USA

US transport secretary is first Trump cabinet official to resign

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is the first official in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet to announce his or her resignation following the recent attack on the US Capitol. “Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the president stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed,” Chao said in […]

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USA

Qatar and Saudi Arabia: A Gift of a Different Sort, Maybe

The still-tentative agreement between Qatar and Saudi Arabia to reopen political relations and closed borders after four years is part of the Trump administration’s priority to reduce friction among its allies. The goal is to decrease the possibility that American forces will waste time and capability putting out smaller fires, thus leaving them in a better position to deal with broader issues: cybersecurity, improving readiness, boosting NATO, countering China and not participating in civil wars in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Out of Syria. Out of Afghanistan. Out of Somalia. Out of Iraq? [Shoshana Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Bowman in for a congressional reality lesson

As he experiences his first week in Congress, Jamaal Bowman (D-New York) will start on a path to do everything he suggests that former Rep. Eliot L. Engel failed to do and perhaps even obstructed. To blame Engel for destructive social conditions in the Bronx or elsewhere in America, even by implication, exposes how clueless Bowman is about the obstacles that Engel faced and now Bowman himself will face in the next two years. [ Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 10-16, 2021)

Following are streaming Jewish programs of academic and lay interest that may be accessed via the Internet.  All times Are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Attack on U.S. Capitol Causes Free World to Shudder

The sight of a crowd of people ascending the steps Wednesday in front of the Capitol building and forcibly entering the American House of Representatives, as happened yesterday and was beamed live all around the world, must have sent shudders down the spine of every freedom-loving individual everywhere. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Middle East, USA

US Congress certifies Biden win after Trump mob storms Capitol

LATE NEWS:  A Joint Session of the U.S. Senate and House, presided over by Vice President Mike Pence, certified the electoral college victory of Democrat Joe Biden as the next President of the United States and Kamala Harris as the next Vice President, defeating incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and  Vice President Pence. As the

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USA

Democrats sweep Georgia’s runoffs, flip control of US Senate

ATLANTA — Democrats swept Georgia’s two U.S. Senate runoffs on Wednesday to flip control of the chamber, pulling off stunning victories that will shape President-elect Joe Biden’s administration and transform the state’s political landscape. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock narrowly defeated U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler after a nine-week runoff that attracted record-setting

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USA

January 6 was the worst and best of times

Because of the disruptions and criminal trespass at the Capitol by a mob of President Trump’s supporters, some may be tempted to remember January 6, 2021, as one of the worst days for American democracy.   And they would be right!  Our coverage may be found in companion articles about the demonstration that turned violent and forced postponement of the counting of the Electoral College votes by a joint session of Congress. Ironically, January 6, 2021, also was one of American democracy’s best days because it demonstrated that racism and anti-Semitism, at least in the halls of government and in the polling places of Georgia, are on the wane.  Furthermore, the value that Americans place on racial and religious diversity is on full display. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, USA

Sen. Hawley claims ‘Antifa’ vandalized his Virginia home. Not so, police and protesters say

WASHINGTON — Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley claimed on Twitter Monday night that his family faced vandalism and threats of violence during a protest outside of their northern Virginia home, but video posted by activists and a description from local police don’t match his account. The protest took place ahead of his planned objection to

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USA