Kesha Fans Stage Sony Protest

Kesha has thanked fans for protesting outside Sony Music’s New York headquarters by sharing a snippet of a new song.

A small group of dedicated Kesha followers rallied outside her label’s Manhattan offices on Friday to show their unwavering support for the singer, a week after she lost her bid to terminate her record contract. The six-album deal ties her to producer Dr. Luke, who she has accused of sexual and emotional abuse.

During the protest, demonstrators held up hand-made signs and chanted, “Dr. Luke is really whack, Kesha needs her freedom back!” They also performed an impromptu dance to her hit song “We R Who We R,” reported the New York Daily News.

“This is very emotional for us,” explained 19-year-old event organizer Michael Eisele. “To see Kesha go through this is heartbreaking. This will keep going on until Kesha is free.”

Her fans’ efforts did not go unnoticed by the singer, who broke down in tears on February 19 when a Big Apple judge rejected her legal request to release her from her contract with Luke’s Kemosabe Records, a subsidiary of Sony.

Her lawyer, Mark Geragos, reached out to supporters on Twitter on Friday and shared a brief video clip of Kesha singing a new track.

“A special thanks to everyone who has had her back,” he captioned the footage.

In the short video, Kesha sings, “I don’t know what I would do, without you/I don’t know where I would be, without…” before it cuts off.

It’s not the first time the “TiK ToK” singer’s followers have pounded the streets for the star. They previously protested outside Sony offices in January, prior to the judge’s decision.

Kesha, who has been inundated with support from stars like Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, Lorde, Adele, and Taylor Swift since the court setback last week, recently took to Facebook to express her gratitude to fans.

“This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract – it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal,” she wrote. “This is about being free from my abuser. All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused.

“I think about young girls today – I don’t want my future daughter – or your daughter – or any person to be afraid that they will be punished if they speak out about being abused, especially if their abuser is in a position of power,” she added.

Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button Gets Some Company With the Launch of Facebook Reactions

Looks like the “like” button is getting some company on Facebook.

Facebook unveiled a new set of emoji “reactions” around the world early Wednesday morning. The new “reactions” give the social network’s 1.59 billion monthly users another five ways to react to a post other than just pressing the “like” button.

  

The new five reactions include, “love,” “haha,” “wow,” “sad,” and “angry.” The reactions “yay” and “confused” were originally tested in other countries, but were later dropped off the list due to the lack of universal understanding.

In order to use the reactions, users must hold down the “like” button on mobile or hover over the “like” button on desktop to see the other reactions available.

The reactions “were based on our research of things people were most frequently reacting to via comment stickers and other things. We wanted to make sure that set felt right and universal,” product designer Julie Zhuo told ABC News.

After being launched

Boston Dynamics’ Newest Robot Is a Marvel to Behold

The future is certainly here.

On Tuesday, Boston Dynamics, which “builds advanced robots with remarkable behavior,” unveiled their latest “Atlas” robot in a video on YouTube. The robot is designed to operate both in and outdoors. Judging by the 1.5 million views the video has received in less than 24 hours, people everywhere are amazed by what the robot can actually do.

According to Boston Dynamics website, Atlas is the ninth robot they’ve created. The company has unveiled a series of different robots over the last couple years, most prominently the LS3 Legged Squad Support Systems robot, a four-legged robot with a body structure not unlike a bull.

But Atlas looks like it may grab the attention of companies like UPS, FedEx, or Amazon, as the machine demonstrates an incredible ability to handle lightweight packages for moving and shipping.

With Atlas, the question no longer seems to be if robots will enter the workforce, but when.

https://youtu.be/rVlhMGQgDkY

CRUZ HITS TRUMP BELOW THE BELT WITH ‘FAT BASTARD’ TWEET

The vitriol between Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz has just gone to another level. In a recent tweet prior to the Nevada caucus, Ted Cruz (R-TX) compared The Donald to Austin Powers’ villain, Fat Bastard.

Trump tells anyone who will listen – so everyone? – that Cruz is a despicable liar, who cheated to win the Iowa caucus. He’s even used the word disgusting to describe Cruz. Apparently, Cruz has had enough of Trump’s insults and took his response to Twitter.

Liverpool's Sturridge stirs in time for Man City reunion

London (AFP) - As the 22 players walk out onto the pristine Wembley turf for Sunday's League Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester City, Daniel Sturridge will have more to prove than most.

The injury-plagued Liverpool striker, who will be facing his former club, is fighting to emerge from a mid-career slump that threatens to cost him a place in England's squad for Euro 2016.

Having made just 11 Premier League starts since August 2014, the 26-year-old has disappeared from view at times and this week he issued an impassioned rebuttal to press reports he was considering his Anfield future.

"I don't think anyone will understand how much it means to me to play football and I'll continue to do my best and focus on Liverpool," he said.

"It has been a difficult time being injured, but it is part of football and now I'm looking forward to the future, of course with Liverpool."

NFL: Bryan Cox to apologize after shoving Cards scout

Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox says he will apologize to an Arizona Cardinals scout he pushed during player interviews at the NFL combine Friday night in Indianapolis.

According to Pro Football Talk, the Cardinals scout was waiting to bring an unnamed player from his interview with the Falcons to one with Arizona. When Atlanta's time with the player expired, Cox confronted the scout verbally and then shoved the scout.

Bryan Cox just finished his second season with the Falcons. Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports
The altercation didn't escalate from there, according to Pro Football Talk.

"I intend to apologize to the young man for the incident that happened last night during the interview process," Cox, 48, said in a statement. "It shouldn't have happened."

The Cardinals have yet to comment on the incident.

Cox was known as a fiery player during his 12 seasons as a linebacker in the NFL. He retired after 2002, and started coaching several years later.

This was his second season with the Falcons after stints with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. He was notably involved in a sideline scuffle with Falcons defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman in December.

As a player, Cox took the field for five different teams after being drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round in 1991. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and had 51.5 career sacks.

NASRI UNVEILS NEW BLUE HAIRSTYLE

Samir Nasri has been away from first-team action for a while, continuing his comeback from a thigh injury picked up in October but, now back in training, the midfielder has made his mark with a blue hairstyle.

Clearly paying homage to the Manchester City colors, the midfielder, known for some vibrant fashion choices in the past, was pictured stepping up his training regime, returning to full training for the first time since his injury.

BREAKING NEWS: INFANTINO ELECTED NEW FIFA PRESIDENT

The 45-year-old Swiss has been elected president after securing 115 votes in the second round of polls and has vowed to restore the image of the game's governing body
Gianni Infantino has won Fifa's election for a new president, succeeding the disgraced Sepp Blatter.

Uefa's general secretary secured 115 votes in the second round of polls, beating off favourite Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa into second while Prince Ali bin Hussein finished third.

Infantino succeeds the dethroned Sepp Blatter, who was suspended from all football activities for eight years - later reduced to six - along with ex-Uefa president Michel Platini for corruption.

"I cannot express my feelings in this moment," he said after hearing the result.

"I told you I went through an exceptional journey, which made me meet many fantastic people, who live and breathe football, and many people deserve to see Fifa is highly respected.

"Everyone in the world will applaud us for what we will do. Everyone will be proud of what we will do.

“I want to work with you to establish a new era in which we can put football at the centre stage.

"We need to implement the reforms, but we also need to have respect, the respect that the entire world owes to football, and make sure that finally, once again, we can focus on this wonderful world that is football. I am too moved - let us work together for this.”

WILLIAN REVEALS ALEXANDRO PATO’S HILARIOUS NEW FACIAL HAIR ON INSTAGRAM

Oh no.

Does Alexandre Pato already have cabin fever at Chelsea?

Or did he lose a bet?

There has to be a good explanation why the 26-year-old Brazilian would do this to his face!

PHOTO: CESC FABREGAS GETS FUNNY HAIRCUT AHEAD OF SOUTHAMPTON V CHELSEA

Cesc Fabregas was clearly having a bad hair day on Thursday as he prepared for a trim ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Southampton this weekend.

The Spanish playmaker and his team-mates have enjoyed a free week in the wake of their thumping 5-1 FA Cup win over Manchester City last weekend.

The Blues have shown some much improved form in recent weeks and their only defeat since Guus Hiddink’s appointment as interim boss came during the Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Fabregas has been a regular fixture in the Chelsea first-team this season and he looked to be in good spirits as he posted the picture above on his personal Snapchat account ahead of the Blues trip to Southampton.

The 28-year-old, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona in the summer of 2014, has made 25 appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League so far this season, scoring one goal and notching up four assists.

IKER CASILLAS REVELATION: THE REAL REASON I FELL OUT WITH JOSE MOURINHO

IKER CASILLAS has revealed his relationship with Jose Mourinho soured at Real Madrid after a harmless conversation with Barcelona duo Xavi and Carlos Puyol.

Casillas explained he reached out to the Barca pair after poor relations between the two clubs was starting to have an impact on the Spain squad.

The goalkeeper tried to smooth things over but when Mourinho found out it started a whirlwind of problems, resulting in him being dropped from the first team.

“It didn’t sit well with him [Mourinho] that I spoke with someone from Barcelona to ease the tension in the national team,” he told Spanish broadcaster RTVE.

“I spoke with Xavi and Puyi [Carles Puyol] but the words that we used were not ‘listen, forgive me’ – that’s what a journalist linked with Mourinho said.

“What I said to Xavi was ‘look, if we keep going like this, we’re going to burden Spanish football with the image we give with two teams like Madrid and Barcelona’.

“I was the captain of Real Madrid but also of Spain. Everyone can believe what they want. I have a club I owe but I also have a national team.”

However, despite Casillas’ responsibilities at club and international level, Mourinho reacted badly to his peace-making attempts.

And the Real legend has admitted he was disappointed by the manager’s suggestion that he ‘preferred’ Diego Lopez and felt he couldn’t say anything to the boss.
The year started as normal in January and Mourinho thought there was a team-mate who was better than me, in Antonio Adan, who is phenomenal and a great kid, and he puts him in,” he added.

“I can’t say anything to him, because he’s the coach, he puts in who he wants. Then there are opinions… Then came my injury in January.

“After that, all I hear about me is crap, crap and more crap. The only thing I wanted was for my hand to recover, to get back to training with the group and compete, but my place had already been occupied by another person.

“The boss thought it right that he should play and I couldn’t say anything. But then there were the gestures in the press conferences [when Mourinho said that he liked Diego Lopez more] and the things he did.”

What followed was a ‘war’ between those loyal to Mourinho and those loyal to Casillas and the veteran goalkeeper has revealed he avoided the boss in his final year at the club, admitting things had turned ‘ugly’.

“There was a war between Mourinhoistas and Casillistas when I still hadn’t spoken,” he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo Is The Most Popular Athlete On Social Media

Real Madrid forward and Portugal international has become the most followed athlete on social media after hitting over 200 million followers

A new poll shows huge landslide for Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn's opponents have been dealt a blow by a new YouGov poll showing that 53 per cent of Labour members believe that he should lead the party into the next general election - even if Labour perform badly in the May elections, and despite the fact that just 47 per cent of party members believe it is "likely" that they will win the next election under his leadership.

In a further setback to Corbyn's internal opponents, a ballot of members shows Corbyn triumphing with 62 per cent of the vote among Labour members, bettering his 49 per cent first round performance among "full" Labour members, easily defeating Hilary Benn (15 per cent), Dan Jarvis (12 per cent), Angela Eagle (six per cent) and Lisa Nandy (three per cent). But in a surprise for those around the Labour leadership who had hoped that John McDonnell might be a viable midterm replacement, the shadow chancellor attracts just 29 per cent in a mock ballot including Jarvis, Eagle, Nandy, Owen Smith and deputy leader Tom Watson.

The US government still wants access to iPhones – and Apple still says no

The US government really, really wants access to iPhones. And Apple is having none of it.

Since December, FBI investigators have been trying to hack into the iPhone 5c of a perpetrator in the San Bernardino shootings. Apple has repeatedly refused requests for technical aid from investigators to hack into the phone, so the FBI has sought a court order from a US judge to force the company to help.

In response, Apple CEO Tim Cook has written an open letter to customers, published on the Apple website, explaining that he intends to ignore the order. For Cook, this is about far more than a single iPhone. The access the government is asking for, he argues, would amount to a "backdoor": an access point the government could use to pry into users' phones in future. Even if that doesn't bother you, the problem with a backdoor accessible by the state is that it tends to be accessible to hackers, too.

As Cook writes in his letter:

"Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us."

It's worth looking at some background here. Apple has always favoured encryption on its devices, which makes them essentially impervious to hackers and to state surveillance. De-encrypting messages requires "keys", strings of numbers and letters which are used to translate the information.

Since the release of its iOS 8 operating system, Apple hasn't even held these keys themselves – partly so that governments can't force them to compromise users' privacy. They have, quite literally, thrown away the key to the iPhone.

In light of this, the FBI is asking for a slightly different route in. It wants to be able to enter passcodes (the password used to unlock the phone) electronically, which would allow them to try out different combinations much faster and gain access to phones more easily. It has asked Apple to design a new operating system with this capability, and install it on the San Bernardino phone.

In his open letter, Cook writes:

"In the wrong hands, this software – which does not exist today – would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession.

"The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control."

Cook's argument is essentially what security and privacy experts are arguing all over the world: in the right government's hands and in certain cases, using these methods would be justifiable. But once created, these tools could be used by the wrong people, and put customers at risk. Your move, FBI.

Yallah, the app that is helping German citizens and refugees understand each other

What do you do when you arrive in an unfamiliar country, with few resources at your disposal, and want to settle in as soon as possible? You've figured out the public transport and the values of the different coins are becoming familiar, but where do you go to learn about the stranger, less tangible aspects of this new culture? And how do you help people understand you, too?

For all the coverage of how many refugees Germany has taken over the past year or so, we’ve heard relatively little about what happens once they’re past the initial resettlement period. We know that charities often step in to fill the gaps in care provision, including providing some schooling and food – but what about the more nebulous aspects of cultural integration? After all, language training and pamphlets giving information about road signs, laws and even gender relations are relatively easy to produce. Providing channels for both existing German residents and refugees to ask questions, and learn more about each other, is trickier.

Enter Yallah Deutschland. It describes itself as a medium for young people who are interested in the issues surrounding refugees to learn more, and as a form of journalism optimised for smartphones, which is designed to encourage a close relationship with its audience. The idea arose in an editorial meeting when a group including Dominik Wurnig and Khaled Ghazi, a graduate of the University of Damascus who arrived in Germany last year and now writes for Krautreporter.de, were discussing the difficulty refugees face in accessing information. “Refugees don’t get that much information here in Germany,” Ghazi explains. “As a refugee, I have a lot of things to do.”