The result of the fourth election in two years clearly points to the dysfunction of Israel’s political system and the many fault lines of Israel’s democracy. Sadly, personal rivalries rather than political platforms that address foreign and domestic policies rule the day. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Israel’s Plight: An Absence Of Leadership Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East
The parasha presents us with the abrupt, heart-rending, seemingly inexplicable loss, the passing of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu. We read in the parasha (10:1-2), “And Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, each took his pan, put fire in them, and placed incense upon it, and they brought before the Lord foreign fire, which He had not commanded them. And fire went forth from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Accepting that God’s Will Is for the Good Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla and dozens of Italian American groups sued Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration in federal court Tuesday for changing the name of the city’s Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. “While both groups’ ethnicity deserve recognition, Mayor Kenney may not take action that discriminates against Italian Americans to exalt
Italian American groups sue Philly mayor over renaming of Columbus Day Read More »
USA
Legislation by Assemblymember Marc Levine (D – Marin County) to impose an excise tax on retailers for the sale of new firearms and ammunition was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee today. The measure, co-authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D – Oakland) will provide ongoing funding to reduce gun violence through the highly successful California Violence Intervention Program (CalVIP). [Press Release from Marc Levine]
Tax proposed on firearms, ammunition sales Read More »
Business & Finance, USA
New Delhi (AFP) – US climate envoy John Kerry on Tuesday pressed India, the world’s third-biggest carbon emitter, to set more ambitious green goals ahead of UN talks in late 2021 and Joe Biden’s upcoming climate summit. A spokesperson for the US embassy in New Delhi, where Kerry arrived on Tuesday for talks with officials
Kerry presses India ahead of Biden climate summit Read More »
International
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democratic U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings has died at the age of 84, his office said on Tuesday, further narrowing the party’s majority in the lower chamber of Congress. Hastings, a former judge and civil rights activist, has served 15 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in a Florida district that now includes
Democratic U.S. congressman Hastings of Florida dies Read More »
USA
When a gunman killed four people and wounded a fifth at a Southern California office building last week, news outlets, over and over, called it the third in a string of mass shootings. “The violence in the city of Orange was the third major mass shooting in just over two weeks,” an Associated Press story
Jamaica’s ‘Clothesline Project’ was part of 2016’s 16 Days of Activism, symbolising the hanging of ‘dirty laundry’ in public to advocate for an end to violence against women and girls. Photo by UN Women/Khristina Godfrey, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Jamaicans are anxious. Over 600 people have died from COVID-19 since the country announced its index case
Jamaicans agonise, politicians seek solutions after another young woman is killed Read More »
International
The Republican-majority Texas State Senate passed a new sweeping election reform bill on Thursday with a slew of new voting restrictions, mostly affecting people in dense urban areas. State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R) introduced measures in the Senate chamber which would reduce voting hours, give broader authority to partisan poll watchers, ban drive-though voting and limit
Texas Senate Passes Sweeping New Voting Restrictions Read More »
USA
By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A sceptical president invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday to form a new government, after another inconclusive election deepened political stalemate in Israel. The country’s longest-serving leader, in power without interruption since 2009, now faces the tough challenge of enlisting enough allies for a governing coalition. Under law, Netanyahu
Sceptical president invites Netanyahu to form next Israeli government Read More »
Middle East
In her 89 years, Dr Nawal El Saadawi was relentless in her fight against the persecution of women. She passed away on March 21, but her legacy as an advocate and writer lives on. Her multifaceted approach to feminism, pulling from her experience as a writer, physician and psychiatrist ensured her advocacy reverberated transnationally, overwhelming
Washington (AFP) – Rich countries have an obligation to ensure the Covid-19 pandemic does not undermine efforts to fight poverty worldwide, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday. “It’s the responsibility of the developed countries to make sure that decades of progress in fighting poverty globally and trying to close income gaps between rich and
‘Responsibility’ of rich countries to continue poverty fight: Yellen Read More »
USA
Washington (AFP) – Arkansas became the first US state to ban gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender youth Tuesday when the state legislature overrode a veto of a new law by governor Asa Hutchinson. Rejecting Hutchinson’s argument on Monday that the measure gave the state too much power over the decisions made by trans youth, their
With veto override, Arkansas bans treatment for trans youth Read More »
USA
The title of this book is an understatement if ever there were one. “Three Ordinary Girls” really should be retitled as “Three Extraordinary Girls.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Book Review: ‘Three [Extra] Ordinary Girls’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History