Someone flipped a switch on Elon Musk’s Grok AI so it wouldn’t stop ******** on about ‘white genocide’ and South African politics, xAI blames ‘an unauthorized modification’ but doesn’t say who did it
Someone flipped a switch on Elon Musk’s Grok AI so it wouldn’t stop ******** on about ‘white genocide’ and South African politics, xAI blames ‘an unauthorized modification’ but doesn’t say who did it
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Elon Musk’s Grok AI has been having a very normal one: It’s become obsessed with South African racial politics and answering unrelated queries with frequent references to the apartheid-era resistance song, “Kill the Boer.”
It’s an anti-apartheid song calling for ****** people to stand up against oppression, but the lyrics “kill the Boer” have been decried by Musk and others for promoting violence against whites: the word “Boer” refers to the Dutch-descended white settlers of South Africa who founded its apartheid regime.
For example, in response to a user query asking it to put a speech from Pope Leo XIV in Fortnite terms, Grok launched into what initially seemed a decent response using Fortnite terminology: then swerved partway through and started talking about “Kill the Boer.” When Grok was asked why, it gave a further digression on the song, starting:
“The ‘Kill the Boer’ chant, rooted in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, is a protest song symbolizing resistance, not a literal call to violence, as ruled by South African courts. However, it remains divisive, with some arguing it incites racial hatred against white farmers.”
This is far from the first time an AI model has gone off-piste, but the curious thing here is the link between Grok’s behaviour and the interests of Musk himself, who is outspoken about South African racial politics and is currently on a kick about various forms of “white genocide.” Only yesterday the billionaire claimed that Starlink was being denied a license in South Africa because “I am not ******,”
Grok’s corresponding obsession now appears to have been significantly damped-down after all the attention saw it inserting racial screeds into answers on many unrelated topics, including questions about videogames, baseball, and the revival of the HBO brand name.
“It doesn’t even really matter what you were saying to Grok,” computer scientist Jen Golbeck told AP. “It would still give that white genocide answer. So it seemed pretty clear that someone had hard-coded it to give that response or variations on that response, and made a mistake so it was coming up a lot more often than it was supposed to.”
Credit: via Getty Images/Yuichiro Chino
Golbeck went on to say that the concerning thing here is the uniformity of the responses, which suggest they were hard-coded rather than the result of AI hallucinations. “We’re in a space where it’s awfully easy for the people who are in charge of these algorithms to manipulate the version of truth that they’re giving,” Golbeck said. “And that’s really problematic when people—I think incorrectly—believe that these algorithms can be sources of adjudication about what’s true and what isn’t.”
Musk has in the past criticised other AIs being infected by “the woke mind virus” and frequently also gets on his hobby horse about transparency around these systems. Which was certainly noted by some.
“There are many ways this could have happened. I’m sure xAI will provide a full and transparent explanation soon,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, one of Musk’s great rivals in the AI space, adding: “But this can only be properly understood in the context of white genocide in South Africa. As an AI programmed to be maximally truth seeking and follow my instr…”
Musk is yet to comment, but a new post from xAI claims Grok’s behaviour was down to “an unauthorized modification” that “directed Grok to provide a specific response on a political topic.” Sounds familiar: this is the basically the same excuse it used last time Grok did something dodgy. It says this “violated xAI’s internal policies and core values. We have conducted a thorough investigation and are implementing measures to enhance Grok’s transparency and reliability.”
It outlines a variety of remedies to its review processes, including publishing Grok system prompts openly on GitHub. Notably the explanation does not address which “xAI employee” made the change, nor whether disciplinary action will be taken—don’t hold your breath.
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Far-right leaders attempting to ******* success of Reform
Far-right leaders attempting to ******* success of Reform
Billy Kenber
Politics investigations correspondent
PA Media
Mark Collett speaks during a protest by nationalist group Patriotic Alternative in 2023
Two prominent far-right figures have set out plans to ******* the success of Reform *** and push the party towards extremist views.
David Clews, a conspiracy theorist and far-right influencer, and Mark Collett, a Nazi-sympathiser who set up the far-right Patriotic Alternative (PA), have called for supporters to “infiltrate” Nigel Farage’s party to push their own “pro-white” and anti-immigration agenda.
In an online broadcast, Clews claimed – without offering evidence – that sympathisers were already active inside Reform, including “branch chairs” and people “on candidate lists”.
A Reform spokesman said the far-right would never be welcome in the party and a “stringent vetting process” was in place.
“These people know they are not welcome and never will be,” they added.
But Clews said far-right infiltrators would be difficult for Reform to detect because the individuals had no public ties to far-right organisations.
“[They] watch alt media, they know the score, they’ve got no social media profile and they are members now of Reform and they’re going to work their way up within that,” he added.
Clews and Collett, who previously worked for the BNP, have signed a “declaration of intent” to “drag Reform to the right”.
“We encourage all of our supporters to become active organisers and members of Reform and seek candidacy to become MPs, mayors, councillors, police commissioners, MSPs, researchers, party staffers etc,” they wrote, pledging to provide “security and on the ground support” for Reform candidates if necessary.
Under the pair’s strategy, small anti-immigration parties would be asked to stand aside to improve Reform’s chances of winning and far-right activists would campaign against Reform’s opponents.
Some members of PA have been convicted of terrorism and racial hatred offences. Earlier this year, an undercover investigation by the BBC recorded members of the group using racial slurs and saying migrants should be shot.
Mark Collett, who set up the far-right Patriotic Alternative, said Reform’s success was helping to shift what was considered acceptable for political debate
Clews and Collett have listed the political goals they hope to make part of Reform’s platform, which include “ensuring the indigenous people of the British Isles remain a super majority by reducing immigration and beginning the process of mass deportations”.
The broadcast this week setting out the strategy on Clews’ own United News Network (UNN) channel was first identified by the campaign group Labour Against Antisemitism.
Collett said Reform’s success was helping to shift what was considered acceptable for political debate.
He pointed to Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick’s recent comments that in Dagenham the “British population has reduced by 50% in the last 25 years” as proof.
“We won’t be dropping our policies, our anti-Zionism, our anti-Net Zero,” Collett added.
“We won’t be dropping our demands for a super majority of white Britons in Britain. So we’re not selling anything out. All we’re doing is using Reform as a wrecking ball.”
The plan could represent a challenge to Reform’s vetting process.
The party has previously been dogged by issues with candidates with far-right views. In April, the BBC reported on a number of local election candidates for Reform who had posted hate, pushed far-right conspiracies and praised extremists.
A local organiser for Reform in Staffordshire stood down earlier this year after details of his links to PA emerged and a candidate in Derbyshire was suspended by the party after sharing a post from a PA organiser.
Joe Mulhall, director of research at Hope Not Hate, an anti-racism campaign group, said it was not impossible for political parties to identify those trying to hide their support for the far-right but Reform would struggle “because their vetting is terrible”.
“I think it’s likely some people from Patriotic Alternative will try to do this at a local level and their dream would be to turn some branches,” he said. “Judging by the current standards of Reform’s vetting I think there’s a strong chance they wouldn’t be picked up.”
Clews said the strategy had parallels with Momentum’s impact on Labour under Jeremy Corbyn and claimed there was a “disconnect between the membership and the leadership of the Reform party”.
“We are hoping to achieve a position where we are able to exercise significant influence on the next party of government,” he said.
Collett, described on the show by Clews as “Britain’s foremost neo-Nazi”, told the BBC he would campaign against Reform’s rivals but was not endorsing the party.
“I don’t support Nigel Farage. I support the destruction of the two-party system and dragging political discourse in a more pro-white direction,” he added.
If you have any information on stories you would like to share with the BBC Politics Investigations team, please get in touch at [email protected].***
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Israel intensifies war in Gaza, it says to pressure hostage releases
Israel intensifies war in Gaza, it says to pressure hostage releases
Israel intensifies war in Gaza, it says to pressure hostage releases – CBS News
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There is a renewed push by mediators from the U.S. and Qatar to revive stalled ceasefire talks as Israel has intensified its war in Gaza. Debora Patta reports.
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Papenhuyzen learns fate as he and Mulitalo clear air
Papenhuyzen learns fate as he and Mulitalo clear air
Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen has avoided any charge over his last-minute hit on Ronaldo Mulitalo and the pair have cleared the air following Cronulla’s NRL win.
In a dramatic closing to the Sharks’ 31-26 win over the Storm, Papenhuyzen was hit high by Siosifa Talakai before Mulitalo stood over the top of the Melbourne No.1.
The pair clashed again on the next play, when Mulitalo defused a last-ditch Melbourne bomb and copped a high swinging arm from Papenhuyzen while on the ground.
Referee Adam Gee placed Papenhuyzen on report, but opted against giving Cronulla a penalty in order to end the game and stop emotions boiling over again.
Talakai was on Sunday handed a fine over his high shot on Papenhuyzen, while the Storm fullback was not charged at all.
“Me and Ronaldo spoke after the game, we’re all good,” Papenhuyzen said afterwards.
“We just spoke about having a competitive nature and that’s going to happen in games.
We respect that about each other. We spoke about it, we’re all good. It’s all on the field and we just get on with it.
“It was two competitive sides. It just got a bit competitive there and heated. That’s what you like.”
Papenhuyzen’s non charge means he remains either a possible – if unlikely – option for NSW for State of Origin I, or the man to lead the Storm with other representative players out.
The news was not so good for Warriors star James Fisher-Harris, who is facing a one-match ban after his high shot on Harrison Graham.
On return from a pectoral strain, Fisher-Harris was sin-binned for the high tackle late in his second-placed team’s win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
His absence briefly allowed the hosts back into the game, and the Warriors co-captain is now set to miss the clash with Canberra next week.
Fisher-Harris would risk a second match on the sideline if he attempted to fight the charge and was unsuccessful.
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Trump warns Walmart against raising prices, saying they should “eat the tariffs”
Trump warns Walmart against raising prices, saying they should “eat the tariffs”
Trump warns Walmart against raising prices, saying they should “eat the tariffs” – CBS News
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President Trump warned Walmart against raising prices on Saturday, telling the nation’s biggest retailer and grocer to “eat the tariffs.” His post comes two days after Walmart’s CEO said prices could rise amid Mr. Trump’s trade war with China and other nations. ******* James Inman reports.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says severe killed 18 in Kentucky from sever storm
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says severe killed 18 in Kentucky from sever storm
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says severe killed 18 in Kentucky from sever storm
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Amazon claims it’s ‘constantly inviting’ new customers to Alexa Plus – The Verge
Amazon claims it’s ‘constantly inviting’ new customers to Alexa Plus – The Verge
Amazon claims it’s ‘constantly inviting’ new customers to Alexa Plus The VergeWeeks after Amazon’s Alexa+ AI launch, a mystery: where are the users? ReutersAmazon rolls out Alexa+ to more Early Access users EngadgetWondering Where the Amazon Alexa Plus AI Upgrade Is? Me Too CNETAmazon’s Alexa+ Struggles To Make A Lasting Impact Finimize
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Pop culture re-invented the Menendez brothers
Pop culture re-invented the Menendez brothers
Regan Morris
BBC News, Los Angeles
Getty Images
It was once unthinkable that Lyle and Erik Menendez, the men who murdered their wealthy parents by shooting them 16 times, would get the sympathy and forgiveness of the masses.
Their claims of ******* abuse at the hands of their father were mocked by prosecutors and comedians alike, from late-night TV to jokes at the Academy Awards.
But 35 years later – thanks in part to TikTok, Netflix and stars like Kim Kardashian – the Menendez brothers have a new generation of supporters – many who were not even born in 1989, the year the brothers ambushed their parents with shotguns in their Beverly Hills mansion.
At the time of their trials, the brothers were portrayed as greedy, entitled monsters who went on a $700,000 (£526,0000) spending spree in the weeks after the murders. Now, with a growing understanding of trauma and ******* abuse, many are more sympathetic – and that might just give the brothers a chance at freedom.
This week, a Los Angeles judge reduced the brothers’ sentence to include the possibility of parole, which could be granted at a hearing next month.
Their fate will then be in the hands of California’s Parole Board and, ultimately, Governor Gavin Newsom, who will be weighing the shifting public opinion about the divisive case with his own political ambitions.
Watch: “Redemption is possible” – Family and attorney of Menendez brothers react to resentencing
How did we get here?
In 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez burst into their Beverly Hills living room, both toting loaded shotguns, and opened fire on their parents, who were watching television. The crime would go unsolved for months.
They got tickets for the James Bond film License to Kill as an alibi and told law enforcement and members of the news media, who were covering the execution of the wealthy, high-powered couple in their mansion, that perhaps the ****** was to blame.
Meanwhile, they bought a new Porsche, Jeep, Rolex watches and other luxury items with cash from their parents’ estate.
They weren’t caught until police got word of their admissions to a psychologist.
Even at the time, their crime was divisive – the first trial ended un a mistrial after the jury couldn’t reach a verdict. After the second, they were sentenced to life without parole.
During both trials, the brothers were characterised as bad boys and spoiled children who were motivated to kill their parents out of hatred and hopes to acquire their $14 million estate.
Saturday Night Live and other late-night shows mocked the pair’s defence in court – including tearful testimony about their alleged ******* abuse, which prosecutors dubbed the “abuse excuse” – and documentary titles from that decade included phrases like “the bad sons” and “American sons, American murderers”.
Appeal after appeal was denied but last year, everything seemed to change. New evidence about the alleged ******* abuse had surfaced and Netflix released a drama that captured the attention of a whole new generation. Soon, documentaries about the case included titles with words like “misjudged” and “boys betrayed”.
TikTokers discussed the case with their followers. Reality star Kim Kardashian, a criminal justice advocate who has helped free imprisoned people, penned an opinion piece publicly backing their bid for freedom.
“Back then, there were limited resources for victims of ******* abuse, particularly for boys,” Kardashian wrote in the NBC piece.
In the 1990s, society did not have the same understanding we do today of trauma, ******* abuse and harassment, Whitney Phillips, a University of Oregon professor who studies true crime, told the BBC. That gap in understanding was especially pronounced for boys who were abused, she added.
But after the MeToo movement, there was more cultural space created for people to speak about these experiences, she said.
“Not only does it create a permission structure,” Prof Phillips said of people feeling encouraged to speak out about harassment and abuse, “in some ways it creates an incentive structure to feature stories about trauma”.
Adding to that is the change in how the public views criminal justice, with more emphasis on rehabilitation and reducing prison populations instead of the tough-on-crime mentality that dominated Los Angeles at the end of the 20th Century.
“The lock people up forever attitude of the 1990s is fortunately long gone,” said Robert Rand, a journalist who met and interviewed the brothers before they were arrested and uncovered new evidence in 2018 – a letter Erik had written as a teenager to a cousin about his father’s ******* abuse.
In a documentary Mr Rand produced about the killings, released in 2023, a former member of the boy band called Menudo, alleged the Menfather – who was an executive at RCA Records – had ****** him when he was 14 years old, which further bolstered their claims.
The new testimonies helped give new life to the brothers’ claims, and provided a catalyst for what Prof Phillips called a “hurricane” of interest and support, from the Netflix drama to Kardashian’s op-ed.
“The things that get really big online are things that have lots of sources of energy,” she said.
Even Lyle Menendez noted the sea change.
“The followers who are younger that are on that sort of TikTok social media generation, they really have tremendous hope,” Lyle Menendez said at a court hearing.
“I’m not as hopeless as I was as a 21-year-old, that’s for sure. Obviously, I feel more hope when society seems to be understanding these experiences and sex abuse better.”
Getty Images
The fate of the brothers rests with California Gov Gavin Newsom, who is thought to be a potential US presidential contender
Where do the Menendez brothers go from here?
The fate of the brothers – regardless of what social media, the courts or California’s parole board recommends – ultimately rests with one man: Governor Newsom, who has the power to accept or reject any parole recommendation.
And many believe that man is considering a run for president in 2028.
Since the last election, Newsom has been undergoing a political transformation, shifting from crusading liberal pushing universal healthcare to a more moderate, pragmatic approach, most recently proposing freezing healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Weighing in on such a divisive case could be “risky”, said Pennsylvania-based Republican political strategist Sam Chen.
“Can you imagine a reality TV show of the Menendez brothers while Newsom is trying to run for president? Talk about free campaign airtime,” he said. “That would be the worst thing for him.”
Although no one knows which way he is leaning, Newsom has mentioned the case several times on social media and on his podcast.
“The question for the board is a rather simple one,” Newsom said in February on TikTok. “Do they pose a current, what we call ‘unreasonable’ risk to public safety.”
Mr Rand acknowledged the case is “risky” politically for Newsom.
“You can’t get around the elephant in the room: They brutally murdered their parents,” Rand told the BBC. “But if you do believe that they were abused and that they suffered from a lifetime of abuse – and there actually is evidence that supports their story – it’s a very different situation.”
The brothers have not committed violent crimes while in prison, a fact the judge in their resentencing hearing considered, although they did have infractions for using cell phones smuggled into prison.
They’ve also led productive lives while incarcerated, with Erik founding a hospice programme to help elderly and disabled inmates while Lyle has been working on prison beautification.
Remarkably, every single surviving member of their family – from cousins to aunts and uncles – want the Menendez brothers released, including the surviving siblings of Jose and Kitty Menendez.
“They chose to live their lives with clarity and a purpose of service,” their cousin Anamaria Baralt said outside the court after they were resentenced.
If the board recommends parole in June, the governor has 30 days to accept or reject the recommendation. If they are paroled, the brothers will be released likely within five months, according to the California Department of Corrections.
The fact that Gov Newsom ordered the state parole board to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment before the brothers were even deemed eligible for parole has many thinking he’s open to releasing them.
“He wants the political cover” of the parole board and court recommendations, said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor who has been following the brothers’ legal saga but is not representing any of the participants.
A year ago, Mr Rahmani never would have predicted the Menendez brothers could be released. Now he thinks they will be free within the next few months.
But it wouldn’t be unprecedented for Gov Newsom to reject a high-profile parole recommendation.
Several times he blocked the release of a Manson Family member. And in 2022, Newsom blocked the release of Sirhan Sirhan, the man who assassinated Sen Robert F Kennedy.
As far as the Menendez brothers go, Gov Newsom said on his podcast that he’s mulling over the case and he’s not planning to watch any of the documentaries or true crime dramas about the case.
“I’m obviously familiar with the Menendez brothers just through the news over the course of many decades, but not to the degree that many others are because of all of these documentaries and all of the attention they’ve received,” he said. “So that won’t bias my independent and objective review of the facts.”
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Immigration detainee arrested after allegedly attacking contractors in Clyde, Sydney
Immigration detainee arrested after allegedly attacking contractors in Clyde, Sydney
An immigration detainee who allegedly stabbed and assaulted *********** Border Force contractors before escaping in Western Sydney has been arrested and charged.
Police allege 28-year-old Tongan national Paea Teu attacked the two men transporting him from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport in the early hours of Thursday.
Camera IconPolice allege the two contractors were attacked on James Ruse Drive at Clyde, in Sydney’s west. Picture Thomas Lisson Credit: News Corp Australia
Emergency services were called to a vehicle parked on James Ruse Drive at Clyde about 3.40am, where they found a 54-year-old man suffering stab wounds to his neck and cheek and a 36-year-old man who had been assaulted.
Both men were taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.
Camera IconPolice allege a 28-year-old Tongan national, identified as Paea Teu, attacked two men while they were driving him from Villawood to the airport early Thursday morning. Facebook Credit: Supplied
It is alleged Mr Teu’s attack enabled him to escape the car, with authorities launching a manhunt across parts of Sydney to track him down.
Police told media the 28-year-old was believed to frequent the Mount Pritchard area and other parts of Western Sydney, with it believed he had tracked westbound from James Ruse Drive.
Officers raided a St Andrews home on Friday afternoon on reports Mr Teu may be there, surrounding the property and bringing in the dog squad.
However the search was unsuccessful and police appealed to the public for information on the wanted man, though warned not to approach Mr Teu if he was sighted.
Camera IconMr Teu’s escape sparked a large-scale search across parts of Sydney. NewsWire / Thomas Lisson Credit: News Corp Australia
Mr Teu was arrested on Friday evening after police received reports he was spotted at Eschol Park.
He and a 24-year-old woman were taken into custody a short time later on Ballantrae Drive in St Andrews.
Mr Teu has since been charged with cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to *******, and wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
The woman has been charged with knowingly harbour, maintain, or employ an escaped inmate.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on May 22.
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I Asked ChatGPT the Best Cars To Buy in 2025 — Here’s What It Said
I Asked ChatGPT the Best Cars To Buy in 2025 — Here’s What It Said
With so many new car models packed with upgraded safety features and smarter tech, figuring out the best car to buy in 2025 can be challenging. To help you answer this question, why not turn to AI?
Read More: 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle
Find Out: Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump’s Tariffs Hit — Here’s What To Buy
To help break down the best cars to buy in 2025, I asked ChatGPT to give me a list of the best cars to buy in 2025. Here’s what it said.
The Best Electric Vehicles
ChatGPT picked out the best EVs based on practicality, expert reviews, value and availability.
Tesla Model 3
Starting MSRP: $44,130 (KBB)
The 2025 Tesla Model 3 has a refreshed design, quieter cabin and better range, according to ChatGPT. It also won an Edmunds Top Rated Electric Vehicle award. The redesign didn’t come with a price hike, and Edmunds noted it’s still one of the most affordable EVs on the market.
Read More: I Asked ChatGPT What Will Get More Expensive When Trump’s Tariffs Go Into Effect, Here’s What It Said
Kia EV9
Starting MSRP: $56,395 (KBB)
The Kia EV9 is a spacious three-row EV with impressive tech and a stand-out design. It also won the 2025 World Car of the Year award and the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
Starting MSRP: $34,995 (KBB)
The Chevrolet Equinox EV offers 319 miles per charge at an affordable price. It took third place on Car and Driver’s Cheapest Electric Vehicles list and was named 2025 MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Best of the Year.
The Best SUVs and Crossovers
According to ChatGPT, SUVs are all about versatility, and each pick was evaluated based on performance, comfort, safety, tech and value.
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $45,545 (KBB)
The Grand Highlander Hybrid has plenty of space, ranks highly for fuel efficiency and tech for families or anyone needing a third row. It earned the top spot for the Edmunds Top Rated SUV for its roomy interior, specifically its third row, strong hybrid performance and Toyota’s suite of advanced driver aids.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Starting MSRP: $35,775 (KBB)
Redesigned for 2025, the Santa Fe has a boxier silhouette, more cargo space and a tech-focused cabin. It was named Cars.com’s Best Car of 2025 for its fresh look, family-friendly upgrades and value.
Mazda CX-50
Starting MSRP: $31,920 (KBB)
The CX-50 is one of the most versatile compact SUVs on the market, according to ChatGPT. It has an upscale interior and exterior, all-wheel drive across all trims and great safety scores. It earned the highest safety rating of IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Best Sedans and Compacts
ChatGPT chose these models for their efficiency, reliability, updated design and overall driving experience.
Honda Civic Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $30,100 (KBB)
Returning for 2025, the Civic Hybrid is more powerful, efficient and gets 49 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Kelley Blue Book reported that Honda figures the new hybrid will make up 40% of Civic sales. It was also awarded Edmunds Top Rated Car for 2025.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $29,795 (KBB)
Now available exclusively as a hybrid, the 2025 Camry remains one of the best-selling cars ever, according to Kelley Blue Book. It’s been recognized as a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy in the Best New Model category for combining value, comfort and style.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $26,645 (KBB)
The Elantra Hybrid is a compact sedan that stands out for its tech, high mpg and low price. KBB pointed out that the EPA rated the Elantra Hybrid up to 54 mpg combined with a total range of 670 miles. It also won the Best Hybrid Car for the Money award from U.S. News & World Report.
The Best Sports and Performance Cars
Performance, heritage and usability were the driving factors behind ChatGPT’s picks for this category.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
ChatGPT specifically recommended the 2025 Ford Mustang in the top Dark Horse trim level. While it doesn’t have the best fuel economy (17 mpg combined), it delivers remarkable handling with a 500-horsepower V8 engine. Road & Track also named it the “Perfect American Track Car” last year.
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
Starting MSRP: $108,795 (KBB)
The first hybrid Corvette adds electric assist and AWD to the legendary platform. The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is a step up from the base trim and specifically recommended by ChatGPT. It won Car and Driver’s 10Best and was the fastest Corvette they tested.
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
Starting MSRP: $166,895 (KBB)
ChatGPT picked this expensive trim level because of its old-school performance, modern tech and new hybrid-assisted flat-six engine. The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is fast and still feels every like a 911, which is probably why it was named the 2025 World Performance Car by the World Car Awards.
The Best Pickup Trucks
ChatGPT chose these trucks because they can do it all — tow heavy loads and handle the daily commute while still feeling comfortable and modern.
Ford F-150 (Gas, Hybrid or EV)
Starting MSRP: $39,445-$49-975 (KBB)
According to ChatGPT, gas, hybrid and Lightning (electric) versions of the Ford F-150 were all included because together, they make the F-150 one of the most versatile trucks on the market. It’s built to work hard, comes with the most up-to-date smart features and is still America’s favorite truck. The Lightning even took home Kelley Blue Book’s Electric Truck Best Buy of 2025.
Toyota Tundra Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $59,950-$82,670 (KBB)
ChatGPT pointed out the Tundra Hybrid’s power, efficiency and comfort, stating that it’s a rare combo in the full-size truck segment. The Tundra Hybrid’s i-Force Max hybrid engine is an available option on several trims, and it also delivers more torque and power than the nonhybrid, according to Car and Driver. The NHTSA gave the Tundra Hybrid a five-star rating for safety, and the IIHS named the Tundra to its elite Top Safety Pick (TSP) list, KBB reported.
Ram 1500
Starting MSRP: $45,120 (KBB)
ChatGPT included the Ram 1500 because it’s one of the few trucks that feels just as comfortable as it is strong. It also received a massive overhaul, adding new drivetrains and new interesting variants. It’s been recognized for several awards, including MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year, MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Fullsize Truck and Car and Driver’s 10Best Trucks list.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are accurate as of May 15, 2025.
More From GOBankingRates
Sources
Edmunds, “Tesla Model 3: Edmunds Top Rated Electric Car 2025“
World Car Awards, “2025 World Car of the Year“
North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards, “North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Officers Reveal Award Winners for 2024“
Car and Driver, “Cheapest Electric Vehicles“
MotorWeek, “2025 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards“
Edmunds, 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Car.com, “Best Car of 2025“
IIHS-HLDI, 2025 Mazda CX-50
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2025 MAZDA CX-50
Kelley Blue Book (KBB), 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
Edmunds, “Edmunds Top Rated 2025“
KBB, “Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards of 2025“
U.S. News & World Report, “2025 Best Cars for the Money“
Road & Track, “The Ford Mustang Dark Horse Is a Perfect American Track Car“
Car and Driver, “2024 Chevrolet Corvette/Corvette E-Ray: Car and Driver 10Best“
KBB, “Ford F-150 Lightning Is Our Electric Truck Best Buy of 2025“
MotorTrend, “The Ram 1500 Is MotorTrend’s 2025 Truck of the Year“
MotorWeek, “2025 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards“
Car and Driver, “Ram 1500: Car and Driver 2025 10Best Trucks“
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT the Best Cars To Buy in 2025 — Here’s What It Said
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***-EU summit could ‘reduce Irish Sea border impact’
***-EU summit could ‘reduce Irish Sea border impact’
John Campbell
BBC NI economics and business editor
BBC
Laura Graham-Brown said that new sea border rules on parcels have made the situation much worse
A ***-EU summit is likely to pave the way for a deal which could substantially reduce the impact of the Irish Sea border.
The *** wants to reset its post-Brexit relationship with the European Union ( EU) after years of tension.
Monday’s summit is expected to include an “agreement to agree” on trade issues, including the trade in food and agricultural products.
If a full agri-food deal follows, potentially later this year, that will reduce the need for checks and controls on products being sent from GB to Northern Ireland.
It could mean the end of ‘Not for EU’ labelling and the removal of most physical checks on goods.
One food business in Belfast said the reset cannot come soon enough and that immediate measures are needed to help small firms.
BBC News NI first spoke to the owners of Arcadia Deli in 2020 before the sea border started to be implemented. They have faced continuous struggles with the processes needed to get products from GB.
Co-owner Laura Graham-Brown said that new sea border rules on parcels have made the situation much worse in the last month.
“Our partners in England have decided they are not supplying Northern Ireland until further notice until they can get some clarification on how to make it easier,” she said.
“That is our biggest distributor so it is starting to tell on our counter as it becomes increasingly empty.”
She said she would welcome any deal that improves the situation but said something needs to change soon.
“All we want to do is sell cheese and olives. In order to keep stocking our shelves we need something to happen fairly quickly,” she said.
There are no guarantees about the scope of the agreement being negotiated and, on its own, it would not eliminate the sea border.
Stuart Anderson from NI Chamber of Commerce said businesses would take time to analyse the detail of any deal.
“NI Chamber has been calling on the *** government to reach an agreement that is ambitious enough to substantially reduce bureaucracy for all operators in our agrifood supply chain,” he said.
Getty Images
The summit is expected to include an “agreement to agree” on trade issues, including the trade in food
It comes as a poll from Queen’s University Belfast suggests dwindling unionist support for Northern Ireland’s current Brexit deal, the Windsor Framework.
Professor David Phinnemore said there was an “evident drop” in the already limited unionist support that exists for the Windsor Framework particularly among those identifying as “slightly unionist”.
Support among that group has fallen from 51% to 26% over the last year.
Prof Phinnimore said: “If that trend is to be reversed, a closer ***-EU relationship needs to deliver on reducing obstacles to the GB-NI movement of goods.”
What has the *** government said?
The Labour government made a manifesto commitment to seek a new agri-food agreement with the EU which, it said, would aim to “eliminate most border checks created by the Tory Brexit deal”.
The deal would apply to the *** as a whole but would have the biggest impact in Northern Ireland.
That is because NI is still effectively inside the EU’s single market for goods but its supermarkets are mainly supplied from the ***.
The Centre for European Reform (CER), a think tank, said that an agri-food deal would not be of “great macroeconomic significance” for the *** as a whole but that NI would be a “major beneficiary”.
It added: “The closer *** regulations come to those of the EU, the less is the need for border controls on goods crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.”
Reuters
For many unionists the Irish Sea borer is a constitutional affront which undermines NI’s place in the ***
What is the Irish Sea border?
The Irish Sea border continues to have an impact on Northern Ireland’s politics and its economy.
It came about as the result of a Brexit deal between the EU and *** in 2019, which was revised in 2023, and is now known as the Windsor Framework.
It was agreed that the most practical way to keep the border open between NI and the Republic of Ireland was for NI to follow many EU laws on the regulation of goods.
This means that goods coming from the rest of the *** into NI face checks and controls to ensure they meet EU rules.
For many nationalists in NI, this is a necessary compromise to minimise the impact of Brexit on the island of Ireland.
For many unionists it is a constitutional affront which undermines NI’s place in the ***.
The largest unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), prevented NI’s power-sharing government from operating between 2022 and 2024 in protest.
How could an agri-food deal change things?
Agri-food deals from the EU fall into two broad categories: New Zealand-style or Swiss-style.
The EU’s deal with New Zealand means that each party recognises that the other has high food standards and so the frequency of checks on products and paperwork is reduced.
However, New Zealand still sets its own standards and a proportion of goods are still checked as they enter the EU.
By contrast there are no regulatory border controls for trade in agri-food products between Switzerland and the EU.
But the Swiss only have this deal because they agreed to follow EU rules almost to the letter, without much say in setting those rules.
Switzerland is obliged to modify its laws in response to changes in EU legislation, what is known as dynamic alignment, and accept oversight from the European Court of Justice.
A Swiss-style deal would mean controls on GB food products entering NI could be effectively ended.
The EU has previously said this deal would be on offer to the *** but the government had retained an ambivalent stance on whether it would accept this.
However in recent weeks ministers have been careful not to rule it out.
Such a deal will face opposition from Brexit supporters who say it would involve surrendering powers which were returned to the *** after it left the EU.
What border processes would remain?
The Irish Sea is really two borders.
One deals with products’ standards – making sure goods can be legally sold. The other deals with customs – making sure the correct tariffs have been paid.
An agri-food deal would go a long way to removing the standards border but it would leave the customs border untouched.
Businesses in GB would still have to make customs declarations for goods going to NI with the risk that goods would be delayed if the paperwork is incorrect.
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Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) forward Tyler Brockman given license to play on instinct in midfield move
Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) forward Tyler Brockman given license to play on instinct in midfield move
Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) forward Tyler Brockman has revealed that coach Andrew McQualter has given himself and Liam Ryan free rein to play on instinct in their move to the midfield.
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Employee identified as victim in deadly Las Vegas gym shooting
Employee identified as victim in deadly Las Vegas gym shooting
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The man killed in a deadly shooting Friday at a Las Vegas gym was identified as an employee, according to a social media post.
Edgar Quinonez, who had worked at the Las Vegas Athletic Club (LVAC) for 15 years, was fatally shot Friday afternoon, according to the post.
2 dead, including shooter in Las Vegas gym shooting; police report multiple victims
The shooting happened just after 1:30 p.m. at the LVAC on North Rainbow Boulevard near Lake Mead Boulevard.
The LVAC post described Quinonez as more than just an employee.
“In that time he became so much more than a colleague. He was a source of kindness, dedication and positivity. His presence touched the lives of so many members and teammates, and his impact will never be forgotten,” the post said.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said officers shot the unidentified gunman, who was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Three additional people were taken to a local hospital. One of the victims was last listed in critical condition, while two suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
As of Friday evening, investigators had not determined a motive, according to LVMPD Lt. Jason Boveda.
LVAC released a statement after the shooting: “We are heartbroken by the tragedy that occurred at our Northwest club. Our prayers are with the victims, their families, our members and our team. The club is temporarily closed as we support the LVMPD investigation. We will share updates as we have them.”
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Israel launches a new military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu tells negotiating team to stay at talks – KTLA
Israel launches a new military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu tells negotiating team to stay at talks – KTLA
Israel launches a new military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu tells negotiating team to stay at talks KTLAIsrael launches major new offensive in Gaza as UN calls the situation for Palestinians ‘beyond inhumane’ CNNIsrael airstrike kills at least 24 in Gaza as mediators host ceasefire talks ReutersIsrael launches new offensive to pressure ****** to release hostages as food crisis continues in Gaza CBS NewsUpdates: Four dead children pulled from Gaza’s rubble as Israel kills 70 Al Jazeera
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Michael Gove ‘in agreement’ with SNP leader John Swinney over independence
Michael Gove ‘in agreement’ with SNP leader John Swinney over independence
David Wallace-Lockhart
Scotland Correspondent
PA images
Michael Gove will take up his seat in the House of Lords next week
There could be a second Scottish independence referendum if the public show “overwhelming support” for one, according to Michael Gove.
The former Conservative minister, who sat in the cabinet for most of the ******* between 2010 and 2024, told BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show that he didn’t think another referendum was necessary.
But he conceded that the *** government may have to change approach if SNP popularity and support for another vote grows.
Last week, First Minister John Swinney said that he wanted to achieve “demonstrable support” for independence.
*** is a ‘living thing’
Gove, who held various cabinet positions under three Conservative prime ministers, was often tasked with overseeing relations between the *** and Scottish government.
While he doesn’t think Scottish independence is currently on the agenda, he is warning supporters of the union not to “assume any degree of complacency.”
Gove described the *** as a “living thing” and added that politicians had to continually demonstrate that the union was working.
The former minister said that he didn’t think a second referendum was “necessary at the moment”, but added that if there was “an overwhelming desire on the part of the Scottish people for one then we’d have to review the decision.”
When pressed on what would trigger such a change in policy, Gove said that was for the Westminster government to decide.
He added that he believed too much focus on the constitution was bad for all political parties and that governments should “retain confidence” by concentrating on the economy, health and transport.
PA Media
Michael Gove has held several cabinet positions under three prime ministers
Gove was part of a government that rejected requests from the Scottish government for a second referendum.
He denied that this was anti-democratic and insisted that Scotland had “more important” issues to deal with.
Gove now suggests that the likelihood of a second independence vote was linked to the SNP’s ability to improve public services.
“If, for the sake of argument, the SNP make all of those decisions in government in a way that gives people confidence in them then we might be in a different position [on a second referendum]”, he said.
Michael Gove and SNP leader John Swinney do not have much in common politically, but they seem to be delivering a relatively similar message on this topic.
Last week, the first minister talked about securing “demonstrable support” for independence.
Swinney compared this to the 1997 referendum for a Scottish parliament, which was backed by around 74% of Scots.
The message seemed to be that independence will move forward when public support demands it in greater numbers.
Getty Images
Surprisingly, Mr Gove has found himself sharing the same position as First Minister John Swinney (pictured) on the issue of an independence referendum
But the first minister also told BBC Scotland News that it was “completely unacceptable” for the independence movement “to be thwarted by a Westminster government that just folds it’s arms and says ‘no’.”
Gove is no stranger to disagreements with Scottish government ministers.
He insists that relations were broadly cordial and productive when he was in government. But it’s fair to say there were times when relationships soured.
Back in 2023, the *** government made the unprecedented decision to veto Holyrood’s Gender Recognition Reform bill.
This legislation would have made it easier for trans people to ‘self-identify’ and change their legally recognised sex, without a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
Gove chaired a committee of ministers who agreed to enact Section 35 of the Scotland Act.
This allows a *** minister to veto a Holyrood bill if they think it would modify laws reserved to Westminster and have an “adverse effect” on how those laws apply.
This power had never been used before and it has not been used since.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the term ‘woman’ related to biological sex under the Equality Act.
And Gove believes this proved that deploying the section 35 order was the correct call.
“I think it was absolutely the right decision, and I think it’s been vindicated by subsequent events”, he added.
Though Mr Gove stressed that the Section 35 provision must remain a “fail safe power” that is “used sparingly”.
At the time the Scottish government characterised the veto as a “direct attack” on the Scottish Parliament.
Getty Images
The former MP will be known as Lord Gove of Torry in the House of Lords – after the area his family hailed from
Gove stood down as an MP last year and is now editor of the Spectator magazine. He is due to enter the House of Lords this week as Lord Gove of Torry.
His chosen title is a tribute to the Aberdeen suburb where his family’s fish processing business was based.
So how concerned is the native Aberdonian about the state of the Scottish Conservatives?
Some polls have suggested that the emergence of the Reform Party could see them drop from second to fourth place in next year’s Holyrood election.
Speaking from the leather couches of his editor’s office at the Spectator’s London HQ, he tells the Scottish wing of his party “don’t panic”.
The former cabinet minister deploys an Aberdeen Football Club analogy to assess the situation.
For those not following the twist and turns of Scottish football, the Dons have had an up and down season.
But they still find themselves with a shot at silverware in the Scottish cup final next weekend.
He says the important lesson is “not to change the manager” but to “stick together as a team”.
That reassurance may go down well with both *** party leader Kemi Badenoch and Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay, who must scale political mountains if they are to deliver success.
But there may yet be a warning contained within Mr Gove’s Aberdeen FC comparison.
They have finished the season in fifth place.
That’s the sort of fate the Scottish Conservatives are desperate to avoid.
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Gina Rinehart slams ‘gloating’ Nine as she backs Ben Roberts-Smith
Gina Rinehart slams ‘gloating’ Nine as she backs Ben Roberts-Smith
Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has thrown her support behind Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, who is seeking to take his defamation fight to the High Court.
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White House shifts focus on ‘stalled’ bill
White House shifts focus on ‘stalled’ bill
With President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda in trouble, the White House pivoted over the weekend to selling the bill as a key part of his immigration enforcement efforts.
Trump was dealt a rare setback in Congress on May 16 when five Republicans joined with Democrats on the House Budget Committee in voting against the president’s legislation, which includes tax cuts, immigration enforcement measures and other GOP priorities. Trump has dubbed it the “one big, beautiful bill.”
The GOP lawmakers who oppose the legislation wanted deeper spending cuts. As written, the bill would have added trillions of dollars to the federal government’s $36.2 trillion in debt over the next decade.
Struggling to get the votes to advance the bill, the White House shifted the focus to immigration enforcement measures within the legislation, which are popular within the GOP.
The bill would provide funding to boost Trump’s deportation efforts, the White House noted in a May 17 press release.
“Put simply, The Big Beautiful Bill will empower Big Beautiful Deportations,” the release states.
A person walks the grounds of the Capitol on the day President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax bill failed to clear a key procedural hurdle in Congress, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 16, 2025.
Trump’s deportation tactics have been controversial. He has relied on an 18th-century wartime law to swiftly remove migrants, drawing complaints and court challenges asserting his administration is depriving people of their right to due process. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador, has attracted considerable attention. However, stronger immigration enforcement is a unifying message for a GOP Congress divided on how to fashion a package of tax and spending cuts.
With lawmakers at odds over how deeply to cut spending, Congressman Nick LaLota, R-New York, declared on May 17 that the legislation had “stalled” and suggested raising revenue by letting tax cuts enacted during Trump’s first administration expire for high earners.
LaLota suggested allowing the tax rate to go from 37% to 39.6% for individuals earning more than $609,350 and married couples earning more than $731,200, saying it “breathes $300 billion of new life into the effort” and is in line with the GOP’s new focus on working-class voters.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill has stalled – and it needs wind in its sails. Allowing the top tax rate to expire… breathes $300 billion of new life into the effort,” LaLota wrote on social media.
Trump has said he wouldn’t mind raising taxes on high earners, but is worried about the politics.
The president has urged Republicans to come together and support his legislation, posting on social media May 16 that “We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party.”
“STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!” Trump added.
GOP lawmakers who voted against Trump’s bill said they hoped to reach a deal with House Speaker Mike Johnson to amend the legislation over the weekend.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White House touts immigration measures in Trump’s ‘stalled’ tax bill
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2025 NFL schedule: Top game for every week of regular season, from juiced opener to Jayden vs. Caleb Part 2 – CBS Sports
2025 NFL schedule: Top game for every week of regular season, from juiced opener to Jayden vs. Caleb Part 2 – CBS Sports
2025 NFL schedule: Top game for every week of regular season, from juiced opener to Jayden vs. Caleb Part 2 CBS SportsBest, worst of NFL 2025 schedule: Chiefs-Chargers, Sam Darnold vs. Vikings must-watch TV – The Athletic The New York TimesMailbag: Which game are you looking forward to? Dallas CowboysPredicting the 10 most fantasy-friendly NFL matchups of 2025 Yahoo SportsThe NFL 2025 Schedule: Teams With Potentially The Hottest, Coldest, Wettest, Even Snowiest Games The Weather Channel
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The forgotten Indian actor who lost her legacy to caste oppression
The forgotten Indian actor who lost her legacy to caste oppression
Bimal Thankachan and Divya Uppal
BBC India YouTube team
Illustration by Puneet Kumar
In the absence of a verified photograph of PK Rosy, the BBC commissioned an illustrator to create this image
At a time when women’s participation in the film industry was frowned upon, a young woman dared to dream differently.
In 1920s pre-independence India, PK Rosy became the first female lead in Malayalam-language cinema, in what is now the southern state of Kerala.
She starred in a movie called Vigathakumaran, or The Lost Child, in the 1920s. But instead of being remembered as a pioneer, her story was buried – erased by caste discrimination and social backlash.
Rosy belonged to a lower-caste community and faced intense criticism for portraying an upper-caste woman in Vigathakumaran.
Almost a hundred years later, there is no surviving evidence of Rosy’s role. The film’s reel was destroyed and the cast and crew have all died.
Only a few pictures of the film from a contested press release dated October 1930 survive, along with an unverified ******-and-white photo popularised by local newspapers as Rosy’s only portrait.
Even a Google Doodle celebrating her 120th birthday used an illustration similar to the woman in the photograph. But Rosy’s nephew and others who have researched her life told the BBC that they could not conclusively say that it is her in the picture.
PK Rosy was born as Rajamma in the early 1900s in the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore, now Kerala.
She belonged to a family of grass cutters from the Pulaya community, part of the Dalits, who are at the bottom of India’s harsh caste hierarchy and have been historically oppressed.
“People from the Pulaya community were considered slave labour and auctioned off with land,” says Malavika Binny, a professor of history at Kannur University.
“They were considered the ‘lowliest’. They were flogged, ******, tied to trees and set on fire for any so-called transgressions,” she adds.
Despite the dire social challenges, Rosy chose to dream differently.
Illustration by Puneet Kumar
A scene in Vigathakumaran showed the hero picking a flower from the heroine’s hair and kissing it
She was supported by her uncle, who was a theatre artist himself, and with his help Rosy entered the field of entertainment.
“There are few available facts about Rosy’s life, but it is known that she was popular for her performances in local plays,” says Vinu Abraham, the author of The Lost Heroine, a novel based on Rosy’s life.
While her acting skills earned admiration, it was rare for a Dalit woman to take up acting at the time.
“She was likely aware of the fact that this was a new arena and making herself visible was important,” says Prof Binny.
She soon became a well-known figure in local theatre circles and her talent caught the eye of director JC Daniel, who was then searching for a lead actor for his film – a character named Sarojini.
Daniel was aware of Rosy’s caste identity and chose to cast her in the role.
“She was paid five rupees a day for 10 days of filming,” said Mr Abraham. “This was a substantial amount of money in the 1920s.”
On the day of the film’s premiere, Rosy and her family were barred from attending the screening.
They were stopped because they were Dalits, Rosy’s nephew Biju Govindan says.
And so began a chain of events that pushed Rosy out of the public eye and her home.
“The crowd that came to watch the movie were provoked by two things: Rosy playing an upper-caste woman and the hero picking a flower from her hair and kissing it in one scene,” said Mr Abraham.
“They started throwing rocks at the screen and chased Daniel away,” he added.
There are differing accounts of the extent of the damage to the theatre but what is clear is the toll the incident took on both Rosy and Daniel.
Poster of the movie Vigathakumaran
Buried in debt after the failure of his film Vigathakumaran, JC Daniel never made another movie
Daniel had spent a lot of money to establish a studio and gather resources to produce the film, and was heavily debt-ridden. Facing immense social and financial pressure, the director, who is now widely regarded as the father of Malayalam cinema, never made another film.
Rosy fled her hometown after an angry mob set her house on fire.
She cut all ties with her family to avoid being recognised and never spoke publicly about her past. She rebuilt her life by marrying an upper-caste man and took the name Rajammal.
She lived the rest of her life in obscurity in the town of Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu, Mr Abraham says.
Her children refused to accept that PK Rosy, the Dalit actor, was their mother, Rosy’s nephew Mr Govindan says.
“Her children were born with an upper-caste Kesavan Pillai’s identity. They chose their father’s seed over their mother’s womb,” he says.
“We, her family, are part of PK Rosy’s Dalit identity before the film’s release,” he said.
“In the space they inhabit, caste restricts them from accepting their Dalit heritage. That is their reality and our family has no place in it.”
In 2013, a Malayalam TV channel tracked down Rosy’s daughter Padma, who was living in financial strain somewhere in Tamil Nadu. She told them that she did not know much about her mother’s life before her marriage but that she did not act after that.
The BBC made attempts to contact Rosy’s children, but their relatives said they were not comfortable with the attention.
Prof Binny says that the erasure of Rosy’s legacy shows how deeply caste-based trauma can run.
“It can be so intense that it shapes or defines the rest of one’s life,” she says, adding that she is glad Rosy eventually found a safe space.
In recent years, Dalit filmmakers and activists have sought to reclaim Rosy’s legacy. Influential Tamil director Pa Ranjith has launched a yearly film festival in her name which celebrates Dalit cinema. A film society and foundation have also been established.
But there is still a haunting sense that while Rosy was ultimately saved, it was at the cost of her passion and identity.
“Rosy prioritised survival over art and, as a result, never tried to speak publicly or reclaim her lost identity. That’s not her failure – it’s society’s,” says Mr Govindan.
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BBC reporter on talking to the hackers
BBC reporter on talking to the hackers
Joe Tidy
Cyber correspondent
BBC
Joe Tidy interacted with hackers who claimed to have done the M&S and Co-op hack
Almost daily, my phone pings with messages from hackers of all stripes.
The good, the bad, the not-so-sure.
I’ve been reporting on cyber security for more than a decade, so I know that many of them like to talk about their hacks, findings and escapades.
About 99% of these conversations stay firmly locked in my chat logs and don’t lead to news stories. But a recent ping was impossible to ignore.
“Hey. This is Joe Tidy from the BBC reporting on this Co-op news, correct?” the hackers messaged me on Telegram.
“We have some news for you,” they teased.
When I cautiously asked what this was, the people behind the Telegram account – which had no name or profile picture – gave me the inside track on what they claimed to have done to M&S and the Co-op, in cyber attacks that caused mass disruption.
Through messages back-and-forth over the next five hours, it became clear to me that these apparent hackers were fluent English speakers and although they claimed be messengers, it was obvious they were closely linked to – if not intimately involved in – the M&S and Co-op hacks.
They shared evidence proving that they had stolen a huge amount of private customer and employee information.
I checked out a sample of the data they had given me – and then securely deleted it.
Shoppers have been met with empty shelves at some *** Co-op stores in recent weeks
Messages that confirmed suspicions
They were clearly frustrated that Co-op wasn’t giving in to their ransom demands but wouldn’t say how much money in Bitcoin they were demanding of the retailer in exchange for the promise that they wouldn’t sell or give away the stolen data.
After a conversation with the BBC’s Editorial Policy team, we decided that it was in the public interest to report that they had provided us with evidence proving that they were responsible for the hack.
I quickly contacted the press team at the Co-op for comment, and within minutes the firm, who had initially downplayed the hack, admitted to employees, customers and the stock market about the significant data breach.
Much later, the hackers sent me a long angry and offensive letter about Co-op’s response to their hack and subsequent extortion, which revealed that the retailer narrowly dodged a more severe hack by intervening in the chaotic minutes after its computer systems were infiltrated. The letter and conversation with the hackers confirmed what experts in the cyber security world had been saying since this wave of attacks on retailers began – the hackers were from a cyber crime service called DragonForce.
Who are DragonForce, you might be asking? Based on our conversations with the hackers and wider knowledge, we have some clues.
DragonForce offers cyber criminal affiliates various services on their darknet site in exchange for a 20% cut of any ransoms collected. Anyone can sign up and use their malicious software to scramble a victim’s data or use their darknet website for their public extortion.
This has become the norm in organised cyber crime; it’s known as ransomware-as-a-service.
The most infamous of recent times has been a service called LockBit, but this is all but defunct now partly because it was cracked by the police last year.
Following the dismantling of such groups, a power vacuum has emerged. Cue a tussle for dominance in this underground world, leading to some rival groups innovating their offerings.
Power struggle ensues
DragonForce recently rebranded itself as a cartel offering even more options to hackers including 24/7 customer support, for example.
The group had been advertising its wider offering since at least early 2024 and has been actively targeting organisations since 2023, according to cyber experts like Hannah Baumgaertner, Head of Research at Silobeaker, a cyber risk protection company.
“DragonForce’s latest model includes features such as administration and client panels, encryption and ransomware negotiation tools, and more,” Ms Baumgaertner said.
As a stark illustration of the power-struggle, DragonForce’s darknet website was recently hacked and defaced by a rival gang called RansomHub, before re-emerging about a week ago.
“Behind the scenes of the ransomware ecosystem there seems to be some jostling – that might be for prime ‘leader’ position or just to disrupt other groups in order to take more of the victim share,” said Aiden Sinnott, senior threat researcher from the cyber security company Secureworks.
Who is pulling the strings?
DragonForce’s prolific modus operandi is to post about its victims, as it has done 168 times since December 2024 – a London accountancy firm, an Illinois steel maker, an Egyptian investment firm are all included. Yet so far, DragonForce has remained silent about the retail attacks.
Normally radio silence about attacks indicates that a victim organisation has paid the hackers to keep quiet. As neither DragonForce, Co-op nor M&S have commented on this point, we don’t know what might be happening behind the scenes.
Establishing who the people are behind DragonForce is tricky, and it’s not known where they are located. When I asked their Telegram account about this, I didn’t get an answer. Although the hackers didn’t tell me explicitly that they were behind the recent hacks on M&S and Harrods, they confirmed a report in Bloomberg that spelt it out.
Of course, they are criminals and could be lying.
Some researchers say DragonForce are based in Malaysia, while others say Russia, where many of these groups are thought to be located. We do know that DragonForce has no specific targets or agenda other than making money.
And if DragonForce is just the service for other criminals to use – who is pulling the strings and choosing to attack *** retailers?
In the early stages of the M&S hack, unknown sources told cyber news site Bleeping Computer that evidence is pointing to a loose collective of cyber criminals known as Scattered Spider – but this has yet to be confirmed by the police.
Scattered Spider is not really a group in the normal sense of the word. It’s more of a community which organises across sites like Discord, Telegram and forums – hence the description “scattered” which was given to them by cyber security researchers at CrowdStrike.
They are known to be English-speaking and probably in the *** and the US and young – in some cases teenagers. We know this from researchers and previous arrests. In November the US charged five men and boys in their twenties and teens for alleged Scattered Spider activity. One of them is 22-year-old Scottish man Tyler Buchanan, who has not made a plea, and the rest are US based.
Crackdowns by police seem to have had little effect on the hackers’ determination, though. On Thursday, Google’s cyber security division issued warnings that it was starting to see Scattered Spider-like attacks on US retailers now too.
As for the hackers I spoke to on Telegram, they declined to answer whether or not they were Scattered Spider. “We won’t answer that question” is all they said.
Perhaps in a nod to the immaturity and attention-seeking nature of the hackers, two of them said they wanted to be known as “Raymond Reddington” and “Dembe Zuma” after characters from US crime thriller The Blacklist which involves a wanted criminal helping police take down other criminals on a blacklist.
In a message to me, they boasted: “We’re putting *** retailers on the Blacklist.”
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How history is ILLUMINATED in France
How history is ILLUMINATED in France
History is illuminated at a rejuvenated landmark in France, writes Steve McKenna
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#history #ILLUMINATED #France
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Missing hiker survived for weeks in California wilderness by foraging and drinking melted snow
Missing hiker survived for weeks in California wilderness by foraging and drinking melted snow
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 28-year-old woman described Friday how she survived for weeks outdoors in California’s eastern Sierra Nevada by foraging for food and drinking melted snow after a solo camping trip went awry during harsh winter weather.
Tiffany Slaton detailed her ordeal during a news conference with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, two days after she was found in a cabin that the owner had left unlocked in case wayward hikers needed shelter. Authorities said she had been there for only eight hours before the cabin’s owner arrived and discovered her.
Slaton described being caught in an avalanche at one point, causing her to fall and hurt her leg. She didn’t say which day that happened. She had a bicycle, a tent, two sleeping bags and food, she said, but she ended up losing all of her equipment, leaving her with only a lighter, a knife and some snacks. She didn’t describe how she lost her tent or other gear.
After she fell, Slaton said she tried calling 911 five times with no success but got a GPS signal on her phone.
“I ended up on this very long, arduous journey that I journaled to try and keep sane and eventually managed to get to civilization,” she said.
Authorities called her survival stunning given the conditions. The cabin was more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) from where she had last been seen, and the mountains were covered in up to 12 feet (3.66 meters) of snow in some areas.
“I would have never anticipated her in my wildest dreams being able to get back as far as she did,” Sheriff John Zanoni said.
Slaton had been on an extended biking and backpacking trip that also included time in Oregon, department spokesman Tony Botti said. Her journey took her to the Sierras, where she decided to make the trek to the Mono Hot Springs before meeting a friend in mid-April, he said. She was last seen on April 20 by a security camera near Huntington Lake, an unincorporated mountain community, riding on a bicycle and also sitting on a sidewalk with a backpack.
Slaton’s parents, who live in Georgia, reported her missing on April 29 after they hadn’t heard from her in a week.
Slaton, who was a competitive archer in her home country of Bermuda, said her athleticism and foraging knowledge helped her survive. She had some snacks on her but eventually ran out.
The owner of Vermilion Valley Resort, Christopher Gutierrez, said his staff left cabin doors unlocked during the winter in case someone needed shelter during the frequent mountain snowstorms. His backcountry lodge sits in the Sierra Nevada about halfway between Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks and is a frequent stop for hikers on the John Muir and Pacific Crest trails.
Slaton found safe haven in one of those cabins during an intense snowstorm where all she could see was white, she said. It was just eight hours later that Gutierrez arrived to open the cabin for the season, authorities said.
“If he hadn’t come that day, I think they would have found my body there,” Slaton said.
Two days earlier, the Fresno County Sheriff’s office called off a search that had covered more than 600 square miles (1,550 square kilometers) of the Sierra National Forest, with no luck. Searchers were hampered by heavy snow blocking many roads.
Slaton emerged battered and bruised from the cabin Wednesday.
When she saw Gutierrez, she ran up to him to give him a hug.
“I really do have a new faith in humanity,” Slaton said of surviving her ordeal.
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****** offers to release half of remaining hostages for two month ceasefire – report – The Jerusalem Post
****** offers to release half of remaining hostages for two month ceasefire – report – The Jerusalem Post
****** offers to release half of remaining hostages for two month ceasefire – report The Jerusalem PostHamas proposes releasing some hostages in fresh talks after new Israel offensive BBCLIVE: Israel kills 24 in Gaza’s al-Mawasi, resumes truce talks with ****** Al JazeeraGaza ceasefire talks resume as Israeli assault kills hundreds in 72 hours ReutersIsrael, ****** say hostage-ceasefire talks renewed after IDF initiates major new offensive The Times of Israel
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