JNS news briefs: May 9, 2014

Obstacles ‘substantially overcome’ in Turkey-Israel normalization talks (JNS.org) Obstacles have been “substantially overcome” in negotiations to restore diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, Reuters reported. The talks have centered on determining a financial compensation package for the Turkish family members of the victims of the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla

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International

A trippy ‘Alice’ now playing at Grossmont College

  By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California –My 13-year-old grandson, Shor, and I went on a dramatic psychedelic trip on Thursday evening, May 8—not self-induced, but rather one devised by Madge Miller and directed by Jerry Hager,  the theatre arts professor and former Seaport Village mime.  Hager took Miller’s adaptation of  Lewis Carroll’s story

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Donald H. Harrison

Indyk, still optimistic, tells why Mideast peace talks failed

Editor’s Note: Ambassador Martin Indyk, special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiatons, addressed the Washington Institute’s Weinberg Connferece in Washington D.C. The U.S. State Department provided the following transcript of his remarks. By Martin Indyk Last July, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry launched a vigorous effort to reach a final status agreement between Israelis

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Middle East, USA

Bill would make U.S. a global protector of women

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-California), Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Kirk (R-Illionois) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) on Thursday, May 8, introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), bipartisan legislation that would make reducing the levels of violence against women and girls across the globe a top

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International, USA

Bill would define Hezbollah as a ‘global drug pin’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — Rep. Mark Meadows (R-North Carolina) has introduced a bill to choke off funds going to the terrorist group Hezbollah. He writes: “The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act (H.R. 4411) broadens financial sanctions against the group, targets its propaganda television station al-Manar, and urges the president to define Hezbollah as a ‘global

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Middle East, USA

Cantor meets moderate Syrian opposition leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (D-Virtginia) on Thursday, May 8 released the following statement after meeting with President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Ahmad Jarba, and Syrian opposition leaders: “I was pleased to welcome Syrian Coalition President Ahmad Jarba to the U.S. Capitol today, along with a senior

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Middle East, USA

Michelle Obama presents award to Yiddish Book Center

  WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)–  First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Susan H. Hildreth to present the 2014 National Medal for Museum and Library Service to the Yiddish Book Center. In its 20th anniversary year, the National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for

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Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Engel to Burma: End persecution of Rohingya people

WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release)—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee,  delivered the following remarks in support of H.Res. 418, Urging the Government of Burma to end the persecution of the Rohingya people and respect internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups within Burma: “Thank you, Mr.

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Middle East, USA

Bill makes porn consumers pay damages to victims

WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) – U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a current member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), current member of the Judiciary Committee, will introduce today the Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Improvement Act today to create an effective, balanced restitution process for victims of child pornography

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USA

White House: Meetings in Israel ‘candid, intense’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The White House issued the following statement on Thursday, May 8:  “Following productive bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Peres and National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen on May 7, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and the U.S. delegation participated in the U.S.-Israel Consultative Group meetings in Jerusalem on

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Middle East, USA