Spotify takes R Kelly out of its official playlists

As part of the music streaming service’s new “Hateful Content & Hateful Conduct” policy, Spotify announced it would be taking out R Kelly’s music from its official playlists and recommendations (for example, playlists like Discover Weekly). While the R&B singer’s music will remain on the service, Spotify will no longer actively promote it. "We want our editorial decisions—what we choose to programؙ—to reflect our values," Spotify told Newsbeat. What classifies as hate content for Spotify is: "Content that expressly and principally promotes, advocates, or incites hatred or violence against a group or individual based on characteristics, including, race, religion, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability."

The company says it has been working on this global policy for “some months” and even invited users to report content it feels violates this policy. R Kelly has been the center of sexual assault allegations for years but has denied the claims.

Source: BBC

Space epic The Expanse cancelled by Syfy after three seasons

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Expanse, which is a sci-fi space epic based on the books of the same title by author James S.A. Corey which focuses on factions from Earth, the Belt and Mars facing off in a precipitous galactic war while a mysterious alien organism tips the balance.

Shot in Toronto, The Expanse features a stellar cast or characters, engrossing visuals and arguably the best special effects for a TV show we've seen. Now on its third season, the show has generated great acclaim and has a solid global fan following. Despite this, Syfy (and by extension their Canadian wing Space), has announced it is dropping the show after the third season concludes.

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Apple makes strides in advancing carbon-free aluminum smelting, brings $188 million investment to Canada

Apple has played a crucial role in an international joint venture that could forever change global manufacturing of aluminum. A key component used in the production of Macs, iPads, iPhones and Apple Watch products, many technology companies like Apple prefer aluminum because of its strength and lightness as well as the various ways it can be treated.

By using aluminum in its products at scale, Apple has been able to find ways to make production more effecient and less wasteful as well as develop new processes.

Leading aluminum manufacturing companies Alcoa and Rio Tinto have developed, "a revolutionary process to make aluminum that produces oxygen and replaces all greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional aluminum smelting process. The technology represents the culmination of decades’ worth of research and development," Apple's statement said. 

According to the news. Alcoa, Rio Tinto, the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and Apple agree to provide a combined investment of CAD $188 million, which is a large investment in Canada, where the smelting will take place.

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ZTE ceases operations, reportedly on life support after U.S. ban

Chinese smartphone and communications manufacturer ZTE is reportedly on life support following a crushing US ban. The company has apparently ceased all online and retail operations in the wake of a ban imposed by the US goverment. ZTE is China's second largest telecom equiptment maker, it made its name in North America selling affordable smartphones as well as portablw Wi-Fi hotspot devices.

ZTEwas banned  for illegally shipping goods to Iran, the result is the ceasing of major operating activities for the companies. "ZTE appears to have suspended its online stores on its own website as well as on Alibaba Group’s e-commerce platform Taobao over the past few days, which display a “page being updated” message with no products to order," a report from Reuters says.

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