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cbabe
cbabe's Journal
cbabe's Journal
January 12, 2026
Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Musk’s Grok over sexualized AI images
BY EILEEN NG AND EDNA TARIGAN
Updated 6:02 AM PST, January 12, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, as concerns grew among global authorities that it was being misused to generate sexually explicit and nonconsensual images.
The moves reflect growing scrutiny of generative AI tools that can produce realistic images, sound and text and concern that existing safeguards are failing to prevent their abuse. The Grok chatbot, which is accessed through Musk’s social media platform X, has been criticized for generating manipulated images, including depictions of women in bikinis or sexually explicit poses, as well as images involving children.
Last week, Grok limited image generation and editing to paying users following a global backlash over sexualized deepfakes of people, but critics say it didn’t fully address the problem.
… more …
Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Musk's Grok over sexualized AI images
https://apnews.com/article/grok-malaysia-indonesia-block-c7cb320327f259c4da35908e1269c225Malaysia and Indonesia become the first countries to block Musk’s Grok over sexualized AI images
BY EILEEN NG AND EDNA TARIGAN
Updated 6:02 AM PST, January 12, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, as concerns grew among global authorities that it was being misused to generate sexually explicit and nonconsensual images.
The moves reflect growing scrutiny of generative AI tools that can produce realistic images, sound and text and concern that existing safeguards are failing to prevent their abuse. The Grok chatbot, which is accessed through Musk’s social media platform X, has been criticized for generating manipulated images, including depictions of women in bikinis or sexually explicit poses, as well as images involving children.
Last week, Grok limited image generation and editing to paying users following a global backlash over sexualized deepfakes of people, but critics say it didn’t fully address the problem.
… more …
January 12, 2026
'Horrifying' leak reveals ICE 'stalkers' have access to Americans' cell phone data
Alexander Willis
January 12, 2026 8:47AM ET
A bombshell report from 404 Media revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has acquired new technology that allows the agency to monitor entire city neighborhoods by tracking the movements of its residents without a warrant, sparking widespread fears over the Trump administration’s growing surveillance state.
“Horrifying for a lot of reasons but thinking about all the domestic abusers, stalkers, freaks, in and out of ICE, who will use this stuff to torment their victims is blood curdling,” wrote purported journalist Shane Proteus in a social media post on X Sunday night.
… more …
'Horrifying' leak reveals ICE 'stalkers' have access to Americans' cell phone data
https://www.rawstory.com/ice-2674874634/'Horrifying' leak reveals ICE 'stalkers' have access to Americans' cell phone data
Alexander Willis
January 12, 2026 8:47AM ET
A bombshell report from 404 Media revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has acquired new technology that allows the agency to monitor entire city neighborhoods by tracking the movements of its residents without a warrant, sparking widespread fears over the Trump administration’s growing surveillance state.
“Horrifying for a lot of reasons but thinking about all the domestic abusers, stalkers, freaks, in and out of ICE, who will use this stuff to torment their victims is blood curdling,” wrote purported journalist Shane Proteus in a social media post on X Sunday night.
… more …
January 11, 2026
Here’s How You Can Challenge Wage Garnishment for Defaulted Student Loans
The Trump administration announced that this week it will start forcibly collecting money from student loan debtors.
By Braxton Brewington , TRUTHOUT
Published January 10, 2026
…
Cancellation programs like Total and Permanent Disability, False Certification, and Borrower Defense can provide relief for millions of borrowers who deserve it because their university cheated them or closed down while they were enrolled. Another little-known option that borrowers have is to apply for a hardship exemption if wage garnishment causes them financial hardship. While temporary, and certainly not a solution to the student debt crisis, debtors can apply to pause or reduce forced collections if they are in difficult circumstances.
There is a solid chance
debtors are in default because of an error caused by their student loan servicer. Servicers, the middle-men of the student debt system, have gross financial incentives to steer borrowers into the wrong payment plan. As borrower balances get transferred from one servicer to another, and as payments and documents and interest accumulates, errors occur. Many borrowers are told the wrong balance, estimated for the wrong payment and told that years of payments don’t exist. Though rarely granted by the Department of Education, debtors in forbearance of deferment who went into default due to a loan servicer error can challenge the default status and have it reversed.
Some borrowers — such as those who are incarcerated or facing unique circumstances — could also appeal to the Department of Education and request a “compromise” or “write-off” of student loans to prevent administrative wage garnishment.
It’s not just borrowers who should be making noise about the affront that is wage garnishment for student loans. Labor unions should be fighting tooth and nail to ensure that employers protect their workers from illegal forced collections. The more extraction from student debtors, the more there is a drag on our economy — making it harder for businesses to thrive, homes to be purchased, or families to be started.
Student debtors would be wise to fight back at every opportunity, urging the federal government to negotiate student debt on different terms. The Department of Education isn’t just our creditor expecting payments, it is also a democratically elected body that is susceptible to political power from below. To accept the terms and conditions of harsh debt collection is to succumb to a broken system run by unqualified billionaires. To fight back against our debts, as Trump put it, is “a smart thing, not a stupid thing.”
//
Here's How You Can Challenge Wage Garnishment for Defaulted Student Loans
https://truthout.org/articles/heres-how-you-can-challenge-wage-garnishment-for-defaulted-student-loans/Here’s How You Can Challenge Wage Garnishment for Defaulted Student Loans
The Trump administration announced that this week it will start forcibly collecting money from student loan debtors.
By Braxton Brewington , TRUTHOUT
Published January 10, 2026
…
Cancellation programs like Total and Permanent Disability, False Certification, and Borrower Defense can provide relief for millions of borrowers who deserve it because their university cheated them or closed down while they were enrolled. Another little-known option that borrowers have is to apply for a hardship exemption if wage garnishment causes them financial hardship. While temporary, and certainly not a solution to the student debt crisis, debtors can apply to pause or reduce forced collections if they are in difficult circumstances.
There is a solid chance
debtors are in default because of an error caused by their student loan servicer. Servicers, the middle-men of the student debt system, have gross financial incentives to steer borrowers into the wrong payment plan. As borrower balances get transferred from one servicer to another, and as payments and documents and interest accumulates, errors occur. Many borrowers are told the wrong balance, estimated for the wrong payment and told that years of payments don’t exist. Though rarely granted by the Department of Education, debtors in forbearance of deferment who went into default due to a loan servicer error can challenge the default status and have it reversed.
Some borrowers — such as those who are incarcerated or facing unique circumstances — could also appeal to the Department of Education and request a “compromise” or “write-off” of student loans to prevent administrative wage garnishment.
It’s not just borrowers who should be making noise about the affront that is wage garnishment for student loans. Labor unions should be fighting tooth and nail to ensure that employers protect their workers from illegal forced collections. The more extraction from student debtors, the more there is a drag on our economy — making it harder for businesses to thrive, homes to be purchased, or families to be started.
Student debtors would be wise to fight back at every opportunity, urging the federal government to negotiate student debt on different terms. The Department of Education isn’t just our creditor expecting payments, it is also a democratically elected body that is susceptible to political power from below. To accept the terms and conditions of harsh debt collection is to succumb to a broken system run by unqualified billionaires. To fight back against our debts, as Trump put it, is “a smart thing, not a stupid thing.”
//
January 10, 2026
‘Cancel your tickets’: Calls grow to boycott US-hosted FIFA World Cup over Trump admin
Alexander Willis
January 10, 2026 2:11PM ET
…
“I had to cancel my World Cup plans,” wrote Ramy Abdu, a Palestinian academic and assistant professor of law and finance, in a social media post on X Friday. “Visiting the United States simply isn’t safe.”
…
“Would you have gone to watch the Olympics in Nazi Germany in 1936?” asked Pekka Kallioniemi, a Finnish social media analyst with a focus on propaganda and disinformation, in a social media post on X Friday. “If the answer is no, it’s time to cancel your US World Cup tickets.”
… more …
'Cancel your tickets': Calls grow to boycott US-hosted FIFA World Cup over Trump admin
https://www.rawstory.com/world-cup-2674872045/‘Cancel your tickets’: Calls grow to boycott US-hosted FIFA World Cup over Trump admin
Alexander Willis
January 10, 2026 2:11PM ET
…
“I had to cancel my World Cup plans,” wrote Ramy Abdu, a Palestinian academic and assistant professor of law and finance, in a social media post on X Friday. “Visiting the United States simply isn’t safe.”
…
“Would you have gone to watch the Olympics in Nazi Germany in 1936?” asked Pekka Kallioniemi, a Finnish social media analyst with a focus on propaganda and disinformation, in a social media post on X Friday. “If the answer is no, it’s time to cancel your US World Cup tickets.”
… more …
January 10, 2026
‘Boom, he’s out’: bear living ‘rent-free’ under California home has been removed.
The 550lb black bear was drawn out with paintball guns after it had resided under the home for more than a month
Abené Clayton
Fri 9 Jan 2026 16.31 EST
Getting rid of an unwanted houseguest can be difficult, but seldom does it involve a paintball gun and an electrified mat. A 550lb black bear that took residence under a southern California home for more than a month has finally been removed, KTLA has reported.
Altadena resident Ken Johnson first noticed the bear was living in the crawl space below his home in late November.
…
Johnson contacted California’s department of fish and wildlife (DFW) about the bear and the agency attempted to trap it to no avail. Instead, they snagged a smaller bear, leaving the 550lb one to remain. After more than a month of the bear’s occupation, Johnson threatened to sue the DFW for negligence and emotional distress, according to KTLA.
“If I kept track of everything I tried, it would be Bear: 14, Homeowner: 0,” Johnson told the news outlet.
… more … Altadena fire refugee …
'Boom, he's out': bear living 'rent-free' under California home has been removed
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/09/bear-under-california-home-evicted‘Boom, he’s out’: bear living ‘rent-free’ under California home has been removed.
The 550lb black bear was drawn out with paintball guns after it had resided under the home for more than a month
Abené Clayton
Fri 9 Jan 2026 16.31 EST
Getting rid of an unwanted houseguest can be difficult, but seldom does it involve a paintball gun and an electrified mat. A 550lb black bear that took residence under a southern California home for more than a month has finally been removed, KTLA has reported.
Altadena resident Ken Johnson first noticed the bear was living in the crawl space below his home in late November.
…
Johnson contacted California’s department of fish and wildlife (DFW) about the bear and the agency attempted to trap it to no avail. Instead, they snagged a smaller bear, leaving the 550lb one to remain. After more than a month of the bear’s occupation, Johnson threatened to sue the DFW for negligence and emotional distress, according to KTLA.
“If I kept track of everything I tried, it would be Bear: 14, Homeowner: 0,” Johnson told the news outlet.
… more … Altadena fire refugee …
January 10, 2026
Video shows dog outsmarting lock on shelter door to escape and run home
Jan 9, 2026
At about 2:30 a.m., a shelter dog named Dawson escaped from his gated enclosure and then used his teeth to open the front door of the animal shelter in West Virginia, slipping quietly into the night.
When staff at Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter arrived at about 5 a.m. on Jan. 4, they were puzzled to find the front door unlocked.
… more …
Dog pulls off daring escape, opening kennel and locked shelter door
https://m.
Video shows dog outsmarting lock on shelter door to escape and run home
https://dnyuz.com/2026/01/09/video-shows-dog-outsmarting-lock-on-shelter-door-to-escape-and-run-home/Video shows dog outsmarting lock on shelter door to escape and run home
Jan 9, 2026
At about 2:30 a.m., a shelter dog named Dawson escaped from his gated enclosure and then used his teeth to open the front door of the animal shelter in West Virginia, slipping quietly into the night.
When staff at Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter arrived at about 5 a.m. on Jan. 4, they were puzzled to find the front door unlocked.
… more …
Dog pulls off daring escape, opening kennel and locked shelter door
https://m.
January 9, 2026
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup
Godfall by Van Jensen; The Salt Bind by Rebecca Ferrier; The Poet Empress by Shen Tao; A Hole in the Sky by Peter F Hamilton; Hello Earth, Are You There? by Brian Aldiss
Lisa Tuttle
Fri 9 Jan 2026 07.00 EST
… more …
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror - review roundup
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jan/09/the-best-recent-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-review-roundupThe best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup
Godfall by Van Jensen; The Salt Bind by Rebecca Ferrier; The Poet Empress by Shen Tao; A Hole in the Sky by Peter F Hamilton; Hello Earth, Are You There? by Brian Aldiss
Lisa Tuttle
Fri 9 Jan 2026 07.00 EST
… more …
January 9, 2026
Portland Mayor Decries Mounting Bloodshed, Tells ICE to Get Out After Federal Agents Shoot Two
“As mayor, I call on ICE to end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed,” said Keith Wilson, the Democratic mayor of Portland, Oregon.
JAKE JOHNSON
Jan 09, 2026
The mayor of Portland, Oregon told Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the city after federal agents shot and wounded two people on Thursday, just a day after an ICE agent killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
“We cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts,” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said in a statement. “Portland is not a ‘training ground’ for militarized agents, and the ‘full force’ threatened by the administration has deadly consequences. As mayor, I call on ICE to end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed.”
The shooting took place Thursday afternoon during what the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as a “targeted vehicle stop” conducted by Border Patrol agents. Echoing its narrative about the deadly Minneapolis shooting—which was contradicted by video footage from the scene—DHS said the driver “weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents.”
But Wilson said Thursday that the Trump administration could not be trusted to provide an accurate account of events or conduct an honest investigation.
“We know what the federal government says happened here,” said Wilson. “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time has long passed.”
… more …
(Defund ice)
Portland Mayor Decries Mounting Bloodshed, Tells ICE to Get Out After Federal Agents Shoot Two
https://www.commondreams.org/news/portland-border-patrol-shootingPortland Mayor Decries Mounting Bloodshed, Tells ICE to Get Out After Federal Agents Shoot Two
“As mayor, I call on ICE to end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed,” said Keith Wilson, the Democratic mayor of Portland, Oregon.
JAKE JOHNSON
Jan 09, 2026
The mayor of Portland, Oregon told Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the city after federal agents shot and wounded two people on Thursday, just a day after an ICE agent killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
“We cannot sit by while constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts,” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said in a statement. “Portland is not a ‘training ground’ for militarized agents, and the ‘full force’ threatened by the administration has deadly consequences. As mayor, I call on ICE to end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed.”
The shooting took place Thursday afternoon during what the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as a “targeted vehicle stop” conducted by Border Patrol agents. Echoing its narrative about the deadly Minneapolis shooting—which was contradicted by video footage from the scene—DHS said the driver “weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents.”
But Wilson said Thursday that the Trump administration could not be trusted to provide an accurate account of events or conduct an honest investigation.
“We know what the federal government says happened here,” said Wilson. “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time has long passed.”
… more …
(Defund ice)
January 9, 2026
ICE shooting comes after bombshell probe finds new recruits 'can barely read or write'
Daniel Hampton
January 8, 2026 5:45PM ET
…
The explosive Daily Mail report found that the administration's $50,000 signing bonus attracted droves of unqualified recruits — high school grads who can "barely read or write," overweight candidates with doctor's notes saying they're unfit, and even applicants with pending criminal charges.
The report exposed how Immigration and Customs Enforcement took a blowtorch to hiring standards, with one Department of Homeland Security official blasting: "We have people failing open-book tests and we have folks that can barely read or write English."
Officials sent recruits to a Georgia training center before drug test results came back, later discovering some tested positive.
At the academy, some recruits showed up with tattoos tied to gangs and white supremacists. One bailed for a court date on a gun charge, and another was arrested for exploding at a bus driver. To boot, sex harassment accusations emerged, with a source describing to the Daily Mail predatory behavior during training.
…
This isn't the department of baking cookies," one source said. "This is the Department of Homeland Security, where you can be deported from the country. “And we're now employing people who are not equipped to tie their own shoelaces.
… more …
ICE shooting comes after bombshell probe finds new recruits 'can barely read or write'
https://www.rawstory.com/ice-shooting-2674862836/ICE shooting comes after bombshell probe finds new recruits 'can barely read or write'
Daniel Hampton
January 8, 2026 5:45PM ET
…
The explosive Daily Mail report found that the administration's $50,000 signing bonus attracted droves of unqualified recruits — high school grads who can "barely read or write," overweight candidates with doctor's notes saying they're unfit, and even applicants with pending criminal charges.
The report exposed how Immigration and Customs Enforcement took a blowtorch to hiring standards, with one Department of Homeland Security official blasting: "We have people failing open-book tests and we have folks that can barely read or write English."
Officials sent recruits to a Georgia training center before drug test results came back, later discovering some tested positive.
At the academy, some recruits showed up with tattoos tied to gangs and white supremacists. One bailed for a court date on a gun charge, and another was arrested for exploding at a bus driver. To boot, sex harassment accusations emerged, with a source describing to the Daily Mail predatory behavior during training.
…
This isn't the department of baking cookies," one source said. "This is the Department of Homeland Security, where you can be deported from the country. “And we're now employing people who are not equipped to tie their own shoelaces.
… more …
January 8, 2026
More Shocking Footage Shows Federal Agents Raiding Minneapolis High School, Handcuffing Staff
“They’re just animals,” said a local school official of the federal agents. “I’ve never seen people behave like this.”
BRAD REED
Jan 08, 2026
Federal immigration enforcement agents on Wednesday swarmed a high school in Minneapolis, where footage and photographs showed them handcuffing school staff members and firing chemical irritants at students.
According to a report from KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, the agents descended upon Roosevelt High School on Wednesday afternoon, mere hours after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.
…
A Roosevelt High School official confirmed to MPR News that agents wearing US Border Patrol uniforms pepper sprayed students, while also firing pepper balls at them.
Video footage taken from the scene shows agents deploying chemical irritants at demonstrators.
… more … video at link …
More Shocking Footage Shows Federal Agents Raiding Minneapolis High School, Handcuffing Staff
https://www.commondreams.org/news/border-patrol-minneapolis-schoolMore Shocking Footage Shows Federal Agents Raiding Minneapolis High School, Handcuffing Staff
“They’re just animals,” said a local school official of the federal agents. “I’ve never seen people behave like this.”
BRAD REED
Jan 08, 2026
Federal immigration enforcement agents on Wednesday swarmed a high school in Minneapolis, where footage and photographs showed them handcuffing school staff members and firing chemical irritants at students.
According to a report from KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, the agents descended upon Roosevelt High School on Wednesday afternoon, mere hours after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good.
…
A Roosevelt High School official confirmed to MPR News that agents wearing US Border Patrol uniforms pepper sprayed students, while also firing pepper balls at them.
Video footage taken from the scene shows agents deploying chemical irritants at demonstrators.
… more … video at link …
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