Are you ready for what's coming with AI?

MIAMI, FL - Welcome to the world of AI, where machines can learn, reason, and make decisions just like humans do. While the idea of AI may seem like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, it's actually a rapidly growing field that's changing the way we live and work.

But what does this mean for modern society? Well, let's take a look.

First off, let's talk about the positives. AI is making our lives easier and more efficient. It's helping doctors diagnose diseases, assisting lawyers with legal research, and even recommending new music to listen to on Spotify. And let's not forget about the most important job of all - making our coffee! With AI-powered coffee makers, you can get the perfect cup of joe every time, without even leaving your house.

But with all this power comes responsibility. As AI becomes more advanced, there are concerns about job displacement and the potential for machines to make decisions that are biased or even harmful. For example, facial recognition technology has been criticized for perpetuating racial biases and inaccuracies.

So what can we do about it? Well, the key is to ensure that AI is developed and used ethically. This means taking steps to prevent bias in algorithms, being transparent about how decisions are made, and ensuring that humans remain in control of the technology.

At the end of the day, AI has the potential to revolutionize the world as we know it. It's up to us to ensure that it's used in a way that benefits society as a whole. So let's embrace the possibilities and work together to create a future that's powered by AI and guided by ethics.

Reported by Ricardo Martinez

Quantum computers?

MIAMI, FL - Quantum computers are a type of computer that use quantum mechanics principles to perform computations. Unlike classical computers that use bits to represent information, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits.

Qubits can exist in a superposition of states, meaning they can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers, particularly for problems that involve large amounts of data or complex calculations.

Quantum computers operate by manipulating the quantum states of qubits to perform operations such as logic gates, measurements, and transformations. These operations can be combined to perform more complex computations.

One of the key challenges in building quantum computers is maintaining the stability of qubits, which are highly sensitive to environmental noise and interference. This requires specialized hardware and software to control and isolate the qubits from their surroundings.

Another challenge is developing algorithms and software that can take advantage of the unique properties of qubits to solve complex problems. While quantum computers are still in the early stages of development, they hold the promise of solving problems that are currently intractable with classical computers, such as simulating complex chemical reactions, optimizing logistics networks, and cracking encryption codes.

Overall, quantum computers represent a significant advance in computing technology that could have far-reaching implications for a wide range of industries and applications in the future.

Reported by Ricardo Martinez

What is ChatGPT?

MIAMI, FL - ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI based on the GPT architecture. It is designed to understand natural language input and generate human-like responses in a conversational context.

As a language model, ChatGPT doesn't have a physical presence, but rather exists as software running on servers that can be accessed through various applications, such as messaging platforms, voice assistants, and web interfaces.

ChatGPT's capabilities include answering questions, generating text based on prompts, summarizing articles, and even writing creative pieces such as stories and poems.

ChatGPT's underlying technology is based on machine learning, specifically a type of deep learning called transformers. This enables ChatGPT to learn from large amounts of text data and improve its ability to generate responses over time.

In addition to its conversational abilities, ChatGPT has a wide range of potential applications in fields such as natural language processing, content generation, and even customer service. It could also be used in educational settings to help students learn and practice language skills, or in research contexts to analyze large amounts of text data.

Despite its many potential uses, there are also concerns about the ethical implications of language models like ChatGPT. Some worry that they could be used to generate fake news or manipulate public opinion, while others are concerned about the potential for bias or discrimination in the data used to train these models.

As with any new technology, it will be important to carefully consider these issues as ChatGPT and other language models continue to develop and become more widely used.

Reported by Ricardo Martinez

Big Bounce

MIAMI, FL - The CCC (Conformal Cyclic Cosmology) model is a cosmological model proposed by Sir Roger Penrose, a prominent mathematical physicist and Nobel laureate.

The CCC model suggests that the universe undergoes an infinite series of "aeons", with each aeon beginning with a Big Bang and ending with a "Big Crunch". In this model, the universe goes through an endless cycle of expansion and contraction, with each aeon beginning in a state similar to the end of the previous aeon.

According to the CCC model, the current observable universe is just one of many such aeons, and the Big Bang that started our universe was actually the end of the previous aeon. The model proposes that the universe goes through an infinite number of these cycles, with each cycle taking an incredibly long time, possibly trillions of years.

One unique feature of the CCC model is its treatment of the end of each aeon, which is not a complete collapse but a smooth transition to a new aeon. In this transition, the scale of time and space undergoes a "conformal rescaling", such that the end of one aeon becomes the beginning of another.

The CCC model is still a subject of ongoing research and debate within the scientific community, and it raises many intriguing questions about the nature of time, space, and the universe as a whole.

One potential implication of the CCC model is that it allows for the possibility of observing the remnants of previous aeons within our current universe. For example, if the universe goes through a cycle of expansion and contraction, it may leave behind subtle imprints on the cosmic microwave background radiation that we can observe today. These imprints could potentially provide evidence for the existence of previous aeons.

Another interesting aspect of the CCC model is its potential implications for the ultimate fate of the universe. If the model is correct, the universe will continue to cycle through aeons indefinitely, and the concept of a "final" end to the universe may not apply. Additionally, the idea of a beginning of the universe may also be called into question, as each aeon may be linked in a continuous cycle of cosmic evolution.

The CCC model remains a topic of active research and debate, with many scientists exploring its implications and attempting to test its predictions through observations and experiments. While the model is still considered speculative by many, it represents an intriguing attempt to reconcile our understanding of cosmology with the mysteries of time and space.

Reported b y Ricardo Martinez

Is AI legal or ethical?

MIAMI, FL - The legality and ethics of how AI operates depend on a variety of factors, including the specific application of AI, the data and algorithms used, and the regulations and laws in the relevant jurisdictions. In general, there are many legal and ethical considerations that must be taken into account when designing and using AI systems.

From a legal standpoint, AI systems must comply with various regulations related to data privacy, security, and other areas, depending on the specific application. For example, AI systems used in healthcare must comply with HIPAA regulations, while those used in financial services must comply with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

From an ethical standpoint, there are also many considerations that must be taken into account when designing and using AI systems. These include issues such as bias, fairness, transparency, and accountability. AI systems can be biased if they are trained on biased data or if the algorithms themselves introduce biases. Fairness can also be an issue if AI systems are used in contexts where certain groups of people are unfairly disadvantaged.

Transparency is also an important ethical consideration for AI systems. Users and stakeholders need to be able to understand how the AI system is making decisions and what data is being used to make those decisions. Finally, accountability is critical to ensuring that AI systems are used responsibly and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Overall, the legality and ethics of how AI operates depend on a range of factors, and it is important to consider all of these factors when designing and using AI systems.

There are ongoing discussions and debates about the legal and ethical implications of AI. One of the concerns is the potential loss of jobs due to automation, as AI systems become increasingly sophisticated and capable of performing tasks that were previously done by humans. This raises questions about the responsibility of governments and companies to provide support and training for workers who are displaced by AI.

Another ethical consideration is the potential for AI to be used for harmful purposes, such as in the development of autonomous weapons or the spread of disinformation. There are ongoing discussions about the need for regulations and oversight to prevent the misuse of AI technology.

Finally, there are concerns about the impact of AI on privacy and personal data. AI systems often require access to large amounts of data, which raises questions about who has access to that data, how it is being used, and how it is being protected.

In conclusion, the legality and ethics of how AI operates are complex and multifaceted issues that require careful consideration and ongoing dialogue. As AI technology continues to advance and become more integrated into our lives, it is critical to ensure that it is used in a responsible and ethical manner that protects the rights and well-being of all individuals.

Reported by Ricardo Martinez

Soros and Trump

MIAMI, FL - George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist and political activist, has been the target of numerous accusations by former President Donald Trump. Trump has claimed that Soros has been funding the protests against his presidency and has referred to him as a “globalist puppet master.” Soros, however, has been vocal in his rebuttal of these accusations, stating that they are baseless and rooted in conspiracy theories.

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Soros reiterated his stance that the accusations made by Trump are unfounded. He stated that he has never funded protests against Trump and that the allegations are part of a larger effort to undermine the legitimacy of dissent. Soros has been a vocal critic of Trump and has used his wealth to support progressive causes and political candidates who align with his values. However, he has maintained that he has not funded any protests against the former president.

Soros also spoke about the broader implications of Trump’s attacks on him and other progressive figures. He noted that these attacks are part of a larger effort to undermine democracy and promote authoritarianism. Soros has been a vocal critic of authoritarian regimes and has used his wealth to support pro-democracy movements around the world. He has argued that the rise of authoritarianism is a threat to global stability and that it is important to support democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Soros has also spoken about the need for a new global order that prioritizes the interests of the many over the few. He has argued that the current economic system, which is based on neoliberalism and free market principles, has failed to deliver for the majority of people. He has called for a new economic paradigm that focuses on addressing inequality, protecting the environment, and promoting social justice.

George Soros has been a frequent target of accusations by former President Donald Trump. However, Soros has been vocal in his rebuttal of these accusations and has maintained that they are baseless and rooted in conspiracy theories. He has also spoken about the broader implications of these attacks and the need to promote democracy and the rule of law. Soros has called for a new global order that prioritizes the interests of the many over the few and that addresses the challenges of inequality, environmental degradation, and social injustice. Soros remains a controversial figure in American politics, but his advocacy for progressive causes and democratic values has made him a prominent voice in the global discourse on these issues.

Trump and the American politics

MIAMI, FL - Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for financial fraud and tax evasion. The indictment is a culmination of years-long investigation into his business dealings and the Trump Organization, which he has long maintained is a “great company.” The indictment marks a significant moment in American politics and could have far-reaching consequences.

The indictment of a former president is an unprecedented event in American politics. Trump’s supporters see it as a political witch hunt and an attempt to undermine his legacy, while his critics believe that he has finally been held accountable for his actions. Regardless of how one feels about the former president, the indictment is a reminder that no one is above the law.

The indictment is also likely to have an impact on the 2024 presidential race. Trump has long been rumored to be considering another run for president, and his indictment could complicate his plans. If he is convicted, he would not be eligible to run for president again, and if he is not convicted, the indictment could still be used against him in the campaign. Additionally, the indictment could damage the Republican Party’s image, as Trump remains a major figure within the party.

The indictment also raises questions about the future of the Trump Organization. The company has already been under pressure due to the pandemic and the backlash against Trump, and the indictment could further damage its reputation. Additionally, the legal costs associated with the indictment could be significant, which could impact the company’s finances. The indictment could also lead to a leadership vacuum within the Trump Organization, as Trump’s children, who have been heavily involved in the company, may be implicated in the investigation.

The indictment could have broader implications for American politics. The Trump presidency was marked by a disregard for norms and a willingness to flout the law. The indictment sends a message that this behavior will not be tolerated, and that even those who hold the highest office in the land are subject to the law. It is a reminder that the rule of law is a cornerstone of American democracy, and that no one, regardless of their position or power, is above it.

In summary, the indictment of former President Donald Trump is a historic moment in American politics. It raises questions about the future of the Trump Organization, the Republican Party, and the 2024 presidential race. It is also a reminder that the rule of law is a fundamental principle of American democracy and that even the most powerful individuals are subject to it. The repercussions of the indictment will be felt for years to come, and its impact on American politics is yet to be fully understood.

Danger of theocracies

Theocracies are systems of government in which religious leaders hold significant power over the state. While proponents of theocracies argue that they can provide a more moral and just form of government, there are several dangers associated with these systems.

One of the most significant dangers of theocracies is the potential for religious oppression. In a theocracy, the government is closely tied to a particular religion or set of religious beliefs, and those who do not subscribe to those beliefs may face discrimination, persecution, or even violence. This can lead to the suppression of free speech, religious freedom, and individual rights. For example, in Iran, where the government is a theocracy based on Shia Islam, women are required to cover their heads in public, and those who do not follow this rule can be arrested or fined.

Another danger of theocracies is the potential for religious extremism. When religion is closely tied to government, religious leaders may use their power to enforce strict interpretations of religious doctrine, which can lead to radicalization and extremism. This can be seen in countries like Saudi Arabia, where the government is closely tied to the conservative Wahhabi branch of Sunni Islam, and religious extremism is a significant problem.

Theocracies can also be prone to corruption and abuse of power. Because religious leaders hold significant power in these systems, they may be less accountable to the people and more likely to engage in corrupt practices. For example, in the Vatican, which is a theocracy based on Roman Catholicism, there have been numerous scandals involving the misuse of funds and the abuse of power by religious leaders.

Furthermore, theocracies may struggle to adapt to changing social and cultural norms. Because religious leaders hold significant power in these systems, they may be resistant to change, even if it is necessary to keep up with the evolving needs of society. For example, in countries like Saudi Arabia, where the government is based on conservative Islamic values, there has been resistance to women's rights and other progressive social changes.

Finally, theocracies can be prone to conflict and instability. Because religious beliefs are deeply personal and often tied to cultural identity, conflicts between different religious groups can be particularly intense and difficult to resolve. This can be seen in countries like Israel, where tensions between Jews and Muslims have led to ongoing conflict and violence.

Theocracies present significant dangers to individual rights, social stability, and political freedom. While proponents of these systems argue that they can provide a more moral and just form of government, the risks associated with theocracy are too great to ignore. It is crucial that we recognize these dangers and work to promote systems of government that prioritize individual rights, social justice, and political freedom, rather than religious ideology.

Florida and the dangers of the new gun law

MIAMI, FL - On April 27th, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing Floridians to carry guns in public without a permit, also known as open carry. While proponents of the law argue that it is a necessary measure to protect citizens' Second Amendment rights, opponents have expressed concerns about the dangers of allowing untrained individuals to carry firearms in public.

One of the most significant dangers of the new law is the potential for increased gun violence. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that states with open carry laws experienced an average of 33% more firearm-related homicides than states without such laws. This is because open carry laws can escalate conflicts, increase the likelihood of accidental shootings, and make it easier for criminals to obtain and use firearms.

Additionally, the new law will make it harder for law enforcement to do their job. Police officers must now determine if someone carrying a firearm without a permit is a law-abiding citizen or a criminal, which can be a difficult task. This creates an unnecessary risk for both the officer and the individual carrying the firearm, as well as other innocent bystanders who may be caught in the crossfire.

Another concern with the new law is the potential for guns to fall into the wrong hands. In Florida, there is no requirement for background checks or safety training to obtain a firearm. This means that individuals with a history of violence or mental illness could easily obtain a gun and carry it in public. The risk of accidental shootings is also heightened, as untrained individuals may not know how to properly handle their firearm, leading to tragic and avoidable accidents.

The new law also has the potential to impact Florida's tourism industry. Florida is a popular destination for families with children, and many families may feel uncomfortable visiting a state where anyone can carry a gun in public without a permit. This could result in a decrease in tourism and negatively impact Florida's economy.

Proponents of the law argue that it is necessary to protect citizens' Second Amendment rights and that responsible gun owners have the right to carry firearms in public. However, there are already laws in place that allow law-abiding citizens to obtain permits to carry concealed firearms. By allowing anyone to carry a firearm in public without a permit, the new law puts innocent people at risk and undermines the efforts of law enforcement to keep the public safe.

The new law in Florida allowing open carry of firearms without a permit presents a significant danger to public safety. It has the potential to increase gun violence, make it harder for law enforcement to do their job, put guns in the hands of the wrong people, and negatively impact Florida's tourism industry. It is crucial that lawmakers revisit this law and take steps to protect the safety of Floridians and visitors to the state.

Women's right to abortion

MIAMI, FL - The right to abortion has been a highly debated topic for decades, with individuals on both sides of the issue fiercely defending their positions. However, at its core, the debate revolves around a woman's right to make choices about her own body and reproductive health.

The ability to access safe and legal abortion is essential to women's health and well-being. For many women, having control over their reproductive choices is critical to their ability to achieve their life goals and to live with autonomy and dignity.

One of the most significant arguments against abortion is rooted in religious or moral beliefs, with opponents often citing the value of life and the sanctity of human existence. However, this argument overlooks the fact that every individual has the right to make decisions about their own body and life, including when and if they choose to have a child.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize that denying women access to safe and legal abortion only serves to increase the dangers and risks associated with the procedure. When abortion is illegal or inaccessible, women are often forced to turn to unsafe and unregulated methods, which can result in serious health complications or even death.

Moreover, the right to abortion is critical to ensuring that women have the same opportunities as men to pursue education and careers, as well as to exercise control over their own lives. Without access to safe and legal abortion, women are often forced to choose between having a child and pursuing their own goals and aspirations.

It is also important to note that the decision to have an abortion is often a deeply personal and complex one, and is not something that individuals take lightly. Many women who choose to have an abortion do so after careful consideration and reflection, often in the context of difficult circumstances such as poverty, illness, or abusive relationships.

Ultimately, the right to abortion is a fundamental aspect of women's reproductive health and autonomy. It is critical that women have access to safe and legal abortion services, and that their right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives is respected and protected.

However, despite the clear benefits and importance of abortion access, many women continue to face significant barriers to accessing these services. In some states and countries, laws and policies have been enacted that restrict abortion access and limit women's ability to make decisions about their own reproductive health.

To address this issue, it is critical that individuals and organizations continue to advocate for the right to abortion, and to work towards ensuring that these services are accessible to all women, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.

In conclusion, the right to abortion is a critical component of women's reproductive health and autonomy. Denying women access to safe and legal abortion services not only puts their health and well-being at risk but also limits their ability to make decisions about their own lives and pursue their own goals and aspirations. As such, it is essential that we work towards protecting and expanding women's right to abortion, and ensure that all women have access to the care and services they need to live with autonomy and dignity.

Transsexuals rights and the republican party

MIAMI, FL - Transgender rights have become a hot topic in recent years, with the LGBTQ+ community advocating for equal rights and protections for all individuals, regardless of gender identity. However, this progress has been met with strong opposition from Republican lawmakers, who have been vocal in their efforts to restrict transgender rights and limit their freedoms.

Transgender individuals have long faced discrimination and marginalization in society, with many experiencing harassment, violence, and unequal treatment in various areas of life. However, recent years have seen an increase in public awareness and acceptance of trans individuals, with many countries enacting laws and policies to protect their rights and ensure equal treatment.

Despite this progress, Republican lawmakers have been pushing back against these efforts, often citing religious or moral objections to transgender rights. One common argument used by opponents of trans rights is that allowing transgender individuals to use bathrooms or participate in sports that align with their gender identity would lead to safety concerns and unfair advantages.

However, these arguments are largely unfounded and ignore the reality of transgender individuals' lived experiences. Transgender individuals often face significant challenges and discrimination in their daily lives, and denying them access to basic rights and protections only exacerbates these difficulties.

Moreover, it is important to recognize that the opposition to transgender rights is not solely rooted in concerns about safety or fairness. Many Republican lawmakers have openly expressed anti-LGBTQ+ views and beliefs, often using religion as a justification for their stance.

This opposition to transgender rights is particularly concerning given the current political climate in the United States, where several states have enacted laws to limit trans individuals' rights and freedoms. For example, in 2021, Arkansas became the first state to pass a law banning doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender minors.

These laws not only infringe on trans individuals' basic rights but also perpetuate harmful and discriminatory attitudes towards the community. Furthermore, they send a dangerous message to other states and countries that may be considering similar legislation.

Despite these challenges, the fight for transgender rights continues. Transgender individuals and their allies are working tirelessly to promote equality and challenge discriminatory laws and policies. This includes advocating for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, improving access to healthcare, and increasing public education and awareness around trans issues.

Ultimately, it is important to recognize that transgender individuals are deserving of the same rights and protections as any other individual. Denying them these basic freedoms only perpetuates discrimination and marginalization and goes against the values of equality and justice that should guide our society. The opposition placed by Republican lawmakers must be challenged and overcome to ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Murdoch testified Fox News hosts endorsed idea that Biden stole election

(Reuters) Fox Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch acknowledged under oath that some Fox hosts "endorsed" the notion that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen, according to a court filing unsealed Monday.

Murdoch's acknowledgment is included in a filing from Dominion Voting Systems, part of the voting technology firm's $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News and parent company Fox Corp over Fox's coverage of the 2020 presidential election.

Documents in the case in Delaware state court show Murdoch and other Fox executives believed Joe Biden fairly beat Donald Trump and that the results were not in doubt.

Murdoch's testimony is from his deposition in the lawsuit. Reuters has not viewed all his testimony because it remains under seal.

Asked by a Dominion lawyer if some of Fox’s commentators had endorsed the idea that the 2020 election was stolen, Murdoch responded, “Yes. They endorsed,” according to the filing.

When questioned, Murdoch said “some of (Fox’s) commentators were endorsing” the narrative of a stolen election, including “maybe Lou Dobbs” and “maybe Maria (Bartiromo).”

Murdoch's testimony and other material in the filing shed light on Fox's internal deliberations as it covered the election-rigging claims and sought to avoid losing viewers to far-right competitors that embraced Trump's false narrative.

Fox has argued that its coverage of claims by Trump's lawyers were inherently newsworthy and protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Dominion's reputation is also at stake as it seeks to recover from what it has described as irreparable harm to its business.

A five-week trial is scheduled to begin on April 17.

Dominion has argued that internal communications and depositions by Fox personnel prove the network knowingly spread falsehoods about Trump's loss in the 2020 U.S. presidential election in order to bolster its ratings.

Dominion claims in its filing that Murdoch closely monitored Fox coverage but declined to wield his powerful editorial influence despite strong concerns about Fox's coverage.

Murdoch testified that he believed early on that "everything was on the up-and-up" with the election, and that he doubted claims of election fraud from the very beginning.

Asked by a Dominion lawyer if he could have prevented Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani from continuing to spread falsehoods about the election on air, Murdoch responded, "I could have. But I didn't," according to Dominion's filing.

Dominion's filing opposes Fox's motion for summary judgment, which seeks a ruling in the media company's favor that would preempt the need for a trial on certain legal issues.

In its own filing made public Monday, Fox argued that its coverage of statements by Trump and his lawyers were inherently newsworthy and that Dominion’s “extreme” interpretation of defamation law would “stop the media in its tracks.”

“Under Dominion’s approach, if the President falsely accused the Vice President of plotting to assassinate him, the press would be liable for reporting the newsworthy allegation so long as someone in the newsroom thought it was ludicrous,” Fox said.

Dominion sued Fox News Networks and parent company Fox Corp in March 2021 and November 2021 in Delaware Superior Court, alleging the cable TV network amplified false claims that Dominion voting machines were used to rig the 2020 election against Trump, a Republican who lost to Democratic rival Biden.

In a statement Monday, a Fox spokesperson said Dominion's view of defamation law "would prevent journalists from basic reporting and their efforts to publicly smear Fox for covering and commenting on allegations by a sitting President of the United States should be recognized for what it is: a blatant violation of the First Amendment.”

Dominion’s motion for summary judgment, filed this month, was replete with emails and statements in which Rupert Murdoch and other top Fox executives say the claims made about Dominion on-air were false – part of the voting machine company’s effort to prove the network either knew the statements it aired were false or recklessly disregarded their accuracy. That is the standard of “actual malice,” which public figures must prove to prevail in a defamation case.

(Reporting by Helen Coster and Jack Queen in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Noeleen Walder)

White supremacists behind over 80% of extremism-related U.S. murders in 2022

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mass shootings in the United States accounted for most extremism-related fatalities last year in the country with over 80% of those murders committed by white supremacists, data released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) showed on Thursday.

The advocacy group labeled 25 murders in 2022 as "extremist-related," with 18 of those "committed in whole or part for ideological motives."

Two mass shootings - one in May in Buffalo, New York, wherein an avowed white supremacist fatally shot 10 Black people, and another in November in Colorado Springs wherein five people were killed in an LGBTQ nightclub - accounted for most of the extremist-related murders of 2022, the ADL report showed.

White supremacists commit the highest number of domestic extremist-related murders in most years, but in 2022 the percentage was unusually high: 21 of the 25 murders were linked to white supremacists, according to the ADL report.

"All the extremist-related murders in 2022 were committed by right-wing extremists of various kinds," the ADL report said.

ADL's Center on Extremism reported an overall decrease from 2021 when 33 extremist-related killings were documented. ADL had documented 22 extremist-related killings in 2020.

Human rights groups have raised concerns over white supremacy in the United States in recent years.

President Joe Biden has labeled white supremacy as poison and called on Americans to reject it. In December, he established an inter-agency group to coordinate efforts to counter antisemitism, Islamophobia and related forms of bias and discrimination.

The issue of white supremacy came back into headlines late last year when former President Donald Trump hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes at his private club in Florida. Trump said the encounter with Fuentes happened inadvertently while he was having dinner with Ye, the musician formerly known as Kanye West.

By Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio

Florida's Great Displacement has already begun

By Jake Bittle

Tue, February 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM EST

The state's climate exodus has already begun

As many residents will be proud to tell you, the thousand-odd islands that make up the Florida Keys are one of a kind: there is no other place in the world that boasts the same combination of geological, ecological, and sociological characteristics. The islands have a special, addictive quality about it, an air of freedom that leads people to turn their backs on mainland life.

The Keys are also the first flock of canaries in the coal mine of climate change. Over the past few years, the residents of these islands have been forced to confront a phenomenon that will affect millions of Americans before the end of the century. Their present calamity offers a glimpse of our national future.

Nature is changing. Today's hurricanes tend to be stronger, wetter, and less predictable than those of the last century. They hold more moisture, speed up more quickly, and stay together longer. It's difficult to tell for certain what role climate change plays in any individual storm, but in the case of Hurricane Irma, which slammed the Keys in September 2017, there is little doubt that the warmth of the Caribbean Sea made the storm more powerful, allowing the vortex to regain strength overnight as it barreled toward the islands. As global warming continues to ratchet up the temperature of our oceans, we can expect more storms like Irma. The danger to the Keys doesn't end with hurricane season, either: a slow but definite rise in average sea levels over the past decade has contributed to an increase in tidal flooding, leaving some roads and neighborhoods inundated with salt water for months at a time.

In the five years since Irma, the bill has come due. The hurricane made undeniable what previous floods had only suggested: that climate change will someday make life in the archipelago impossible to sustain. The storm was the first episode in a long and turbulent process of collapse, one that will expand over time to include market contraction, government disinvestment, and eventually a wholesale retreat toward the mainland. Irma may not have destroyed the Keys in one stroke, but the storm ran down the clock on life on the islands, pushing conches (the Keys' unique name for residents) into a future that once seemed remote. The impulse to stay, which once bespoke a conch's devotion to his or her adopted home, now looks a little more like denial. The decision to leave, on the other hand, which once signified surrender, now looks more like acceptance of the inevitable.

The term "climate migration" is an attempt to explain why people leave one place in favor of another; it assigns motivation to movements that may be voluntary or involuntary, temporary or permanent. Yet even if the primary cause for migration is clear, there are still countless other factors that influence when, where, and how someone moves in response to a disaster. It's this messiness that is reflected in the word "displacement": the migratory shifts caused by climate change are as chaotic as the weather events that cause them.

For some families the decision to depart the Keys was easy. The storm was a traumatic event, more than enough to convince many people that life on the islands was too dangerous to accept. They came back home, fixed up their houses, and got out. That was the case for Connie and Glenn Faast, who left the island city of Marathon for the mountains of North Carolina after spending almost 50 years in the Keys. "It was pretty much immediate," Connie told me. "It's just too hard to start over when you get older. We couldn't risk it."

The Faasts had lived the kind of life you can only live in the Keys: Connie worked on commercial fishing boats and in a local aquarium, while Glenn owned a boat maintenance company and raced Jet Skis in his spare time. They had stuck it out in the Keys through several major storms, including 2005's Hurricane Wilma, which brought five feet of water to their little island and totaled three of their cars; Connie still shudders when she remembers the image of her husband wading through the water around their house with snakes climbing all over him, clinging to him for shelter from the flood. The Faasts had second thoughts after that storm, but the Keys were paradise, and besides, they didn't know where else they would go.

When Irma came 12 years later, though, the choice was much easier. During the evacuation, it took the Faasts a week to find a decaying hotel in Orlando where they could wait out the storm. As the hurricane passed over the center of the state, it knocked out their power, leaving them and their pets to spend the night in 100-degree heat without air conditioning. "That was it for us," she said. They had to get out — not just out of the Keys, but out of Florida altogether.

When they returned to Marathon, they discovered that their home was the only one in the neighborhood with an intact roof. They put the house on the market as soon as they could, but it took a year for the place to sell, in part because property values had risen so steeply that most people in the area couldn't afford to buy.

The storm had scared many people off, but it had also destroyed a quarter of the Keys's housing stock, which drove up prices for the homes that survived. In the meantime, the Faasts saw their friends start to leave as well: one moved to Sarasota, another to Orlando, and a third friend, who had been the first-ever mayor of Marathon, talked about moving to central Florida.

"We thought it would be devastating when we left," Connie said, "because we love the Keys. But when we pulled out of there, we were so, so relieved."

Hundreds of people like the Faasts left the Keys of their own volition in the years after Irma, deciding one way or another that the risks of staying there outweighed the benefits. But perhaps the more turbulent phenomenon after the storm was the involuntary displacement caused by the shortage of affordable housing on the islands. The storm destroyed not only the massive mobile home parks on islands like Big Pine, but also hundreds of so-called downstairs enclosures, small apartment-style units that sat beneath elevated homes.

It also wiped out dozens if not hundreds of liveaboard boats and older apartment complexes in island cities like Marathon. These trailer parks and apartment complexes had been havens for resort waiters, boat buffers, and bartenders, allowing them to get a foothold in an archipelago that had long ago become unaffordable for anyone who wasn't rich. Now all that housing was gone, and FEMA's 50% rule, which prohibits improvements to structures that cost more than 50% of its market value, prohibited most trailers and downstairs enclosures from being rebuilt.

Many of those who had been lucky enough to own small homes or campers hadn't been able to afford insurance, which meant they missed out on the payouts that went to wealthy homeowners and part-time vacationers. To make matters worse, the government of the Keys couldn't build enough new homes to fill the gap created by the storm: the state had long ago imposed a de facto cap on the number of building permits Monroe county — which encompasses the islands — could issue, an attempt to make sure the population did not grow too large to evacuate the islands in a single day. Thus it was impossible for most residents either to rebuild their old homes or to buy new ones.

Some of those who lost their homes were able to crash with friends and family, and others got by living in tents or trailers, but others resorted to a forest homeless encampment. The lack of housing made the storm survivors feel as though they were stuck in a permanent limbo: life on the islands became a game of musical chairs, in which only the highest bidders could end up with a seat.

Delaying the inevitable

Debra Maconaughey, the rector at St. Columba Episcopal Church in Marathon, spent the years after Irma trying to forestall this involuntary displacement. When the storm hit, Maconaughey and much of her congregation were in Ireland, retracing the steps of the original St. Columba, and by the time they returned to the Keys it was clear that housing would be the defining challenge of the next few years. "Everybody's house was destroyed. That's what people would need the most."

We were speaking in the church's open-air pavilion, where Maconaughey had been delivering outdoor sermons even before the coronavirus pandemic. Irma had weakened the timbers that supported the roof of the central chapel, forcing the church to move worship outside.

In the first week Maconaughey was back, she helped transform St. Columba's campus into a massive shelter for boaters who had lost their homes in the storm, cramming two dozen air mattresses into a loft that had previously been used for an after-school program. The next week, Maconaughey and her congregation installed approximately two dozen trailers around Marathon, giving the boaters a long-term place to stay.

Maconaughey knew there was no chance the county government would restore all the housing that had been lost in the storm, but after a year went by, she found herself shocked at how little had been rebuilt. A nonprofit land trust had erected only a handful of new cottages and a $50 million state program called Rebuild Florida had repaired only two homes, a pittance compared to the thousands of dwellings that had been swept away.

So Maconaughey called up the nonprofits who were funding St. Columba's relief efforts and made an unconventional proposal: the church, she proposed, would buy some derelict housing and fix it up. She had her eyes set on a leaky, mold-filled apartment complex in Marathon that had been condemned for sewage issues a few years earlier. The apartment complex finally opened in the summer of 2020, providing cut-rate housing to 16 families who had been staying on couches or in trailers since the day the storm hit.

Never coming back

But for every person who found permanent shelter, there were more who could not afford to wait for the islands to recover. This wasn't only because people didn't want to return, but also because there were no homes to which they could return. Maconaughey told me with distaste that in several places along Marathon's beachfront, developers have built single large mansions on lots that once contained three or four small homes each.

The lack of affordable housing in turn created a labor shortage: fire and police departments couldn't find enough officers to fill their shifts, boat maintenance companies struggled to locate buffers and repairmen, and many hotels went shorthanded through the on-season rush. When employers exhausted their hiring options on the islands, Maconaughey said, they started to hire workers from the mainland towns of Homestead and Florida City, who take a two-hour bus ride in either direction to work for minimum wage.

"I think people are really struggling, and it's just below the surface," she said. "We're a tourist area, so it's in our best interests to make it look nice from the highway, but there's hidden pain."

Maconaughey told me about the church sexton, Mike, who was driven out of the Keys by Irma. Mike showed up after the recession in a homeless shelter in Marathon. He was blind, and when he first arrived at the shelter he couldn't take a shower or put on clothes without assistance. After a year in the shelter, Mike started attending services at St. Columba, and soon displayed a great talent for weaving wooden canes and chairs, a craft he often practiced on the church pavilion after sermons. He also taught the kids in the after-school program how to play chess.

Mike was on the Keys as the storm approached, not with the congregation in Ireland. He first sought refuge in the massive Miami hurricane shelter, but by the time he got there, that shelter was full. As shelters in Florida all reached capacity, emergency officials herded evacuees from the Keys up toward Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, offering them bus transportation as far as they were willing to go. Mike was unsure when he would be able to return to the Keys, so he asked for a ticket to Minnesota, where he grew up. He was never able to get back.

"We kind of lost him," Maconaughey said. "He got on a bus to evacuate and now he's gone. He was a huge part of our community … You have to ask yourself, do you ever recover from something like this?"

Jake Bittle is a climate reporter and staff writer for Grist.

This is an excerpt adapted from "THE GREAT DISPLACEMENT: Climate Change and the Next American Migration" by Jake Bittle. Copyright © 2023 by Jake Bittle. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

By Jake Bittle

Tue, February 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM EST

Read the original article on Business Insider.

Israelis, Palestinians on edge even as risk of flare-up ebbs

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israelis and Palestinians braced for new violence Friday with tensions high following the deadliest Israeli raid in over two decades, even as the likelihood of a major escalation in the conflict appeared to ebb.

The raid in the flashpoint Jenin refugee camp descended into a gun battle Thursday that killed at least nine Palestinians, while clashes elsewhere left another dead. Gaza militants then fired rockets and Israel carried out airstrikes overnight — but the exchange was limited, following a familiar pattern that allows both sides to respond without leading to a major flare-up.

Israel’s defense minister, meanwhile, instructed to the military to prepare for new strikes in the Gaza Strip “if necessary” — also appearing to leave open the possibility that the violence would subside.

Nevertheless, the flare-up posed an early test for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government and drew “deep concern” from the State Department ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's expected trip to the region next week. The raid also prompted the Palestinian Authority to halt security coordination with Israel.

While residents of Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank remained on edge Friday, midday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, often a catalyst for clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police, passed in relative calm.

At the funeral of a 22-year-old killed in clashes sparked by the initial raid, crowds of Palestinians carried the young man’s body aloft and waved the flags of both Fatah, the party that controls the Palestinian Authority, and militant Hamas, which rules Gaza. In the streets of the town called al-Ram, masked Palestinians threw stones and set off fireworks at Israeli police, who responded with tear gas.

But so far, both the Palestinian rockets and Israeli airstrikes seemed limited so as to prevent escalation into a full-blown war. Israel and Hamas have fought four wars and several smaller skirmishes since the militant group seized power in Gaza from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.

The Palestinians’ rockets were fired toward the south of Israel, while Israel’s nonlethal airstrikes were on targets in Gaza, such as training camps and an underground rocket-manufacturing site.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed the military dealt a “tough blow” to Palestinian militants in Gaza and said the army was preparing to strike “high-quality targets ... until peace is restored to the citizens of Israel.”

On Friday, Israeli police were out in force in Jerusalem, as scores of Muslim worshippers gathered for prayers in the stone courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and chanted in solidarity with those killed in the Jenin raid.

Tensions at the holy site, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, have triggered violence in the past, including a bloody Gaza war in 2021. The site is considered the third-most sacred in Islam and the holiest place in Judaism.

“In spirit and blood, we will sacrifice you,” Muslim worshippers shouted. “Greetings Jenin, Greetings Gaza.”

Eyad Shaher, a 45-year-old construction worker from Bethlehem who prays weekly at Al-Aqsa, said he was relieved to have a peaceful morning.

“Thank God it was good and there were no problems after that cursed day,” he said, referring to Thursday’s events.

Tensions have soared since Israel stepped up raids in the West Bank last spring, following a series of Palestinian attacks. Jenin, which was an important a militant stronghold during the 2000-2005 intifada and has again emerged as one, has been the focus of many of the Israeli operations. Among the dead in Thursday’s raid were seven militants and a 61-year-old woman.

Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and east Jerusalem last year, making 2022 the deadliest in those territories since 2004, according to leading Israeli rights group B’Tselem. Last year, 30 people were killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis.

So far this year, 30 Palestinians have been killed, according to a count by The Associated Press.

Israel says most of the dead were militants. But youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations also have been killed.

Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomat in the United Arab Emirates, warned Friday that “the Israeli escalation in Jenin is dangerous and disturbing and undermines international efforts to advance the priority of the peace agenda.” The UAE recognized Israel in 2020 along with Bahrain, which has remained silent on the surge in violence.

News of the nine killed in Jenin and the overnight rockets blared from phones and radios in Jerusalem’s Old City on Friday as young Palestinians milled around and women hawked raisins.

Ibrahim Salameh, a 21-year-old smoking on the steps of Damascus Gate, said he had never been so scared. On Wednesday, he said, his teenage neighbor was killed as police entered the Shuafat refugee camp to demolish an attacker’s home.

“Every day there’s more and more fear, more tension,” he said. “Somehow I’m living with this idea that at any moment I could be shot dead.”

In the West Bank, Fatah announced a general strike and most shops were closed in Palestinian cities. The PA declared Thursday that it would halt the ties that its security forces maintain with Israel in a shared effort to contain Islamic militants. Previous threats have been short-lived, in part because of the benefits the authority enjoys from the relationship, and also due to U.S. and Israeli pressure.

The PA has limited control over scattered enclaves in the West Bank, and almost none over militant strongholds like the Jenin camp.

Israel says its raids are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart attacks. The Palestinians say they further entrench Israel’s 55-year, open-ended occupation of the West Bank, which Israel captured along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want those territories to form any eventual state.

Israel has established dozens of settlements in the West Bank that now house 500,000 people. The Palestinians and much of the international community view settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace, even as talks to end the conflict have been moribund for over a decade.

By Isabel Debre

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

Egypt unveils tombs and sarcophagus in new excavation

SAQQARA, Egypt (AP) — Egypt on Thursday unveiled dozens of new archaeological discoveries, including two ancient tombs, at a Pharaonic necropolis just outside of the capital Cairo.

The artefacts, unearthed during a year-long excavation, were found beneath an ancient stone enclosure near the Saqqara pyramids and date back to the fifth and sixth dynasties of the Old Kingdom, spanning from roughly 2500 B.C to 2100 B.C., the excavation team said.

One of the uncovered tombs belonged to a priest from the fifth dynasty known as Khnumdjedef, while the other tomb belonged to an official named Meri, a palace official who held the title of “the keeper of the secrets,” the team said. Other major findings from the excavation include statues, amulets, and a well-preserved sarcophagus.

Egypt’s most renowned archaeologist and director of the excavation, Zahi Hawass, personally unveiled the new discoveries from the stone enclosure, known as Gisr al-Mudir.

“I put my head inside to see what was inside the sarcophagus: A beautiful mummy of a man completely covered in layers of gold,’′ Hawass said.

The Saqqara site is part of a sprawling necropolis at Egypt’s ancient capital of Memphis that includes the famed Giza Pyramids as well as smaller pyramids at Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh. The ruins of Memphis were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1970s.

Thursday’s unveiling comes amid a flurry of new discoveries announced by Egyptian authorities over the past week. Near the southern city of Luxor, authorities said they found dozens of burial sites from the New Kingdom era, dating from 1800 B.C. to 1600 B.C. Discovered nearby were the ruins of an ancient Roman city, it said.

In a separate announcement Tuesday, a group of scientists from Cairo University revealed previously unknown details about a mummified teenage boy dating to about 300 B.C. By using CT scans, the team of scientists were able to shed new light on the boy’s high social status by affirming the intricate details of the amulets inserted within his mummified body and the type of burial he received.

Egypt often publicly touts its ancient discoveries to attract more tourists, a significant source of foreign currency for the cash-strapped North African country. The sector suffered a long downturn after the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising.

Egypt’s tourist industry was also hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and is currently suffering from the fallout from the war in Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine formerly comprised a large source of tourists visiting Egypt.

Associated Press writer Jack B. Jeffery contributed to this report from Cairo.

Originally reported by Mohamed Wagdy

Nighttime Israeli arrests haunt Palestinian kids and families

BALATA REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) — Yousef Mesheh was sleeping in his bunk bed when Israeli forces stormed into his home at 3 a.m.

Within moments, the 15-year-old Palestinian said he was lying on the floor as troops punched him, shouting insults. A soldier struck his mother’s chest with his rifle butt and locked her in the bedroom, where she screamed for her sons.

Yousef and his 16-year-old brother, Wael, were hauled out of their home in Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Yousef was in a sleeveless undershirt and couldn’t see without his glasses.

“I can’t forget that night,” Yousef told The Associated Press from his living room, decorated with photos of Wael, who remains in detention. “When I go to sleep I still hear the shooting and screaming.”

The Israeli military arrested and interrogated hundreds of Palestinian teenagers in 2022 in the occupied West Bank, without ever issuing a summons or notifying their families, according to an upcoming report by the Israeli human rights organization HaMoked.
The charges against those being arrested ranged from being in Israel without a permit to throwing stones or Molotov cocktails. Some teens say they were arrested to obtain information about neighbors or family members.

In the vast majority of the military’s pre-planned arrests of minors last year, children were taken from their homes in the dead of the night, HaMoked said. After being yanked out of bed, children as young as 14 were interrogated while sleep-deprived and disoriented. Water, food and access to toilets were often withheld. Yousef said soldiers beat him when he asked to relieve himself during his seven-hour journey to the detention center.

The Israeli army argues it has the legal authority to arrest minors at its discretion during late-night raids.

Lawyers and advocates say the tactic runs counter to Israel’s legal promises to alert parents about their children’s alleged offenses.

In response to a petition to the Supreme Court by HaMoked two years go, there had been some small improvement when Israel asked the military to first summon Palestinian parents about their accused children. But the progress was short-lived. Last year, the Israeli military rounded up hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank ages 12-17 in late-night arrests, according to HaMoked. Rights activists say they believe such tactics are meant to create fear.

“The fact that the military is making no effort to reduce these traumatic night arrests indicates to us that the trauma is part of the point,” said Jessica Montell, director of HaMoked. “This intimidation and terrorizing of communities seems actually part of the policy.”

According to figures reported to the Supreme Court, the army summoned Palestinian parents to question their children only a handful of times in 2021. Last year, not a single family received a summons in nearly 300 cases HaMoked tracked in the West Bank.

Petty offenses and cases where children were released without charge — as happened to Yousef — were no exception. HaMoked said the numbers are incomplete because it believes scores of similar cases are never reported.

“They are not implementing the procedure they created themselves,” said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, accountability program director for Defense for Children International in the Palestinian territories. “The beating and mistreatment of children during night arrests is really what we’re concerned about.”

In response to a request for comment, the Israeli military said it tries to summon Palestinian children suspected of minor offenses who have no history of serious criminal convictions. But, the army argued, this policy does not apply to serious offenses or “when a summons to an investigation would harm its purpose.”

The army would not comment on Yousef’s arrest, but said his brother, Wael, faces charges related to “serious financial crimes,” including “contacting the enemy,” “illegally bringing in money” and helping “an illegal organization.” These charges typically reflect cases of Palestinians communicating with people in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Although HaMoked found most cases were soon dropped, the late-night arrests haunted children long after.

Since his Nov. 7 arrest, Yousef “is not like he was before,” said his mother, Hanadi Mesheh, who also recounted her ordeal to the AP. He can’t focus in school. He no longer plays soccer. She sleeps beside him some nights, holding him during his nightmares.

“I feel like I’m always being watched,” Yousef said. “I’m frightened when my mother wakes me in the morning for school.”

Similar stories abound in the area. The northern city of Nablus emerged as a major flashpoint for violence last year after Israel began a crackdown in the West Bank in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks in Israel.

Last year Israeli forces killed at least 146 Palestinians, including 34 children, the Israeli rights group B’Tselem reported, making 2022 the deadliest for Palestinians in the West Bank in 18 years. According to the Israeli army, most of the Palestinians killed have been militants. But youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed. Palestinian attacks, meanwhile, killed at least 31 Israelis last year.

Israel says the operations are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart future attacks. The Palestinians have decried the raids as collective punishment aimed at cementing Israel’s open-ended 55-year-old occupation of lands they want for a future state. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Nighttime arrest raids are not limited to the West Bank. Israeli police also carry out regular raids in Palestinian neighborhoods of east Jerusalem.

Last fall in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina, Rania Elias heard pounding on the door before dawn. Her youngest son, 16-year-old Shadi Khoury, was sleeping in his underwear. Israeli police burst into their home, shoved Khoury to the floor and pummeled his face. Blood was everywhere, she said, as police dragged him to a Jerusalem detention center for interrogation.

“You can’t imagine what it’s like to feel helpless to save your child,” Elias said.

In response to a request for comment, the Israeli police said they charged Khoury with being part of a group that threw stones at a Jewish family’s car on Oct. 12, wounding a passenger.

Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new ultra-nationalist government, parents say they fear for their children more than ever. Some of the most powerful ministers are Israeli settlers who promise a hard-line stance against the Palestinians.

“This is the darkest moment,” said activist Murad Shitawi, whose 17-year-old son Khaled was arrested last March in a night raid on their home in the West Bank town of Kfar Qaddum. “I’m worried for my sons.”

By ISABEL DEBRE

Associated Press writer Sam McNeil in Balata refugee camp, West Bank, contributed to this report.