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Universal Tariffs Go from Bonkers to Blanket

Slate

This week: The UK and the US agreed to the framework for a trade deal. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss the details of the agreement and what it means that it includes keeping the 10% baseline tariffs staying in place. Then, Bill Gates has announced that he's winding down the Gates Foundation and doubling the money he's giving away. The hosts discuss how this is a reaction to Elon Musk's slashing of USAID and the state of billionaire philanthropy. And finally, OpenAI has reversed its plan to become a for profit enterprise after public backlash.


Hundreds go bonkers for conkers at world champs

BBC News

More than 200 people have taken part in the World Conker Championships, with many competing in fancy dress. The competition took place earlier at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Northamptonshire. The event saw participants go head-to-head using conkers threaded on to string to try and smash their opponent's nut. Since its inception in 1965, the event has raised more than 400,000 for charities that support the visually impaired.PA MediaHundreds of spectators attended the event which was first held in 1965 One man wore a green inflatable Yoda headpiece, while another wore a conker-themed hat. All participants were required to follow a stringent set of rules to ensure the event was as fair as possible, which included the conkers and laces being provided by organisers.


Why Microsoft should scrap Bing and call it Microsoft Search

#artificialintelligence

Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives I contacted Microsoft and asked a simple question: "Am I going bonkers?" I felt the company's spokeswoman all too readily to reply "you must be the last to know," before I added: "Has your Bing Translator page suddenly been featuring a big Microsoft logo?" You see, very occasionally, I lurch to Bing just to see what's going on there. And last week, when I clicked onto its Bing Translator link, I was confronted with a big "Microsoft Translator" at the top. I felt sure I hadn't seen this before.


Google Home device goes mad during Super Bowl advert

Daily Mail - Science & tech

During last night's Super Bowl, Google's advert for its Home device was one of the most talked-about of the event. But viewers with their own Google Home were left annoyed by the advert, as their home system thought the TV was trying to communicate with them. Users took to Twitter to complain, with one person saying the advert had made his Google Home go'bonkers.' Google Home is continually listening for commands. Google says nothing gets passed back to them until the speakers hear the keywords -- 'Hey Google' or'OK, Google'.