From sadness to wow, Facebook launches reaction buttons beyond like

Like it or not, Facebook Inc's trademark “like” button is set to get more expressive. The social network said on Thursday it is launching a pilot test of “Reactions,” with users able select from seven emotions, including like and “wow.” “Dislike,” however, is not one of the options

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In China, VPN internet access tools suffer further disruptions

Internet services that allow people to freely access blocked websites and apps from within China have seen more severe disruptions this week, said three providers, moves that Chinese state media said were justified. The services affected include popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers Astrill, StrongVPN and Golden Frog, which are engaged in a technological arms race to one-up China’s highly sophisticated Great Firewall internet censorship system.

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Saudis on Twitter deny rumors King Abdullah dead

A Saudi journalist and a member of the royal family denied rumors on Thursday that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, in hospital since December suffering from pneumonia, had died, according to messages on social media. King Abdullah, who took power in 2005 after the death of his half-brother King Fahd, is thought to be 91, although official accounts are unclear. “All that is being reported about King Abdullah's death is far from the truth,” Ibrahem al-Rawsa, identified as a journalist at state-run Saudi Press Agency, wrote on his Twitter account

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Amazon’s Golden Globes give it new credibility in Hollywood

By Deepa Seetharaman and Piya Sinha-Roy SAN FRANCISCO/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc's success at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards may help it win over two key audiences: Hollywood’s A-list talent and the shopping customers the retailer wants to join its Prime membership program.

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