International

Puzder withdraws as labor secretary nominee amid Republican opposition

WASHINGTON — The troubled nomination of fast-food executive Andy Puzder to become President Donald Trump’s labor secretary collapsed Wednesday amid growing Republican opposition. Puzder, chief executive of Carpinteria, Calif.-based CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s chains, abruptly withdrew his nomination just a day before he was to face his […]

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USA

Majority of Americans say Donald Trump keeps promises, is a strong leader, can bring change: Poll

A new Gallup poll headline has the news: “Americans say Trump keeps promises, is a strong leader.” In an analysis, Gallup poll director Frank Newport writes: “Majorities of Americans believe President Trump keeps his promises, is a strong and decisive leader, and can bring about changes the country needs.” The numbers indeed show a nation

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USA

Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump: Good for Israeli-Palestinian peace?

By Dov Waxman, Professor of Political Science, International Affairs and Israel Studies, Northeastern University. At their meeting at the White House today, U.S. President Donald Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “hold back on settlements for a little bit.” There are now more than 400,000 Israelis living in over 100 settlements located in

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Middle East, USA

Trump backs down on U.S. support for two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin both declined to commit to the internationally accepted recipe of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a diplomatic shift for both governments that could signal a realignment of the traditional peace process. At a joint news conference Wednesday ahead of their first White House

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Middle East, USA

Some policy suggestions for President Trump

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. -The Trump White House continues to receive advice – solicited and unsolicited, in letters to the editor, op-eds, essays, and policy papers – as to what its foreign policy priorities should be.  It is tempting to presume that problems called “priorities” can be resolved with just a little more savvy

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International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Ross offers primer on Israel and U.S. Presidents

Doomed to Succeed: The U. S. – Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama by Dennis Ross, Fareerar, Straus, and Giroux, New York, © 2015, ISBN 978-0-374-70948-8, p. 408 plus notes and index, $30.00 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D.  WINCHESTER, California –  Did Obama’s communication to America’s UN ambassador, directing her to abstain on a vote condemning Israel

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Middle East, USA

‘Saturday Night Live’ ratings soar thanks to Baldwin’s Trump and McCarthy’s Spicer

President Donald Trump is making “Saturday Night Live’s” ratings great again. NBC’s long-running late-night sketch comedy program is having its most-watched season in 22 years, thanks in large part to Alec Baldwin’s impersonation of the 45th president of the United States and, more recently, Melissa McCarthy’s devastating take on White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

300 ESL teachers needed in Israel

NEW YORK (Press Release)—Masa Israel Journey, the leader in immersive international experiences in Israel, announced Tuesday that it will double the number of participants in its flagship Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program, beginning this coming school year. The expansion will bring 300 young professionals into classrooms across Israel to teach English as a Second Language. It is

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

San Diego City Council to fight Trump’s travel ban

By Ken Stone Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — The San Diego City Council on Tuesday voted 8-1 to file a brief in support of the state of Washington in its lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s so-called “travel ban” executive order. Republican Councilman Scott Sherman cast the dissenting vote in closed session. Democratic Councilman

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International, Ken Stone, Middle East, San Diego County, USA