Washington (AFP) – Democrats failed Wednesday to block the United States from selling top-of-the-line fighter-jets to the United Arab Emirates, with most senators dismissing fears that President Donald Trump was setting off a dangerous arms race. In one of the largest arms deals of its four-year term, the outgoing administration has approved $23 billion in […]
US senators fail to block Trump sale of F-35 jets to UAE Read More »
USA
SAN DIEGO — The estranged wife of former U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter has filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage and more than a year of separation amid a corruption prosecution that netted them both felony convictions. Margaret Hunter is seeking a divorce because of “irreconcilable differences,” and requests joint legal custody of their
Estranged wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter files for divorce Read More »
Travel and Food
To mark the anniversary of the Kindertransport project, in which Britain agreed to accept ten thousand unaccompanied refugee children, the vast majority of whom were Jewish, from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939, the AJR (Association of Jewish Refugees) recently held a special zoom meeting. This was hosted by British celebrity Dame Esther Rantzen and one of the main speakers was Sir David Attenborough, whose family had hosted two girls from Germany. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Reunion of families who sheltered Kindertransport refugees Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History
DETROIT — President Donald Trump’s campaign intends to appeal in a U.S. Supreme Court case seeking to overturn Michigan’s election results based on claims that have been rejected by lower courts, election experts and testimony in legislative hearings. Trump announced his intent to intervene in the suit filed by the Texas attorney general via tweet
Wilmington (United States) (AFP) – Hunter Biden, the son of US President-elect Joe Biden and a frequent target of Republican attacks, said Wednesday he was under federal investigation about his taxes. The revelation about the probe included no details, but it promises to rekindle Republican rage about the Biden family, including Hunter Biden’s business dealings
Biden’s son Hunter says under investigation for tax affairs Read More »
USA
In what has become an increasingly frequent and troubling occurrence on campuses, a McGill University emeritus professor of anthropology, Philip C. Salzman, is under fire by pretentious, virtue-signaling students who wish to hear only viewpoints that conform with their own and who, in attempting to shield others from ideas that might make them uncomfortable, want to suppress the ideas of their ideological opponents. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]
Academic Freedom vs. Hurting Some Feelings Read More »
International, Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
After 72 years of conflict, it is time for Israel and the Palestinians to realize that while a two-state solution remains the most viable option, there are irreversible realities on the ground that can be addressed only jointly in the context of a confederation. The contours of such a confederation are dictated by these realities, the resolution of which requires both sides to fully and permanently collaborate on many levels. The question is, why must Israel and the Palestinians reconcile these realities as a prerequisite to reaching a peace agreement, and how should they go about it to maintain the integrity and independence of their respective states? [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Israeli-Palestinian Confederation: Why and How Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA
Parashah Vayeshev is the story of Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons. Jacob loved Joseph and favored him over his other sons. He even gave Joseph a beautiful coat, often called the Coat of Many Colors, or even the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Joseph wore his coat all the time and his brothers got very jealous. [Marcia Berneger]
Torah for Children: Making a Bad Situation Better Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
New York (AFP) – Mourners sang and laid flowers Tuesday on Central Park’s candlelit memorial to John Lennon on the 40th anniversary of his murder in New York City, as his widow Yoko Ono marked the moment with a call for gun control. “The death of a loved one is a hollowing experience,” tweeted the
Yoko Ono urges gun control as fans commemorate John Lennon’s death Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a Republican congressman’s last-ditch effort to reverse the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania, delivering what legal experts described as an ominous sign for the lingering legal challenges pushed by GOP allies of President Donald Trump. The justices issued their decision, without comment, in
President-elect Joe Biden introduces his foreign policy and national security team on Nov. 24 in Wilmington, Del. Mark Makela/Getty Images Joe Biden won the election, but whether he wins the transition is another question. The peaceful transfer of power always tests an incoming president, but this time promises to be particularly perilous. The coronavirus pandemic
Can Joe Biden win the transition? Read More »
USA
President Donald Trump brought his bid to subvert the 2020 election to a new low Tuesday, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court and legislatures in a handful of battleground states to “have the courage” to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Speaking at a White House event that was supposed to focus on COVID-19 vaccine distribution,
Trump calls on Supreme Court to ‘have the courage’ to overturn Biden’s election victory Read More »
USA
Two are from San Diego County SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For their swearing-in session on Monday, Assembly leaders moved their house from the state Capitol to the Golden 1 Center to make sure lawmakers were appropriately spaced. COVID-19 safety concerns meant that families and guests were excluded from the event. Just hours later, however, five California
These California lawmakers distanced for work. Then they shared dinner at a restaurant Read More »
USA
Washington (AFP) – The White House unveiled a $916 billion stimulus proposal on Tuesday in a final dash to break a months-long logjam over new aid for the coronavirus-stricken US economy before President Donald Trump leaves office in January. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the plan, which he said includes “money for state and local
White House proposes new $916 bn stimulus plan to break deadlock Read More »
Travel and Food