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Daybreak: U.S. to Demand Assad Step Down

Plus, Philip Levine named Poet Laureate, London Jews react, and more in the news

by
Stephanie Butnick
August 10, 2011

• The White House is expected to demand that Syrian President Bashar Assad step down, following his regime’s violent attacks on anti-government protesters. Sanctions against Assad are also expected, marking the Obama administration’s toughest stance yet on the Syrian leader. [Ynet]

• Philip Levine, the 83-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning poet known for his moving portrayals of urban, working-class Detroit, has been selected as the next poet laureate. [NYT]

• In London, Jews respond to the riots, which spread to Jewish areas and caused damage to Jewish-owned businesses. [JTA]

• Jewish Londoners’ reactions, via Twitter. [Jewish Chronicle]

• The Jewish community in London has been encouraged to donate clothing, blankets, and towels to help those affected by the rioting. [Jewish Chronicle]

• Another primer, this time to help explain the London riots. [Mother Jones]

• A Philadelphia blogger has been arrested for threatening Joseph Lieberman, suggesting on his blog that the Jewish senator should be shot in the face. [Gawker]

Stephanie Butnick is chief strategy officer of Tablet Magazine, co-founder of Tablet Studios, and a host of the Unorthodox podcast.