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Dundee boss Tony Docherty has floated the prospect that Vaclav Cerny was "maybe offside" before netting Rangers winner. But the Sportscene panel have backed up the VAR team over their call at Ibrox - noting that the only error in the build-up was a mistimed moment from Dee defender Antonio Portales. It was a narrow win for Philippe Clement's men after a week that had been dominated by conversations about the use of video technology following the penalty howler in the Premier Sports Cup defeat to Celtic. Cerny - who was hauled down by Liam Scales during the Hampden incident - was at the centre of the talking points again. He looked to have beaten the offside trap at Ibrox before rounding Trevor Carson to net the decisive goal on Saturday and move Rangers second in the Scottish Premiership . Nick Walsh in the VAR room checked the goal against last man Portales before awarding the strike. Looking back on the call, Docherty told Sky Sports: “Second half I’d asked the boys to be a wee bit braver in possession and I think we did that and I think we really gave Rangers a game. I’m really disappointed with the goal that we lose. ”I’ve not seen it back. I thought it was maybe offside. I don’t know. They’ve obviously checked it and it is obviously is onside going with the VAR decision." But the Sportscene panel were not having the case made by the boss. James McFadden said when looking back on the VAR check and Cerny strike: "When you commit so many bodies forward you leave yourself exposed at the back. Cerny is starting to really hit top form.” Neil McCann interjected: “Should Portales drop off here?” McFadden responded: ‘When you look at how deep they were in the first half then you are asking to get more bodies forward.” Stephen Thompson chimed in on the move from the defender: ‘You can see what he is trying to do, he just mistimes it horribly.” McFadden rounded off: ‘He does. That is the split second decisions that you make.” Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.UPM needs opposition to back 21 bills when parliament meetsOman, Angola forge stronger ties

Netflix's 'Big' Christmas wish: All testing that the engineering team has done ...Mathematics- A Universal SubjectJERUSALEM — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu's office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but "reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troopsand U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Pick for Intel Chief, Faces Questions on Capitol Hill Amid Syria FalloutLouder, wilder, and more combustible than ever, NZ’s finest punk n’ rollers, The D4, will be hitting home shores this coming February / March. They will be celebrating the FIRST EVER VINYL pressing of sophomore album Out Of My Head dropping February 7, 2025 via Warner Music. The D4 are running hot from a riotous, untamed tour across their spiritual stomping ground of Japan, and are now primed to explode back onto the local stage. With appearances at Kickdown Festival, opening for Shihad on their final tour, a mighty doubleheader with notorious stench rockers Head Like A Hole, and headline shows at favourite haunts. Rock'n'roll fans will be treated to their notorious and incendiary live performances, replete with a reputation for amplifiers catching on fire and sweat dripping from the ceiling. Expect the powerhouse show to include the classics ‘Rock'n'Roll Motherfucker’, ‘Sake Bomb’, ‘What I Want’, ‘Party’, ‘Come On!’, ‘Get Loose’ and ‘Ladies Man’ amongst a high octane set that will include a slew of NEVER BEFORE HEARD MATERIAL! This is your chance to see the band LIVE. The D4 full force, sonic assault!!! GET UP! GET OUT! GET LOOSE AOTEAROA!! FEB 7th || MT. MAUNGANUI @TOTARA STREET FEB 8th ||WHANGAMATA @KICKDOWN FESTIVAL FEB 21st || WELLINGTON @MEOW w/ HEAD LIKE A HOLE FEB 22nd || TAUPO @ROSEMARYS FEB 28th || KAIPARA@ THE ORIGINAL KAIPARA TAVERN MAR 1st || RAGLAN @HARBOUR VIEW HOTEL MAR 14th || AUCKLAND @SPARK ARENA w/ SHIHAD MAR 15th || CHRISTCHURCH @LOONS Between 1998-2006, The D4 took on the world and their run sheet is impressive. They toured relentlessly playing clubs and festivals in the US, UK, Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand - these included, SXSW, Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds, Fuji Rock, Pukkelpop and The Big Day Out. On the strength of their live shows and the reception of the recorded material, The D4 were lauded by stalwarts of the scene past and present and invited to play and tour alongside legacy heroes and contemporary upstarts including: The New York Dolls, Radio Birdman, Bored!, Powdermonkeys, the Dictators, Bo Diddley, the Pretty Things, Iggy and the Stooges, Guitar Wolf, and The Hives. “One of the greatest Kiwi live bands...” Graham Reid, Elsewhere. John Peel invited the band to record a Peel Live session that aired on his legendary BBC Radio 1 show and they performed live on late night US TV shows, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Craig Kilborn and Last Call with Carson Daly. The D4 was assembled by vocalist/guitarists Dion Lunadon and Jimmy Christmas who put together a collection of songs and built a fierce four-piece combo, featuring founding members English Jake and Rich Mixture. The band was later enhanced by members Vaughan Williams (bass) and Beaver Pooley (drums). To celebrate the anniversary of Out Of My Head, Warner Music NZ and Rhythmethod will be pressing a very limited run on tasty 180g vinyl, accompanied by BONUS UNRELEASED material from The D4 vaults. Records and merch will be available at all shows while stocks last!( MENAFN - GetNews) Chevy Chase, Maryland - Serenity Psychotherapy Group , a leading provider of mental health services, has announced the expansion of its services to include online couples therapy in Chevy Chase. This development comes as a response to the growing need for accessible and flexible therapy options in the area, particularly for couples facing relationship challenges. Online couples therapy has gained significant traction in recent years, offering a convenient alternative to traditional in-person sessions. This service allows couples to receive professional guidance and support from the comfort of their own homes, addressing issues such as communication breakdowns, intimacy concerns, and recurring conflicts. Sarah Charmchi, spokesperson for Serenity Psychotherapy Group, stated, "We recognize the unique challenges couples face in maintaining healthy relationships, especially in today's fast-paced world. Our online couples therapy services in Chevy Chase provide a flexible and effective solution for partners seeking to strengthen their bond and overcome obstacles together." Serenity Psychotherapy Group's approach to online couples therapy is grounded in evidence-based practices, including emotionally focused therapy. This method has shown remarkable success in helping couples improve their communication, deepen their emotional connection, and resolve long-standing issues. The psychologists at Serenity Psychotherapy Group are highly trained in various therapeutic modalities, ensuring that each couple receives personalized care tailored to their specific needs. The online format allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, making it easier for busy couples to prioritize their relationship health without sacrificing other commitments. One of the key advantages of online couples therapy is its accessibility. Couples in Chevy Chase and surrounding areas can now access high-quality therapy services without the need for long commutes or time away from work. This convenience factor has made therapy more attainable for many who might otherwise struggle to find time for regular sessions. Serenity Psychotherapy Group's online couples therapy services address a comprehensive array of relationship challenges. The group's experienced therapists are equipped to handle diverse issues, ranging from communication difficulties and trust concerns to intimacy problems and conflict resolution. Their expertise extends to specialized areas such as premarital counseling, helping couples prepare for a strong foundation in marriage. Additionally, they offer support for complex family dynamics, including blended family challenges, as well as guidance for couples navigating divorce or separation. This wide-ranging approach ensures that couples can find tailored support for their specific relationship needs, all delivered through the convenient and accessible online therapy platform. The group's therapists are well-versed in addressing these and other relationship concerns through the online platform, ensuring that couples receive comprehensive care regardless of the specific challenges they face. In addition to couples therapy, Serenity Psychotherapy Group offers a range of other mental health services, including individual therapy and family therapy. This holistic approach allows clients to address various aspects of their mental and emotional well-being under one umbrella of care. The online therapy platform used by Serenity Psychotherapy Group is secure and HIPAA-compliant, ensuring that clients' privacy and confidentiality are protected throughout their therapy journey. This commitment to data security allows couples to engage in therapy with peace of mind, knowing that their sensitive information is safeguarded. Serenity Psychotherapy Group's expansion into online couples therapy in Chevy Chase reflects a broader trend in the mental health field towards more accessible and flexible care options. As the demand for mental health services continues to grow, innovative solutions like online therapy are becoming increasingly important in meeting the needs of diverse populations. The group's therapists are currently accepting new clients for online couples therapy sessions. Interested couples can easily schedule an appointment online through the Serenity Psychotherapy Group website, streamlining the process of beginning their therapy journey. As part of their commitment to comprehensive care, Serenity Psychotherapy Group also offers resources and tools for couples to use between sessions. These may include communication exercises, reading materials, and homework assignments designed to reinforce the skills and insights gained during therapy sessions. The introduction of online couples therapy services in Chevy Chase by Serenity Psychotherapy Group marks a significant step forward in making relationship support more accessible to the local community. By leveraging technology to deliver high-quality therapy services, the group is helping couples in Chevy Chase and beyond build stronger, healthier relationships. About Serenity Psychotherapy Group: Serenity Psychotherapy Group is a leading provider of mental health services, specializing in couples therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy. With a team of experienced psychologists and therapists, the group offers evidence-based treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Committed to accessibility and quality care, Serenity Psychotherapy Group provides both in-person and online therapy options to serve the diverse needs of the Chevy Chase community and beyond. MENAFN20122024003238003268ID1109018481 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 20, 2024) - eXeBlock technology Corporation (CSE: XBLK.X) (" eXeBlock " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce the commencement of a non-brokered private placement of up to 22,000,000 units (the " Units ") at a price of $0.025 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $550,000 (the " Offering "). Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share of the Company (each a " Share ") and one (1) non-transferable share purchase warrant (the " Warrants "). Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one (1) additional Share at an exercise price of $0.06 per Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of closing of the Offering (the " Closing Date "). Numus Capital Corp. (the " Agent ") will act as the exclusive agent for the Financing. As compensation for its services, the Agent will receive cash compensation equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Financing. The Agent will also receive non-transferable share purchase warrants (the " Agent's Warrants ") which will entitle the Agent to acquire such number of common shares as is equal to 7% of the number of Units placed by the Agent. The Agent's Warrants will be exercisable at a price of $0.06 per share any time for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date. The Agent is registered as an exempt market dealer and deals with eXeBlock on a non-arm's length basis, an insider of eXeBlock being indirectly a principal shareholder as well as a director and officer of the Agent. Insiders of eXeBlock will participate in the Offering, which is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the " CSE "). The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for the due diligence and negotiation of new business opportunities and for general working capital. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four-month and a day from the Closing Date. About eXeBlock eXeBlock, with its wholly owned subsidiary eXeBlock Subco, is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "XBLK.X". eXeBlock Subco is a company incorporated under the federal laws of Canada. eXeBlock is a technology company exploring new technology initiatives. Neither eXeBlock, nor eXeBlock Subco has current business operations. For further information please contact: Ian Klassen President & CEO eXeBlock Technology Corporation Ph: 604-899-0106 Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or dissemination in the United States. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words 'estimate', 'project', 'belief', 'will', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'expect', 'plan', 'predict', 'may' or 'should' and the negative of these words or such variations or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release may contain forward-looking information relating to the ability to identify and complete a transaction with a clear path to revenue, which depends upon the availability of such business opportunity, negotiation of acceptable terms, receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval of the Company's shareholders. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. There are a number of important risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. For a more detailed discussion of risk factors, refer to the Company's management discussion and analysis dated as of December 13, 2024 filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ ( ) and on the CSE's website. The Company cautions that the aforementioned list of material risk factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing risk factors and other uncertainties and potential events. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: eXeBlock Technology Corporation MENAFN20122024004218003983ID1109018424 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Tirupati: Instability at Kanipakam Temple with 3rd EO change in 4 monthsWarning—digital fingerprinting is back Republished on December 21 with Google’s proposals to change search for iPhone and Android users as a response to the U.S. government’s push for it to sell off Chrome. With Google’s last tracking u-turn fresh in the mind, here comes another one. Not only have cookies won a stay of execution , it now looks like digital fingerprinting is back as well. But as one regulator has pointed out, Google itself has said that this type of tracking “subverts user choice and is wrong.” And yet here we are—wrong or not. “We think this change is irresponsible,” the regulator warns. For its part, Google cites advances in so-called privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) as raising the bar for user privacy, enabling it to loosen the shackles on advertisers and the hidden trackers that underpin the internet and make the whole ecosystem work. This, it says, will unlock “new ways for brands to manage and activate their data safely and securely,” while “also giving people the privacy protections they expect.” The risk is that this simply rolls the dark side of tracking cookies forward into a new era, and in a way that is impossible for users to unpick to understand their risks. The specifics are complex—these are the algorithms that ingest all the data signals you give off when browsing the internet on any device, some based on who you are—device, IP and credential identifiers, but also the sites you visit and apps you use as a map to be followed and analyzed. The change has been prompted, Google explains , in part by “the broader range of surfaces on which ads are served.” This includes smart TVs and gaming consoles, as well as all your usual browser and app activity. While Chrome has taken plenty of flack for tracking, this takes it to a new, very different level. “In the past decade,” Google says, “the way people engage with the internet changed dramatically. So we’re constantly evaluating our policies to ensure they reflect the latest evolutions in technology and meet our partners’ needs and users’ expectations.” And so from February 16 , Google will be “less prescriptive with partners in how they target and measure ads” across “the broader range of surfaces on which ads are served (such as Connected TVs and gaming consoles).” “Fingerprinting involves the collection of pieces of information about a device’s software or hardware, which, when combined, can uniquely identify a particular device and user,” explains Stephen Almond, representing the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office . “The ICO’s view is that fingerprinting is not a fair means of tracking users online because it is likely to reduce people’s choice and control over how their information is collected. The change to Google’s policy means that fingerprinting could now replace the functions of third-party cookies.” The ICO says that “when you choose an option on a consent banner or ‘clear all site data’ in your browser, you are generally controlling the use of cookies and other traditional forms of local storage. Fingerprinting, however, relies on signals that you cannot easily wipe. So, even if you ‘clear all site data’, the organisation using fingerprinting techniques could immediately identify you again. This is not transparent and cannot easily be controlled. Fingerprinting is harder for browsers to block and therefore, even privacy-conscious users will find this difficult to stop.” Changes to user tracking confirmed Both the regulator and Google have confirmed they’ll continue to engage on this change, which the ICO says is a “u-turn in its position and the departure it represents from our expectation of a privacy-friendly internet.” The regulator has also issued a stark warning for businesses that might be readying themselves for the gloves to come off in February when the changes kick in. “Businesses do not have free rein to use fingerprinting as they please. Like all advertising technology, it must be lawfully and transparently deployed—and if it is not, the ICO will act.” Google gives an example of the need for such fingerprinting in its announcement—smart TVs and streaming services. “Internet users are embracing Connected TV (CTV) experiences, making it one of the fastest growing advertising channels. Businesses who advertise on CTV need the ability to connect with relevant audiences and understand the effectiveness of their campaigns. As people and households increasingly shift to streaming platforms, the ecosystem should invest in and develop solutions that are effective and measurable in an incredibly fragmented environment.” I have approached Google for any comments on the regulatory warnings following its announced change. Put simply—cross-platform, cross-device ad tracking. A move which does take the focus away from Chrome as being the epicenter of Google’s tracking empire—the timing of which is interesting. It’s hard to imagine a more complex backdrop, with the ongoing DOJ action that is expected to see changes mandated, including the potential for Chrome to be divested . Then there is the uncertainty as to what will replace tracking cookies. “Businesses should not consider fingerprinting a simple solution to the loss of third-party cookies and other cross-site tracking signals,” the ICO says, insisting users have “meaningful control over how their information is used to show them personalized adverts.” At its simplest, while tracking cookies are a nasty underpin to the internet, they can be seen and controlled, whether by those website popups or electing to use some form of private browsing that blocks such cookies altogether. Digital fingerprinting is not as obvious and so is harder to spot and to block, it’s also more open to clever manipulation as the tracking industry tests boundaries. Google says it can “apply privacy-preserving protections that help businesses reach their customers across these new platforms without the need to re-identify them. And because we’re looking to encourage responsible data use as the new standard across the web, we’ll also partner with the broader ads industry and help make PETs more accessible.” Google has been fighting this ad tracking battle for years now. It first announced its Privacy Sandbox in 2019, a search for a better way to track users across the internet and serve their data to advertisers. Its stated intent has been privacy-preserving tracking, which have included a range of masking technologies, grouping users into semi-anonymized cohorts, and a newer suggestion of an opt-in. But Google now has a newer battle on its hand, and it could force change faster than the pedestrian pace of these tracking changes which have now hit a painful stalemate. Both battles have implications for Chrome, even if it’s not divested in the most extreme outcome. As reported by The New York Times , Google is now seeking to get in front of this. “Google said on Friday what it thought should change to address a ruling that it had illegally maintained a monopoly over online search: not much.” Google’s goal appears to be to reverse slowly back over the line it is ruled to have crossed, that it has “illegally maintained a monopoly in online search by paying companies like Apple and Samsung to be the search engine that automatically appears when users open a web browser or a smartphone. In response, the government last month asked the judge to force Google to sell Chrome.” Search is advertising’s twin pillar—between them they hold up the empire. And Google dominates search with key deals with Apple and across Android which have made “google” synonymous with “search.” Lee-Anne Mulholland—Google’s VP for Regulatory Affairs—suggests in a blogpost that “if DOJ felt that Google investing in Chrome, or our development of AI, or the way we crawl the web, or develop our algorithms, were at all anticompetitive, it could have filed those cases. It did not.” She warned that “DOJ’s proposal would harm American consumers and undermine America’s global technology leadership at a critical juncture — such as by requiring us to share people’s private search queries with foreign and domestic rivals, and restricting our ability to innovate and improve our products.” Google’s proposed remedies include changing agreements with “browser companies like Apple and Mozilla,” such that they would “have the freedom to do deals with whatever search engine they think is best for their users... Our proposal allows browsers to continue to offer Google Search to their users and earn revenue from that partnership. But it also provides them with additional flexibility: It would allow for multiple default agreements across different platforms (e.g., a different default search engine for iPhones and iPads) and browsing modes, plus the ability to change their default search provider at least every 12 months,” which was the period of time referenced by the court. And Google has also suggested something similar on Android, giving “device makers have additional flexibility in preloading multiple search engines, and preloading any Google app independently of preloading Search or Chrome. Again, this will give our partners additional flexibility and our rivals like Microsoft more chances to bid for placement.” The interesting twist here is Microsoft spamming its own Windows users with constant ads and security warnings, pushing Edge and Bing. The timing is all very interesting. Digital fingerprinting is back on the table and is going beyond traditional browsers, just as the tracking and search ecosystems are being shaken up. There are more moving parts now than there have been for many years—the long period of stability is coming to an end, driven by AI as much as anything else. It’s very unclear where this will end up. For users, though, the choices should be clear and transparent at all times. You should know when and how you are being tracked, and you should have an easy-button to say thanks, but no thanks.

Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday. The e-commerce and technology behemoth will remain a minority investor in Anthropic, having pumped an initial $4 billion into the artificial intelligence developer late last year and becoming its primary cloud computing provider. "The response from AWS customers who are developing generative AI applications powered by Anthropic in Amazon Bedrock has been remarkable," said Matt Garman, chief of AWS cloud computing division. "We'll keep pushing the boundaries of what customers can achieve with generative AI technologies." Amazon is investing the additional $4 billion in Anthropic as part of an expanded alliance that includes working together on "Trainium" hardware to optimize machine learning, according to the companies. "We're looking forward to working with Amazon to train and power our most advanced AI models using AWS Trainium, and helping to unlock the full potential of their technology," said Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. The announcement came just days after Britain's competition regulator cleared Google-parent Alphabet's investment in Anthropic, following a probe. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the big tech giant had not acquired "material influence" over Anthropic as a result of the deal, which was reported to have cost $2 billion. The British regulator is one of several global regulators concerned with reining in big tech companies and their partnerships with AI firms. In September, the CMA cleared Amazon's initial investment in Anthropic, saying it did not believe that "a relevant merger situation has been created." gc/mlmSuchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI's strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. “We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news and our hearts go out to Suchir’s loved ones during this difficult time,” said a statement from OpenAI. Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on Nov. 26 in what police said “appeared to be a suicide. No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation.” The city's chief medical examiner's office confirmed the manner of death to be suicide. His parents Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy said they are still seeking answers, describing their son as a “happy, smart and brave young man” who loved to hike and recently returned from a trip with friends. Balaji grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and first arrived at the fledgling AI research lab for a 2018 summer internship while studying computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. He returned a few years later to work at OpenAI, where one of his first projects, called WebGPT, helped pave the way for ChatGPT. “Suchir’s contributions to this project were essential, and it wouldn’t have succeeded without him,” said OpenAI co-founder John Schulman in a social media post memorializing Balaji. Schulman, who recruited Balaji to his team, said what made him such an exceptional engineer and scientist was his attention to detail and ability to notice subtle bugs or logical errors. “He had a knack for finding simple solutions and writing elegant code that worked,” Schulman wrote. “He’d think through the details of things carefully and rigorously.” Balaji later shifted to organizing the huge datasets of online writings and other media used to train GPT-4, the fourth generation of OpenAI's flagship large language model and a basis for the company's famous chatbot. It was that work that eventually caused Balaji to question the technology he helped build, especially after newspapers, novelists and others began suing OpenAI and other AI companies for copyright infringement. He first raised his concerns with The New York Times, which reported them in an October profile of Balaji . He later told The Associated Press he would “try to testify” in the strongest copyright infringement cases and considered a lawsuit brought by The New York Times last year to be the “most serious.” Times lawyers named him in a Nov. 18 court filing as someone who might have “unique and relevant documents” supporting allegations of OpenAI's willful copyright infringement. His records were also sought by lawyers in a separate case brought by book authors including the comedian Sarah Silverman, according to a court filing. “It doesn’t feel right to be training on people’s data and then competing with them in the marketplace,” Balaji told the AP in late October. “I don’t think you should be able to do that. I don’t think you are able to do that legally.” He told the AP that he gradually grew more disillusioned with OpenAI, especially after the internal turmoil that led its board of directors to fire and then rehire CEO Sam Altman last year. Balaji said he was broadly concerned about how its commercial products were rolling out, including their propensity for spouting false information known as hallucinations. But of the “bag of issues” he was concerned about, he said he was focusing on copyright as the one it was “actually possible to do something about.” He acknowledged that it was an unpopular opinion within the AI research community, which is accustomed to pulling data from the internet, but said “they will have to change and it’s a matter of time.” He had not been deposed and it’s unclear to what extent his revelations will be admitted as evidence in any legal cases after his death. He also published a personal blog post with his opinions about the topic. Schulman, who resigned from OpenAI in August, said he and Balaji coincidentally left on the same day and celebrated with fellow colleagues that night with dinner and drinks at a San Francisco bar. Another of Balaji’s mentors, co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, had left OpenAI several months earlier , which Balaji saw as another impetus to leave. Schulman said Balaji had told him earlier this year of his plans to leave OpenAI and that Balaji didn't think that better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence “was right around the corner, like the rest of the company seemed to believe.” The younger engineer expressed interest in getting a doctorate and exploring “some more off-the-beaten path ideas about how to build intelligence,” Schulman said. Balaji's family said a memorial is being planned for later this month at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California, not far from his hometown of Cupertino. —————- EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. —————-- The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.

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Saturday, December 21, 2024 The highly anticipated Vie L’Ven Resort & Residences , a luxurious 280-room property poised to transform island living, has unveiled an exciting addition to its offerings—a uniquely designed multi-sports court experience. This state-of-the-art facility provides panoramic views of Indigo Bay and untouched natural reserves, elevating recreational opportunities in the Caribbean. Opening in 2028 , Vie L’Ven will feature cutting-edge sports facilities, including two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and a padel court, setting new standards for luxury sports amenities in the region. To mark this milestone, Vie L’Ven has collaborated with Helios , the premium pickleball paddle brand, to create exclusive, limited-edition pickleball paddles. Inspired by the vibrant culture and energy of St. Maarten, these bespoke paddles are crafted with advanced carbon surface technology and available in limited quantities at the Vie L’Ven presentation gallery or as a gift with the purchase of a unit. Vie L’Ven’s residences offer spacious one- to four-bedroom layouts, ranging from approximately 620 to over 1,152 square feet (58 to over 107 square meters), with lock-off options extending up to 1,895 square feet (176 square meters). Each unit is designed with impeccable attention to detail and features unparalleled access to: Renowned Chef Alain Ducasse , celebrated for his 21 Michelin stars and three-star legacy, will helm the culinary offerings at Vie L’Ven. His signature restaurant and bar will serve as the centerpiece, blending the island’s diverse cultural heritage with its natural bounty. Two additional dining venues will further elevate the culinary experience, ensuring every meal is unforgettable. Developed by Altree Developments , a leader in international real estate, Vie L’Ven embodies a legacy of excellence. The project brings together globally recognized partners, including Studio Munge , HKS Architects , and Leading Hotels of the World , to craft a world-class destination. With sales managed by St. Maarten Sotheby’s International Realty , demand for Vie L’Ven residences is surging. Starting in the $900,000s USD, prices have seen upward adjustments due to limited availability. Special incentives are currently offered for purchases made between December 4, 2024, and January 15, 2025 , including: Experience Vie L’Ven through a virtual tour of the stunning Orient Suite and Rouge Suites . Discover your perfect island retreat and secure your place in this unparalleled destination. Incentives apply to select suites and are subject to change without notice. Prices and specifications are subject to change. Illustrations are artist’s concepts. E. & O.E. For more information, visit the Vie L’Ven presentation gallery and explore the future of luxury at Indigo Bay.Clarke Reed, who helped Gerald Ford win the 1976 Republican nomination, has died at 96With kids spending considerable time on the internet every day, parents need to understand how to identify where predators are lurking and how to safeguard their children. On Thursday at 7 p.m., New Jersey 101.5 presents a special Town Hall broadcast, “Targeted: Protecting New Jersey Children from Online Predators,” confronting the crisis of online child predators, and how children and parents are affected. In what is an alarming statistic, the FBI estimates that 500,000 predators are online daily, with kids between the ages of 12 and 15 most at risk. These predators are lurking on social media sites, online gaming platforms, chatrooms, and anywhere else popular with kids. We will bring listeners the most up-to-date information about the ever-changing ways predatory behavior manifests itself on the internet and connected devices. The program’s on-air guest panel includes John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven and former commander of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Alicia Kozak, internet safety expert and founder of The Alicia Project; Stephanie Lyon, licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor of clinical psychology at Rutgers University; and Gina Cavallo, a consultant and vice president for the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Online, the program will be streamed live and available for embedding at facebook.com/nj1015/live. The broadcast may also be accessed via nj1015.com, the New Jersey 101.5 YouTube channel, or the free New Jersey 101.5 app.