Oct 27, 2017

Zionist group attacks McConnell for calling Bannon anti-Semitic

Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP

Morton A. Klein, president of the conservative, pro-Israel group Zionist Organization of America condemned Sen. Mitch McConnell, Josh Holmes and the Senate Leadership Fund for promoting "reprehensible lies" about Steve Bannon being anti-Semitic. "Their disgraceful name calling is rubbish," he wrote in the statement, explaining that Bannon is invited to ZOA's annual gala next month and the organization "does not invite anti-Semites."

Why it matters: ZOA is hitting back at McConnell's allies and the well-funding, conservative, outside group, the Senate Leadership Fund who have been accusing Bannon of anti-Semitism. McConnell has not made any accusations himself.

Bannon has vowed to support challengers against every GOP incumbent running in 2018 and has been requiring his candidates to pledge to oppose McConnell, Mike Allen and Jonathan Swan reported.

The anti-Semitic claim: In 2007, during their divorce proceedings, Bannon's ex-wife claimed that he had made several anti-Semitic comments when looking for schools for their children to attend. Press obtained the court filings last year, but Bannon has denied the accusations.

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Axios

South Korea and Italy step up measures as coronavirus cases spike

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins, the CDC, and China's Health Ministry. Note: China numbers are for the mainland only and U.S. numbers include repatriated citizens.

The novel coronavirus has spread to more nations as South Korea and Italy in particular scramble to deal with spikes in their countries.

The big picture: COVID-19 has killed at least 2,446 people and infected almost 79,000 others, mostly in mainland China. South Korean President Moon Jae-said country would increase its infectious disease alert to red, the highest level possible, the New York Times reports, as the number of cases in the country soared to 556 and the death toll to five. Italy's government announced emergency measures Sunday after infections rose to 79.

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Axios

Bernie Sanders wins Nevada caucus

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders waves to supporters at a campaign rally on Friday in Las Vegas. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders is projected to handily win the Nevada Democratic primary caucus, becoming the clear frontrunner among 2020 Democratic presidential primary election candidates.

Why it matters: Nevada is the first state with a diverse population to hold a nominating contest, highlighting candidates' abilities to connect with voters of color — particularly Latino voters.

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Rebecca Falconer

Heat wave melts 20% of snow cover from Antarctic island in days

The effects of February's record heat wave on Eagle Island in Antarctica. Photo: NASA

Antarctica's Eagle Island now has a side that's almost ice-free following this month's searing heat wave in the region, images released by NASA show.

Why it maters: "The warm spell caused widespread melting on nearby glaciers," NASA said in its report. It's the third major melt event of the 2019-2020 Southern Hemisphere summer, following warm spells in January and last November, according to the United Nation's World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

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