Update On Russia

Update on Russia: “The mood in Moscow is verging on desperate, particularly among the elderly and the poor and those who long for new leadership,” writes Julia Ioffe in The New Yorker, 1/12/15. Same 100 years ago when Klara Rasputnis left Ukraine during the Russian Civil War. Read her story of “betrayal, high drama, and love,” in “Klara’s Journey,” http://amzn.to/13Sp769. ebook. follow me on twitter @bengfrank

As noted here previously, and now confirmed by the Jewish Agency, nearly 6,000 new immigrants from Ukraine made aliyah to Israel, compared to about 2,000 in 2013. This dramatic 190% increase is due primarily to the ongoing instability in the eastern part of the country., an instabiity which unfortunately will continue in this ongoing civil war. For those still there especially in Luhansk and Donetsk area, JDC is providing food, clothing and medical care. For background, check out the historical novel, “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) a story of “betrayal, high drama, and love,” http://amzn.to/13Sp769, also an ebook. follow me on twitter @bengfrank

New Cold War continues

New Cold War continues: With Russia already staggering under the weight of one of its worst financial crises in years, the US signaled that it would further increase the economic pressure with a new raft of sanctions targeting the Russian defense, energy and banking industries, says NYT. Check out my two books on Russia and Ukraine, perfect for the holidays, ebook, too. "Klara's Journey," (Marion Street Press) )  http://amzn.to/13Sp769 and "The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond," (Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

India

U.S. citizens can now get a tourist visa upon arrival at major airports in  India. Wish it would have been in effect when I went to “Incredible India” to research “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti &Beyond,” (Globe Pequot Press) and visited the historic and still active Jewish community. http://amzn.to/J3Z47T . . Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Remember Pearl Harbor

Lest we forget: Dec. 7, 1941. "a date which will live in infamy,” said President Franklin Roosevelt. On that day, in a surprise air attack, Japanese planes bombed  the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans. It completely destroyed the American battleship U.S.S. Arizona and capsized the U.S.S. Oklahoma. The attack sank or beached a total of twelve ships and damaged nine others. 160 aircraft were destroyed and 150 others damaged. The attack took the country by surprise, especially the ill-prepared Pearl Harbor base. Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR. I’m certainly going to mention Pearl Harbor in my talk at Ponte Vecchio Men’s Club breakfast in Boynton Beach, FL today, on “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 and “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” http://amzn.to/J3Z47T .

 

 

Palm Beach Post and Book Talk at Ponte Vecchio.

I’ll be speaking at the Ponte Vecchio Men’s Club breakfast in Boynton Beach, FL this Sunday morning, on “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 and “The Scattered Tribe, Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” http://amzn.to/J3Z47T  wherever books are sold, including, J. Levine Books and Judaica, NYC  , http://www.levinejudaica.com/catalog/klaras-journey-novel-by-ben-frank-paperback-p-20910.html or Liberty Book Store, West Palm Beach, FL, www.libertybookstore.com Perfect holiday gift. In case you missed the Palm Beach Post feature on “Klara’s Journey,” check it out here: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/in-authors-fictional-tale-love-blooms-despite-horr/njJm2/ Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. www.bengfrank.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Putin Throttles Ukraine economy!

Putin throttles Ukraine economy, down by ten percent this year. Sanctions and cutting off gas from time to time as well as supplying rebels in East Ukraine. Combine an historical novel with a story of “betrayal, high drama and love,” and that makes the perfect holiday gift. The book is “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) and it is in the news as I traveled throughout Siberia for this book.   http://amzn.to/13Sp769, Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.