Babak Belurs

Jumat, 25 Desember 2020

Outraged viewers attack Channel 4's 'mean spirited' deepfake Queen's speech - Daily Mail

Outraged viewers condemn Channel 4's 'mean spirited' deepfake Queen's speech that manipulated Her Majesty's image into a TikTok dance - minutes after she delivered an inspiring message of hope to the nation

Channel 4 will offer mockery of the Queen with jibes at royal family members
Digitally-created version of the Queen played by actress Debra Stephenson
Christmas message will offer stark warning about misinformation and fake news

Published: 19:04 GMT, 25 December 2020 | Updated: 19:56 GMT, 25 December 2020

Channel 4 has been criticised for its 'deepfake' version of The Queen's Christmas Day speech which saw the monarch discussing Harry and Meghan as well as her son Prince Andrew.

The channel produces a light-hearted alternative to the annual Christmas address but this year's offering has angered viewers, some of which branded it 'woke rubbish', 'disgusting' and 'mean spirited'.

This year it made a mockery of the Queen - with jibes aimed at Prince Andrew, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Boris Johnson - 25 minutes after the Queen's BBC broadcast at 3pm.

The digitally-created 'deepfake', played by actress Debra Stephenson, aired this afternoon and was filled with gags, including jokes about the toilet roll shortage at the beginning of the pandemic and saw the monarch perfecting her moves for a dance on Tik Tok.

Channel 4 has come under fire for its 'deepfake' version of The Queen's Christmas Day speech which saw the monarch dancing and discussing other members of the royal family

Outraged viewers, including politician Nigel Farage, took to Twitter to share their anger at the broadcast, with one branding it 'disgusting'

But not all the viewers were impressed, including politician Nigel Farage who tweeted 'How dare they' in response to the video.

Others took to Twitter to share their outrage, with one writing: 'Disgusting. The Queen has been steadfast in her duty and still going strong. God save the Queen.'

'I'm no royalist really but The Queen gets it right every time and the public rightly respect and admire her,' another said. 'Channel 4's ludicrously smart "deep fake" alternative message is a million miles away from the public mood - and not nearly as clever or funny as they think it is.'

During the controversial four-minute broadcast, a spoof Elizabeth II, said: 'One thing that has sustained many of us is our families, which is why I was so saddened by the departure of Harry and Meghan.

Others said the deepfake version of the Queen was 'in bad taste' but acknowledged the importance of Channel 4's message about fake broadcasts while others branded it 'tacky and immature'

The Christmas message included jibes aimed at Prince Andrew, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Boris Johnson

The artificially rendered version of the monarch appeared to share her thoughts on the departure of Harry and Meghan from the UK

'There are few things more hurtful than someone telling you they prefer the company of Canadians. But at least I still have my beloved Andrew close by, it seems unlikely he'll be heading to North America anytime soon.'

'Deepfake' Queen's Christmas message

For nearly seventy years, I have kept a tradition of speaking to you at Christmas. But on the BBC, I haven't always been able to speak plainly and from the heart. So I am grateful to Channel 4 for giving me the opportunity to say whatever I like without anyone putting words in my mouth.

If there is a theme to my message today, it is trust. Trust in what is genuine - and what is not.

2020 has been a challenging year for us all. A year when most of you, thanks to the toilet roll shortages, have finally understood how it feels to have a predicament on the throne.

One thing that has sustained many of us is our families, which is why I was so saddened by the departure of Harry and Meghan. There are few things more hurtful than someone telling you they prefer the company of Canadians. But at least I still have my beloved Andrew close by. It seems he'll be heading to North America any time soon.

2020 has also been a year of heroes such as our brave NHS workers many of whom were forced to take incredible risks like treating Boris Johnson - knowing at any time, as a result, they too could become pregnant

As is so often the case, technology helped tackle the challenges we laced this year. Like many of you, when I wasn't settling down with my husband to 'Netflix and Phil' as I like to call it , I was perfecting my moves for Tik Tok. In fact, there is something I'm rather excited to share with you all.

I'm under strict orders from Philip not to but as he's nodded off in front of Home Alone 2, would you mind awfully? You'll have to move that camera back, everyone ready?

*Queen dances*

If that doesn't get me on Strictly I don't know what will.

*Phone is handed to Queen*

So much of our world today comes to us through these screens, which brings me back to that question of trust. Of whether what we see and hear is always as it seems.

On behalf of myself, your Queen, and all at Channel 4 I trust you'll have the very merriest of Merry Christmases.

The alternative Christmas message offers a stark warning about misinformation and fake news.

Some people on Twitter acknowledged the importance of the channel's message, with one posting: 'The Queen deepfake was in bad taste but that I feel in five years Channel 4 will be ultimately vindicated in using such provocative ways to warn us about its capabilities.'

The artificially rendered version of the monarch, created by visual effects studio Framestore, showed the fake Queen sharing her thoughts on the departure of Harry and Meghan from the UK, and the scandal surrounding the Duke of York and his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

She also perform a TikTok dance routine and reveals her penchant for 'Netflix and Phil' with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh.

During the broadcast she added: '2020 has also been a year of heroes, such as our brave NHS workers, many of whom were forced to take incredible risks - like treating Boris Johnson - knowing at any time, as a result, they too could become pregnant.'

Pictures of her family members surrounded her while she made her address.

Deepfake technology has become increasingly prevalent over recent years and can be used to create convincing but completely manufactured video content of high-profile figures, most notably of former US president Barack Obama, who has been the subject of a number of deepfake videos.

The artificial rendering of the Queen, devised by special effects creatives at Framestore, was directed by William Bartlett, and Miss Stephenson, 48, read a script by James Kettle.

The end of the message shows the artificially created images flickering before disappearing to reveal the green screen used to manufacture images of Buckingham Palace and show it was in fact Miss Stephenson portraying the Queen.

The actress said: 'I have an intense fascination with deepfake technology. For years I have studied people to impersonate them for TV, but now I can truly become them.

'As an actress it is thrilling but it is also terrifying if you consider how this could be used in other contexts.'

Channel 4's alternative Christmas message aired opposite the BBC's broadcast of the Queen's official annual televised message to the nation.

Pevious version have been delivered by Doreen and Neville Lawrence, John Bercow and Quentin Crisp.

Ian Katz, director of programmes at Channel 4, said: 'Deepfake technology is the frightening new frontier in the battle between misinformation and truth.

'This year's Alternative Christmas Address - seemingly delivered by one of the most familiar and trusted figures in the nation - is a powerful reminder that we can no longer trust our own eyes.'

The four-minute broadcast also offered a stark warning about misinformation and fake news

Deepfake technology can be used to create convincing but completely manufactured video content of high-profile figures

Director Bartlett said: 'This was a great project to be asked to direct.

'Deepfake is an interesting spin-off from the recent advances made in machine learning and AI and, while it is a powerful new technique for image-makers everywhere, it is also a tool that can be used to misrepresent and deceive.

'With Channel 4, we wanted to create a sequence that is hopefully entertaining enough that it will be seen by a lot of people and thereby spreads the very real message that images cannot always be trusted.'

The Alternative Christmas Message aired on Channel 4 at 3.25pm today [25th].

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2020-12-25 19:04:00Z
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COVID-19: Another 800 military personnel deployed to help test lorry drivers stuck at border - Sky News

An additional 800 military personnel have been deployed to Kent to help thousands of lorry drivers waiting to cross into France.

Around 5,000 lorries are still waiting to make the crossing after France closed its border to the UK on Sunday after a new fast-spreading strain of COVID-19 was identified in the country.

In total, about 1,100 troops have been sent to help with the severe disruption caused at the English Channel border, providing coronavirus testing and distributing food and water as part of the operation.

Despite efforts to clear the backlog of lorries, thousands of hauliers are spending Christmas Day in their cabs.

One lorry driver told Sky News he had been waiting at the airport for two days and was hoping to get back after testing negative for coronavirus.

He said that a train providing food was "empty" with no water and the airport was "full".

Another driver, called Michael, had been waiting in the UK for five days. He said the situation was "no good".

Lorry drivers are now required to show proof of having a negative coronavirus test within the last 72 hours before they are able to cross the English Channel.

Testing is taking place at Manston Airport, a closed section of the M20, and in Dover.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that over 10,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted, out of which only 24 have been positive.

He tweeted: "A huge thank you for the tireless efforts of our troops, police, civilian testers, council planners & port & ferry workers for giving up their Xmas to get people home."

More than 700 lorries have been cleared for departure since the border reopened on Wednesday.

Traffic flowed smoothly through Dover on Friday, with French firefighters being drafted in to help with the testing process.

A Port of Dover spokesman said ferry services ran throughout Christmas Eve and will continue on Christmas Day to help ease congestion.

Andreas Michaelis, Germany's ambassador to the UK, said some German hauliers had managed to return home for Christmas, but others were still in Kent.

He tweeted: "Some of the German lorry drivers we've been in touch with are on their way home or at home already. Others sadly remain stuck.

"I sincerely hope things will start moving for them soon. This is a difficult Christmas. Our thoughts are with them."

Food deliveries to drivers stuck in Operation Brock on the M20 have been organised by Southeastern railway and Network Rail and delivered by the Salvation Army, with seven trains carrying food departing from London in the past two days.

HM Coastguard said its teams in the Dover area had so far delivered 3,000 hot meals, 600 pizzas, 2,985 packed lunches and 17 pallets of water to those waiting.

The government said catering vans would provide hot food and drinks to hauliers stranded at Manston, with Kent County Council and volunteer groups providing refreshments to those stuck on the M20.

There are more than 250 toilets at Manston, with a further 32 portable toilets added to existing facilities on the M20.

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2020-12-25 17:39:03Z
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The Queen's Christmas Broadcast 2020 - BBC - BBC

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2020-12-25 14:59:40Z
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Kent lorry chaos: Thousands of lorry drivers spend Christmas in cabs - BBC News

Thousands of lorry drivers waiting to cross the English Channel to France are spending Christmas Day in their cabs in Kent.

Hundreds of military personnel have been deployed to help clear the backlog of about 5,000 lorries, which are waiting at Manston Airport.

Drivers are allowed to travel on the condition they test negative for Covid-19 before boarding a train or ferry.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said more than 10,000 tests had been done.

He said out of those lorry drivers who had been tested, 24 were positive for coronavirus.

Update on Kent lorry situation: Over 10,000 #Coronavirus tests now carried out. Just 24 positive (0.24%).
A huge thank you for the tireless efforts of our troops, police, civilian testers, council planners & port & ferry workers for giving up their Xmas to get people home.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 25, 2020

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

France closed its border after the UK warned of a fast-spreading variant of coronavirus but ended its ban on Wednesday, providing people tested negative before travelling.

More than 700 hauliers have been cleared for departure since France reopened its border.

But about 5,000 remain unable to get home and are waiting at Manston Airport, on a closed section of the M20, and in Dover.

French firefighters have been supporting the testing effort, and a group of Polish medics was deployed to the UK on Thursday to help test drivers. the Polish news website TVN24 has reported.

Some lorry drivers have already spent nearly a week stranded following the closure of the border on Sunday.

Mr Shapps said: "We need to get the situation in Kent, caused by the French government's sudden imposition of Covid restrictions, resolved as soon as possible.

"I know it's been hard for many drivers cooped up in their cabs at this precious time of year, but I assure them that we are doing our utmost to get them home."

The Department for Transport said all but three of the 2,367 coronavirus tests carried out on the lorry drivers had come back negative.

The government said catering vans were providing hot food and drinks to stranded hauliers at Manston, with Kent Council and volunteer groups providing refreshments to those stuck on the M20.

HM Coastguard said its teams in the Dover area had so far delivered 3,000 hot meals, 600 pizzas, 2,985 packed lunches and 17 pallets of water to those waiting.

Southeastern Railway and Network Rail arranged for food to be delivered to lorry drivers stuck in Operation Stack on the M20.

Seven trains carrying crates of food for the hauliers have left London in the past 48 hours, with the Salvation Army distributing the items.

There are more than 250 toilets at Manston, with a further 32 portable toilets added to existing facilities already along the M20.

A Port of Dover spokesman said ferry services had run throughout Christmas Eve night and would continue on Christmas Day to help ease congestion.

Duncan Buchanan, from the Road Haulage Association, said: "The most reassuring thing is that food is getting through at Manston, and I have to say a big thank you to everyone who volunteered to help."

Are you a lorry driver waiting to cross the English Channel to France? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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2020-12-25 14:09:00Z
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Brexit: EU ambassadors gather for trade deal implementation talks - Sky News

Plans are under way for the new post-Brexit trade deal to be implemented, as EU ambassadors praised the bloc's "resilience" during negotiations.

Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier updated representatives of all the 27 countries on Christmas Day after yesterday's last-minute breakthrough.

He arrived at the event in Brussels in a mask, carrying a hefty blue folder and greeted diplomats with elbow bumps - including one who kept up the festive spirit by wearing a red and white Christmas hat with stars on.

Sebastian Fischer, a spokesman for the group known as COREPER, said member states would decide on whether to proceed with the first step of ratification known as "provisional application" in the "coming" days.

That will mean the deal can come into force in time from 1 January 2021 without the need for a vote by the European Parliament, which has already broken up for Christmas.

Mr Fischer said ambassadors had "praised" Mr Barnier and his negotiating team "for their resilience and steadfastness under intense pressure" during the post-Brexit talks.

And he joked that "nothing is more fun than to celebrate Christmas among socially distanced colleagues", adding: "Thank you, Brexit! Typical 2020."

Mr Barnier, who called Thursday "a day of relief tinged with sadness", appeared sombre in most pictures of the event - but did let slip a few smiles.

In the UK, parliament is being recalled on 30 December - but MPs have been urged not to travel from their constituencies to London, which is in the highest band of coronavirus restrictions.

Boris Johnson has said the trade deal is his Christmas present to the country - serving as "the feast" after the "oven ready deal" he promised at last year's general election.

In a Christmas message filmed by Downing Street, the prime minister promised it would be the basis of a "happy and successful" relationship with the EU.

Details of the agreement, which runs to 1,246 pages, are still being unpicked.

The biggest effect of the deal will be that businesses will face no extra charges (tariffs) or limits on what they can export (quotas), avoiding an annual loss of around £668bn to the economy.

An 11th-hour breakthrough came on Christmas Eve, following ten months of trade talks and over four years since the UK voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

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2020-12-25 13:48:54Z
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UK white Christmas declared after overnight snow - BBC News

Parts of the UK have woken up to snowy scenes, with a "white Christmas" officially declared by the Met Office.

Snowfall was spotted from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the East Riding of Yorkshire and Northumberland.

Most of the country will have clear and dry weather for Christmas Day but eastern parts of England have seen a light scattering of snow.

It came after people had to be rescued from their cars and homes amid flooding in some areas on Christmas Eve.

"We've just had official confirmation that this Christmas is a white one!" the Met Office tweeted just before 06:00 GMT.

Many woke up to a frost covering their cars, streets and gardens on Christmas morning.

An early morning dusting of snow spotted in County Durham

Snow in Richmond in North Yorkshire and Skidby in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

In some places, a scattering of snow had settled overnight.

Andy Brunning taking a selfie with the "sprinkling of snow" in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

The Met Office said most areas would see a dry and cold day, but there was a chance of more snow showers across eastern parts of England.

Snow dusted cars in Hessle in East Yorkshire on Christmas morning.

Elsewhere in the UK, people have been dealing with the fallout from heavy rain that led to flooding.

Homes have been evacuated and a leisure centre shut after flooding in Suffolk.

Police in Northamptonshire said the emergency services evacuated more than 1,000 people from the Billing Aquadrome holiday park on Thursday night and water had reached up to 5ft deep in some places.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service dealt with 500 calls in a matter of hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

A couple were rescued from a submerged car on Christmas Eve near Norwich in what onlookers called a "Christmas miracle", while heavy rainfall in Cambridgeshire left some roads impassable.

On Boxing Day, Storm Bella is forecast to bring further downpours and winds of up to 70mph in some coastal locations.

An amber warning for wind has been issued for parts of southern Wales and across southern England from 22:00 GMT on 26 December.

A yellow warning for wind will also apply for the whole of England and Wales from 15:00 GMT on Boxing Day.

There will also be a yellow warning for rain in place for Wales, parts of the south-west and north-west of England, and north-west Scotland.

Have you woken up to a white Christmas? Get in touch with your photos at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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2020-12-25 12:53:00Z
52781266439496

UK white Christmas declared after overnight snow - BBC News

Parts of the UK have woken up to snowy scenes, with a "white Christmas" officially declared by the Met Office.

Snowfall was spotted from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the East Riding of Yorkshire and Northumberland.

Most of the country will have clear and dry weather for Christmas Day but eastern parts of England have seen a light scattering of snow.

It came after people had to be rescued from their cars and homes amid flooding in some areas on Christmas Eve.

"We've just had official confirmation that this Christmas is a white one!" the Met Office tweeted just before 06:00 GMT.

Many woke up to a frost covering their cars, streets and gardens on Christmas morning.

In some places, a scattering of snow had settled overnight.

The Met Office said most areas would see a dry and cold day, but there was a chance of more snow showers across eastern parts of England.

Elsewhere in the UK, people have been dealing with the fallout from heavy rain that led to flooding - including in Wales and in the Midlands.

Police in Northamptonshire said the emergency services evacuated more than 1,000 people from the Billing Aquadrome holiday park on Thursday night and water had reached up to 5ft deep in some places.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service dealt with 500 calls in a matter of hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

A couple were rescued from a submerged car on Christmas Eve near Norwich in what onlookers called a "Christmas miracle", while heavy rainfall in Cambridgeshire left some roads impassable.

On Boxing Day, Storm Bella is forecast to bring further downpours and winds of up to 70mph in some coastal locations.

An amber warning for wind has been issued for parts of southern Wales and across southern England from 22:00 GMT on 26 December.

A yellow warning for wind will also apply for the whole of England and Wales from 15:00 GMT on Boxing Day.

There will also be a yellow warning for rain in place for Wales, parts of the south-west and north-west of England, and north-west Scotland.

Have you woken up to a white Christmas? Get in touch with your photos at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Or use this form to get in touch:

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Jumat, 25 Desember 2020

Outraged viewers condemn Channel 4's 'mean spirited' deepfake Queen's speech that manipulated Her Majesty's image into a TikTok dance - minutes after she delivered an inspiring message of hope to the nation

'Deepfake' Queen's Christmas message

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