Anti-gun group seeks ban on Belgian weapon used by Nidal Hasan

WASHINGTON, DC–In a letter sent Thursday to the White House, America’s six national gun violence prevention (GVP) organizations–the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Violence Policy Center, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Freedom States Alliance, Legal Community Against Violence, and States United to Prevent Gun Violence–as well as 21 state and regional GVP groups strongly […]

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USA

Senate committee begins Ft. Hood massacre probe

  WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (Independent, Connecticut), and Ranking Member Susan Collins (Republican, Maine) Thursday opened their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder of 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, with testimony from witnesses expert in the military, Islamist extremism and self-radicalization, and federal intelligence collection

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USA

Minnesota man charged with aiding terrorists in Somalia

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–A federal indictment against Omer Abdi Mohamed, age 24, was unsealed on Thursday, following the Minneapolis man’s arrest and initial appearance in court. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on Tuesday of this week, charges Mohamed, also known as “Brother Omer” and “Galeyr,” with conspiracy to provide material support to

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USA

ACLU, Americans United demand public school graduation ceremonies be moved from Cathedral

ENFIELD, Connecticut (Press Release) – The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Connecticut and Americans United for Separation of Church and State on Wednesday demanded that school officials in Enfield stop holding high school graduation ceremonies at a Christian church and instead hold them at any of a number of secular locations available in the

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USA

Protect woman's right to abortion in health bill —Saperstein

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release)– Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, recently sent a letter to the full Senate in support of comprehensive health insurance reform legislation that protects women’s reproductive health. The full text of Rabbi Saperstein’s letter follows: Dear Senator: On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose

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USA

Oldest synagogue building in Wales to become condos

MERTHYR TYDFIL, Wales (WJC)–The oldest synagogue of Wales, in the United Kingdom, is to be converted into apartments provided planning permission is granted, the ‘Jewish Chronicle’ reports. The synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, a town with 30,000 inhabitants, was built in the 1870s. It is currently empty and has been a target for vandals. The neo-Gothic

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Travel and Food

Sanctions against Iran may come 'within weeks' —Obama

SEOUL, South Korea (WJC)–United States President Barack Obama has warned Iran of the consequences of its rejection of the proposed package on uranium enrichment. Obama said a new measures against Iran could be agreed within “within weeks”. Obama said at a press conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul: “Iran has taken weeks

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USA

Multitalented Lucas Richman's versatility reminiscent of Leonard Bernstein

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO– When my daughter Myla Wingard first encounted Lucas Richman at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute, she excitedly informed me that this young man, with prodigious musical talents, was sure to become recognized as a second Leonard Bernstein. Like Bernstein, Richman was a gifted pianist, composer and conductor. Although Lucas Richman is not yet

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Eileen Wingard

Is President Obama the new George McGovern?

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–Remember George McGovern? His clone is sitting in the Oval Office.   The 2008 campaign differed in several ways from 1972 that explain Obama’s victory. His speaking ability excels that of other politicians, including McGovern. Obama was running against a ticket with an intellectually handicapped vice presidential candidate, whereas McGovern was embarrassed

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

Jordan-Israel border area shows environmental impacts of differing land use

HAIFA, Israel (Press Release)–Is a border line simply a virtual line appearing on the map? If so, why is it that Israeli rodents are more cautious than Jordanian rodents? Why is it that there are more ant lions in Israel than in Jordan? And how come there are more reptile species in Jordan than in

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

This blind taste test is not to compare foods, but to build our compassion

By Sara Appel-Lennon SAN DIEGO–Picture yourself wearing a blindfold while eating. A blind person is challenged with eating in darkness at each meal. In 1999 Jane Clifton and Dave Ward from the Hillcrest Mission Valley Lion’s Club were invited to eat lunch blindfolded while Blind Center students cooked and served them. This experience prompted the couple

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San Diego Calendar, USA