Published by Reuters By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly voted, for the second time in less than a year, to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, sending it to the Senate where it faces stiff Republican opposition. By a vote of 216-208, the Democratic-controlled House […]
U.S. House passes bill to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state Read More »
USA
Whether the refugee cap is increased to 125,000 annually, as President Biden originally promised in February, or kept at the 15,000 level set by his predecessor, or ends up somewhere in between — as now seems likely — America’s policy of admitting refugees remains inadequate for meeting the human rights challenges of our era. Perhaps the time has come for a new approach — one based on a proposal first made in 1943-44. [Rafael Medoff]
U.S. Should Revisit Idea of Temporary Havens Read More »
International, Jewish History, USA
I believe Yom Haatzmaut is very representative of my journey of becoming an Israeli citizen and what my plans are now that I’m here. As a convert to Judaism, when I was fifteen, who made my first trip to Israel in 2016 with Taglit/Birthright and then enjoyed seven extensive trips to the country subsequently, my dream of making Aliyah was finally complete this year when I embarked on a Nefesh B’Nefesh charter Aliyah flight. [Ondria Rees]
Celebrating a Truly Independent Yom Haatzmaut Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USA
After a Minneapolis jury on Tuesday convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd, Jewish organizations and individuals issued their reactions. Among them: [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Reactions to Chauvin Guilty Verdict Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USA
Published by Reuters By Jonathan Allen and Nathan Layne MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) -Former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder on Tuesday in the arrest of George Floyd, a milestone in the fraught racial history of the United States and a rebuke of law enforcement’s treatment of Black Americans. The 12-member jury found Chauvin, 45,
Minneapolis jury convicts ex-policeman Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd Read More »
USA
At the end of last month, we ran an article by Korean-American Kelsey Kloza about what she described as “Asian fetishization” by which American males tend to construe any Asian woman as an “exotic and erotic two-dimensional object designed only for tempting male characters into forbidden pleasures.” [Donald H. Harrison]
On Asian fetishization and the humanity of migrants Read More »
Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, USA
(Reuters) – Washington state lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday setting a target to stop sales of gasoline-fueled vehicles there beginning in 2030, five years sooner than California. The target is not a firm mandate and is contingent on the state adopting a tax on vehicle miles traveled, a measure to help pay for new
Washington state passes bill with goal to phase out gasoline cars Read More »
USA
AUSTIN, Texas — Split irrevocably along party lines, the Texas Senate on Thursday approved legislation banning transgender student athletes from competing in sports within their gender identity. All 18 Republicans voted for Senate Bill 29, which would require athletes in Texas public high schools and grade schools to compete in sports based on the “biological
Texas Senate approves limits on transgender student athletes Read More »
USA
It is hard to find something more scornful than President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s sudden decision to withdraw Turkey from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
Turkey’s Erdogan’s Despicable Disregard for Women Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday named a liaison to Asian Americans, who are contending with rising violence, after facing pressure to ensure greater diversity among top administration officials. Biden picked onetime congressional aide Erika Moritsugu to spearhead outreach to the increasingly politically significant Asian American
Prodded to act on racial justice, Biden picks liaison to Asian diaspora Read More »
USA
Arab nations invaded the new state of Israel before I was born, at a time when the world was still shaken by the fury of World War II. Arab leaders urged their people to flee Israel in advance of the fighting and return once they drove the Jews into the sea. [Bruce S. Ticker]
U.S. Support for Palestinians Stirs Controversy Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, USA
Washington (AFP) – US Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday she will visit Mexico and Guatemala as part of her mission to address the “root causes” of an influx in migrants at the southern border. Speaking with reporters in Washington, Harris did not say if she planned to visit the border herself, where she said
Kamala Harris to visit Mexico, Guatemala to discuss migrants Read More »
USA
Washington (AFP) – A US congressional panel debates Wednesday whether to consider federal slavery reparation payments to African Americans, ahead of a historic first vote on an issue gaining momentum during the nation’s racial reckoning. The House Judiciary Committee launches its first-ever markup — the process by which committees debate and amend legislation — of
US House panel studies slavery reparations ahead of key vote Read More »
USA
By Makini Brice and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hate crime legislation intended to combat violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic advanced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, easily overcoming the Senate procedural tool known as the filibuster. Senators on Wednesday took a procedural vote on whether to limit debate on the overall bill.
U.S. Senate hate crimes bill sails past filibuster Read More »
USA