Reddit CEO Steve Huffman stands on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange after ringing a bell setting the share price at $47 in its initial public offering on March 21, 2024 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Reddit beat expectations for its first financial quarter as a publicly traded company.
Strong revenue growth and record user traffic sent the stock price up 16% in after-hours trading.
R&D expenses were up four times compared to last year.
Reddit just delivered a big first quarter as a newly public company.
The social media platform beat analyst expectations Tuesday when it reported revenue of $243 million, up 48% from the same period last year. The company also boasted a record 82.7 million daily active users, up 37% from the year before.
"It was a strong start to the year and a milestone quarter for Reddit and our communities as we debuted as a public company," co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman said in a statement. "We see this as the beginning of a new chapter as we work towards building the next generation of Reddit."
While still not yet profitable, the net loss of $8.19 a share was below the $8.75 a share loss that investors were bracing for.
Meanwhile, research and development costs soared by 300% year-over-year as the company beefs up its AI-related revenue and advertising strategy.
This story will be updated following the earnings call at 5 p.m ET.
Depending on who you ask, the recent movements of the Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) share price might be described either as tragic or as a joke (or perhaps even both).
For long-term shareholders of this ASX lithium stock, there’s probably not much to laugh about, considering Core Lithium has lost a brutal 48.15% of its value over 2024 to date alone. That’s going off the current Core Lithium share price of 14 cents.
Over the past 12 months, those losses extend to an even more savage 86.41%. The company is also down around 92% from its last all-time high of around $1.70 per share which we saw back in late 2022.
If one doesn’t own Core Lithium shares, this dramatic drop might make the idea of investing in Core Lithium today appear to be some kind of joke.
Indeed, imagine if one had told investors back in late 2022 when Core Lithium was going for close to $2 a pop, that the company was destined for a 14-cent share price. They would have probably thought you were joking.
Core Lithium’s woes have stemmed from a few factors. Lithium prices have dramatically come off the boul over the last 12 months. Producers like Core have had to battle with an excess of supply in the rechargeable battery ingredient.
It also didn’t help sentiment when Core Lithium posted a net loss of $167.6 million for the six months to 31 December 2023. A recent quarterly update has done nothing to sway opinions to date.
But is the current Core Lithium share price still a joke at its current levels?
Are Core Lithium shares laughably cheap or comically expensive?
Unfortunately for Core Lithium investors, at least one ASX expert doesn’t seem to think there’s any value to be found in this lithium stock right now. Earlier this month, my Fool colleague looked at ASX broker Goldman Sachs’ views on Core.
Whilst Goldman predictably didn’t call Core Lithium shares a joke, the broker still gave the company a ‘sell’ rating, along with a 12-month share price target of just 11 cents. If realised, that would see Core shares dip down to new five-year lows.
Goldman cited valuation concerns compared to its peers as one of the reasons its analysts are bearish on Core. The brokers also suspect the company won’t be able to restart production at Finniss for at least the remainder of 2024.
Foolish takeaway
Whilst it might seem harsh to call Core Lithium shares a joke, this company’s experience over the past 12 months has been a textbook disastrous investment.
But if Core Lithium can recover from its recent lows and survive until the next rebound in lithium prices (whenever that may come), perhaps the joke will be on Core’s detractors and short-sellers. We’ll have to wait and see.
Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Since leaving Google, Eric Schmidt has invested in tech and AI firms like Anthropic.
Christian Marquardt/Getty
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said the US is "way ahead of China" in AI development.
Schmidt cited chip shortages and more English language material to train AI models.
He also said China's reduced funding and focus on for-profit apps are barriers to its advancement.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt thinks the US is "way ahead of China" when it comes to AI.
"In the case of artificial intelligence, we are well ahead, two or three years probably of China, which in my world is an eternity," Schmidt said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday. "I think we're in pretty good shape."
Schmidt served as Google's CEO from 2001 until 2011 and remained its chairman until 2015. Following his departure, Schmidt has invested in various AI companies, including Anthropic. He also became the chairman of the Department of Defense's Innovation Board in 2016 and chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence for three years.
Schmidt said the US stands to be the clear winner in the AI race — as long as it doesn't screw up its lead. Since China is focused on dominating certain industries, the US needs to compete with them and win, he added.
At the start of 2024, China had approved over 40 AI models in a six-month period, including 14 new Large Language Models approved for public use in a week span. Baidu, a search engine giant referred to as "China's Google," is leading the pack.
Schmidt talked about four factors that contributed to his view that China is behind in the AI arms race.
Chip shortages
Schmidt said China is "struggling because of chips" and shortages.
In a separate interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Schmidt said China has been set back by the Trump and Biden administrations restricting access to high-speed chips, particularly Nvidia chips.
"They're certainly angry about that," Schmidt said.
The chips serve as a crucial component in the effort to scale AI. The tech-related tensions between the US and China have resulted in a push from the government to produce semiconductors in the US. In November 2023, the US Department of Commerce implemented the Advanced Computing Chips Rule making it harder for China to import advanced AI chips from American manufacturers.
Schmidt thinks there's less Chinese material to train AI models with
Schmidt also said in the CNBC interview that there's not as much Chinese material available to train large language models. Since English dominates the internet, research papers, and books that large language models train on, he believes English provides a larger pool of information to learn from.
"That's why English is so strong in these large language models," Schmidt said.
Additionally, most training data is in English, he said, which could lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations in other languages.
Reduced funding
Schmidt said that China is also facing a huge reduction in foreign investment and at-risk venture capital. Meanwhile, the US has exploded in these areas, he said.
The former Google CEO said that China is focused on building for-profit application companies which may ultimately be successful. But they're not platform-focused, he argued.
"Three or four of the top apps in America are, in fact, of Chinese origin," Schmidt said. "But at the moment, the leadership is US."
While apps like TikTok may be successful, some industry experts think that China is lagging behind in foundational AI models, according to a report from CNBC.
"We should be very proud to be here," Schmidt said. "America has invented this future and this particular future, the one which is AI and quantum and the other technologies, that people are talking about. We have a shot of actually dominating the world for the next 10 or 20 years if we do it right."
Calli Nguyen planned to quit but was fired from her director role within three days of starting the job.
Jordan Hefler
Calli Nguyen, 24, was fired from her job as a director of digital marketing after less than a week.
Nguyen highlights the importance of mental health and employee respect in the workplace.
She emphasizes Gen Z's unwillingness to settle for toxic work environments.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Calli Nguyen, a 24-year-old social media marketer from Baton Rouge, LA, about getting fired after less than one week of work. It's been edited for length and clarity.
Before I started as the director of digital marketing for a medical spa, I gave my boss the benefit of the doubt because I just wanted a job. What could go wrong?
Turns out, everything.
While I've worked many jobs, this director role was my first paid full-time position in digital marketing. I rationalized that maybe I was going through a learning curve; or that I just had the jitters. But on the third day of work, when I left my desk for a quick mental health break, I was fired on the spot. To be fair, I saw the red flags but ignored them.
I read the negative Glassdoor and Google reviews left by former clients and employees. One review said that five employees quit within two weeks. The review underscored that employers should not mistreat their employees regardless of their age. Also, before I even started the job, I agreed to change my role from client care coordinator to director of digital marketing without changing my hourly pay of $16. Yet, immediately after I was fired, I felt like a failure.
I now feel that getting fired after less than a week of employment was a blessing in disguise. The experience taught me that not every opportunity is a good opportunity. But more importantly, protecting my mental health and having employers see the value in me is more important than earning money.
My boss refused to take my advice
I didn't think it was a big deal that my former boss wanted me to switch gears to social media marketing after I applied on Indeed for an office coordinator role. Afterall, I did list my social media marketing skills on my résumé.
After I accepted the new role over the phone with her general manager, I looked forward to honing in on my creative skills while helping a small, independent business grow and gain more customers. But how can I help someone who refuses to listen to my advice?
My boss wanted her social media marketing to look a certain way: showcasing stock photos of attractive women with outdated fonts.
I showed her the analytics on the low-performing social media posts and that I knew how to update her online presence to gain more customers, but she refused to absorb anything I had to say. So I followed her creative lead — until I became overwhelmed by her demands.
I was shocked to find out that my boss wanted more from me than what I produced
On my third day, I started a project to build posts for the company's social media accounts and research her competitors' special offers. I presented everything she asked for. While she seemed happy with my social posts and the offers that I found, she needed more from me.
Without warning, she asked which products the other medical spas used. I spiraled into a tailspin.
I didn't know anything about specific products in the medical spa industry. I didn't even know what she wanted me to research. She never brought up my level of product knowledge in our initial interview, nor did anyone ask me to find out about the competitors' products when explaining the project to me.
She said I should've known to research the different products used by our competitors. Then, she launched into a list of other deliverables that I should've done. After a few minutes of her feedback, I felt overwhelmed.
Mental health and respect at work are mandatory
I stood up and told her I needed to take a break. So, I walked toward the front door.
She tried stopping me. I didn't give in. I already vowed to never let anyone disrespect me at work. I said, "Ma'am, respectfully, I need to step outside and take a breather. I'll be back in a few minutes."
She fired me, saying that I wasn't going to work out for her. I thought to myself, "Oh, awesome," as I tried to keep my demeanor professional. I was so pissed off.
To be fair, I wanted to quit, so she got me before I got her. As I approached the front desk, I looked at the general manager and trainer and told them that I was fired. The general manager offered me a recommendation letter despite all the drama.
I said goodbye to my coworkers after 2.5 days
I felt like a failure after two days and about six hours of work on day three. I said goodbye to my coworkers and told them that I was fired as I walked out the door for the last time. But I really felt depressed too.
I texted "9-1-1" to my mom while she was at work and started sobbing on the phone with her in the parking lot. I kept apologizing to her for being a failure, even though I knew I worked in a toxic environment.
Afterward, I spent a month in bed while working remotely for another company.
I've been in the workforce since I was about 16 or 17 years old and have worked with various age groups. That said, some Gen Z workers are lazy and unreliable, and I've seen the TikToks that say that Gen Z is rude, too. At the same time, we want what everyone else wants: for our employers to value us, to enjoy our jobs and work environment, and to receive proper training so that we'll thrive.
Gen Z knows that there's somewhere better for us
While the older generations might have put up with toxic work environments, we're speaking up for ourselves and not settling.
I'm more than happy to receive constructive criticism, as long as the feedback does not cross the line into degradation and disrespect. The workforce continuously changes, and employers must be open to flexibility, growth, and change.
Gen Z knows that there's somewhere better for us if we don't get what we want out of a job — that's why I'm working at a reputable advertising agency that respects me, advocates for mental health, and cultivates a fun and enjoyable work environment.
As an employee, it's not on me if a boss doesn't want to learn or be flexible. I can't help a boss to grow, and I can't grow in a toxic environment, right?
If you're a Gen Z worker and want to share your story, email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.
Updated May 7, 2024 — An earlier version of this story did not clarify that the director role was Calli Nguyen's first paid full-time digital marketing job, not her first time working in digital marketing.
Fragments of what may be non-Russian missiles, which Russia used to attack the city are seen on January 6, 2024 in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Ivan Samoilov /Gwara Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
About half of the North Korean missiles fired by Russia at Ukraine have failed, a Ukrainian official said.
The missiles that failed flew off course and exploded in midair.
Ukraine's top prosecutor told Reuters they're investigating missile debris.
About half of the North Korean missiles Russia has fired at Ukraine have failed, Ukraine's top prosecutor said, per new reporting.
The high reported failure rate raises questions about the quality of North Korean-provided munitions and comes after months of concern about how an arms deal between the two countries could influence the war in Ukraine and North Korea's own efforts to improve its military capabilities.
State prosecutors have been examining the debris of 21 out of 50 North Korean missiles fired at Ukraine by Russia between December and February. About half of the missiles "lost their programmed trajectories and exploded in the air," Ukraine's top prosecutor Andriy Kostin told Reuters, noting that debris was not collected for these weapons.
This falls in line with previous assessments from Ukraine. Back in March, Yuriy Belousov, head of the war crimes department of Ukraine's office of the prosecutor general, said North Korean ballistic missiles were "very low" quality, boasting an accuracy rate of only around 20 percent.
Beyond the missiles, North Korean rockets have also been called into question. Last summer, the Ukrainians got their hands on North Korean rockets that troops characterized as "very unreliable," noting they sometimes "do crazy things." They said it wasn't odd for them to misfire or explode.
Thereported problems add to suspicions about weaknesses in North Korea's stockpiles, as sanctions and dated production capabilities impact the quality of missiles and other munitions. The battlefield intelligence Pyongyang may be receiving about the performance and capabilities of its weapon systems could be invaluable though.
When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2023 for a summit on a potential arms deal, officials and experts expressed concerns that such a partnership could be mutually beneficial. The concern was that Putin would get more ammo for his war in Ukraine, and North Korea would get field testing of its weapons to improve the quality of the country's munitions.
In November 2023, South Korean lawmakers estimated a million North Korean shells had been sent to Russia, beating out the European Union's collective aid to Ukraine since Moscow's forces invaded. In addition to shells, North Korea has also sent rockets and ballistic missiles to Russia as well, helping sustain it as Ukraine struggled to do the same.
One of the North Korean missiles sent to Russia appears to be KN-23s, known in North Korea as the short-range Hwasong 11. Hwasong 11s resemble Russian Iskander-M missiles and boast a range of around 430 miles.
Ukrainian officials and experts have identified fragments of the Hwasong 11 in the aftermath of several attacks, including one in early January and one in early February, both in Kharkiv. Kostin told Reuters the last recorded use of the weapon was February 27.
Along with Kharkiv, other cities, such as Kyiv, and regions, such as Donetsk and Kirovohrad, have been the targets of missile strikes. Since December 30, the attacks have killed 24 people and wounded 115, damaging various residential areas.
CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) stock has been a strong performer over the long term with a rise of more than 300% over the past decade. Is the ASX healthcare share a good buy today?
The company is the largest biotech company in Australia, but the question is whether it can continue growing profit at a decent pace to push CSL stock higher. There are three factors I’ll look at to decide if CSL stock is appealing.
Investing for growth
The business continues to put a lot of money into investing for the future.
For example, the new RIKA blood plasma donation system is meant to deliver a number of benefits. This system completes one collection in less than 35 minutes, on average, which reduces the donation time by around 30%. There is a rollout plan for the next 18 months for CSL’s centres. The individualised Nomogram will reportedly improve the average donation yield by around 10%. There should also be a reduction in biohazard disposable waste by between 10% to 15%. The system will also help improve productivity and help boost the gross profit margin.
CSL continues to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in research and development across its various segments. That spending can unlock the newest healthcare treatments or vaccines, creating a new earnings stream, and helping CSL stock. In the FY24 half-year result, CSL said its R&D spending increased from US$593 million last year to US$669 million this year.
New Tullamarine site
CSL recently gave investors a site tour presentation, which included references to the new Tullamarine property, a state-of-the-art flu vaccine production facility.
The broker UBS said the Tullamarine building is under construction for CSL Seqirus, which will produce flu vaccines in cell culture. The new site is being built using a variety of techniques and facility configurations that will allow for “best in class” operational facility.
CSL will benefit from digital monitoring and release of batches, which UBS reported was described as “substantially labour saving”.
Another benefit of this Tullamarine site will be better clean room security by placing machinery parts that need cleaning outside the clean environment.
The third benefit suggested by UBS was the ability to scale production at this facility as needed.
Good earnings growth expected
Estimates by UBS suggest the business is expected to see excellent earnings per share (EPS) growth over the next few years.
In FY24, owners of CSL stock are currently expected to see EPS of US$6.29 in FY24, US$7.45 in FY25, US$8.91 in FY26, US$10.69 in FY27 and US$11.86 in FY28.
If those estimates were to become reality, it would mean the CSL profit could grow by around 90% between FY24 and FY28. If that occurs, it would be very supportive for CSL stock in my opinion. Profit growth is one of the reasons why UBS has a buy rating on CSL stock with a price target of $330.
Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…
Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Donald and Melania Trump attend the MET Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2005 In New York City.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Trump is currently on trial over hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
He faces 34 counts of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
This timeline outlines Trump's three marriages, rumored affairs, and sexual misconduct accusations.
Donald Trump has been married to or dating one of his three wives since the 1970s, with only a few breaks in between.
Trump talks with his former wife, Ivana Trump, during the men's final at the US Open in 1997.
Mike Blake/Reuters
Then a young real estate developer, he married his first wife, Ivana Trump, in 1977.
Donald Trump and then-wife, Ivana Trump, pose outside the Federal Courthouse in New York in May 1988.
AP Photo/File
Ivana is the mother of Donald Jr., Ivanka (whose actual name is Ivana Marie), and Eric Trump. Ivana also worked to develop the Trump Organization as vice president of interior design.
Donald Trump Jr., Ivana Trump, Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump attend the 9th Annual Eric Trump Foundation Golf Invitational Auction & Dinner in 2015.
Grant Lamos IV / Stringer
Trump's reputation was tied to his "playboy" image, which came with rumors of affairs. According to one report, Trump tried to get Playboy magazine to run a "Girls of Trump" spread featuring his employees.
This June 7, 1995, file photo shows Trump posing for photos above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange after taking his flagship Trump Plaza Casino public in New York City.
AP/Kathy Willens
"He even tried to get Playboy to do a spread called 'The Girls of Trump,' wooing his most shapely staffers, including a former beauty queen secretary, into posing for the magazine with a sliding scale of offers on everything from full nude to breast to 'wet-lip' shots," Wayne Barrett wrote in his 1991 book "Trump, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Deals, The Downfall, The Reinvention."
Barrett continued: "It was all part of the rakish ethos of phony glamour that he consciously fostered, even to the extent of concealing from public view a very efficient secretary with a pimplish facial condition."
At least 26 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, with allegations stretching back to the 1970s and running through 2016.
E. Jean Carroll at her home in Warwick, NY in 2019.
Jessica Leeds told The New York Times in 2016 that Trump "grabbed her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt" when the pair were seated next to each other on a flight in the early 1980s, when Trump was married to Ivana.
"He was like an octopus," Leeds told The Times. "His hands were everywhere."
Trump's marriage to Ivana fell apart when he began an affair with the model Marla Maples, which dominated the tabloids in the early 1990s.
Model Marla Maples and real estate mogul Donald Trump ride the escalator down to a limo after attending a "Get Well Soon" party for boxer Mike Tyson at the Trump Plaza Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sept. 23, 1990.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Ivana and Trump divorced in 1991, after months of headlines about Trump's affair with Maples.
Donald Trump (right) watches as Marla Maples gets a kiss from Earl Sinclair of TV's "Dinosaurs" in 1992.
Henry Ray Abrams/Reuters
"The children are all wrecks," Ivana told gossip columnist Liz Smith. "Ivanka now comes home from school crying, 'Mommy, does it mean I'm not going to be Ivanka Trump anymore?' Little Eric asks me, 'Is it true you are going away and not coming back?'"
In September 2005, Trump was caught on tape telling "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush that he was able to "grab" women "by the p—y" because "when you're a star they let you do it."
Melania gave birth to the couple's only son, Barron, in March 2006.
Donald Trump and Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive for the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance evening on board the Queen Mary 2, Saturday, April 24, 2004 in New York.
Stuart Ramson/AP
Adult film star Stormy Daniels alleged that she and Trump had a sexual encounter just four months later, in July 2006.
Stormy Daniels attends a signing for comedian Dane Cook's CD/DVD "Retaliation" at Tower Records on July 27, 2005 in Hollywood, California.
Matthew Simmons/Getty
In January 2018, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, had facilitated a $130,000 payment to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, shortly before the 2016 election.
In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal crimes, including making an illegal campaign contribution on the same day he facilitated the payment to Daniels.
Fast-forward five years, and a New York grand jury has voted to indict Trump, capping the Manhattan district attorney's office yearslong investigation into Trump's personal and business finances. The charges are likely linked to the $130,000 payment to Daniels.
Trump continues to deny having ever had an affair with Daniels.
Playboy model Karen McDougal alleged that she started an affair with Trump even closer to the birth of Barron in June 2006.
Trump reportedly met McDougal at the Playboy Mansion while filming an episode of “The Apprentice."
American Media, a media company that owns the National Enquirer and has close ties to Trump, bought the exclusive rights to McDougal's story, The Wall Street Journal reported in 2016.
But the company didn't run any pieces on the story — something The New Yorker noted was a tactic some media outlets commonly used to kill a story.
The White House claimed the incidents the document outlined did not happen, with a spokesperson telling The New Yorker, "The President says he never had a relationship with McDougal."
A number of women have also alleged that Trump sexually harassed or assaulted them during his relationship and marriage to Melania.
Summer Zervos.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
In 2016, People's Natasha Stoynoff alleged that Trump pushed her against a wall and "shoved" his tongue "down her throat" when she went to Mar-a-Lago to interview him and the very-pregnant Melania in December 2005.
Miss USA and Miss Universe contestants said that Trump harassed and assaulted them in 2006, inspecting them before the pageants and grabbing them without consent.
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on "The Apprentice," said Trump "very aggressively" kissed her, groped her breasts, and began "thrusting" his genitals at her in a 2007 meeting at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Trump has denied all of these allegations.
Melania has stayed by Trump's side throughout the repeated allegations that he cheated on her throughout their relationship, including when she was pregnant and soon after Barron's birth.
Trump tries to quiet his son Barron while Melania holds Barron during the men's finals championship match at the US Open in 2008.
AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File
When she was first lady, Melania seemed to disappear from public view when Trump's alleged affairs made headlines.
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
In February 2018, she eschewed the traditional walk with the president across the White House's South Lawn to Marine One after The New Yorker published its report on the McDougal affair.
Melania also largely disappeared from public engagements with her husband after the Daniels news broke in January 2018.
When a New York grand jury made history in voting to indict Trump in March 2023, Daniels offered a two-word response to the news.
Stormy Daniels arrives for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles/AP
She quote-tweeted a Twitter user arguing that Trump's indictment should not be cause for celebration but should instead be allowed to play out in the justice system.
In a Truth Social post after the news broke, Trump called his indictment "AN ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY THE LIKES OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE."
Former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, right, were photographed at Mar-a-Lago, pictured left, on March 30, 2023, shortly after the news of his indictment broke.
Trump's trial in Manhattan federal court began Monday, April 15, 2024.
Trump appears during a court hearing on charges of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star before the 2016 election, in New York on February 15, 2024.
Steven Hirsch/Pool via REUTERS
Stormy Daniels took the stand on May 7, 2024, and said she was scared and ashamed after her night with Trump in 2006.
A courtroom sketch of Stormy Daniels being questioned by assistant district attorney Susan Hoffinger as former President Donald Trump and defense attorney Todd Blanche look on.
Elizabeth Williams/Associated Press
In her testimony, Daniels described meeting Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in July 2006. She said she accepted a dinner invitation from Trump and went to his hotel suite.
Daniels testified that Trump's wife, Melania, came up in the conversation but that Trump said, "'Oh, don't worry about that. We don't even sleep in the same room."
She said that after they had sex she quickly left and was ashamed.
Daniels said she and Trump kept in touch, testifying he would call her and that they occasionally met in person. She said at one meeting in Los Angeles he introduced her to his "friend" Karen, who she later learned was Playboy model Karen McDougal, who has also alleged she had an affair with Trump.
Trump has maintained he did not have an affair with Daniels or McDougal.
Editor's note: This story was first published in March 2018 and has been updated to reflect recent developments.
Generative AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity in connected networks.
Companies that don't adopt AI risk falling behind in cybersecurity, IT experts warn.
This article is part of "5G and Connectivity Playbook," a series exploring some of our time's most important tech innovations.
Generative AI has become a double-edged sword for the security of connected networks.
On one hand, generative AI can speed up cybersecurity problems, making it easier and cheaper for bad actors to conduct identity attacks. For example, it can be used to design sophisticated phishing campaigns by generating audio, images, or videos to create fake identities.
While hackers exploit AI technologies, companies are adopting AI as a defense tool. As the number of connected devices on 5G networks increases, generative AI in security operations will become more crucial, David Cooper, a global lead for Accenture Security, said.
"What used to take a human being two hours, now there's an AI solution to do it in much faster time," Cooper said. "We're able to respond faster, we're able to catch up to the bad guys faster with interesting transformational technology. We're able to move so much faster and do more with limited resources."
Business Insider spoke with several cybersecurity professionals who attended the annual RSA conference this week in San Francisco about how generative AI is increasingly used in cybersecurity for 5G devices and networks. They said that while 5G networks have higher security standards, attacks could still come from identity breaches of accounts or devices connected to those networks.
"If you can stay ahead of the risks you perceive when you implement 5G solutions, you're going to be in good shape," said Shaun McAlmont, the president and CEO of the cybersecurity-awareness-training company Ninjio.
Accelerating cybersecurity
Generative AI can speed up more routine security processes and free up resources, helping cybersecurity professionals increase productivity and make decisions faster. Things like the design and architecture of a 5G application, generating code samples, conducting tests, and speeding up authentication can be automated. It can also prevent attacks by helping to configure and manage networks.
"There's a distinct benefit for organizations where we may leverage AI for improving network quality, improving security, and network healing," Chris Novak, the senior director of cybersecurity consulting at Verizon Business, said. "There are opportunities for AI to help us analyze network traffic flows in real time, recognize where there is an issue, and ensure little to no impact to network users."
AI can also help 5G users monitor their security and ensure that the services they connect to have the appropriate certifications and authorizations for transferring data.
Large language models can help mitigate security threats by identifying suspicious patterns in traffic and unusual attempts to enter the network. Because AI can process an enormous amount of data about malicious threats, it can help isolate them before they spread further. Additionally, it can triage malware and other threats, making sense of complex attack-path data and automating threat responses.
Edge-protection tools powered by AI can be a "first layer of defense" that can deal with mass data, David Aviv, the chief technology officer at Radware, said.
"Competitors that didn't adopt those machine-learning technologies have gotten left behind," said Steve Wilson, the chief product officer at Exabeam, a network security company.
5G to strengthen AI
5G can also boost the capabilities of AI applications themselves. With 5G, AI can do more computation and sensor analysis on the edge, meaning the computation is closer to the data source.
"The combination of AI and 5G will make it inevitable that we will be using machines for tasks that are currently performed by humans," said Ev Kontsevoy, the cofounder and CEO of Teleport, an identity access and management software company.
It's becoming increasingly important for companies to apply AI to their cybersecurity practices because humans won't be able to keep up, Rohit Ghai, the CEO of RSA, said.
"Any 5G network is very very dynamic," Ghai said. "It's changing all the time. Human approaches to securing that are not able to keep up with the dynamic nature of the network."
Now that mobile and Internet of Things devices have become more ubiquitous, they're using even more data, which generative AI can help filter and secure.
"We're going to be required to collect an order of magnitude more data from more devices and provide really quick analysis on that," Wilson said.
On Tuesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) raced higher in response to the Reserve Bank’s meeting. The benchmark index rose 1.45% to 7,793.3 points.
Will the market be able to build on this on Wednesday? Here are five things to watch:
ASX 200 expected to rise again
It looks set to be another positive day for the Australian share market on Wednesday following a relatively good session in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 19 points or 0.25% higher. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones rose 0.1% and the S&P 500 pushed 0.1% higher, but the Nasdaq eased 0.1% lower. This was the fifth session in a row that the Dow Jones has risen, which is its longest winning streak of the year.
Oil prices soften
ASX 200 energy shares such as Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a subdued session after oil prices edged lower overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down slightly to US$78.46 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 0.15% to US$83.20 a barrel. Oil prices fell despite Israel dismissing Hamas’ ceasefire.
Goodman Group update
All eyes will be on the Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) share price on Wednesday when the integrated industrial company releases its third quarter update. With the company’s shares hitting a record high on Tuesday, expectations clearly are high for Goodman. In February, management lifted its operating FY 2024 earnings per share growth guidance to 11% from 9%. Analysts at Citi see potential for another guidance upgrade.
Gold price falls
ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a poor day after the gold price fell overnight. According to CNBC, the spot gold price is down 0.4% to US$2,322.5 an ounce. This was driven by routine price corrections after Monday night’s gains.
Buy Telstra shares
The Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price is great value according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. This morning, the broker has reiterated its buy rating and $4.55 price target on the telco giant’s shares. It said: “Following the underperformance of Telstra shares YTD (-8% vs. ASX200 +3%), alongside the recent downgrade in SPK FY24 guidance, we outline why we remain confident in our forecast $8.61bn in EBITDA (+$351mn yoy) for TLS in FY25E.”
Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
A US Space Force spur ride candidate carries a 120mm Mortar Round at Fort Bliss, Texas.
US Army photo by Spc. David Poleski
Three Space Force Guardians earned their spurs after finishing a series of rigorous combat tests.
They completed the Army Cavalry Spur Ride, becoming the US military's first 'space cowboys.'
The officers said the challenges were vastly different than their day jobs at military bases.
After being covered in dust, sweat, dirt, and blood, three officers emerged from the West Texas desert last week and were given their spurs and Stetson cowboy hats by the Army, becoming the first-ever "space cowboys."
The three Space Force Guardians traveled to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, to complete an Army Cavalry Spur Ride, a series of arduous combat tests and physical training exercises in which service members often ruck-march in between challenges — the first members of the military's newest and smallest service to do so.
Space Force Capt. Bradley Evans, an engineer at White Sands Missile Range who took part in the Spur Ride, told Military.com that all of the Guardians who participated completed the challenges, though some Army soldiers didn't make it through.
"Being in the Space Force, we certainly received a lot more attention from the cadre than some of the soldiers did, which made it quite a good challenge for us," Evans said. "I think there was an expectation by some that we wouldn't make it, and so pushing back against that expectation and performing was a powerful driver."
A US Space Force spur ride candidate hydrates during a spur ride at Fort Bliss, Texas.
US Army photo by Spc. David Poleski
Earning your spurs is a long-standing tradition that dates back to the early days of the Army cavalry when new soldiers had to prove their skills in swordsmanship and horseback riding. Even though the US military is changing, including the addition of the Space Force and its Guardians, those traditions are still upheld through rigorous physical challenges and training.
Guardians are often deployed in place, meaning they're at military installations in front of a computer and not typically put into austere and deadly conditions. As a result, the service has placed a different focus on routine physical training. It has announced plans to use wearable fitness technology and take a more holistic approach to keeping its service members in shape compared to the other branches.
All of the Space Force officers who participated in the Spur Ride, including 1st Lt. Jordan Savage, an acquisitions officer at Space Systems Command in Los Angeles, told Military.com that the physical challenge was vastly different from their day jobs.
"My Garmin captured us doing about 37 miles of rucking. We had a 60-pound ruck that we were with the whole time that had all of our gear that was necessary for the Spur Ride and, on top of that, we had minimal sleep," Savage said. "So, all those things are not what we experienced in our day-to-day life as acquisitions [officers] or engineers here."
US Space Force spur ride candidates move a litter with a BGM-71 TOW, low crawling through the sand at Fort Bliss, Texas.
US Army photo by Spc. David Poleski
Some of the Army soldiers who participated in the Spur Ride had never met someone in the Space Force before and quickly recognized cultural differences between the service branches.
"So many soldiers had questions because the Space Force is still so new, and they just want to know, 'Hey, what do you guys do?'" 1st Lt. Jackson Jennings, a Space Force developmental engineer, told Military.com. "So, I tell them about my day-to-day life, and they're just kind of dumbfounded that we don't have mandatory PT three times a week or we have to form up and stuff like that."
Their presence also led to some extra attention during the challenges, with many soldiers reportedly calling them "space cowboys" as they rucked from one painful activity to the next.
"Let's just say they showed us some extra love for being space cowboys," Savage said.
Participating in and completing the Army Cavalry Spur Ride marks the latest frontier that the Space Force's men and women have conquered.
A US Space Force spur ride candidate takes a breather before continuing through an obstacle during a spur ride at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Last year, Space Force Guardian Capt. Dan Reynolds graduated from Ranger School — a two-month course filled with grueling physical training and exercises designed to educate participants on elite squad and platoon tactics. The achievement not only was a first for the service, it bucked criticism and stereotypes that Guardians aren't as active as other military service branches.
The three Space Force Guardians who participated in the Spur Ride told Military.com that they hope their peers will look for other opportunities to train with the other branches and push themselves.
"I would say, whether it's this challenge or other challenges out there, there's a great need for Guardians to push themselves, particularly in the physical aspect," Evans told Military.com. "It's not only just generally healthy, but doing this event is going to help me in my regular job when I'm just pushing forward and trying to get something done. … Something about rucking 30 miles, and just thinking one more step, applies very well to being on a 12-hour shift."
