NEW YORK — Andrew Yang, who rose to prominence during a long-shot presidential run, is throwing his hat into next year’s New York City mayoral race. The City Campaign Finance Board confirmed that Yang registered his campaign on Wednesday. For months, city politicos have been speculating that Yang might jump into the race, which already […]
Andrew Yang’s run for New York City mayor is now official Read More »
USA
Israel welcomes a German push to expand the Iran nuclear deal into a broader security agreement once Joe Biden moves into the White House next month, its ambassador to Berlin told AFP. Jeremy Issacharoff, the nation’s envoy in Germany since 2017, said a recent call by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to reassess the 2015
Israel open to German efforts to expand Iran deal Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
This parasha covers Judah’s emotional soliloquy appeal to the Vizier (Joseph) to not enslave Benjamin, which would threaten their father’s death; Joseph’s emotional breakdown, and revelation of himself to his brothers; the brothers’ generously supplied trip back to Canaan to bring their father Jacob; an enumeration of the Jacob family of 70 persons; settlement of the family in Goshen of the eastern Nile delta, as skillful herdsmen; Jacob’s introduction to the Pharaoh; finally an enumeration of Joseph’s shrewd management of the famine, resulting in the Pharaoh’s ownership of the entire Egypt farmland mass, and its citizens as sharecroppers. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Comparing Torah (Va-Yiggash) with Ancient Practices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
The Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a case against a contentious law that defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people, marking the beginning of a landmark challenge against legislation that opponents say discriminates against minorities. Critics say the law further downgrades the status of Israel’s Arab minority, which makes up around
‘Jewish nation-state law’ challenged in Israeli Supreme Court Read More »
Middle East
Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump issued a new raft of pardons on Wednesday for allies including the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, adding to a long list he has granted in his waning days in office. In addition to the pardon for Charles Kushner, Trump also pardoned his 2016 campaign chairman Paul
Trump pardons more allies, including Kushner’s father: White House Read More »
USA
Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump warned Wednesday he would hold “Iran responsible” in the event of a fatal attack on Americans in Iraq, as the first anniversary of the killing of a top Iranian general in a US air strike approaches. “Our embassy in Baghdad got hit Sunday by several rockets,” Trump said
Trump warns Iran over rocket strike on embassy in Iraq Read More »
Middle East, USA
Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump vetoed a broad defense funding bill sent to him by Congress Wednesday, complaining that it helps Russia and China and objecting to provisions to rename military bases. The bipartisan bill was passed by high enough margins in both chambers of Congress for lawmakers to — in theory —
Trump vetoes sweeping US defense bill Read More »
Travel and Food
ATLANTA — Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Wednesday asked Georgia state representatives to end no-excuse absentee voting, a proposal that would limit the voting method over 1.3 million people used in the presidential election. Raffensperger wants to reduce absentee voting after promoting it during the coronavirus pandemic, when he mailed ballot applications to
Georgia elections chief seeks to end no-excuse absentee voting Read More »
USA
Mirroring the negative advertising campaigns in Georgia criticizing the opponents of the candidates they favor, Christians United for Israel issued a press release rebuking Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, for anti-Israel statements he made in the past (but which he has since recanted), while Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) blasted Warnock’s opponent, U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, for selling millions of dollars in personal stocks before news of the impacts of the COVID pandemic were generally known by the public. [Donald H. Harrison]
Echoes of Bitter Georgia Senate Races Reach California Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA
Dr. Miguel Cardona nomination is another sign the Biden administration is committed to having a Cabinet that reflects America.The nomination of the former school teacher is a drastic 180 from current education secretary Betsy Devos. As the Secretary of Education, Devos has single handedly destroyed an already weekend public education system in favour of providing
Dr. Miguel Cardona First Latino Nominated for Secretary of Education Read More »
USA
Morocco’s relationship with Israel can be a gateway for Moroccan-Jewish people – along with other members of Morocco’s diaspora – to return to the land of their origins and join this national effort to restore long-held sacred locations that epitomize the country’s embracing of its intercultural self. Collaborations are crucial to sharing knowledge lest it be ever forgotten, to inspiring the world, and to making the lives and livelihoods of the Moroccan people better today. [Yossef Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Israel-Morocco Ties May Lure Moroccan Diaspora Home Read More »
International, Middle East, Yossef Ben-Meir
Washington (AFP) – Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, has said she plans to retire after helping the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden with its transition. The 64-year-old physician and global health expert, who has faced frequent criticism in her current role, suggested that recent media coverage had unfairly dragged her
Top WH coronavirus official Deborah Birx retiring soon Read More »
USA
The head of Israel’sLabor Party said Wednesday he will not seek re-election as leader of the former ruling party as the country enters its fourth election campaign in two years. The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, dissolved at midnight after the government failed to pass a national budget for 2020 amid bitter coalition disputes between its two
Labor Party head resigns as Israel lurches to new elections Read More »
Middle East
Morocco formally signed a normalisation agreement with Israel during a visit to the presidential palace by an Israeli delegation on Tuesday. Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani signed the declaration in the presence of King Mohammed VI, who announced the resumption of ties with the occupying state. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior White
Morocco signs ‘normalisation’ agreement with Israel in ceremony attended by king Read More »
Middle East, USA