Islamic State makes Telegram messaging app a major marketing tool

The mobile messaging service Telegram, created by the exiled founder of Russia’s most popular social network site, has emerged as an important new promotional and recruitment platform for Islamic State. A new feature of Telegram that was introduced in September has become the preferred method for Islamic State to broadcast news and share videos of military victories or sermons, according to security researchers.

Read more

Egypt’s Sawiris considers buy in Italy internet sector: Corriere della Sera

Naguib Sawiris is considering making an acquisition in Italy's Internet sector, the Egyptian tycoon said in an interview published on Saturday. Sawiris, whose family founded Egypt's giant Orascom group, said in an interview with Corriere della Sera that he planned to create a new data center in Milan, which would be Italy's biggest, by the end of April. “We are also weighing up another acquisition, still in the Internet sector,” said Sawiris, who made an unsuccessful bid to buy a stake in Telecom Italia in 2012

Read more

Ryan Gosling dismisses ‘Hey Girl,’ discusses new film at SXSW

By Piya Sinha-Roy AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – With a drop of a microphone, Ryan Gosling dispelled his Internet infamy, saying he had never once uttered the phrase, “Hey Girl,” which has made him a viral phenomenon. Gosling was the anticipated opening day guest at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival covering film, music and technology in Austin, Texas, being quizzed by Del Toro not on his Internet fame, rather his directorial debut, “Lost River.” But Del Toro threw in cheeky references to the infatuation with Gosling that has made him an online celebrity, such as his love for Disneyland, where he has been photographed on dates, riding rollercoasters. Gosling, 34, responded by blushing and hiding his face in embarrassment, and when Del Toro teased him for finally saying “Hey Girl” while telling a story about never having said the phrase, Gosling dropped the mic, joking he was done

Read more