USA

US says Iran behind ‘probable death’ of ex-FBI agent

Washington (AFP) – The United States on Monday for the first time accused Iran of direct involvement in the “probable death” of former FBI agent Bob Levinson, who vanished 13 years ago. Releasing the finding a month before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, Donald Trump’s administration urged his successor to prioritize the release of at […]

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Middle East, USA

‘Just not true’: Cuomo denies sexual harassment accusation from ex-aide

NEW YORK — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday flatly denied accusations that he sexually harassed a former top adviser, calling the allegations “simply not true.” In a virtual briefing from Albany, the governor said he believes “a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion,” but that the allegation from ex-aide Lindsey

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USA

Supreme Court declines to hear Kansas’ proof-of-citizenship voting law crafted by Kobach

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court will not take up Kansas’ petition seeking to reestablish a voting restriction crafted by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. By denying the state’s petition, the court upheld rulings by the U.S. Court for the District of Kansas and the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that found

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USA

Oracle’s billionaire founder Larry Ellison says he’s moved to Hawaii

Just days after software giant Oracle announced it’s moving company headquarters from Redwood City to Texas, the firm’s multi-billionaire founder Larry Ellison says he’s moved to Hawaii. Ellison, reported by Forbes to be worth $83 billion, said in a message to Oracle employees Monday that after the company cited workplace flexibility when announcing on Friday

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USA

U.S. sanctions Turkey over purchase of Russian missile defense system

The United States said Monday that it has imposed sanctions on Turkey over the NATO ally’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, a move that swiftly drew criticism from Ankara. The U.S. sanctions include a ban on granting specific export licenses and authorizations for any goods or technology transferred to Turkey’s military procurement

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Middle East, USA

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp blasts ‘ridiculous’ attacks over his refusal to overturn election

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp criticized “ridiculous” attacks from fellow Republicans outraged that he won’t call a special session to overturn the election results, as he faces unrelenting criticism from President Donald Trump and his allies infuriated by Joe Biden’s election victory. Although Georgia’s 16 Democratic electors formally cast their ballots for Biden on

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USA

Learning About America Through License Plates

In the place of stamp collecting, as an adult, I have taken up the hobby of collecting pictures of license plates from throughout the United States and even from other countries.  For Chanukah, I can send them as email attachments to friends who similarly enjoy the hobby, and vice versa.  There are many ways to collect license plate pictures; by state, of course; or by special topics, like breast cancer awareness; honoring veterans and first responders; calls for environmental awareness; and the list goes on. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Travel and Food, USA

Humor, poignancy mark StandWithUs Zoomathon

It had the serious purpose and poignant moments while raising money for the defense of Jewish and pro-Zionist students who are bullied by anti-Semites and Israel-haters in public schools and on university campuses.  But the StandWithUs “Zoomathon,” also offered a refreshing mix of humor and music, perfect for celebrating a night of Chanukah while at home. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Netanyahu warns against ‘business as usual’ with Iran in comments ‘aimed at Biden’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said it would be a mistake “to go back to business as usual with Iran,” signalling Israeli resistance to an expected push by President-elect Joe Biden to revive the international nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu spoke at a press conference with Robert O’Brien, President Donald Trump’s national security

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Middle East, USA

The Personal Power of History

In the early 1970s while teaching at the University of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe since independence in 1980), I interviewed African labor and farmer union leaders while researching the 1948 General Strike and the African Farmers Union. The interviews were in English, Shona, and Sindebele. I hired two undergraduate history majors to assist me with the African languages and cross-cultural social protocols. One of them, Misheck Sibanda completed a Ph.D. in History at Birmingham University and returned to Zimbabwe, served as the Chief Cabinet Secretary to President Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa, and recently retired after 17 years of service. The second student, Kevin Gumbo, became a teacher. [Oliver B. Pollak]

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International, Oliver Pollak, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge To Join Biden White House As HUD Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden tapped Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fudge is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and had previously been campaigning to become the first black female Agriculture secretary. She would be the second black woman to serve as HUD secretary. She told Politico last month that

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USA

Breaking norms, Jared Kushner scores late-term wins for Israel

Washington (AFP) – The United Arab Emirates is getting top-of-the-line fighter jets. Morocco is winning recognition for decades-old territorial claims. And Sudan is coming off the US terrorism blacklist. The Arab nations are suddenly achieving long-sought goals after agreeing to normalize ties with Israel, in a last-minute triumph for the unorthodox diplomacy of outgoing President

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Middle East, USA

Emirati, Bahraini ambassadors to US light Hanukkah third candle together

The Emirati and Bahraini Ambassadors to the US lit Hanukkah candles together on Saturday night, celebrating the third day of holiday, N12 reported.On Saturday night, the Israeli Embassy in Washington held a virtual candle lighting with the UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba and Bahraini Ambassador to the US Abdulla Al Khalifa, who

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA