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Month: February 2020

Odds and Ends 

White House reportedly aims to double AI research budget to $2B

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The White House is pushing to dedicate an additional billion dollars to fund artificial intelligence research, effectively doubling the budget for that purpose outside of Defense Department spending, Reuters reported today, citing people briefed on the plan. Investment in quantum computing would also receive a major boost. The 2021 budget proposal would reportedly increase AI R&D funding to nearly $2 billion, and quantum to about $860 million, over the next two years. The U.S. is engaged in what some describe as a “race” with China in the field of AI,…

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Lindsey Graham’s disturbing comments about investigating Biden

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(CNN)Sen. Lindsey Graham stated on CBS News on Sunday morning that Attorney General William Barr has set up a mechanism to receive purportedly damaging information coming from Ukraine, via Rudy Giuliani, about former Vice President (and current Democratic presidential contender) Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. The Justice Department has, however, refused even to open an investigation of the efforts of Trump and his surrogates to gather (or generate) dirt from Ukrainians on the Bidens. The President has repeatedly made unfounded and false claims to allege that the Bidens…

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Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba’s outfits shine at Vanity Fair Oscars after-party

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 Jessica Alba attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) For Alba, 38, the “Sin City” actress hit the gray carpet in a glistening golden full-length gown by Versace that she paired with a matching clutch while her brunette locks hung loosely over one shoulder. JESSICA ALBA DOESN’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK OF HER BODY: ‘I CAN FLAUNT WHAT I WANT’ The Honest Company founder will…

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When God Told Me Id Never Be Enough

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ShareTweetPin I’d like to think that after forty-two years of transversing this life, I wouldn’t give a hoot what people think of me. And for the most part, I typically don’t. I mean, I’m certainly not the young, flat-chested teen I used to be, trying my best to fit in with the kids at the cool table. Heck, I’m not even the harried woman I was in my thirties who replayed every single conversation, encounter, or confrontation for at least the next 48 hours, hoping I could change my reaction.…

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Sinn Fin surges as final seats to be decided

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Before the election, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had ruled out forging a coalition with left-wing republican party Sinn Féin, citing its tax policies and IRA past as deterrents. On Sunday, taoiseach (Irish PM) and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar conceded it would be “challenging” to form a government. Sinn Féin’s vote has increased dramatically – winning 37 seats out of the 42 seats it stood candidates in and topping the poll in 30 constituencies. Following the last election in 2016 Sinn Féin had 23 seats in the Dáil.…

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SiteMinder raises $70M at $750M valuation after cresting $70M ARR in 2019

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Today SiteMinder, an Australian software company focused on the hotel industry, announced a $70 million (USD) round that values the company at $750 million. That’s about $1.08 billion in Australian dollars, making the firm a Down Under Unicorn, even if it’s a bit shy here in America. According to SiteMinder, the round was “led by equity funds managed by BlackRock.” The company has previously raised capital from TCV and Bailador. TechCrunch discussed SiteMinder earlier this year as part of our running examination of companies that have reached certain annual recurring…

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Keanu Reeves Steals The Red Carpet Show At The Oscars By Bringing His Mother As His Date

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Photos of Keanu and his mother went viral online. Some internet users exclaimed that the actor was acting like a “perfect” son and obviously loves his mom very much. The mother and son duo even wore white and black suits that complemented each other. Keanu Reeves brought his mom, Patricia Taylor, to the Oscars as his date Image credits: Image credits: Image credits: Image credits: The similarities between Patricia and Keanu aren’t just skin deep: he seems to have inherited at least a part of his humor and dry wit…

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Bernie Sanders holds lead in second release of CNN’s New Hampshire tracking poll

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(CNN)Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders‘ lead in New Hampshire continues to hold, according to the second release from a tracking poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire for CNN. Still, the major contours of the race have held steady: Sanders continues to outpace Buttigieg by a wide margin among those who have definitely made up their minds about whom to support, while the two top contenders run about even among those who have yet to commit to a candidate. Sanders leads by a wide margin among younger likely primary voters,…

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Woman body-shamed after her ice rescue goes viral

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The video of Korissa Miller was posted to the Macomb County Sheriffs Departments Facebook page earlier this week. It was there as a means to warn others about the dangers of ice fishing. 9972-20 On 1/27/20 at 3:20pm, this young lady was fishing off of docks in Harrison Township. As she attempted to stand up, she lost her footing and slipped off the dock into the freezing water. The young ladys friend was a dock over and heard her fall; she looked over to see her friend struggling in the…

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Laura Dern enjoying a musical tribute to her will lift your spirits

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(CNN)The 2020 Independent Spirit Awards celebrated countless excellent films, from “The Lighthouse” and “Booksmart” to “Uncut Gems” and “The Farewell.” As the choir sang, Dern, clearly amused, clapped enthusiastically. When the choir then began repeating her name as scenes from her previous films played on screen, her expression became one of pure delight. “Did this…really happen?” Dern tweeted later. “Thank you @GMCLA @filmindependent and @JTfirstman for making me realize how much I need a choir to go everywhere with me!” Dern has been on a streak this award season, picking…

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