Washington (AFP) – US lawmakers on Monday approved a $900 billion relief package for the world’s biggest economy that will provide a long-sought boost for millions of Americans and businesses battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Overwhelming approval in the Senate and House of Representatives clears the way for the legislation to be sent to President Donald […]
US Congress approves $900 bn stimulus package Read More »
USA
We’re up against a deadline. Presumably, if the Israeli government does not pass a budget today, the Knesset goes home and there’ll be an election, perhaps within three months. There have been several options, including a postponing of the deadline, and lots of discussion. Perhaps an enactment of a 2020 budget, that’ll serve the country for the next week! [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Seems like old times: Coalition squabbles Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
In one of her last communications to constituents before her 20 year career as a congresswoman ends, Susan Davis of San Diego outlined the bipartisan bill that will send Covid relief to millions of Americans. Her letter follows:
Rep. Susan Davis explains the coronavirus relief package Read More »
San Diego County, USA
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-De.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) on Monday released the following statements on securing passage of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (S.712) as part of the end-of-year funding legislation approved by the Senate today. (Senate Foreign Relations Committee Press Release)
Senate approves bill on American hostages named for Robert Levinson Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
Newark (United States) (AFP) – US President-elect Joe Biden received a Covid-19 vaccine live on television Monday in a campaign to boost Americans’ confidence in the jabs. The 78-year-old incoming president got the Pfizer vaccine at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. His wife Jill received the shot earlier, the presidential transition team said. Biden
Biden receives Covid-19 vaccine live on TV Read More »
USA
The Hooligans is Ghenie’s fourth solo exhibition at Pace Gallery, comprised of nine paintings and three drawings, all produced during this last year. It is a sustained engagement with European painting, including J.M.W. Turner, the Impressionists, and post-Impressionists, particularly Van Gogh and Gaugin. Ghenie remarks in a statement about this new body of work: “When I look at the Impressionists, I have the strange feeling that I am looking at something very schizophrenic. Behind those harmless colorful landscapes there is an incredible, destructive force; camouflaged. It is an act of hooliganism.” [Sam Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
The artist as ‘hooligan’ on exhibit at NYC’s Pace Gallery Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sam Ben-Meir, USA
Washington (AFP) – A statue of Robert E. Lee, a commander for the pro-slavery South during the US Civil War, was removed from the Capitol building early Monday, officials said, part of a reckoning with the country’s history of racism. “Last night, Virginia removed its statue of Robert E. Lee from the U.S. Capitol,” tweeted
Statue of Confederate general Lee removed from US Capitol Read More »
USA
Washington (AFP) – The US Justice Department announced charges Monday against a Libyan former intelligence agent who allegedly built the bomb that exploded aboard Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland exactly 32 years ago. Attorney General Bill Barr said that “Abu Agela Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi” helped build the device that blew up the aircraft
US charges Libyan ‘bombmaker’ over 1988 Lockerbie attack Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
WASHINGTON: With one month to go until Joe Biden takes office, Donald Trump remains fixated on his failed bid to overturn the 2020 election — with his advisors reportedly floating the idea of invoking martial law, triggering outrage and disbelief in Washington. Trump has stayed largely out of sight as several hugely consequential matters play
Reports of martial-law talk in Trump meeting draw outrage Read More »
USA
Our Christmas party happened to fall on the sixth day of Chanukah, so I wanted to contribute. What I used to do at my school was bring in homemade sufganiyot using whole wheat flour with nutmeg mixed into the dough, fill them with jam and fry them up in coconut oil. These treats would be proudly presented in a basket with a sign that read “You don’t have to be Jewish to have a Happy Chanukah!” [Eric George Tauber]
Jews, Muslims and Bacon (!) at a Christmas Party Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Russia acted with impunity when it hacked U.S. government servers in a global cyber-espionage campaign and could do far more damage next time — like cutting off the nation’s water and electricity supply, GOP Sen. Mitt Romney said Sunday. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Utah senator said the massive cyberattack discovered earlier this
Russia could cut off U.S. food and water supply in next cyberattack, Romney says Read More »
International, USA
Washington (AFP) – US lawmakers have reached a deal for a new package to boost the world’s largest economy, which has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, congressional leaders announced Sunday. “We’ve agreed to a package of nearly $900 billion. It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too
US Congress reaches deal on Covid-19 relief package Read More »
USA
ATLANTA — President Donald Trump will return to Georgia for a runoff eve rally to campaign for the Republican U.S. Senate candidates even as he continues to fume at the state’s GOP leaders for refusing to overturn the election results. The president said on Twitter late Saturday that he would stage a “big Rally” for
Trump to return to Georgia on runoff eve for GOP Senate candidates Read More »
USA
In the December 20, 2020 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
Israeli Covid-19 vaccine goes into Phase 2 trials as Israel rolls out the Pfizer vaccine.
Israel and Bhutan have established full diplomatic relations.
An Israeli smart color sensor can prevent massive food waste.
Israeli irrigation of rice crops saves water and the environment.
An Israeli company won a contract for its robots to clean a million solar panels.
Israel’s Wonder Woman won the first MTV “She-Ro” award.
A lost tribe’s return to Israel is one of three Israeli Chanukah “miracles”. [Michael Ordman]
Good News From Israel (December 20, 2020) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA