Former FBI Director James Comey is said to have a damning memo detailing President Trump’s reported attempt to end the investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned only a few weeks into his tenure after admitting he had misled the White House about his communications with Russia’s American ambassador. Various congressmen have […]
By Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — President Trump’s upcoming visit to Israel and Palestine—during which he hopes to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process—will go nowhere unless he fully understands the complexity of the conflict and why previous attempts by successive American administrations to negotiate a peace deal have failed. Recently, he stated that “I want
How Trump can facilitate Mideast peace Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USABy David Anderson, J.D. NEW YORK — The 15 year civil war in Lebanon last century can teach us about the future of the neighboring Syrian mess: they do look alike. Like Washington state-sized Syria, Connecticut-sized Lebanon was a French colony. Pre-WW2 manners dictated the British and French politely divide this “Levant” (the “L” in
Lebanon, Syria wars contrasted Read More »
International, Middle East, USAWASHINGTON — Just days after interviewing to become the next FBI director, Texas Sen. John Cornyn has removed himself from consideration, his office announced Tuesday. “Now more than ever the country needs a well-credentialed, independent FBI director,” Cornyn said in a statement. “I’ve informed the administration that I’m committed to helping them find such an
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas removes himself from FBI consideration Read More »
USAPHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Wells Fargo & Co. of overcharging more than 1,000 black and Latino homebuyers for loans to buy homes in the city since 2004. Citing six confidential informants who formerly worked for the bank, the city says Wells Fargo knew or should have known that those borrowers
PHILADELPHIA — Bill Cosby said Tuesday he won’t testify in his own defense at his sex assault trial in Norristown, Pa., next month because it would expose him to cross-examination. “I just don’t want to sit there and have to figure out what I believe is a truthful answer as to whether or not I’m
Bill Cosby speaks out, says he won’t testify at his trial Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAActor John Cygan died Saturday in his home in California after a long battle with cancer. He was 63. The New York City native played Paulie Pentangeli on the ABC cop show “The Commish,” which ran from 1991 to 1996. The series also starred Michael Chiklis, one of Cygan’s closest friends. “John Cygan, one of
John Cygan, best known for his role on “The Commish,” has sadly passed away Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAPressure is mounting inside Washington on President Donald Trump not to follow through on his campaign pledge to relocate the US Embassy in Israel to the Israeli capital of Jerusalem and recognize the city as the united capital of the Jewish state. Just days before his planned May 22nd visit to Israel, conflicting reports have
Senior US officials pushing Trump not to move embassy Read More »
Middle East, USAUS Ambassador to Israel David Friedman met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin Tuesday morning, a day after Friedman arrived in Israel to begin his service as ambassador. President Rivlin received Friedman”s credentials, marking the formal beginning of Friedman”s ambassadorship to the Jewish state. Two other new ambassadors, representing Spain and Thailand, were also received by
David Friedman begins service as Ambassador to Israel Read More »
Middle East, USALOS ANGELES, May 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — On Friday, May 12, U.S. District Court judge André Birotte, Jr. granted a legal victory to the Chabad of Irvine, a small Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Irvine. The judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against the synagogue by animal rights activists, who sought to end a 1200-year-old Orthodox Jewish
Judge rules in favor of kapparot ceremony Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAAdmitting immigrants and refugees from the Middle East has become a huge flashpoint in US policy with the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict their entry to the US. So it’s interesting to note that back in the 19th century, one of the first Arab Muslim immigrants to the US — potentially the first-ever Syrian immigrant
One of America’s first Syrian immigrants helped conquer the West — with camels Read More »
Middle East, USAHouse Minority Whip Steny Hoyer on Tuesday accused President Trump of eroding confidence in the U.S. government both at home and abroad but stopped well short of calling for impeachment. Mr. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in saying that Democrats mulling Mr. Trump’s ouster must justify it with evidence. “We need
Senior House Democrat Steny Hoyer rips Trump, yet cautions against impeachment Read More »
International, USAArthur Sulzberger Jr. sends personal letter to subscribers who canceled over new hire By JTA Bret Stephens at alumni weekend at the University of Chicago, June 7, 2014. (Jason Smith via JTA) The publisher of The New York Times sent a personal letter to subscribers who canceled over the newspaper’s hiring of conservative columnist Bret
NY Times publisher defends hiring of conservative columnist Bret Stephens Read More »
Middle East, USAU.S. intelligence officials reportedly warned their Israeli counterparts to exert caution in sharing top secret information with Donald Trump’s administration for fear of it being passed to Russia and then to Moscow’s ally and Israel’s arch-enemy, Iran. Discussions between U.S. and Israeli security services prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20 gave rise to concerns
US ‘Warned Israel’ Not To Share Intel With Team Trump Read More »
International, Middle East, USA