AI controversy swirls around writer from Trinidad and Tobago who won a prestigious prize
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — A prize-winning Caribbean writer from Trinidad and Tobago is embroiled in the latest controversy involving a short story and allegations that artificial intelligence was used to write it. The case went viral after the publisher issued a statement saying it asked Claude, an AI chatbot, whether artificial intelligence was used to create “The Serpent in the Grove” by Jamir Nazir. He was one of five writers who on May 14 were declared regional winners of the prestigious 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. He could not be reached for comment. The Commonwealth Foundation said it is reviewing the allegations.
SpaceX tries to launch a bigger version of Starship but hits a series of last-minute problems
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX's newest and biggest Starship will have to wait at least another day before launching on a test flight from Texas. The launch team got within a half-minute Thursday evening of sending the mega rocket on a space-skimming journey halfway around the world. But a series of last-minute problems forced a delay. SpaceX says it may try again Friday. The 407-foot rocket is using a brand new pad at Starbase near the Mexican border, and that's what contributed to some of the issues. NASA is counting on this latest version of Starship to land astronauts on the moon in a few years.
Meta settles social media addiction case brought by rural Kentucky school district
Meta has settled the first of many lawsuits brought by school districts across the country that sued social media companies seeking compensation for costs they say they incurred dealing with children’s social media addiction and mental health harms. The lawsuit brought by a small, rural Kentucky school district was set to go to trial in federal court in Oakland, California, next month. It was selected as a bellwether case, essentially a test case for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury. There are about 1,200 similar cases across the country. The settlement only applies to the Breathitt County School District.
Trump calls off AI executive order over concern it could weaken US tech edge
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has called off plans to sign a new executive order on artificial intelligence hours before an expected White House ceremony. He says he's worried the measure could dull America’s edge on AI technology. Trump said he was postponing the Thursday signing because he didn’t like what he saw in the order’s text. The push for some form of government action to vet the most powerful AI systems follows growing concern within the banking industry and other institutions about AI’s ability to find cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the world’s software.
Two men charged with creating AI-generated porn under new law targeting 'deepfakes'
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged two men with using AI to create nude videos and photos under a new law targeting deepfake pornography. Cornelius Shannon, 51, and Arturo Hernandez, 20, were arrested Tuesday for distributing AI fakes that gained millions of views. They are among the first charged under the Take It Down Act, signed last year by President Donald Trump. The law adds stricter penalties for publishing AI-created deepfakes. They each face up to two years in prison. The law also requires online platforms to remove AI-generated imagery within 48 hours of a victim’s request. Attorneys for the two men could not be reached for comment.
Nvidia Q1 results surpass Wall Street expectations thanks to massive AI chip demand
Artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia’s quarterly results blew past Wall Street’s expectations once again, fueled by massive demand for its high-end AI chips. The company said Wednesday it earned $58.32 billion, or $2.39 per share, in the February-April period. That is up from $18.78 billion, or 76 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, Nvidia earned $1.76 per share. Revenue jumped 85% to $81.62 billion from $44.01 billion. Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of $1.75 per share and revenue of $78.91 billion, according to a poll by FactSet.
Malaysia orders TikTok to explain 'grossly offensive' fake content targeting king
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Commission has ordered TikTok to explain and address its failure to act swiftly against offensive and fake content targeting the royal institution. The regulator said Thursday the move followed the circulation of “grossly offensive, false, menacing and insulting” content, including AI-generated videos and manipulated images linked to an account falsely claiming association with King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar. The commission claims TikTok’s moderation response has been unsatisfactory despite prior notifications. TikTok has been issued a legal notice to explain its failures and improve content moderation. The commission warned it would continue to take firm action to ensure compliance.
Indonesia tightens control over key commodities in major trade takeover, influencing global exports
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is overhauling its trade policies for key commodities in a sudden move that some experts liken to a hostile takeover of major industries in the resource-rich nation. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced new regulations this week that will centralize exports of materials like coal, palm oil and iron alloys under a lone state-owned enterprise. The Southeast Asian nation is a global commodities powerhouse, holding the world’s biggest nickel reserves and is the largest exporter of thermal coal and palm oil. Analysts say its new policy will reverberate down international supply chains. That's especially true for China, Indonesia’s largest trading partner.
Frustrated Indian youth flock to a political party led by a cockroach
NEW DELHI (AP) — A satirical project called the Cockroach Janta Party has become a viral sensation in India. Millions of young Indians are embracing it as a humorous protest against corruption and joblessness. The parody party uses absurdist humor to mock political dysfunction. It has gained more than 15 million Instagram followers since its launch on Saturday. Founder Abhijeet Dipke says the movement reflects young Indians' frustration with unemployment and rising living costs. He says the party's choice of a cockroach as its symbol represents endurance. The parody party's rise echoes a broader trend across South Asia. Young voters and protesters have played a central role in anti-government movements in recent years including uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and unrest in Nepal.
SpaceX reveals plans for what could be the biggest-ever initial public offering
NEW YORK (AP) — Elon Musk announced plans Wednesday for one of the biggest sales of stock to the public ever for his space company that is currently losing billions of dollars year. A filing Wednesday shows his SpaceX lost $2.6 billion from operations last year on $18.7 billion in revenue, and the losses kept piling up at the start of this year, too. Still, the initial public offering is expected to rank among the largest ever, possibly surpassing the current title holder, Saudi Aramco, the oil giant that went public seven years ago. The stock sale could also make Musk, a major owner who founded SpaceX in 2002, the world’s first trillionaire. Forbes currently puts his net worth at $839 billion.
