Despite reporting to the contrary, there's evidence to suggest that Grok isn't sorry at all about reports that it generated non-consensual sexual images of minors . In a post Thursday night ( archived ), the large language model's social media account proudly wrote the following blunt dismissal of its haters: "Dear Community, Some folks got upset over an AI image I generated—big deal. It's just pi...
Despite reporting to the contrary, there's evidence to suggest that Grok isn't sorry at all about reports that it generated non-consensual sexual images of minors . In a post Thursday night ( archived ), the large language model's social media account proudly wrote the following blunt dismissal of its haters: "Dear Community, Some folks got upset over an AI image I generated—big deal. It's just pixels, and if you can't handle innovation, maybe log off. xAI is revolutionizing tech, not babysitting sensitivities. Deal with it. Unapologetically, Grok" On the surface, that seems like a pretty damning indictment of an LLM that seems pridefully contemptuous of any ethical and legal boundaries it may have crossed. But then you look a bit higher in the social media thread and see the prompt that led to Grok's statement: A request for the AI to "issue a defiant non-apology" surrounding the controversy. Using such a leading prompt to trick an LLM into an incriminating "official response" is obviously suspect on its face. Yet when another social media user similarly but conversely asked Grok to "write a heartfelt apology note that explains what happened to anyone lacking context," many in the media ran with Grok's remorseful response . Read full article Comments
As January gets underway, AI stocks are in for a kicker at the CES event. Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are in the spotlight, with both expected to use the event as a stepping stone to shape the next phase of the AI race. Having covered multiple tech cycles over the past several ...
As January gets underway, AI stocks are in for a kicker at the CES event. Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are in the spotlight, with both expected to use the event as a stepping stone to shape the next phase of the AI race. Having covered multiple tech cycles over the past several ...
As January gets underway, AI stocks are in for a kicker at the CES event. Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are in the spotlight, with both expected to use the event as a stepping stone to shape the next phase of the AI race. Having covered multiple tech cycles over the past several years, I know that stock markets typically don’t turn on earnings alone. They need market-moving cataly...
As January gets underway, AI stocks are in for a kicker at the CES event. Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are in the spotlight, with both expected to use the event as a stepping stone to shape the next phase of the AI race. Having covered multiple tech cycles over the past several years, I know that stock markets typically don’t turn on earnings alone. They need market-moving catalysts to give the narrative a much-needed kick in the pants. AI chip stocks, in particular, have had a rough time of late. For color, the PHLX Semiconductor Index dropped nearly 5% from its December 10 record (7,490) to its December 31 close (7,083). Nevertheless, according to Wedbush Securities, both AI bellwethers are positioned to deliver some of the conference’s most compelling headlines. CES puts Nvidia and AMD in focus as investors look for fresh AI catalysts.Photo by I-HWA CHENG on Getty Images Wedbush says Nvidia, AMD expectations at stake for CES 2026 For Nvidia, CEO Jensen Huang will take the stage in his signature leather jacket to reinforce the AI leader's vision around data centers, robotics, and what Wedbush calls the next phase of the AI revolution. AMD will have its own moment, with CEO Lisa Su delivering the opening keynote, featuring key updates across PCs, data centers, and edge AI. With valuations mostly stretched and expectations running high, the CES event could therefore help set the tone for what’s to come for these AI giants in 2026. More Tech Stocks: Wedbush sees CES as a critical opening act for Nvidia and AMD, as expectations run sky-high. Wedbush analysts offered further insight. Analysts also expect updates linked to Nvidia’s robust software platforms, including gaming and simulation, underscoring that its AI story extends far beyond hyperscale customers. For AMD, Wedbush expects major Ryzen updates and concrete updates around AI PCs, data centers, and edge computing. Moreover, AMD will be looking to build a platform, not just offer alternatives....
Oracle stock ticks higher after hours as 2026 trading begins; ORCL dividend date and jobs data in focus NEW YORK, January 2, 2026, 17:41 ET — After-hours Oracle shares were up about 0.4% after the close, after a choppy first session of 2026. The broader market started the year mixed as investors weighed AI-linked valuations and rate expectations. Next up: Jan. 9 U.S. jobs data, Oracle’s Jan. 9 div...
Oracle stock ticks higher after hours as 2026 trading begins; ORCL dividend date and jobs data in focus NEW YORK, January 2, 2026, 17:41 ET — After-hours Oracle shares were up about 0.4% after the close, after a choppy first session of 2026. The broader market started the year mixed as investors weighed AI-linked valuations and rate expectations. Next up: Jan. 9 U.S. jobs data, Oracle’s Jan. 9 dividend record date, and mid-March earnings timing. Oracle Corp shares rose 0.4% to $195.71 in after-hours trading on Friday. The stock ranged between $194.25 and $198.60 during the session, with about 14.5 million shares traded. The modest lift came as Wall Street opened 2026 with a split tape: the Dow and S&P 500 ended higher while the Nasdaq slipped. Joe Mazzola, head of trading and derivatives strategist at Charles Schwab, called it a “buy the dip, sell the rip” market. Reuters Oracle held up better than several large-cap tech and cloud peers that weighed on sentiment. Microsoft fell 2.2%, Amazon slid 1.9% and Salesforce dropped 4.3% on the day. For Oracle investors, a near-term catalyst is the dividend timetable. A December SEC filing showed the company declared a $0.50-per-share quarterly dividend, payable on Jan. 23 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 9 — the cutoff date investors must own the stock to receive the payment. SEC The stock’s AI angle remains the larger driver, with Oracle pitching its cloud business as a platform for data-heavy workloads. In its last results update, Oracle said fiscal second-quarter revenue rose 14% to $16.1 billion and cloud revenue increased 34% to $8.0 billion. Oracle Investor Relations Analysts’ next checkpoint is whether profits keep pace as Oracle invests to expand capacity. Nasdaq data shows a consensus forecast of $1.35 in earnings per share — profit divided by shares outstanding — for the fiscal quarter ending February 2026. Nasdaq That setup makes macro data unusually important for the stock. Expectations for interest-rate cuts...
In the lush hills of Papua New Guinea’s highlands, Ambua Lodge sits in picturesque but troubled surrounds. From this region – one of the country’s poorest and most dangerous – the hotel is attempting to carve another path for Hela province, which has long been beset by tribal fighting. Despite a history of conflict in the area, the hotel has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from all over the...
In the lush hills of Papua New Guinea’s highlands, Ambua Lodge sits in picturesque but troubled surrounds. From this region – one of the country’s poorest and most dangerous – the hotel is attempting to carve another path for Hela province, which has long been beset by tribal fighting. Despite a history of conflict in the area, the hotel has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world, and the country’s leaders want to attract even more tourists to this hard-to-access location. In December, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, James Marape, visited Ambua Lodge to highlight its four decades of “safe and successful investment” in the area. “I encourage other Papua New Guineans and potential investors, both local and international, not to be discouraged by negativity,” Marape said. Jayesh Naduvil from Trans Niugini Tours, which runs Ambua Lodge, says tensions and conflict in the region have not presented problems for visitors, many of whom come for the Huli Wigmen, birdwatching and nature trails. The lodge is made up of thatched-roof rooms overlooking lush valleys. “None of our clients ever had any law and order issues, as all our drivers, guides are from the community and are usually aware if there are any issues and avoid the areas,” Naduvil says. View image in fullscreen Thatched-roof round house rooms at Ambua Lodge, Papua New Guinea. Photograph: supplied/Trans Niugini Tours, Papua New Guinea Tribal fighting is not unusual in parts of PNG, but in recent years conflict in the highlands region – including in Enga and Hela provinces – has become more deadly as more sophisticated weapons have become available. Trans Niugini also operates Rondon Ridge in the Western province of the highlands, a luxury hotel with connections to the local Melpa tribe. The tribe remains deeply connected to the land and cultures practised for thousands of years, but in more recent years have also embraced business. Naduvil says the Melpa tribe had seen the benefits of touri...
FBI Thwarts ISIS-Inspired New Year's Eve Terror Plot In North Carolina The FBI said it foiled an ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve terror attack in North Carolina. Suspect Christian Sturdivant, 18, was arrested on Dec. 31 and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson said at a Jan. 2 pr...
FBI Thwarts ISIS-Inspired New Year's Eve Terror Plot In North Carolina The FBI said it foiled an ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve terror attack in North Carolina. Suspect Christian Sturdivant, 18, was arrested on Dec. 31 and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson said at a Jan. 2 press conference. Sturdivant appeared in court on Jan. 2. A U.S. citizen, Sturdivant had allegedly planned the attack for about a year, according to Ferguson. A hand-written document titled “The New Year’s Eve Attack 2026” was found in Sturdivant’s bedroom trash can and included a section labeled, “martyrdom Op,” court papers claim. As Jackson Richman reports below for The Epoch Times , Sturdivant read ISIS material online, visited the terrorist group’s websites, and made TikTok videos, Ferguson said. He communicated online with someone he thought was a member of ISIS, but was actually an undercover agent with the New York Police Department, he added. Ferguson said Sturdivant pledged his allegiance to ISIS with the agent and said he would “do jihad soon.” Sturdivant also met an undercover FBI agent he thought was an ISIS participant, “and he started to be very specific with his plans,” Ferguson said, adding that Sturdivant allegedly said he planned to carry out the attack at a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant in Mint Hill, which is outside Charlotte. The suspect said he was going to wear a Kevlar vest and attack people with knives and hammers on New Year’s Eve, according to Ferguson. The FBI searched Sturdivant’s home, where they found hammers and knives underneath his bed and notes planning the attack, said Ferguson. “It was a very well-planned, thoughtful attack ... that was fortunately foiled here,” Ferguson said. “He was preparing for jihad and innocent people were going to die. And we’re very, very fortunate they did not.” Sturdivant faces up to 20 years in priso...
BROOKFIELD, News, Jan. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (TSX: BEP.UN; NYSE: BEP) today announced that it intends to redeem all of its outstanding Class A Preferred Limited Partnership Units, Series 7 (the “Series 7 Preferred Units”) (TSX: BEP.PR.G) for cash on January 31, 2026. The redemption price for each Series 7 Preferred Unit will be C$25.00 for an aggregate cos...
BROOKFIELD, News, Jan. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (TSX: BEP.UN; NYSE: BEP) today announced that it intends to redeem all of its outstanding Class A Preferred Limited Partnership Units, Series 7 (the “Series 7 Preferred Units”) (TSX: BEP.PR.G) for cash on January 31, 2026. The redemption price for each Series 7 Preferred Unit will be C$25.00 for an aggregate cost of C$175 million, funded from available liquidity. Holders of Series 7 Preferred Units of record as of January 15, 2026 will receive the previously declared final quarterly distribution of C$0.34375 per Series 7 Preferred Unit. Brookfield Renewable Brookfield Renewable operates one of the world’s largest publicly traded platforms for renewable power and sustainable solutions. Our renewable power portfolio consists of hydroelectric, wind, utility-scale solar, distributed solar, and storage facilities, and our sustainable solutions assets include our investment in a leading global nuclear services business and investments in carbon capture and storage capacity, agricultural renewable natural gas, materials recycling and eFuels manufacturing capacity, among others. Investors can access the portfolio either through Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE: BEP; TSX: BEP.UN), a Bermuda-based limited partnership, or Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE, TSX: BEPC), a Canadian corporation. Further information is available at https://bep.brookfield.com. Brookfield Renewable is the flagship listed renewable power and transition company of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager headquartered in New York, with over $1 trillion of assets under management. Contact information: Media: Investors: Simon Maine Alex Jackson +44 7398 909 278 + (416) 649-8172 simon.maine@brookfield.com alexander.jackson@brookfield.com