Iran assassination could undercut Biden’s diplomatic options

Washington (AFP) – The assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, which Tehran has blamed on Israel, risks not only sharpening tensions across the region but also severely complicating plans by US President-elect Joe Biden to resume dialogue with the Islamic republic, analysts said Saturday.Iran has accused arch-foe Israel of seeking to sow “chaos” by killing

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Middle East, USA

Trump says will not ‘change my mind’ on election fraud claims

Washington (AFP) – In the first TV interview since losing his re-election bid, President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that he will never concede to Joe Biden and abandon his conspiracy theory about mass ballot fraud.”It’s not like you’re gonna change my mind. My mind will not change in six months,” Trump told Fox News interviewer

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USA

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, partner test positive for COVID-19

The governor of Colorado and his partner have been infected with coronavirus.Jared Polis and his partner, Marlon Reis, both tested positive on Saturday.“(Saturday) evening, Governor Polis and First Gentleman Reis learned that they have tested positive for COVID-19,” reads a post on the governor’s official Facebook page. “They are both asymptomatic, feeling well and will

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USA

Good News from Israel (November 29, 2020)

The November 29, 2020 edition of Good News from Israel includes such stories as the following.

• An Israeli-developed eye scanner can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s.
• Israel is the top country in the world for women entrepreneurs.
• Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 include 5 Israeli innovations.
• An Israeli supermarket chain is to grow fruit and vegetables at its stores.
• The 3-day Israel-Dubai business conference was a huge success.
• An Israeli judoka won Gold in the European championships.
• A 9-year-old boy found a 1st Temple period gold bead in Jerusalem. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Iranian president points finger at US, Israel for murder of physicist

Iran’s arch-enemies, the United States and Israel, are behind the fatal attack on nuclear physicist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, President Hassan Rowhani said on Saturday.”Once again, imperialism and its Zionist mercenaries caused bloodshed and the death of an Iranian scientist,” he said.According to Rowhani, this “terrorist attack” merely proves the fear of Iran’s enemies about the country’s

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Middle East, USA

Israel upsets Spain’s national team 95-87 in second half comeback

Israel defeated Spain 95-87 thanks to a ferocious second half comeback to move their EuroBasket qualifying record to 3-0. After going down by 18 points in the first half, the blue-and-white used a massive third quarter shooting display from beyond the arc to pull within striking distance as Tamir Blatt and Gal Mekel couldn’t miss

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International, Middle East, Sports & Competitions

Kamala Harris Calls Nurse On Thanksgiving To Express Gratitude For Frontline Workers

With Thanksgiving being a day to express gratitude, Kamala Harris did not fall short in that area. Harris called several frontline workers on Thursday to express her appreciation for their fight against COVID-19. Out of the many people who received a special phone call from the vice president-elect was Talisa Hardin, a registered nurse at

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USA

Trump loses another election court challenge

Washington (AFP) – The US state of Pennsylvania’s supreme court dismissed another legal challenge to the election by supporters of President Donald Trump on Saturday, further reducing his already near-impossible odds of overturning the results.A Republican lawsuit had sought to invalidate mail-in ballots in the battleground state that President-elect Joe Biden won by about 81,000

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USA

Cindy McCain could be in line to be Biden’s ambassador to Britain

Cindy McCain is reportedly the odds-on favorite to be named President-elect Joe Biden’s ambassador to Great Britain.The widow of former Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain has been tipped to be Biden’s envoy in London once he takes over the White House in January, the Times of London reported Saturday.Cindy McCain, a lifelong Republican, switched

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International, USA

The Rowdy Story Behind the Staid Bank Columns

I stopped by Ray the Swede’s workshop. The place was padlocked. A very official- looking notice from the State of California declared he owed back taxes, and the state had seized his business. Ray was a very talented stone maker, and had recently completed years of work on the facades of the new University of San Diego buildings. Because of the style and cost, these masterpieces of Old World detailing were rarely used to adorn buildings in the United States [Ira Spector]

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Business & Finance, Lifestyles, San Diego County

WOOF, a Zoom-like platform for dogs

It has been a long time since I’ve written one of my columns. Since my owners stay at home every day, I haven’t had many moments to gather my thoughts and dictate them to Laurie. He frequently drags me in front of his computer to show me off to his family and friends on ZOOM calls. The last time this happened it dawned on me that dogs should have a platform for communicating with each other during the pandemic too. [Laurie Baron for his dog Elona]

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Teachers Should Have Priority for COVID Vaccine

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that California’s plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution will prioritize health care workers, first responders and those in congregate healthcare settings. Right after those listed should be teachers and school support staff so we can reopen our schools and get students back into the classroom for full-time, in-person instruction. [Mark Powell]

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San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

‘Squad,’ ‘Quad,’ ‘Quint’ All Seek to Influence U.S. Foreign Policy

We’re rather familiar with “the Squad,” but what about “the Quint” and “the Quad?” For now, the latter two are more likely than the former to have importance to a potential Biden administration.With the announcement of Tony Blinken as secretary of State and Jake Sullivan as national security adviser, the anti-Israel far left is at bay for now — both men are known to be personally reasonably disposed toward Israel. But if the Quint has an impact on the administration’s Middle East policy, both regarding Israel and Iran, and the Squad joins in, the U.S. position in the region will suffer. [Shoshana Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA