International

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas removes himself from FBI consideration

WASHINGTON — 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

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USA

Philadelphia sues Wells Fargo for discriminating against African Americans; bank denies allegations

PHILADELPHIA — 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

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USA

30 years after his release from Soviet prison, Knesset speaker to address Russian parliament

In historic first, Yuli Edelstein will return to Moscow to speak at the legislature and visit the jail where he was held as a Prisoner of Zion By Raoul Wootliff Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein on May 19 announces that elections for presidency will take place on June 10. (Hadas Parush/Flash90) In May 1987,

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International, Jewish History, Middle East

John Cygan, best known for his role on “The Commish,” has sadly passed away

Actor 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

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Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Israeli Minister: It Is Time to Assassinate Assad

An Israeli minister Tuesday called for the assassination of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, likening his regime to the Nazis during World War II. Yoav Galant, Israel’s housing minister, accused the Syrian regime of gassing its own people, burning their bodies and, ultimately, committing crimes against humanity not seen since Adolf Hitler’s party wiped out six

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Middle East

David Friedman begins service as Ambassador to Israel

US 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

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Middle East, USA

One of America’s first Syrian immigrants helped conquer the West — with camels

Admitting 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

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Middle East, USA

Senior House Democrat Steny Hoyer rips Trump, yet cautions against impeachment

House 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

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International, USA

NY Times publisher defends hiring of conservative columnist Bret Stephens

Arthur 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

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Middle East, USA