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Hong Kong police fire tear gas as thousands march against security law

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Hong Kong police fire tear gas as thousands march against security law

Large-scale unrest returned to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday for the first time since the coronavirus epidemic disrupted life in the territory earlier this year, as pro-democracy protesters and riot police squared off over a proposed new national security law.

Police fired tear gas in an effort to disperse thousands of demonstrators who blocked roads in one of the city’s busiest shopping districts. “I am here because of the national security law,” said one protester, a 40-year-old woman who asked not to be identified.

“Hong Kong will have no more freedoms” she added. “You will be punished for what you say. I fear that Hong Kong will just become another Chinese city.”

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Members of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp also worry that the new national security law will erode Hong Kong’s prosperity and undermine its status as one of the world’s leading financial centres.

On Thursday China’s legislature, now meeting for its annual session, will pass a resolution authorising its standing committee to draft the legislation for Hong Kong. The law would prohibit treason, secession, sedition, subversion and the theft of state secrets, while also allowing China’s state security services to maintain a formal presence in the territory.

Jimmy Lai, publisher of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, warned that the property market could “collapse” if the new law, which will be drafted by China’s parliament and inserted into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, scares off investors from mainland China.

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“Mainlanders come to Hong Kong to buy real estate for our rule of law, freedom and safety,” Mr Lai, who is awaiting trial for participating in a peaceful but unauthorised protest last year, said on Twitter. “Now mainlanders fear the national security law.”

A local fund manager said that the surprise move by Beijing, announced just hours before the National People’s Congress formally convened on May 22, “will definitely threaten Hong Kong’s status as a financial centre”.

“What’s the difference between Hong Kong and the mainland if this national security law is being imposed directly by Beijing,” said the fund manager, who asked not to be identified. “It sends a very strong signal that Beijing can do anything it wants in Hong Kong.”

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Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, or Basic Law, requires the city’s government to draft and pass national security legislation to replace similar laws that lapsed when the former UK colony reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. But it has failed to do so, which Chinese officials say has left them with no choice but to impose them directly, especially after large-scale pro-democracy protests erupted last year.

“The interests of foreign investors in Hong Kong will continue to be protected in accordance with the law,” the Chinese foreign ministry’s representative office in the territory said, adding that the “one country, two systems” formula that is supposed to guarantee Hong Kong’s civil freedoms “will remain unchanged”.

“Hong Kong will remain a very free society where freedom of expression, protest and press will stay because these are Hong Kong’s core values and are protected by the Basic Law,” said Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam.

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Despite such assurances, providers of virtual private network internet services used by people in mainland China to evade the government’s internet censorship regime, or Great Firewall, reported a surge in new purchases by Hong Kong residents.

On Friday, NordVPN said that within 24 hours of the NPC’s decision downloads of its consumer VPNs in Hong Kong were 120 times higher than normal, while interest in its business VPN services tripled. Another VPN provider, Surfshark, said 42,000 Hong Kong residents visited its website over the same timeframe, as it sold a week’s worth of VPN subscriptions in one hour.

“We saw a surge of user growth in Hong Kong directly after the [national security law announcement] was made public,” said Naomi Hodges, a cyber security adviser at Surfshark. “It’s clear that the people in Hong Kong feel their freedom is being directly threatened.”

Any expansion of the Great Firewall to include Hong Kong could disrupt operations for multinationals in China, as many of them route their internet traffic through Hong Kong to circumvent mainland censorship.

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Additional reporting by Yuan Yang in Beijing

 

(Note: This is a Article Automatically Generated Through Syndication, Here is The Original Source

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More Trouble For Microsoft, OpenAI: Eight US Newspaper Publishers File Lawsuit For Copyright Infringement

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More Trouble For Microsoft, OpenAI: Eight US Newspaper Publishers File Lawsuit For Copyright Infringement

Trouble for Microsoft and OpenAI over copyright infringement is not coming to an end, as they face several lawsuits for violating copyrights.

On Tuesday, eight US newspaper publishers sued Microsoft for illegally reusing articles in AI products.

The 98-page long lawsuit further accused the tech companies of attributing erroneous information to the publishers.

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The eight newspapers that have filed the lawsuits include the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune.

They allege that OpenAI’s ChatGPT used their copyrighted articles to perfect its language models without permission.

The lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court on Tuesday. The publishers claim that OpenAI’s large language models, GPT-2 and GPT-3, were perfected using datasets containing text from their newspapers.

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The language models are designed to produce text based on human inputs and reproduce copies of the publishers’ works. Microsoft has been indicted for using newspapers for its Bing search index but seldom provided links to the original articles. Four months ago, The New York Times also filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the tech giant of using data from its past content. It also asked for consent for usage, criticizing the use of full article excerpts in chatbot responses.

The latest lawsuit filed by the eight news outlets also demanded consent and fair value for using their content to perfect the AI language models. The lawsuit alleged that the AI tools literally regurgitate their content without directing users to the content source.

The lawsuit filings stated, “This lawsuit arises from defendants purloining millions of the publishers’ copyrighted articles without permission and without payment to fuel the commercialization of their generative artificial intelligence products, including ChatGPT and (Microsoft’s) Copilot.”

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The eight newspapers that instituted the lawsuits are as follows:

  • The New York Daily News and The Chicago Tribune, both owned by Alden Global Capital
  • The Orlando Sentinel
  • The Sun Sentinel
  • The San Jose Mercury News
  • The Denver Post
  • The Orange County Register
  • The St. Paul Pioneer Press

OpenAI’s Response

OpenAI did not directly respond to the accusations but stated that it takes great care to support the news and media outlets. It also stated it is in continuous partnerships and conversations with various news outlets around the world to explore new opportunities, discuss problems, and seek out solutions.

Microsoft also stated that OpenAI has entered into fruitful partnerships with a number of publishers, which includes The Financial Times, The Associated Press, Spanish conglomerate Prisa Media, and Germany’s Axel Springer.

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Alan Patricof Net Worth 2024: How Much is the American Investor Worth?

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Alan Patricof Net Worth 2024: How Much is the American Investor Worth?

Who is Alan Patricof?

Alan Patricof is a prominent figure in the American investment landscape, renowned for his contributions to venture capital. With a career spanning over four decades, Patricof has been instrumental in shaping the growth of numerous global companies, including America Online, Apple Computer, and Audible. His legacy extends beyond business, with involvement in community organizations and government initiatives.

Alan Patricof Career

Alan Patricof’s career in venture capital began in the industry’s early days. He founded Patricof & Co. Ventures Inc., a precursor to Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity firms. Later, he established Greycroft Partners, focusing on early and expansion-stage investments in digital media. Throughout his career, Patricof’s vision and leadership have played a pivotal role in advancing the venture capital field.

Alan Patricof’s Net Worth

As of May 3, 2024, Alan Patricof’s estimated net worth stands at over $1 million. His wealth is derived from various investments, including holdings in Boston Properties Inc. and successful ventures in digital media. Despite humble beginnings, Patricof’s entrepreneurial spirit and strategic acumen have propelled him to financial success.

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Alan Patricof Age

Born in 1934, Alan Patricof is currently in his late eighties. Despite his advanced age, he remains active in the business world, leveraging his wealth of experience to mentor emerging entrepreneurs and drive innovation.

Alan Patricof Family: Wife and Children

Alan Patricof has been married to his wife Susan for over 48 years. Together, they have three children and seven grandchildren. Family holds great importance to Patricof, and he credits his upbringing and heritage for shaping his values and work ethic.

Alan Patricof Height and Weight

While specific details about Alan Patricof’s height and weight are not readily available, his stature in the investment community is undeniable. Patricof’s impact transcends physical measurements, as he continues to leave a lasting legacy in venture capital and philanthropy.

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Also Read: Mike Markkula Net Worth 2024: How Much is the Former CEO of Apple Worth?

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Net Worth

Stephen M. Ross Net Worth 2024: How Much is the Chairperson of The Related Companies Worth?

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Stephen M. Ross Net Worth 2024: How Much is the Chairperson of The Related Companies Worth?

Who is Stephen M. Ross?

Stephen M. Ross, the Chairperson of The Related Companies, is a distinguished figure in the real estate sector, renowned for his significant contributions and profound impact. Born on May 10th, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Ross embarked on his journey into real estate at a young age, demonstrating remarkable diligence and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite initially pursuing a career as a tax attorney, Ross soon discovered his genuine passion for real estate investment, laying the foundation for his illustrious career.

Stephen M. Ross Career

Ross’s career trajectory is marked by pioneering ventures and transformative projects. In 1972, he founded The Related Companies, which initially focused on subsidized low and moderate-income apartments. Over the years, Ross transitioned to higher-profile projects, including the iconic Hudson Yards development, valued at over $7 billion. His visionary approach and strategic partnerships have cemented his reputation as a prominent figure within the real estate industry.

Stephen M. Ross Net Worth

As of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Stephen M. Ross’s net worth stands at an impressive $10 billion, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest individuals globally. Ross’s wealth accumulation is attributed to his unparalleled success as a real estate mogul, with an estimated annual income of nearly $700 million derived from royalties on his diverse property holdings. His continued involvement in the real estate sector, with ongoing projects in New Jersey and Florida, further contributes to his substantial net worth.

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Stephen M. Ross Age

Currently, Stephen M. Ross is 83 years old, born on May 10th, 1940. Despite his age, Ross remains actively engaged in his professional pursuits, demonstrating resilience and dedication to his craft.

Stephen M. Ross Family: Wife and Children

Ross’s personal life is characterized by familial bonds and enduring relationships. He is happily married to Kara Ross and is the proud father of four children. Ross’s commitment to family values underscores his holistic approach to life and business.

Stephen M. Ross Height and Weight

Physically, Stephen M. Ross stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) and maintains a healthy body weight of around 72 kg. Despite his busy schedule, Ross prioritizes his health and well-being, engaging in activities such as volleyball and tennis.

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Also Read: Dave Ramsey Net Worth 2024: How Much is American Radio Personality Worth?

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