which you're leading @Twitter. I enjoy being on this medium, where I've made great friends and see every day the creativity of people."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delighted to meet you <a href="https://twitter.com/jack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jack</a>! Happy to see the passion with which you’re leading <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twitter</a>.<br />
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I enjoy being on this medium, where I’ve made great friends and see everyday the creativity of people. <a href="https://t.co/aUElNJyahk">https://t.co/aUElNJyahk</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1062355963590729729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Dorsey, who is on his maiden trip to India, has already met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter, which counts India among its priority markets, has a large number of politicians in the country on its platform who engage with residents and extensively use it around elections.</p>

<p>The company has also launched its '#PowerOf18' initiative aimed at encouraging Indian youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season.</p>

<p>Addressing a townhall at IIT-Delhi Monday, Dorsey vowed to check the spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix"&nbsp;solution for the "multi-variable" problem. Social media firms have been facing the menace of rumours and fake news floating on their platforms. Organisations like Facebook and WhatsApp have taken a number of steps, including sensitisation programmes among users across the country.</p>

<p>"In a number of conversations, it's become more important that we scope the problem as tightly as possible because fake news or misinformation as a category is way too big," Dorsey had said Monday.</p>

<p>He had added that if certain content is found to be misleading, it is the company's job to ensure that such information is picked out and prevented from spreading.&nbsp;</p>


Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the importance of global conversations on social media platforms. After his meeting, Dorsey tweeted pictures from his meeting and said: "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for having us today.

Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the importance of global conversations on social media platforms. After his meeting, Dorsey tweeted pictures from his meeting and said: "Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for having us today. I enjoyed our conversation about the importance of global conversation. Also: thanks for the ideas for Twitter!" In response, Modi said: "Delighted to meet you @jack! Happy to see the passion with which you're leading @Twitter. I enjoy being on this medium, where I've made great friends and see every day the creativity of people." Delighted to meet you @jack! Happy to see the passion with which you’re leading @Twitter. I enjoy being on this medium, where I’ve made great friends and see everyday the creativity of people. https://t.co/aUElNJyahk — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2018 × Dorsey, who is on his maiden trip to India, has already met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Twitter, which counts India among its priority markets, has a large number of politicians in the country on its platform who engage with residents and extensively use it around elections. The company has also launched its '#PowerOf18' initiative aimed at encouraging Indian youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season. Addressing a townhall at IIT-Delhi Monday, Dorsey vowed to check the spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix" solution for the "multi-variable" problem. Social media firms have been facing the menace of rumours and fake news floating on their platforms. Organisations like Facebook and WhatsApp have taken a number of steps, including sensitisation programmes among users across the country. "In a number of conversations, it's become more important that we scope the problem as tightly as possible because fake news or misinformation as a category is way too big," Dorsey had said Monday. He had added that if certain content is found to be misleading, it is the company's job to ensure that such information is picked out and prevented from spreading.

Happy to see the passion with which you’re leading: PM Modi meets Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey

<p>Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/with-trump-sitting-nearby-macron-calls-nationalism-betrayal-176693">attack on Emmanuel Macron</a>, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary.</p>

<p>In a caustic series of early-morning tweets the US president lambasted Macron's support for a European army, while renewing his frequent charge that America's European allies in NATO spend too little on defence.</p>

<p>"Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US&nbsp;came along," Trump said, in a low blow sure to gall French allies. "Pay for NATO or not!"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062311785787744256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062331024426913792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333534214520832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333882610171907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fierce broadside against a traditional US ally -- for whom Trump rolled out the red carpet in Washington earlier this year -- came just two days after Trump joined dozens of world leaders in Paris for events to mark the 100 years since the end of the Great War.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After slamming Macron on defence, Trump's went on to attack his standing as president: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%."</p>

<p>"He was just trying to get onto another subject," Trump said, appearing to reference Macron's push for a European military. "By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!"&nbsp;</p>

<p>"MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!" the mercurial Trump continued in a play on his own campaign slogan, before turning to what he said were protectionist tariffs on wine -- which he said were "not fair, must change!"</p>

<p>Macron's office declined to comment on Trump's broadside.</p>

<p><strong>'Bromance' dead?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Trump and Macron had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included touching, kissing and playful banter.</p>

<p>The US president even seemed to flick a piece of dandruff off of Macron's jacket on national television during the French president's state visit to the US capital, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect."</p>

<p>But the relationship took a turn for the worse after Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European cybersecurity.</p>

<p>Trump set a combative tone for his visit to Paris, tweeted right after he landed that Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting."</p>

<p>In an interview recorded Saturday with CNN after talks with Trump, Macron said the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding.</p>

<p>Both leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," meaning Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said.</p>

<p>But Macron told CNN: "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defence in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry."</p>

<p>The president's trip to France was further clouded by controversy over the cancellation of a visit to a World War I US military cemetery -- after his helicopter was grounded by the rain -- a decision that was widely criticized.</p>

<p>"I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO," Trump tweeted in his defence -- pointing out that he had delivered a speech the following day at another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs "in pouring rain!"&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Little reported-Fake News!" he charged.</p>


Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary.

Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary. In a caustic series of early-morning tweets the US president lambasted Macron's support for a European army, while renewing his frequent charge that America's European allies in NATO spend too little on defence. "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted. "They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US came along," Trump said, in a low blow sure to gall French allies. "Pay for NATO or not!" Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........ — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × ......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × The fierce broadside against a traditional US ally -- for whom Trump rolled out the red carpet in Washington earlier this year -- came just two days after Trump joined dozens of world leaders in Paris for events to mark the 100 years since the end of the Great War. After slamming Macron on defence, Trump's went on to attack his standing as president: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%." "He was just trying to get onto another subject," Trump said, appearing to reference Macron's push for a European military. "By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!" "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!" the mercurial Trump continued in a play on his own campaign slogan, before turning to what he said were protectionist tariffs on wine -- which he said were "not fair, must change!" Macron's office declined to comment on Trump's broadside. 'Bromance' dead? Trump and Macron had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included touching, kissing and playful banter. The US president even seemed to flick a piece of dandruff off of Macron's jacket on national television during the French president's state visit to the US capital, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect." But the relationship took a turn for the worse after Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European cybersecurity. Trump set a combative tone for his visit to Paris, tweeted right after he landed that Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting." In an interview recorded Saturday with CNN after talks with Trump, Macron said the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding. Both leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," meaning Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said. But Macron told CNN: "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defence in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry." The president's trip to France was further clouded by controversy over the cancellation of a visit to a World War I US military cemetery -- after his helicopter was grounded by the rain -- a decision that was widely criticized. "I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO," Trump tweeted in his defence -- pointing out that he had delivered a speech the following day at another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs "in pouring rain!" "Little reported-Fake News!" he charged.

After Macron rubbishes nationalism, Trump goes on massive Twitter tirade against him

<p>Ahead of elections in the world's largest democracy, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Monday paid his maiden visit to India where he vowed to check spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix" solution for the "multi-variable" problem.</p>

<p>Twitter -- which counts India among its priority markets -- has a large number of politicians in the country on its platform, who engage with residents and extensively use it around elections.</p>

<p>"In a number of conversations, it's become more important that we scope the problem as tightly as possible because fake news or misinformation as a category is way too big," he said addressing a townhall at the IIT-Delhi.</p>

<p>He added that if certain content is found to be misleading, it is the company's job to ensure that such information is picked out and prevented from spreading.</p>

<p>"...If the intent (of the content) is to mislead, we need to understand and pick out this information and then it's our job to ensure it doesn't spread and our job is to ensure it doesn't gain the impressions beyond its given reach," he said.</p>

<p>Dorsey, who met Congress President Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day, pointed out that it was also important to understand the intent and context of the information to address the issue of fake news and misinformation.</p>

<p>"This is a multi-variable problem and there is not going to be one fix, it's like security. No one can build a perfect lock that no one can break," he said, adding that like with security, the company will have to stay ahead of those spreading misinformation.</p>

<p>Dorsey said Artificial Intelligence could help build a solution that may be near perfect.</p>

<p>Social media firms have been facing the menace of rumours and fake news floating on their platforms. Organisations like Facebook and WhatsApp have taken a number of steps, including sensitisation programmes among users across the country.</p>

<p>More recently, WhatsApp - which drew flak from the government over the circulation of certain fake and sinister messages that incited mob-fury in different parts of the country - has initiated measures to curb the circulation of misinformation on its platform.</p>

<p>Dorsey cited the example of a tweet on its platform, posted ahead of the 2016 Presidential elections in the US, that said voters could register themselves on the shortcode provided in the tweet.</p>

<p>In this case, the number of tweets flagging the said content as fake was 10 times that the original message.</p>

<p>The top executive, who arrived in India last week tweeted: "(my first time here after a lifetime of wanting to experience it). He visited Jaipur and also met the Dalai Lama, called him an "amazing teacher".</p>

<p>Twitter Monday also launched its '#PowerOf18' initiative aimed at encouraging Indian youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season.</p>

<p>According to a survey conducted by Twitter India, voting rights emerged as the top response when asked what people would consider the power of turning 18 years old.</p>

<p>The research, conducted with over 3,600 respondents aged 18-30-year-olds, found 94 per cent respondents indicating that they would vote in the upcoming elections, while 87 per cent said they believed that voting made them a responsible citizen.</p>

<p>About 53 per cent said they are voting because they want to make a difference.</p>

<p>The study also pointed towards the increasing importance of social media for information consumption as 69 per cent of Twitter users surveyed said they always stay up to date with political news and events versus 44 per cent of non-Twitter users.</p>


Ahead of elections in the world's largest democracy, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Monday paid his maiden visit to India where he vowed to check spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix" solution for the "multi-variable" problem.

Ahead of elections in the world's largest democracy, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Monday paid his maiden visit to India where he vowed to check spread of fake news but said there is no "one fix" solution for the "multi-variable" problem. Twitter -- which counts India among its priority markets -- has a large number of politicians in the country on its platform, who engage with residents and extensively use it around elections. "In a number of conversations, it's become more important that we scope the problem as tightly as possible because fake news or misinformation as a category is way too big," he said addressing a townhall at the IIT-Delhi. He added that if certain content is found to be misleading, it is the company's job to ensure that such information is picked out and prevented from spreading. "...If the intent (of the content) is to mislead, we need to understand and pick out this information and then it's our job to ensure it doesn't spread and our job is to ensure it doesn't gain the impressions beyond its given reach," he said. Dorsey, who met Congress President Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day, pointed out that it was also important to understand the intent and context of the information to address the issue of fake news and misinformation. "This is a multi-variable problem and there is not going to be one fix, it's like security. No one can build a perfect lock that no one can break," he said, adding that like with security, the company will have to stay ahead of those spreading misinformation. Dorsey said Artificial Intelligence could help build a solution that may be near perfect. Social media firms have been facing the menace of rumours and fake news floating on their platforms. Organisations like Facebook and WhatsApp have taken a number of steps, including sensitisation programmes among users across the country. More recently, WhatsApp - which drew flak from the government over the circulation of certain fake and sinister messages that incited mob-fury in different parts of the country - has initiated measures to curb the circulation of misinformation on its platform. Dorsey cited the example of a tweet on its platform, posted ahead of the 2016 Presidential elections in the US, that said voters could register themselves on the shortcode provided in the tweet. In this case, the number of tweets flagging the said content as fake was 10 times that the original message. The top executive, who arrived in India last week tweeted: "(my first time here after a lifetime of wanting to experience it). He visited Jaipur and also met the Dalai Lama, called him an "amazing teacher". Twitter Monday also launched its '#PowerOf18' initiative aimed at encouraging Indian youth to contribute to public debate and participate in civic engagement in the upcoming election season. According to a survey conducted by Twitter India, voting rights emerged as the top response when asked what people would consider the power of turning 18 years old. The research, conducted with over 3,600 respondents aged 18-30-year-olds, found 94 per cent respondents indicating that they would vote in the upcoming elections, while 87 per cent said they believed that voting made them a responsible citizen. About 53 per cent said they are voting because they want to make a difference. The study also pointed towards the increasing importance of social media for information consumption as 69 per cent of Twitter users surveyed said they always stay up to date with political news and events versus 44 per cent of non-Twitter users.

Fake news a multi-variable problem, there is no 'one fix': Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in India

<p>President Donald Trump called Tuesday's midterm congressional elections a "tremendous success," despite his Republican Party losing control of the House of Representatives.</p>

<p>The Republicans held on to the Senate and narrowly survived a number of big individual races, including in Florida. The Democrats now control the lower house for the first time in eight years.</p>

<p>"Tremendous success tonight," the president tweeted. "Thank you to all!"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1060022696703070208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>US networks projected Wednesday that the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-democrats-scent-victory-over-trumps-republicans-in-congress-175944">Democrats would take the House</a>&nbsp;of Representatives or Congress while Trump's Republicans would keep control of the Senate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US midterm elections — in which all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, and 36 governorships&nbsp;were up for grabs — are being seen as a referendum on Trump's unconventional presidency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>American voters poured out across their bitterly divided country Tuesday to deliver judgment on Donald Trump in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">midterm polls</a>&nbsp;where opposition Democrats hope to seize at least partial control of Congress.</p>


President Donald Trump called Tuesday's midterm congressional elections a "tremendous success," despite his Republican Party losing control of the House of Representatives.

President Donald Trump called Tuesday's midterm congressional elections a "tremendous success," despite his Republican Party losing control of the House of Representatives. The Republicans held on to the Senate and narrowly survived a number of big individual races, including in Florida. The Democrats now control the lower house for the first time in eight years. "Tremendous success tonight," the president tweeted. "Thank you to all!" Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018 × US networks projected Wednesday that the Democrats would take the House of Representatives or Congress while Trump's Republicans would keep control of the Senate. The US midterm elections — in which all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, and 36 governorships were up for grabs — are being seen as a referendum on Trump's unconventional presidency. American voters poured out across their bitterly divided country Tuesday to deliver judgment on Donald Trump in midterm polls where opposition Democrats hope to seize at least partial control of Congress.

Trump calls midterm elections a 'tremendous success'

<p>The Netherlands said Tuesday that its ambassador to Pakistan has faced "threats", reportedly from Islamists angry over anti-Islam tweets by the far-right politician Geert Wilders.</p>

<p>Wilders in August called off a planned Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition that stirred anger in Pakistan, but the MP has since posted several such images on Twitter.</p>

<p>"We are dealing with threats to the ambassador's address," a Dutch foreign ministry spokesman told AFP.</p>

<p>"We take the security of the embassy very seriously, and that is also the subject of consultations between the Netherlands and Pakistan. For security reasons, I cannot make any further comment."</p>

<p>Pakistan's interior ministry last month wrote a secret memo on plans to "target" the Dutch ambassador by the hardline Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan party (TLP), media from both countries reported.</p>

<p>The TLP, founded in 2015, led protests in August calling for Pakistan to sever diplomatic relations with The Netherlands over the Wilders cartoon contest.</p>

<p>"It has been reported that elements associated with Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) are planning to target (the) Dutch ambassador... to seek revenge for uploading of blasphemous caricatures by Geert Wilders, Dutch parliamentarian, on his personal Twitter account," the memo said.</p>

<p>The Pakistani interior ministry and Dutch embassy declined to comment.</p>

<p>The TLP denied making any threats.</p>

<p>"Attacking somebody is not a policy of Tehreek-e-Labaik. We are a peaceful movement," TLP spokesman Pir Ijaz Ashrafi told AFP.</p>

<p>However, he said the group "demand the Dutch government expel Wilders from their parliament and if they don't do so, the government of Pakistan should dismiss the Dutch ambassador from Pakistan."</p>

<p>More recently, the TLP has led demonstrations against a Pakistan court ruling saving Christian woman Asia Bibi from death row where she had been languishing on blasphemy charges.</p>

<p>Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook, fled to The Netherlands at the weekend saying there had been threats to his life -- although on Monday he said the UN and EU had made him leave Pakistan.</p>

<p>Separately, a body representing 144 Turkish mosques in the Netherlands has asked Twitter to block Wilders's account for inciting hatred, it emerged on Monday.</p>


The Netherlands said Tuesday that its ambassador to Pakistan has faced "threats", reportedly from Islamists angry over anti-Islam tweets by the far-right politician Geert Wilders.

The Netherlands said Tuesday that its ambassador to Pakistan has faced "threats", reportedly from Islamists angry over anti-Islam tweets by the far-right politician Geert Wilders. Wilders in August called off a planned Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition that stirred anger in Pakistan, but the MP has since posted several such images on Twitter. "We are dealing with threats to the ambassador's address," a Dutch foreign ministry spokesman told AFP. "We take the security of the embassy very seriously, and that is also the subject of consultations between the Netherlands and Pakistan. For security reasons, I cannot make any further comment." Pakistan's interior ministry last month wrote a secret memo on plans to "target" the Dutch ambassador by the hardline Islamist Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan party (TLP), media from both countries reported. The TLP, founded in 2015, led protests in August calling for Pakistan to sever diplomatic relations with The Netherlands over the Wilders cartoon contest. "It has been reported that elements associated with Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) are planning to target (the) Dutch ambassador... to seek revenge for uploading of blasphemous caricatures by Geert Wilders, Dutch parliamentarian, on his personal Twitter account," the memo said. The Pakistani interior ministry and Dutch embassy declined to comment. The TLP denied making any threats. "Attacking somebody is not a policy of Tehreek-e-Labaik. We are a peaceful movement," TLP spokesman Pir Ijaz Ashrafi told AFP. However, he said the group "demand the Dutch government expel Wilders from their parliament and if they don't do so, the government of Pakistan should dismiss the Dutch ambassador from Pakistan." More recently, the TLP has led demonstrations against a Pakistan court ruling saving Christian woman Asia Bibi from death row where she had been languishing on blasphemy charges. Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook, fled to The Netherlands at the weekend saying there had been threats to his life -- although on Monday he said the UN and EU had made him leave Pakistan. Separately, a body representing 144 Turkish mosques in the Netherlands has asked Twitter to block Wilders's account for inciting hatred, it emerged on Monday.

'Threats' to Dutch envoy in Pakistan over Wilders tweets

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