USA

Senate approval of Trump’s trade chief could speed up NAFTA talks

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday signed off on President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the nation’s chief trade representative, ending more than four months of delays that the administration blamed for slowing its initiatives on trade, including efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. There was never much doubt that Robert Lighthizer, […]

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International, USA

How Russian State Media Got an Oval Office Exclusive

Russia has ridiculed the U.S. media after a bitter row about the exclusive access to the Oval Office given to a photographer with a Russian state news outlet. Alexander Scherbak, a photographer with Russia’s Itar-Tass, was the only media representative at the first ever meeting between Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and U.S.

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International, USA

Texas Bill Allows Religious Discrimination for Adoption

The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill that allows adoption agencies and foster carers to reject applicants based on their religious beliefs and lifestyle choices. The bill will let state-funded and private organizations make decisions about prospective parents based on their religious beliefs, meaning that couples who are gay, Jewish, Muslim or interfaith

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USA

FBI raids office of Republican campaign consultant in Annapolis

BALTIMORE — The FBI raided a Republican campaign consultant’s Annapolis office Thursday, causing Maryland Republican lawmakers to say they will stop doing business with the firm. Kelley Rogers, president of Strategic Campaign Group, said half a dozen FBI agents arrived at his Main Street office about 8:30 a.m. with a warrant to search and seize

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USA

Acting FBI director defends Comey, insists Russia investigation unaffected by firing

WASHINGTON—Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe defended James B. Comey’s integrity and performance Thursday, distancing himself from White House claims that the ousted FBI director had damaged morale at the bureau. McCabe’s testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee implicitly rebutted assertions by President Donald Trump earlier Thursday that Comey’s tenure had left the FBI “in turmoil.”

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USA

Exhibit celebrates Newark’s historic synagogues

Displaying an exhibit panel on Ahavas Sholom, Newark’s oldest functioning synagogue, are, from left, Max Herman, Linda Forgosh, and Phil Yourish. Photos by Robert Wiener Harold Kravis surfs the Internet in pursuit of local Jewish history. The first location of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, on Washington Street in Newark. Photo courtesy Jewish Historical Society of New

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Jewish History, USA

Tillerson, at Arctic meeting, signs document affirming need for action on climate change

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signed his name Thursday to a document that affirms the need for international action against climate change, adding further uncertainty to the direction of climate policy under the Trump administration. The document, signed by Tillerson and seven foreign ministers from Arctic nations meeting this week in Fairbanks, Alaska, says

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International, The World We Share, USA

Yiddish Book Center video features U.S. venues

AMHERST, Massachusetts (Press Release) – The Yiddish Book Center’s Wexler Oral History Project is celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month with a special video series that looks at the culture and customs of Jewish communities across the United States. Throughout the month of May, the project is featuring excerpts from oral history interviews highlighting the history, culture,

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Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA