Facebook launches Instant Articles for faster loading

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — Facebook launched itsInstant Articles initiative today for reading news stories, videos and photos that load quicker on the iPhone platform.

Chris Cox, the chief product officer for Facebook, made the announcement at the Wall Street JournalWSJ.D Live conference, adding that Instant Articles are being tested on Androidphones as well.

Facebook is working with news organizations including Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Vox, NBC News, Washington Post, Slate, New York Times and others, to give their articles preferential treatment in the Facebook News Feed for faster loading.

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The company says articles—including video and photos—will load in the News Feed 10 times faster than previously.

“We built Instant Articles because performance on smartphones is the most important feature,” Cox said. “If we can lower the friction, it’s a huge service to both the body that’s writing the article and the user on Facebook.”

Facebook has been giving video publishers who upload video directly to Facebook preferential treatment by promoting them to a wider group of the News Feed and faster loads. In its pitch to publishers to join Instant Articles, Facebook tells them they can either keep the ad revenue, or have Facebook sell them for a revenue split.

Hundreds march for Mississippi flag change

JACKSON, Miss. — Sharon Brown, who proposed the initiative that seeks to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag, said she's doing it for her mother.

"Mother is the reason why this is taking place; she indicated that, ‘you and your sister better stand up,’ so we’re standing up for a change," Brown said as supporters gathered  for Sunday's One Flag for All rally near the Jackson State University campus.

But more than striking the Confederate emblem, Brown said, it's about creating a flag that can unify Mississippians.

"(The current flag) doesn't represent the unity that's here in Mississippi," she said. "We need one flag that represents all of the people here, not just a minority. It hurts the state economically and socially."

The rally also drew some big names, including rapper David Banner, civil rights activistMyrlie Evers and South Carolina Rep. Jenny Horne. Horne helped facilitate  the removal of the flag at the South Carolina state capitol following a mass shooting at a church in Charleston this summer. Horne had been friends with Sen. Clementa Pinckney, one of the victims of the shooting.

"There's a lot Mississippi can learn from what we did in South Carolina, so they don't have to have a tragedy to make them do the right thing," she said. "It's unfortunate that it took such a senseless act of violence. You shouldn't need that in Mississippi. It's really sad that it's 2015, and it took a tragedy to make us do this."

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Banner spoke to the crowd before the march to the Capitol started.

"My family lived and  died on this land, so it means a little bit more to me than just a flag," he said. "It's time to move Mississippi forward."

A flag, he added, is supposed to be about a conglomerate effort, about everybody. "That flag is not about me," he said.

About 300 people walked from their meeting place at the corner of J.W. Lynch and Rose streets to the State Capitol.

Munisha Lott found out about the rally on Saturday night from friend Jeremy Lewis. The two marched together with their signs.

Musician David Banner gives an impassioned speech on the south steps of the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson on Sunday during a rally in support of Mississippi Initiative Number 55, a state ballot initiative to amend the Mississippi State Constitution and remove the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi state flag. (Photo: Joe Ellis/The Clarion-Ledger)

"We think it's important to promote unity. We know there will be divisions, no doubt about that, but we can put effort and energy into the unification part,"  Lewis said. "A flag represents the people, so we think it's very important."

Banner said a new flag is also about investing in Mississippi's children.

"We’re going to have to draw a line. Are you Confederate, which stands for slavery, or are you Southern? I’m Southern until the day I die," he said. "For me it’s more about these kids, every time those kids look up at that flag, it’s something that makes them duck their heads."

Russia’s deadly new weapons striking fear into heart of the West

Russia said 26 rockets fired by its warships this week struck Islamic State targets, but others aren’t so sure.

Emma Reynoldsnews.com.au

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RUSSIA’S deadly hi-tech weapons on display in the Middle East are spreading fear of another Cold War in the West.

Vladimir Putin is employing sophisticated modern warfare in supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, and the world-leading electronics are making the US and its allies increasingly nervous.

The Russian president has sent fighter jets, drones and bombers to Syria, but it’s the spy weapons that could be the most powerful and dangerous. While surveillance equipment and “jammers” are ostensibly there to block communications by Islamic State fighters, it appears Russia is also targeting Western-armed rebels in an almighty display of power.

“We’re still trying to work out what the strategical aim is,” Middle East expert Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Insititute told news.com.au

“Obviously to buttress the Assad regime, they’ve been allies for decades. There’s a significant air component and a few thousand troops, enough to defend [Russia’s] air base.

“It’s certainly Russia trying to protect its nationalist credentials and be a player in the region.”

While Dr Shanahan dismissed the idea of another Cold War, others aren’t so sure. US officials told the Times of London they were considering a revival of the protocols used to prevent such a confrontation.

Civilians on the rubble of a damaged site hit on Wednesday by what activists say were cluster bombs dropped by the Russian air force in the southern countryside of Idlib, Syria.Source:Reuters

WHY THE WEST IS WORRIED

In recent weeks, Russia has sent in its IL-20 surveillance aircraft, known as “Coot” by NATO, armed with radar, eavesdropping equipment and optical and infrared sensors. It has also deployed advanced electronic jamming system Krasukha-4, used to block enemy radar and aircraft.

The Vasily Tatishchev, an advanced naval surveillance ship, sailed for the eastern Mediterranean on Monday, Interfax reported, with Turkey expressing serious concern.

This intelligence weaponry is a fresh example of “hybrid warfare” tactics, covert and deceptive operations used to achieve strategic objectives, according to Foreign Policy. With many calling for no-fly zone over Syria, it has helped keep Putin in control of the skies over the Middle East, said Igor Sutyagin, a senior research fellow at London think tank Royal United Services Institute.

Electronic warfare is one of Russia’s greatest strengths, where it out-muscles even the West. The deployment of jammers could directly affect NATO technology, blinding pilots and giving Russia a huge military advantage over the West.

“They would have understood the implications for America.” said Dr Shanahan. “The US reaction would have been considered.”

The Russian Navy's large landing ship Novocherkassk on its way to the Mediterranean Sea in Istanbul.Source:Reuters

WHO’S REALLY THE TARGET?

On Wednesday, Putin’s government said it had launched 26 cruise missiles, successfully hitting targets in north and north-western Syrian provinces. But US officials said four missiles had gone off course and landed in Iran.

Secretary of State John Kerry said he was worried that the “preponderance of targets” being struck by Russian forces in Syria were not related to IS. Local activists and US officials say the strikes have targeted Western-armed rebels, helping to prop up the Assad government.

The Russian Ministry of Defence responded with characteristic bullishness. “However unpleasant and ‘unexpected’ it may be for our colleagues at the Pentagon and Langley [CIA’s Virginia headquarters] about yesterday’s attacks by high-accuracy weapons on the [Islamic State] infrastructure in Syria — all the same, all rockets fired from ships found their targets,” said ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov.

The US has warned that further conversations may be required with Russia to avoid misunderstandings.

The deployment of the Krasukha-4 jamming system came after three days of aerial confrontations between Turkish jets and Russian-made warplanes used by Russia and the Syrian regime, The Times reported.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary-general, said the incursions were deliberate acts of harassment. “Intelligence that we have received provides me with reason to say it doesn’t look like an accident, it is a serious violation,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained defiant as the US expresses concern.Source:AP

WHAT’S PUTIN’S MOTIVATION?

Russia’s aims in Syria are far more simple than those of the US, according to Dr Shanahan. “At some stage there will be a political settlement in Syria,” he said. “If they strengthen the Assad regime and weaken everybody else, it will make Russia’s rein in the Syrian hand much stronger in political bargaining. They don’t have to worry about IS, the West is doing that for them.

“Russia wants to wedge US interests so it is strategically located, and it wants to support allies to show it is ‘pick and stick’

“It’s certainly sending a message. Military power is obviously part of national power.”

A US official speaking to Foreign Policy said Russia has concealed communications and movements just as it did in Ukraine, hiding fighter jets in larger cargo planes.

What Russia’s long-term plans are, only Putin and his confidants really know, but they’re certainly making the rest of the world uneasy.

This baby was born with two noses after suffering from an ultra-rare genetic condition

Shock birth ... Baby Angelito (little angel) was born with two tubes growing out of the side of his face. Picture: CEN/Australscope

Michael Morrow and AgencyNews Corp Australia Network

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A baby who has two tubes growing out of his face instead has been born and given the name Baby Angelito (meaning little angel) by his parents.

Doctors say despite the deformed nose, the youngster is perfectly normal following his birth in the city of Chimbote, Peru.

Paediatrician Jose Castillo, who’s looked after him since his birth, explained to local media that the strange condition was the result of a very rare genetic deformity which happens once in every 10 million to 15 million births.

He said the child is stable and his heart and respiratory system are also working fine.

Otherwise healthy ... Doctors say it’s likely he suffers from no other problems. Picture: CEN/AustralscopeSource:australscope

The baby was transferred from his home in Nuevo Chimbote to hospital, some 600k’s away, where he will undergo an operation on the double nose.

The hospital’s neonatal care boss Carlos Arrestegui Ramos said: “He doesn’t have difficulty breathing now, but he will need plastic surgery.”

He added that all the indications were that the child was perfectly normal in every other way although further tests would be needed to determine whether he also had any other issues.

Plastic surgery is most likely to be a complete success.

The mayor of the Nuevo Chimbote district in Lima, Valentin Fernandez, has presented the young parents with a gift of nappies, milk and money to cover their stay in the capital while their newborn receives treatment.

Former Mrs Orange County arrested for child porn with 4-year-old girl

A FORMER beauty queen has been arrested for allegedly making and distributing child pornography involving a four-year-old female relative.

Meghan Breanna Alt, of Irvine, California, is accused by investigators of sending the child porn to a US marine in exchange for gifts and cash, the Orange County Register has reported.

Police say the former Mrs Orange County has admitted to the charges.

Arrest ... Alt is accused by investigators of sending child porn to a US marine. Picture: Orange County Sheriff’s DepartmentSource:Supplied

The 25-year-old mother is also alleged to have prostituted herself on Craigslist and, in at least one instance, is accused of engaging in online porn while her children were present.

The custody of her children has been handed to her husband who police say was unaware of what she was doing.

Sick mum ... Alt is accused of engaging in online porn while her children were present. Picture: FacebookSource:Supplied

Alt, who was crowned Mrs Orange County in 2014 and also competed in the Mrs California 2014 pageant, was involved with helping children as a church volunteer, said investigators.

They adding that they feared there may be more child victims.

She was arrested by police during a traffic stop and is being held on bail of $US100,000 ($136,000).

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North Korea flexes military muscles with 'biggest ever' parade

(CNN)In a carefully choreographed show of strength and celebration, North Korea went all out Saturday with a massive military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the ruling Worker's Party and showcasing the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

Hundreds of troops marched in elaborate formations across Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square, which was festooned with national and party flags, footage from state broadcaster KCTV showed.

After inspecting the troops, Kim watched the extravaganza from a viewing platform, saluting the party flag as it was raised. Last year, Kim didn't show during a mysterious absence that lasted over a month.

Foreign dignitaries, media and tourists gathered in Pyongyang for the spectacle.

A Chinese delegation led by Liu Yunshan, who is one of the top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, met Kim and delivered a message from President Xi Jinping, according to North Korean state media KCNA.

International observers will be scrutinizing the weekend's celebrations for details including who appears with Kim in public for clues into his inner circle, as well as what kind of military hardware Pyongyang parades and whether the leadership will conduct any sort of weapons testing.

The preparations for the Workers' Party of Korea anniversary appear to have begun as early as May, when satellite images captured approximately 45 tents assembled at a former Pyongyang airbase, according to an analysis posted on website 38 North.

By October, that area had swelled to about 800 tents, 700 trucks and 200 armored vehicles, with people appearing to move in formations "possibly in preparation for the parade," wrote Joseph Bermudez Jr, an analyst on North Korean affairs.

Bill Clinton on achieving reform in Europe

EastEnders casts transgender actor in transgender role on UK television

EastEnders is about to get a new permanent resident on Albert Square.

And when Kyle moves in briefly this month, and then back for good at the end of the year, he'll be making television history.

The actor playing him, 21-year-old Riley Carter Millington, is the first transgender actor to play a transgender character in a UK soap.

It's his first acting role and he can't wait to get started. "I am excited to be joining EastEnders," he says.

"I can honestly say that I have now fulfilled my two biggest dreams - to be living my life as a man and to be an actor."

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So far not much is known about Kyle but EastEnders' writers say he'll have his secrets and get a big storyline at the end of this year.

The show's executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, believes EastEnders is well-known for pushing boundaries with stories including Mark Fowler contracting HIV and Colin and Barry's first gay kiss.

"It's always led the way in changing audience perceptions about 'difference'," he says.

Image captionMark Fowler, played by Todd Carty, told his on-screen parents, Pauline and Arthur, he was HIV-positive on Boxing Day 1991

And, he made sure they were careful to cast the right actor after being incredibly moved by the life stories of the transgender actors who auditioned.

"The people we met showed us a strength and bravery that took our breath away," he explains.

"To go through as much as they have while maintaining humour and a positive view on the world is testament to what special people we met."

Image captionMichael Cashman as Colin Russell and Gary Hailes as Barry Clark in 1987 - their on-screen relationship led to the first gay kiss on primetime TV

It's not the first transgender character in a British soap, that was Hayley in Coronation Street.

However, the role's been welcomed by transgender actor, Bethany Black, who made TV drama history herself in February.

She played transgender character, Helen, in Channel 4's Banana and Cucumber, created by Queer as Folk producer, Russell T Davis.

In it, Helen turns to her family for support after a jealous ex-boyfriend posts revenge porn of her when he finds out she's seeing someone else.

"I auditioned for that role (in EastEnders) and I think it's fantastic," she says.

Image captionTrans actor and comedian, Bethany Black

"It's about time we saw more trans roles on television. Being trans is like being gay was in the late 90s - it's a cool thing, so people are saying, 'Let's go and do this as a storyline'."

"As we progress we're going to see more of these roles. It's democratising the whole process."

EastEnders' bosses are keen to point out that employing Riley Carter Millington isn't about tokenism and that he's not just "a talented actor, but also an inspirational young man".

They say his character, Kyle, will be "fresh and relatable" and they hope the audience will take him to their hearts quickly.

"I cannot wait to really get stuck in with filming and I look forward to seeing what is in store for my character," says Riley.

Who is Fifa's new boss Issa Hayatou?

"Today, amid extraordinary circumstances, I have assumed the office of Fifa president."

And with those words, Issa Hayatou stepped up to the top job in football.

He's taking temporary charge following the suspension of Sepp Blatter - who's being investigated over claims of corruption, which he denies.

As Fifa goes into total meltdown, what do we know about Issa Hayatou?

More of the same?

Issa Hayatou is no stranger to controversy or corruption claims himself.

The 69-year-old from Cameroon has been the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 1988. He's also been a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2001.

In 2010, Mr Hayatou and CAF were strongly criticised for banning Togo from two future African Nations Cup competitions.

Togo was banned after the side withdrew from that year's tournament in Angola following the gun attack on the team bus which killed three people.

Image captionAn Angolan policeman stands guard following the gun attack on the Togo team bus at the African Nations Cup, 2010

The team was also fined $50,000 (£33,000).

The ban was eventually lifted but not before the then captain of Togo,Emmanuel Adebayor, described the decision as "outrageous" and said Mr Hayatou had "completely betrayed" the Togo squad.

Also in 2010, the BBC's Panorama accused him and two others of taking millions of pounds of bribes in the 1990s.

The programme claimed the payments were made over the awarding of World Cup TV rights. He denied doing anything wrong but the accusations earned him an official reprimand from the IOC.

Image captionIssa Hayatou is seen as loyal to the suspended Fifa president, Sepp Blatter

One year later, he was again accused of dodgy dealing. He was one of two Fifa officials accused of taking bribes worth $1.5m (£980,000) to support the Qatar World Cup bid.

Again, he denied taking the money.

In 2013, he was elected unopposed for a seventh four-year term as the head of CAF and has gone to great lengths to stay in charge.

He changed the rules to make sure anyone who wanted to challenge for the presidency could only come from CAF's own executive committee - which is controlled by him.

On the plus side, he's seen as boosting the profile of African football and helping to get more African teams into World Cup finals.