Thursday, March 28, 2024
Tropical Storm Idalia

Florida Braces for Storm Idalia, Forecasted to Intensify Into Hurricane.

Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday as it moves off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula towards the U.S. state of Florida. With maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the storm is currently moving northeast at just 3 mph.

Throughout the day today, the storm will begin to make a more noticeable northward movement, gaining forward speed as it enters the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and into Tuesday. Weather experts predict the storm will intensify over the next 24 hours. It is forecasted to make landfall in Florida as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday morning. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 33 counties along the Gulf Coast as a precautionary measure.

Currently, Idalia is approximately 95 miles off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico. Heavy rain has been reported in parts of the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba due to the tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane and storm surge watches for parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

A second hurricane, named Franklin, is moving across the western Atlantic and could potentially affect Bermuda in the coming days. It is currently a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, moving to the NNW at 8 mph. Franklin is about 565 miles southwest of Bermuda. Over the next few days, it is expected to strengthen further, potentially reaching major hurricane status on Monday.

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AI Could Make Beer Better. Here’s How…

Belgian researchers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to make their nation’s world-famous beer taste even better.

Researchers from KU Leuven University, led by Professor Kevin Verstrepen, are using AI to explore the intricate complexities of aroma perception.

“Beer — like most food products — contains hundreds of different aroma molecules that get picked up by our tongue and nose, and our brain then integrates these into one picture. However, the compounds interact with each other, so how we perceive one depends also on the concentrations of the others,” Verstrepen said.

The AI models built from these data sets were used to predict taste profiles based on the beer’s chemical composition. The models then suggested enhancements to a commercial beer, such as adding lactic acid and glycerol, which improved panelist ratings on several parameters, including sweetness and body.

“Tiny changes in the concentrations of chemicals can have a big impact, especially when multiple components start changing,” said Verstrepen. And although AI can help brewers understand how to make beer better, it cannot — as of yet — brew the beer for them.

“The AI models predict the chemical changes that could optimise a beer, but it is still up to brewers to make that happen starting from the recipe and brewing methods,” he said.

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Belgian researchers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to make their nation’s world-famous beer taste even better. show more
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7 in 10 Dems ‘Fear’ Trump Return.

New data suggests Democrats are more likely to say they’re “fearful” or “angry” that former President Donald Trump might return to the White House than Republicans are at the chance Joe Biden serves four more years in office. Despite the Democrat angst regarding Trump, they’re as equally unenthused about voting for the 81-year-old Biden. The late March Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows that overall voter enthusiasm regarding November’s presidential election is low.

Seven in 10 Democrats polled said they were “angry” or “fearful” when asked about the possibility of a second Trump term in office. Meanwhile, just over half of Republican respondents described a second Biden term in the same way. Overall, about 40 percent of voters polled said “fearful” best describes their feelings about the prospects of former President Trump returning to office. Around 30 percent said the same regarding a possible second term for President Biden.

While the fear of Trump motivates a portion of Democrat voters, the poll still found Republicans maintaining the enthusiasm edge. Over half of Republicans polled said they were excited about Trump’s candidacy, while just 40 percent of Democrats said the same regarding Biden.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll also found that President Biden’s approval among voters continues to lag. Just 38 percent of respondents approved of the job the Democrat incumbent has done while in office. Biden’s approval rating has taken a hit even among Democrats, with 4 in 10 saying they now disapprove of his handling of immigration and the border crisis. Similarly, 3 in 10 Democrats said they disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy.

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New data suggests Democrats are more likely to say they’re “fearful” or “angry” that former President Donald Trump might return to the White House than Republicans are at the chance Joe Biden serves four more years in office. Despite the Democrat angst regarding Trump, they’re as equally unenthused about voting for the 81-year-old Biden. The late March Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows that overall voter enthusiasm regarding November’s presidential election is low. show more
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Sacramento Now A ‘Sanctuary City’ for Trannies.

The city council of Sacramento has voted to designate the city as a ‘sanctuary’ for transgenders, in what is understood to be the first move of its kind in California.

The resolution was initially proposed by former councilwoman Katie Valenzuela. “California has been a leader in protecting the rights of transgender individuals to access care, but many states across the nation are moving in the opposite direction,” Valenzuela said in the proposal. “In preparation of future legislation that may criminalize those providing or seeking gender-affirming care and given the Council’s stated values of equity and inclusion, it is important for the City of Sacramento to be proactive in reiterating our commitment to transgender rights and equal protections for transgender people.”

The proposal explicitly referred to states seeking to protect children from being subjected to the dangerous medical experiments and chemical treatments known by the euphemism ‘gender-affirming care.’

A number of Sacramento residents have voiced their opposition to the measure. “If we’re so progressive in Sacramento, why are we going against what all these European countries are doing,” said Sacramento resident Beth Bourne. “This does not make sense.”

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The city council of Sacramento has voted to designate the city as a 'sanctuary' for transgenders, in what is understood to be the first move of its kind in California. show more
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Joe Biden Says He Took The Train Across The Destroyed Baltimore Bridge… Except It Never Had A Rail Line.

Joe Biden has been caught in another lie following the destruction of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, claiming to have taken the train over it many times despite the fact it lacks a railway.

The Maersk-chartered ship DALI, flagged in Singapore but with an all-Indian crew assisted by American harbor pilots, allided with one of the bridge’s support pillars early Tuesday, sending motorists and construction workers plunging into the water.

Addressing the disaster, Biden claimed he had been over the bridge “many, many times, commuting from the State of Delaware” by train and car. As the bridge never had a rail line, this is impossible.

Biden has told tall tales since at least 1988, when he first ran for the presidency, telling a series of lies about his academic accomplishments, which he later attributed to his memory having “failed” him.

More recent tall tales include his claims to have traveled around the world with Chinese dictator Xi Jinping, which he has repeated over 20 times despite the fact it has been extensively debunked even by friendly media outlets.

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Joe Biden has been caught in another lie following the destruction of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, claiming to have taken the train over it many times despite the fact it lacks a railway. show more
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Gas Tax Hike in the Garden State.

New Jersey motorists are set to endure substantial increases for their traveling needs as Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, signed a bill on Tuesday enacting an almost ten cents per gallon rise in the state’s gas tax over the next five years. The bill also imposes a novel registration fee on electric vehicles.

Advocated predominately as a step to replenish the state’s rapidly depleting Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), legislators stand behind the tax hike. The New Jersey Senate and Assembly gave the bill the green light last week, culminating in Murphy’s approval on Tuesday.

Murphy asserts that the revamped gas tax and new EV fee could generate approximately $6.7 billion annually for the TTF, meant to finance maintenance and upgrades for New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure. The tax increase and EV fee become applicable from July 1.

The taxes on gas and diesel in New Jersey are already considered among the nation’s highest, where drivers pay 42.3 cents per gallon of gas and 49.3 cents for diesel. These charges are aligned with state revenue targets and can decrease with surplus or spike amidst a shortage. The approved law also forces EV drivers to contribute $250 annually to the TTF, which will increase by $10 per year until it hits $290 per driver in 2028.

While the legislation proceeded along party lines, lawmakers from both sides expressed concerns about the potential adverse impacts on the state’s motorists.

The tax increase comes as drivers are already struggling with skyrocketing gas prices resulting from the Biden regime’s mishandling of the economy. The average price of a gallon of gas has exceeded $3 for 974 days in a row — or nearly three years — under Biden’s stewardship.

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New Jersey motorists are set to endure substantial increases for their traveling needs as Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, signed a bill on Tuesday enacting an almost ten cents per gallon rise in the state’s gas tax over the next five years. The bill also imposes a novel registration fee on electric vehicles. show more
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One Million Migrants Apprehended at U.S.-Mexico Border During First 6 Months of FY 2024.

Over one million migrants have been apprehended illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2024, according to Border Patrol data.

The number is just slightly lower than the same period last year, which saw 1,057,000 apprehensions, and just slightly behind the pace of FY 2022 which saw a total of over 2.2 million apprehensions.

The highest number of crossings occurred in the Tucson Sector, which recorded 301,000 apprehensions — a 167 percent increase over the first six months of FY 2023. The San Diego Sector recorded a 76 percent increase, with roughly 153,000 apprehensions.

Although the second-highest number of apprehensions occurred in the Del Rio Sector, the area saw a 6 percent decrease from last year. The El Paso Sector saw a decrease of 47 percent, with 121,000 apprehensions. The numbers reflect the efficacy of Texas’s efforts to secure its part of the border in the face of continued opposition from the Biden government.

The staggering number of apprehensions at the southern border in the first half of FY 2024 reflects the Biden government’s continued failure to address the border crisis. The regimes mishandling of the crisis has become so acute that nearly half of U.S. voters now rank immigration as their top concern.

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Over one million migrants have been apprehended illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2024, according to Border Patrol data. show more
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Fraud Charges Against Ken Paxton Dismissed.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) reached an agreement on Tuesday to have the security fraud charges brought against him dismissed. The charges, which have lingered for nine years, were scheduled to be heard by a jury in mid-April. As part of the agreement, Paxton will be required to serve 100 hours of community service and undertake 15 hours of legal ethics education. Additionally, Paxton will be required to make a payment of approximately $270,000 in restitution to his accusers.

The charges stem from a 2015 indictment regarding Paxton’s role in a technology firm. He was accused of allegedly failing to disclose his financial interest in the firm to investors while persuading them to invest. While the Texas Attorney General agreed to the settlement terms, he continues to maintain his innocence regarding the allegations. The agreement with prosecutors did not require him to admit guilt.

“It was a case on Day One we knew they couldn’t prove, and on year nine, we still knew they couldn’t prove. Ken’s not guilty,” said Dan Cogdell, the attorney representing Paxton in the matter.

The security fraud settlement brings to a close most of the legal troubles that have dogged Paxton — often pushed by his political enemies in the state. Late last year, an effort by moderate Republicans and Democrats in the Texas state legislature to impeach the conservative Attorney General failed. Several of the star witnesses brought by the pro-impeachment lawmakers either proved unreliable or recanted their testimony.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) reached an agreement on Tuesday to have the security fraud charges brought against him dismissed. The charges, which have lingered for nine years, were scheduled to be heard by a jury in mid-April. As part of the agreement, Paxton will be required to serve 100 hours of community service and undertake 15 hours of legal ethics education. Additionally, Paxton will be required to make a payment of approximately $270,000 in restitution to his accusers. show more
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NYC Hands Out Prepaid Debit Cards to Illegals.

New York City officials are distributing prepaid debit cards to illegal aliens as part of a $53 million pilot program. The mayor’s office confirmed that several migrant families received the first debit cards on Monday. They are intended for use on food and baby supplies.

The program will provide illegal families of four with two children under 5 up to $350 each week. It will expand to roughly 115 families — nearly 500 people – over the next week. The cards may only be used at bodegas, convenience stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets, and migrants who participate in the scheme must sign an affidavit stating they will only spend the money on food and baby supplies. Illegals who fail to abide by the stipulations of the program could lose access to the funds.

A spokesman for the mayor said the scheme is a “cost-saving measure” to “replace the city’s current system of providing non-perishable food boxes to migrant families staying in hotels.” They added: “Not only will this provide families with the ability to purchase fresh food for their culturally-relevant diets and the baby supplies of their choosing, but the pilot program is expected to save New York City taxpayers more than $600,000 per month and $7 million per year.”

New York City faces severe strains on its resources due to the ongoing border crisis. The illegal alien ‘newcomers‘ negatively impact the city’s finances, housing, and law and order. In February, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city is “out of room” for migrants. Last year, the mayor warned the illegal alien influx “will destroy” the city.

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New York City officials are distributing prepaid debit cards to illegal aliens as part of a $53 million pilot program. The mayor's office confirmed that several migrant families received the first debit cards on Monday. They are intended for use on food and baby supplies. show more
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Spies Told to Avoid Words Like ‘Radical Islamist’ or ‘Jihadist’ in Case It Causes Offense.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in the United States is promoting an inclusive language guide advising against the use of terms such as “radical Islamists” and “jihadist” — in case they offend Muslims.

An ODNI magazine even argued officials should not describe Islamic radicals as “Muslim clerics” or “imams” — even if they are — in case it implies they have “standing” in Islam.

The magazine goes into a long tangent about Islamic history, suggesting jihadists should be referred to as Khawarij, after a group who opposed a “rightly guided” caliph — a Pope-like successor to Mohammed — named Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Other supposedly offensive terms ODNI is cracking down on include “blacklisted” – which allegedly “implies black is bad and white is good” — “cakewalk,” “grandfathered,” and “sanity check.”

Critics say the directives prove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are infecting the state apparatus with woke ideology.

Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.) said training intelligence officials not to “use terms that don’t ‘disparage’ China or Islamic terrorists” is a “gift to our adversaries.”

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The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in the United States is promoting an inclusive language guide advising against the use of terms such as “radical Islamists” and “jihadist” — in case they offend Muslims. show more
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Hamas Demands HALT to Aid Airdrops Because People Keep Dying From Them.

The UK dropped ten tonnes of aid on Gaza this week, leading to an outcry from local Hamas leadership as at least 12 Palestinians drowned trying to retrieve the drifting supplies at sea.

The desperate scenes unfolded on a beach in northern Gaza as residents, amid fears of impending famine due to Israel’s continued military campaign, raced to collect the floating aid parcels. In light of the tragic aftermath and further deaths caused by stampedes towards the aid, Hamas and the Swiss-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor have called for an immediate cessation of airdrop operations, requesting instead for increased access to aid through land crossings.

Hamas further demanded that Israel allow a larger influx of aid trucks into the territory. Unicef reinforced this request’s urgency, which stressed the need for aid via land routes to prevent an imminent famine. Despite the incident in Gaza, the U.S. National Security Council has vowed to continue efforts to deliver aid by road while also maintaining airdrop operations.

This incident is not the first time aid delivery tactics have ignited controversy. Frequently, the delivery vehicles themselves have proven lethal, leading to many causalities. Earlier this month, a U.S. aid drop crushed five Palestinians to death.

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The UK dropped ten tonnes of aid on Gaza this week, leading to an outcry from local Hamas leadership as at least 12 Palestinians drowned trying to retrieve the drifting supplies at sea. show more
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