SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc on Wednesday said it would team with two U.S. non-profits to slow the global spread of misinformation that could influence elections, acknowledging that fake news sites were still read by millions. FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Facebook logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo The largest social network, under intense pressure to combat propaganda, said it would work abroad with the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute, created in the 1980s and funded by the U.S. government to promote democratic processes. The institutes have informal ties to their namesake U.S. parties. The partnerships, disclosed by company executives on a call with reporters, were among a slew of announcements from Facebook on election integrity ahead of major contests in Brazil next month and the United States in November. As the … [Read more...] about Facebook expands fake election news fight, but falsehoods still…
Amazon’s new shopping experiment is Scout, and you can try it now
Amazon's testing a new tool called Scout that recommends products based on your "likes" and "dislikes." The tool is available now, though it's not clear when it launched. CNBC reported about the tool earlier on Wednesday. Shoppers can scroll through images of furniture, kitchen and dining items, home decor, indoor and outdoor furniture, bedding, lighting and women's shoes. After they hit the thumbs up or thumbs down button below an image, they'll get real-time recommendations on products. Amazon's site says more categories of items will be added in the future. "This is a new way to shop, allowing customers to browse millions of items and quickly refine the selection based solely on visual attributes," an Amazon representative said. "It is perfect for shoppers who face two common dilemmas: 'I don't know what I want, but I'll know it when I see it' and 'I know what I want, but I don't know what it's called.'"The tool is powered by machine learning, and pulls images from … [Read more...] about Amazon’s new shopping experiment is Scout, and you can try it now
Apparently we’re all supposed to be nice to wasps now
Bees and wasps are two very different creatures. Bees are friendly little fellas that give us honey and might maybe leave a welt on your arm if you happen to cross into their personal space. Wasps, on the other hand, are nasty, aggressive fight-starters who come flying out of your Pepsi can to sting you right in the eyeball, and then laugh about it. That’s the public perception that scientists are now trying to change. As BBC News reports, researchers are noticing a dramatic shift in the way bees are perceived when compared to wasps, but they’re warning that both types of insects are vitally important to the environment, even if one of them seems to be more rude than the other. Don't Miss: Once you try this $69 kitchen gadget, you’ll never cook a steak again without it In a new study published in Ecological Entomology, 750 people from dozens nearly 50 countries voiced their opinions on both wasps and bees. Bees, it seems, are associated with flowers and honey and … [Read more...] about Apparently we’re all supposed to be nice to wasps now
Scientists are trying to figure out why sharks keep gathering in the middle of nowhere every single year
Being some of the most dangerous creatures in Earth’s oceans, sharks have been the subject of extensive study for many, many years. Scientists know a lot about their diet, behavior, and even what causes the sharks to sometimes mistakenly attack humans. Despite all this, one big question remains: Why do so many sharks travel to the exact same spot in the middle of nowhere, year after year? The location, nicknamed the White Shark Cafe, is located roughly halfway between Baja California and Hawaii, and every winter it becomes a hot spot for several species of shark, including great whites, blues, and makos. But figuring out exactly what they’re doing there has taken years of research, and it’s not done yet. Don't Miss: The insanely thin cases everyone loves are finally available on Amazon for the iPhone XS Max What’s most peculiar about the White Shark Cafe is that it’s in a relatively featureless spot in the Pacific. Scientists knew tagged sharks were … [Read more...] about Scientists are trying to figure out why sharks keep gathering in the middle of nowhere every single year
Canada PM urges some U.S. flexibility in NAFTA, talks seen slow
WASHINGTON/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he wanted to see flexibility from the United States if the two sides are to reach a deal on renewing NAFTA, which Washington insists must be finished by the end of the month. FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answers questions from the media in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, August 8, 2018. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi Ottawa is pushing back against increasing pressure by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and its allies to make the concessions they say are needed for the trilateral North American Free Trade Agreement. “We’re interested in what could be a good deal for Canada but we’re going to need to see a certain amount of movement in order to get there and that’s certainly what we’re hoping for,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland met U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for … [Read more...] about Canada PM urges some U.S. flexibility in NAFTA, talks seen slow