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Showing posts from March, 2020

'Stay the f**k at home': Samuel L. Jackson reads you a sweary, poetic social distancing PSA

Almost a decade ago, Samuel L. Jackson's reading of bedtime poem "Go the Fuck to Sleep" captivated the internet. Now the actor has returned to spoken word, presenting author Adam Mansbach's timely new adaptation of the classic: "Stay the Fuck at Home." "The 'rona is spreading, this shit is no joke — it's no time to work or roam," read Jackson, delivering the important PSA on a video call with Jimmy Kimmel. "The way you can fight it is simple, my friends: stay the fuck at home."  Jackson has taken his own advice and is social distancing in his own home with his wife and daughter. He also encouraged people to donate to Feeding America , a charity that works to relieve hunger in the U.S. Read more... More about Jimmy Kimmel Live , Samuel L. Jackson , Coronavirus , Covid 19 , and Social Distancing from Mashable https://ift.tt/2JtPXjR via IFTTT

Africa Roundup: Africa’s tech ecosystem responds to COVID-19

In March, the virus gripping the world — COVID-19 — started to spread in Africa. In short order, actors across the continent’s tech ecosystem began to step up to stem the spread. Early in March Africa’s coronavirus cases by country were in the single digits, but by mid-month those numbers had spiked leading the World Health Organization to sound an alarm. “About 10 days ago we had 5 countries affected, now we’ve got 30,” WHO Regional Director  Dr Matshidiso Moeti said at a press conference on March 19. “It’s has been an extremely rapid…evolution.”  By the  World Health Organization’s stats Tuesday there were 3671 COVID-19 cases in Sub-Saharan Africa and 87 confirmed deaths related to the virus — up from 463 cases and 8 deaths on March 18. As the COVID-19 began to grow in major economies, governments and startups in Africa started measures to shift a greater volume of transactions toward digital payments and away from cash — which the World Health Organization flagged as a condui

'Fortnite' gets a bullet-stopping 'Kingsman' umbrella

Epic's current Fortnite season is focused on secret agents, and that now includes direct references to movies -- if not the ones you're likely to think of first. An update to the battle royale shooter has introduced a Kingsman umbrella that,... from Engadget RSS Feed https://ift.tt/2yhQ0wO via IFTTT

Stephen Colbert would like someone to TP his house for April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day is looming, but nobody is in the mood for jokes. Tolerance for tomfoolery is at an all-time low, as the coronavirus pandemic has people hoarding toilet paper and staying confined to their homes. "At this point the only April Fools' joke I want is someone TP-ing my house, preferably in two-ply, quilted," quipped Late Show host Stephen Colbert, recording the show from his home. "I have a very sensitive backdoor." Fortunately Americans' efforts at social distancing seem to be paying off, as early real-time data suggests coronavirus infection rates appear to be slowing. "It's working!" said Colbert. "Just keep doing it America! And by 'it,' of course, I mean nothing." Read more... More about Stephen Colbert , The Late Show With Stephen Colbert , April Fools Day , Coronavirus , and Covid 19 from Mashable https://ift.tt/2UQO5qJ via IFTTT

Sophie Turner and Conan talk getting drunk at home for coronavirus

Like many of us, Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner is holed up at home due to the coronavirus pandemic . However, judging by Conan's video call with her on Tuesday, it seems social distancing suits the Queen in the North just fine. "I see how people are finding it difficult, but I don't understand how people are really struggling to practice social distancing," confessed Turner. "I'm like, all you have to do is stay at home and get drunk at home. It's great." Turner's husband Joe Jonas hasn't taken to the social distancing quite as well, though.  "It's like prison for him, but it's great for me," said Turner, who has been supporting his livestreamed DJ sessions by bringing him shots of tequila.  Read more... More about Conan O Brien , Sophie Turner , Joe Jonas , Conan , and Coronavirus from Mashable https://ift.tt/342LYUN via IFTTT

Investors tell Indian startups to ‘prepare for the worst’ as Covid-19 uncertainty continues

Just three months after capping what was the best year for Indian startups, having raised a record $14.5 billion in 2019 , they are beginning to struggle to raise new capital as prominent investors urge them to “prepare for the worst”, cut spending and warn that it could be challenging to secure additional money for the next few months. In an open letter to startup founders in India, ten global and local private equity and venture capitalist firms including Accel, Lightspeed, Sequoia Capital, and Matrix Partners cautioned that the current changes to the macro environment could make it difficult for a startup to close their next fundraising deal. The firms, which included Kalaari Capital, SAIF Partners, and Nexus Venture Partners — some of the prominent names in India to back early-stage startups — asked founders to be prepared to not see their startups’ jump in the coming rounds and have a 12-18 month runway with what they raise. “Assumptions from bull market financings or even

'Apex Legends' tournaments get a new online-only schedule

Respawn and EA's dreams of establishing Apex Legends as an esports staple aren't going according to plan. The Apex Legends Global Series team is moving its events online "for the time being" due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that me... from Engadget RSS Feed https://ift.tt/2UXGbfs via IFTTT

What's on TV this week: 'The Matrix,' 'Sonic' and 'Star Wars'

This week March finally comes to an end and with the arrival of April, Netflix is adding some new licensed content to its catalog. Not that I don’t like the originals — as long as they keep making more Ozark, I’ll keep subscribing — but this week, be... from Engadget RSS Feed https://ift.tt/2WZP2j6 via IFTTT

Larry David's annoyed social distancing PSA is the most Larry David thing ever

POV: Larry David yells at you for being an idiot who goes outside and possibly spreads coronavirus to old people like him, but not necessarily specifically him, because he wants nothing to do with you. California is at the top of the social distancing PSA game, from former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's mini horse to this crotchety gem from the Curb Your Enthusiasm icon, via current governor Gavin Newsom's social channels.  "Go home! Watch TV! That's my advice to you," David says, gesticulating exasperatedly in the general direction of idiots who aren't staying home. "You know, if you've seen my show, nothing good ever happens going out of the house, you know that. It's just trouble out there. It's not a good place to be." Read more... More about Larry David , Coronavirus , Social Distancing , Entertainment , and Health from Mashable https://ift.tt/39A4MvM via IFTTT

Snapchat’s new lenses use AR to encourage social distancing

Snapchat's latest set of lenses come with a timely reminder of the importance of social distancing. The app introduced two new lenses, created in collaboration with the World Health Organization, that use augmented reality to serve users with tip... from Engadget RSS Feed https://ift.tt/342xww1 via IFTTT

Take a virtual visit to Napa - with very real sips of wine

For wine lovers around the world, it's all about discovery. Once they get a taste for the grape, oenophiles are rarely satisfied with even the most carefully curated, go-to vintages. There's always a hunt for the next great pairing, the thrill of uncorking a bold new Tempranillo or sublime Moscato. That feeling is a jones that winemakers in general - and wine clubs in particular - are happy to feed. But while online wine-of-the-month clubs have made discovering new wines a lot easier, many feel there's been something lost in terms of the personal touch; that sense of place and adventure that began many wine lovers' journey in the first place. Enter Wine Access , a growing portal to the wine world that offers not just convenience but a more curated approach. At a time when a trip to Napa is out of the question, and wineries sit closed for the foreseeable future, why not bring the experience to your home? The online wine shop is based in the heart of downtown Napa, and

Marriott data breach exposes 5 million guests' information. Again.

Marriott International has announced a massive data breach that exposed approximately 5.2 million hotel guests' information. No, not that breach . It's a new one this time.  "At the end of February 2020, we identified that an unexpected amount of guest information may have been accessed using the login credentials of two employees at a franchise property," the international hotel chain wrote on Tuesday . "We believe this activity started in mid-January 2020." According to Marriott International, the breach exposed information such as customers' personal and contact details, loyalty account information, airline loyalty programs, and room preferences. This included people's names, mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays. Read more... More about Marriott , Hacks , Marriott Hotels , Data Breach , and Security Breach from Mashable https://ift.tt/2UVO44K via IFTTT

Top US official says its not time to evacuate aircraft carrier dealing with coronavirus — even after its commander pleaded for urgent help

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US Navy was not yet "at that point" where it ought to evacuate crew members of an aircraft carrier reportedly with a growing number of coronavirus cases. On Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the commander of an aircraft carrier wrote a four-page letter warning that the "spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating." Esper, who claimed he had "not had a chance to read that letter ... in detail," said that none of the sailors were "seriously ill." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States Navy was not yet "at that point" where it ought to evacuate crew members of an aircraft carrier reportedly coping with over a hundred cases of the novel coronavirus. "We are moving a lot of supplies and assistance ... out of the carrier in Guam," Esper said during an interview with "CBS Evening News"

Atari's latest attempt at milking nostalgia is a 'Pong' RPG

Atari is trying themed hotels, retro consoles and other efforts to reel in nostalgic gamers, but its latest may be its oddest yet: turn Pong into a one-of-a-kind role-playing game. It's developing a Pong Quest game that has you guiding a heroic... from Engadget RSS Feed https://ift.tt/3ayfqVt via IFTTT

Delayed 'Resident Evil: Resistance' beta goes live on PC and PS4

After technical issues forced Capcom to delay the Resident Evil: Resistance beta on PC and PlayStation 4, it's now available on those platforms in addition to Xbox One. You'll need to install an update to try it on PS4 and Steam. from Engadget RSS Feed https://ift.tt/2URUUZ5 via IFTTT

Oracle tells employees it donated a COVID-19 'therapeutic learning system' that can help speed up the development of a treatment to the US government (ORCL)

Oracle founder Larry Ellison and CEO Safra Catz told employees Tuesday that the tech giant has set up cloud tools to help the US government find a COVID-19 cure faster, according to a copy of an internal memo seen by Business Insider. Oracle has created applications to help scientists run clinical trials on possible cures, including antimalarial drugs endorsed by President Donald Trump but which health professionals say need more definitive tests. The company also created a tool, called "therapeutic learning system, accessible in the US and other countries, which the US government, state agencies and other countries could use for gathering real-time data on the effectiveness of specific treatments. The tool would essentially serve as a global crowdsourcing system for evaluating the different treatments and remedies being tried by physicians and individuals throughout the world, according to a source familiar with the situation. Ellison and Catz are among Trump's top supp

'Beauty and the Beast' parody stresses the importance of social distancing

Belle's introduction in Beauty and the Beast now has a pandemic twist in a parody version that emphasizes just how fast the coronavirus can spread if people don't take precautions.  Much like the original, Belle starts off her day by greeting her fellow villagers also living dull, provincial lives. But in this version, Belle isn't the protagonist. Instead, she's the one who won't wash her hands, isn't self-quarantining, and won't keep the CDC-recommended six feet of space between herself and other villagers.  "I've yet to see a reckless fool quite like her," the villagers croon. "Without a mask or gloves she goes?...She's gonna get us all infected, that is Belle."  Read more... More about Viral Videos , Beauty And The Beast , Coronavirus , Culture , and Web Culture from Mashable https://ift.tt/2xDOpkR via IFTTT

A former Facebook diversity consultant is suing the company for $100 million, accusing it of discrimination (FB)

A former diversity consultant for Facebook is suing the company for $100 million. Anastasia Boone Talton alleges she experienced discrimination based on race and disability at the company, as well as harassment. The lawsuit, seen by Business Insider, alleges she was excluded from events and meetings after raising concerns internally. Boone Talton was also allegedly told she was not a "cultural fit" after asking for accommodation for her medical issues. Facebook employees have previously spoken out about allegations of discrimination at the company. Click here for more BI Prime stories .   A former diversity consultant for Facebook is suing the social networking giant, alleging she was the victim of discrimination based on race and disability as well as harassment. On March 17, lawyers for Anastasia Boone Talton filed a complaint against Facebook with California's Superior Court of San Mateo, asserting that the recruiter faced illegal behaviour while working for