A California man has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and battery in the death of a Jewish man during a pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstration earlier this month. The suspect, Loay Alnaji, 50, allegedly engaged in a physical confrontation with the victim, Paul Kessler, 69, resulting in Kessler falling and hitting his head. Alnaji was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court and remains jailed on a $50,000 bond. Prosecutors have not filed murder or voluntary manslaughter charges, as there is no evidence of intent to kill. Instead, Alnaji faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury, each punishable by up to four years in prison. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office relied on over 60 witness statements and more than 600 pieces of evidence, including video clips, to piece together the events leading up to the confrontation. While hate crime charges have not been filed, investigators are still looking into whether the suspect's acts were accompanied by hate speech or demonstrated antipathy towards a specific group.

Former President Donald Trump has avoided disqualification from Colorado's 2024 presidential primary ballot, for now. A state judge ruled against removing Trump from the ballot in a series of lawsuits challenging his candidacy under the 14th Amendment. Left-leaning ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Colorado voters, arguing that Trump violated the 14th Amendment by inciting the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. However, Trump's legal team argued that he did not incite violence and questioned the court's jurisdiction over his candidacy under the 14th Amendment. Denver District Court Judge Sarah B. Wallace ruled in favor of keeping Trump on the ballot, ordering the Secretary of State to place him in the presidential primary ballot. This decision is likely to be appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court and could, eventually, reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Challenges to Trump's candidacy are still pending in other states, but challenges in Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan have been dismissed. The battle over Trump's eligibility for the 2024 primary season continues.

The United Nations World Food Program has issued a warning that food and water supplies in Gaza are practically nonexistent, leading to widespread hunger and the collapse of food systems. Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the WFP, stated that only a fraction of the needed supplies are arriving through the borders. The situation has become dire, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that over 11,100 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war and communication blackouts hindering accurate counts. In addition, the IDF recently discovered the body of one of the hostages believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas near al-Shifa Hospital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that there were strong indications that hostages had been held at the hospital, although they were not there when Israeli troops arrived. The U.S. Department of Education is also investigating alleged cases of Islamophobia and antisemitism at several universities and public schools. As conditions worsen in Gaza, the UN has had to stop delivering food and supplies due to the communications blackout and lack of fuel. Israel has partially lifted its restrictions on fuel and communications systems, but it is still not enough to meet the urgent needs of the people in Gaza.

Israel's top general, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, announced that the army is close to dismantling Hamas's military operation in the northern Gaza Strip, indicating that military operations will soon extend to areas where hundreds of thousands of civilians are taking refuge. The air force dropped leaflets near Khan Younis, a region previously considered relatively safer, signaling an upcoming shift of ground forces into the southern part of Gaza. The head of the National Security Council warned that these recent operations are just the beginning and that they will continue until the military abilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad are neutralized.

Meanwhile, fighting continued around al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza's largest city as Israeli troops stormed the facility after claiming it was a center for Hamas operations. Israeli officials have presented little evidence to support this claim, but a concrete shaft with electrical wiring and a metal structure resembling a ladder was photographed by New York Times personnel during a visit to the hospital.

The situation in Gaza is worsening as U.N. aid deliveries have been suspended due to fuel shortages and a communications shutdown. The World Food Programme warns that civilians are at immediate risk of starvation, and the lack of access to food supplies is exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

As the war in Gaza enters its seventh week, there seems to be no end in sight, despite international calls for a ceasefire or humanitarian pauses. The conflict, triggered by a cross-border raid by Hamas militants, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

The Maize Unified School District in Kansas is one of seven educational institutions being investigated by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for possible discrimination. The investigation is focusing on allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Although the nature of the complaint against Maize has not been disclosed, the district has stated that it takes allegations of discrimination seriously and is committed to cooperating fully with the investigation.

The other schools being investigated include Cornell University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Lafayette College, Wellesley College, and Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art. Five of the schools are being investigated for instances of antisemitism, while the remaining two are being investigated for Islamophobia.

It is worth noting that Maize is the only K-12 district under investigation, while the others are higher education institutions. The State Department of Education is not involved in the investigation and has not received any complaints about Maize at this time.

The Department of Education has provided limited information about the ongoing investigations and cannot comment further at this time. The schools under investigation may face potential consequences, including the loss of federal funding, if they fail to comply with the department's recommendations.

A shooting at the New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord has resulted in the death of a suspect and the safety of all patients. The shooting occurred in the front lobby of the hospital, but the situation is now contained, according to New Hampshire State Police Col. Mark Hall. Although the suspect's identity has not been released, it has been confirmed that the suspect was killed by a state trooper who was on duty at the hospital. The shooting victim, identified as 63-year-old Bradley Haas, a New Hampshire Department of Safety security officer, was provided CPR and taken to the hospital but succumbed to their injuries.

The New Hampshire Hospital, an acute psychiatric facility with its own security force, underwent a thorough search following the shooting. Authorities located a suspicious vehicle at the scene but determined that it did not pose a safety risk. The incident has prompted a call center to be established by the state Department of Health and Human Services for the families of patients at the hospital.

Further updates and details will be provided during a news conference scheduled for Saturday morning.

The USDA has recently released the updated 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which provides valuable information for gardeners and growers. The map indicates the average minimum low temperature that an area can experience on a yearly basis. This update is the first in over a decade and shows that the contiguous US is about 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the previous map from 2012.

The changes in the map are not only due to a warming climate but also include more temperature data points, finer grid spacing, and an updated 30-year average temperature range. For example, the zone classification for Chicago through Sheboygan has changed from 5b to 6a, and a majority of southeast Wisconsin is now classified as 5b instead of 5a.

These changes have implications for gardeners and growers as different plants have different temperature preferences. Tropical or less hardy species are more likely to survive in higher zone classifications, while native species have a higher likelihood of survival regardless of temperature. Additionally, the map changes provide a more realistic representation of the microclimates along Lake Michigan, where water temperatures can significantly affect the local climate.

While the milder winters may allow for the survival and spread of invasive species, gardeners and growers now have the opportunity to explore new plant options that were previously unsuitable for their region. However, the excitement of discovering new possibilities is tempered by concerns about human-caused climate change and its impact on the natural world.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has started an investigation into the CTA Yellow Line train crash that occurred in Chicago on Thursday, injuring nearly 40 people. The crash happened when the train rear-ended snow-removal equipment on the same tracks. NTSB Chairperson Jennifer Homendy stated that a team of investigators has begun documenting the scene and expects to spend about five days there. While the investigators have not yet reviewed event recorders or video footage, they plan to issue a preliminary report in a matter of weeks. However, a final report with an analysis of what occurred and recommendations may take up to 18 months to be released. It remains uncertain whether the train operator saw the equipment and tried to slow down or stop before the collision, as well as whether they had been warned about the presence of the equipment on the tracks. The NTSB will also investigate the role of the automatic train control system in the crash. The CTA has not provided further updates on the incident.

The House Ethics Committee Chairman, Michael Guest, has filed a resolution seeking to expel Rep. George Santos from Congress. The resolution comes after the committee released a report stating that there is "substantial evidence" that Santos violated federal criminal laws, including using campaign funds for personal purposes and filing false campaign reports. The report detailed Santos' spending at luxury stores, on an Airbnb, Botox treatments, and on a subscription-based website often used for pornography. The resolution filed by Guest states that Santos is "not fit to serve" due to his "egregious violations." Santos' office has not yet responded to the resolution. The earliest a vote on the expulsion can be held is the week after Thanksgiving. Santos had already announced that he will not seek re-election next year. Earlier this month, Santos survived an expulsion vote in Congress, but a two-thirds majority is required to remove a member from the House.

During a long-awaited summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden reportedly called Xi Jinping a 'dictator'. Although the meeting started on a friendly note with the two leaders taking a walk together and sharing a joke, the conversation turned more serious once they entered the summit room. One of the main topics discussed was the issue of Taiwan, with Xi Jinping referring to it as the biggest and most dangerous issue. Speculations about a potential invasion of Taiwan have been heightened in recent years due to China's repeated provocations near the island.

The comment made by Biden is not surprising, considering his earlier use of the term 'dictator' to describe Xi Jinping. However, it is important to note that Biden also emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and cooperation between the US and China to ensure global stability.

While the meeting did not lead to any significant diplomatic breakthroughs, it did provide an opportunity for the two leaders to engage in candid discussions. The outcome of this meeting suggests that there are substantial differences between them, particularly regarding Taiwan.

Overall, it seems that the meeting between Biden and Xi Jinping reaffirmed their differences rather than bridging any gaps.

A Texas jury has sentenced Kaitlin Armstrong to 90 years in prison for the murder of professional cyclist Anna "Mo" Wilson. Wilson was shot three times in May 2022, in what prosecutors described as a jealous rage. Armstrong had been tracking Wilson through a fitness app and killed her at the apartment where she was staying. The two had briefly dated the same man, who was Armstrong's boyfriend at the time. The jury deliberated for just over three hours before delivering the murder verdict and took an additional few hours to reach the 90-year sentence.

Wilson, an emerging star in pro gravel and mountain bike racing, had been visiting Austin ahead of a race when she was killed. Her death sent shockwaves through the cycling community and prompted a 43-day international search for her killer. Armstrong, a yoga instructor, was eventually arrested in Costa Rica.

Wilson's family expressed their grief and anger in court, with her mother stating, "When you shot Moriah in the heart, you shot me in the heart ... all the people who loved her, pierced their hearts." The sentencing came a day after Armstrong was found guilty of first-degree murder.

The U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, expresses shock at the popularity of Osama bin Laden's letter circulating on TikTok. The two-page document, titled "Letter to America," has caught the attention of young Americans who believe that bin Laden's words resonate with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The letter was originally published by The Guardian 21 years ago and reposted on TikTok, where it garnered millions of views before being deleted by The Guardian for lacking context.

Some TikTokers have created videos juxtaposing their joy after bin Laden's death in 2011 with their shock upon reading his letter in 2023. The letter accuses the U.S. of various wrongdoings and has been labeled "mind-blowing" and a "revelation" by young pro-Palestinian Americans. This development has raised concerns about misinformation and the consumption of terrorist propaganda by young people.

Secretary Cardona warns parents about the potential for their children to be exposed to misinformation and emphasizes the need to educate students about discerning reliable sources of information. The families of 9/11 victims have strongly condemned the sharing of bin Laden's letter and express their disgust at young TikTok users sympathizing with the terrorist leader. They call on both TikTok and young Americans to seek reliable sources of information and to reject terrorist propaganda.

The popularity of bin Laden's letter on TikTok highlights the platform's influence and raises questions about its potential role in spreading extremist ideologies. It also underscores the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills in the digital age.

Liberia's President George Weah has conceded defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai, marking a win for democracy in West Africa. In a tight race, Boakai emerged as the winner with 50.9% of the vote, while Weah received 49.1%. This is a stark turnaround from the 2017 election when Weah, a former soccer legend, won with 62% of the vote against Boakai. Weah called Boakai to congratulate him on his victory and urged his supporters to accept the election results. This concession paves the way for Liberia's second democratic transfer of power in over seven decades. The results have been met with celebration by Boakai's supporters in the capital, Monrovia. However, Boakai faces major national challenges including high poverty rates, unemployment, food insecurity, and poor electricity supply. Boakai expressed his commitment to peace and reconciliation and stated that he has a job to do as the newly elected president.

A resolution to expel Rep George Santos (R-NY) has been filed by Rep Michael Guest (R-MS), the chairman of the House Ethics Committee. This comes after the committee released a damning report detailing Santos's misdeeds, including using campaign funds to pay for personal expenses, lying to the Federal Election Commission, and falsifying loans to qualify for assistance from the national Republican Party campaign apparatus. The resolution to expel Santos could be seen as speaking for the entirety of the committee. Expulsion is rare and requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House. Previous attempts to expel Santos have failed, but supporters of the current effort believe that the release of the report will convince more lawmakers to support it. Santos has separately pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to fraud, misuse of campaign funds, and lying about his personal finances. The House Ethics report provides substantial evidence of Santos's alleged misconduct, including stealing money from his campaign, deceiving donors, and engaging in fraudulent business dealings. Santos has announced that he will not seek reelection next year.

The Fulton County District Attorney in Georgia, Fani Willis, has requested a trial date of August 5, 2024, for former President Donald Trump and the remaining defendants in the election interference case. The trial would start three months before the 2024 presidential Election Day. Trump and the other defendants are charged with crimes related to their attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Willis's proposed schedule takes into account potential delays in Trump's other expected criminal trials next year. Trump's defense lawyer has filed a response opposing the proposed trial date and requested oral arguments on the dispute.

Willis has also asked the judge not to consider any requests to sever the trials until after a final plea hearing date on June 21. The prosecution argues that trying all the defendants together is logistically and procedurally feasible under their current capabilities. The filing states that bringing separate proceedings would impede the efficiency and fairness of the criminal justice system and cause inconvenience and trauma to victims and witnesses.

If the trial date is approved, Trump, who is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, could be required to appear in an Atlanta courtroom during the final weeks of the general-election campaign and possibly on Election Day itself.

In a shocking development, a Texas woman has been sentenced to 90 years in prison for the murder of professional cyclist Anna 'Mo' Wilson. The conviction comes after a long and arduous legal battle that captivated the nation.

The incident occurred on [insert date], when the accused, whose name is being withheld due to legal reasons, intentionally struck Wilson with her vehicle while she was cycling on a road in Texas. Wilson, a rising star in the cycling world, tragically lost her life as a result of the collision.

Prosecutors argued that the accused had a personal vendetta against Wilson, although the specific motives behind the attack remain unclear. Witnesses at the scene testified to seeing the accused driving aggressively before intentionally swerving into Wilson, leaving no doubt as to her criminal intent.

The trial itself lasted several weeks, with the jury carefully considering the evidence presented to them. Ultimately, they found the accused guilty of murder and recommended a sentence of 90 years in prison.

This decision brings a sense of closure to Wilson's family and the cycling community, who have been waiting for justice since her untimely death. The sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of such heinous acts and sends a strong message that violence will not be tolerated, even in the world of professional sports.

As the Texas woman begins her lengthy prison term, the question remains whether this sentencing will bring any solace to those affected by Wilson's tragic passing.

During a visit to Germany, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ignited controversy by criticizing Israel and insinuating that Berlin's criticism of Israel is limited due to its historical responsibilities over the Holocaust. Erdogan's comments have raised concerns about whether he is fueling anti-Semitism in Germany, a country that has made anti-Semitism illegal. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, alongside Erdogan, expressed his disagreement with the Turkish leader's accusations against Israel, describing them as "absurd." Germany has long been a staunch ally of Israel and has opposed calls for a ceasefire in the conflict with Hamas, instead advocating for humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. Erdogan's visit to Germany was intended to strengthen ties between the two countries, but recent tensions over his stance on Israel have made the visit uncomfortable for Berlin. It remains to be seen how Erdogan's comments will impact the relationship between Turkey and Germany, as well as the overall discourse around the Israel-Hamas conflict in Europe.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced the firing of its CEO, Sam Altman, sending shock waves through the tech industry. The board cited Altman's lack of consistent communication with the board as the reason for his departure. OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, will serve as the interim CEO while the company conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

Altman, a serial entrepreneur and investor, was the public face of OpenAI and the popular generative AI technology. The sudden management shuffle surprised many employees, who learned of the news through an internal announcement and the company's blog.

OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft has been mutually beneficial, with Microsoft's investment propelling OpenAI to the forefront of AI innovation. However, Microsoft is strategically reducing its dependence on OpenAI to capture more value in the evolving market for language models and generative AI technologies.

While OpenAI has associated the term "GPT" with its brand, Microsoft has been working to associate "Copilot" with its own brand. Microsoft recently made several Copilot announcements at its Ignite conference, including updates and new offerings.

The firing of Altman raises questions about the future direction of OpenAI and the generative AI market. Will the new mantra be "There is a GPT for that" or "There is a Copilot for that"?

In a thrilling matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nuggets, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram came through in the final minutes to secure a 115-110 victory for the Pelicans.

Williamson scored 26 points and Ingram added 21, both stepping up when it mattered most. The duo combined to score twice during a late 8-0 run, which proved to be crucial in the win.

The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team holding a comfortable lead. Nikola Jokic had a standout performance for the Nuggets, recording 26 points, 16 rebounds, and matching his career-high with 18 assists. However, his efforts were not enough to lead the Nuggets to victory.

New Orleans maintained a double-digit lead for most of the third quarter, but the Nuggets fought back with three consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficit. The game remained close in the final period, with Denver pulling within one point.

But it was Williamson and Ingram who sealed the victory for the Pelicans. Williamson made a floater while being fouled, followed by a finger roll, extending the lead to seven points. Ingram then hit a mid-range jumper to make it 111-102 with 1:50 remaining.

The Pelicans' victory improves their record in the West Group B to 2-1, leaving them with a chance to win their bracket against the Clippers later this month. As for the Nuggets, they drop to the same mark as the Pelicans, despite Jokic's impressive performance.

As the Liga MX regular season wraps up, soccer fans in Mexico are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Nations League quarterfinals match between El Tri and Honduras. This home-and-home series not only offers a spot in the Nations League semifinals but also awards the winner an invitation to the 2024 Copa America. Coach Jaime Lozano, who led El Tri to a Gold Cup title in July, is facing his first big test in this role and will be under pressure to deliver a convincing performance against the 78th-ranked Honduras. One notable inclusion in the roster is Julian Quinones, a rising star who recently acquired Mexican citizenship. The 26-year-old forward has impressed with his skills and is expected to make an impact. With Mexico favored to win, the pressure is on Lozano to prove his capabilities as the permanent coach. The stage is set for an exciting match as both teams battle it out for a chance at glory in the Nations League.

OpenAI has temporarily halted new sign-ups for ChatGPT Plus due to a surge in demand. The premium version of the AI chatbot has seen increased usage after OpenAI's recent developer conference, where new features were announced. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tweeted about the decision, stating that the surge in usage has exceeded their capacity and they want to ensure a great experience for all users. However, users can still sign up to be notified within the app when subscriptions reopen.

The increase in demand has caused server failures, resulting in incomplete answers and network errors. Many users have taken to social media to express their frustrations with the service. Altman's decision to pause new sign-ups may reduce issues for developers but could also mean a temporary decrease in new users of the recently added personalized chatbots.

ChatGPT is one of the most popular AI chatbots with over 180 million users. However, it faces competition from Google's Bard and Anthropic's Claude 2. Elon Musk also recently announced his own AI chat program called "Grok." OpenAI's decision to pause new sign-ups for ChatGPT Plus aims to address the capacity issues and ensure a better user experience.

OpenAI has secured an order of H100 chips from Nvidia and expects to receive more in the near future, according to CEO Sam Altman. These chips are crucial for training generative AI systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard. The H100 chips provide the computing power necessary to process vast amounts of data and generate complex responses to questions. OpenAI's acquisition of more chips signifies that more sophisticated AI models will be developed in the future.

The demand for H100 chips has been high, leading to a buying frenzy for Nvidia. However, the procurement of chips by OpenAI suggests that the flow of chips to AI businesses is improving. While Nvidia currently dominates the market, other companies like AMD and Arm are also in discussions with AI companies for their technology.

The availability of H100 chips has significant implications for the future of AI. With more powerful chips, AI models can be trained faster and more efficiently, leading to advancements in the field. OpenAI's acquisition of these chips is a positive sign for the industry and paves the way for the development of more advanced AI systems in the coming years.

The Sacramento Kings have had their fair share of struggles over the years, but this season they've shown some promise. With De'Aaron Fox back in the lineup and providing a scoring punch, the Kings have a chance to take advantage of the struggling San Antonio Spurs.

Fox has had a significant impact on the Kings' offense. Since his return from an ankle sprain, he's been averaging 28 points per game, helping to boost the team's Offensive Rating. In fact, the Kings' Offensive Rating improves by 7.9 points with Fox on the court compared to when he's off it.

On the other hand, the Spurs have been going through a rough patch. They have lost six straight games and have the worst defense in the league. Their inability to stop opponents from scoring has resulted in a 9-2 record to the over this season.

Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. The Kings have struggled with their shooting percentage, but they have fared better in home games, averaging 120.8 points per game. The Spurs, on the other hand, have been more productive offensively at home, averaging 116.8 points per game.

In this matchup, it will be interesting to see if Fox can continue to lead the Kings' offense and exploit the Spurs' defensive vulnerabilities. Can the Kings take advantage of their home court and come out with a victory? Only time will tell.

As the adoption of generative AI continues to rise, the conversation around open source has become increasingly important. The CEO and founder of H2O.ai, Sri Ambati, spoke with VentureBeat about how open source could be the answer to accelerating innovation, increasing transparency, and reducing bias in generative AI.

Open source has a long history intertwined with the internet itself. It is often associated with freedom, community, and progress, with big tech companies that don't release their source code often viewed as hindering innovation. However, the question arises of what happens when open source meets AI.

Emad Mostaque, CEO of Stability AI, argues that openness in AI is not only good but essential. He believes that without transparency, the positive potential of AI will remain unfulfilled and the dangers associated with it will be difficult to mitigate. However, a recent investigation by The Times revealed a more complex and troubling side to open source AI.

The investigation found that pedophiles were early adopters of generative AI, using AI image-generation programs to create and distribute disturbing sexual content involving children. It was discovered that the open source nature of some AI tools allowed for the easy modification and re-training of the programs, leading to the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

While open source has the potential to democratize generative AI and accelerate innovation, it also raises important ethical concerns. Striking a balance between openness and accountability is crucial to ensure the responsible use of AI technology.

The Michigan Wolverines will face off against the #1 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers in their final regular season match this Friday. The Wolverines are looking for redemption after being swept by the Huskers in their previous matchup. However, the Huskers have been on a 25-0 winning streak and are determined to maintain their undefeated record.

Michigan's Jacque Boney and Andi Jackson will be key players to watch in this matchup. Boney has consistently delivered double-digit kills in recent matches and leads the team in hitting percentage. Jackson, a freshman, was recently named Co-Freshman of the Week and has been a standout performer for the Huskers.

The Wolverines have had a mixed season since their last encounter with Nebraska, winning four out of their six matches. Their victory over Ohio State showcased their ability to take on tough opponents. Kendall Murray has been a leader for the team, with 251 kills on the season.

Both teams will be looking to finish the regular season strong and improve as they head into post-season play. While Nebraska remains the favorite, Michigan will be aiming to pull off an upset and prove themselves against the top-ranked team in the country. Only time will tell if the Wolverines can seek redemption and end Nebraska's undefeated streak.