US soldier sacked for attack

A US soldier has been discharged for assaulting a Jewish private during basic training. Victim Michael Handman, 20, was hospitalised after the September attack and complained of discrimination. The army declined to name the soldier who carried out the attack.

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Kosher meat boss charged

The former chief executive officer and vice president of the largest kosher meatpackers in the US, Agriprocessors Inc, has been arrested. Sholom Rubashkin, 49, was charged with harbouring illegal immigrants and aiding and abetting identity theft.

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Obituary: Paul Newman

Hollywood superstar, director, racing-driver, liberal activist and philanthropist, Paul Newman first made his mark on the worldwide Jewish community with his role as a Haganah leader Ari Ben Canaan in Exodus, the 1960 epic film of Israel's establishment.

Director Otto Preminger reportedly picked the startlingly handsome, blue-eyed Newman because he wanted an actor of Jewish background who did not "look Jewish".

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Dead mother’s family traced via Pentagon

The children of a pensioner who died with no known next-of-kin have spoken of their surprise after they were traced in the United States - with the help of the Pentagon.

Sylvia Kamen was found dead at her flat in Stamford Hill earlier this month, but with the whereabouts of her family unknown, it was left to the Adath Yisroel Burial Society to give her an Orthodox funeral.

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Crime ‘kingpin’ faces extradition

Organised crime in Israel may have been dealt a blow this week with the arrest of alleged mobster Itzik Abergil following an extradition request by the United States.

Mr Abergil has featured on Israeli police's "most-wanted" lists for the past two decades and has repeatedly been investigated on a wide range of allegations including drug-dealing, money-laundering, illegal gambling and, most recently, murder, with the July botched mob hit on a Bat Yam beach that killed Marguerita Lautin, a 31-year-old mother-of-two.

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Marry out — but lose your inheritance

If you want to deter your relatives from marrying out, then one way is to disinherit them if they do.

But would it be legal? That is precisely the issue that is being thrashed out in the American courts.

When Chicago dentist Max Feinberg died in 1986, he left a clause in his will stating that any of his descendants - other than his two children -who married out should be considered "deceased" if they married a non-Jew, unless the spouse converted to Judaism "within one year of marriage".

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Congressman defeats race slurs in US primary

A Jewish member of congress from Tennessee has emerged victorious from a fierce primary battle in which racial and religious accusations were thrown at him by his opponent.

Steve Cohen, a freshman Democratic member of congress from Tennessee's 9th district, won in a 60 per cent margin over his rival in the state's primary elections and is expected to keep his seat in the November elections.

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McCain vice-president list gets Jewish flavour

A young Jewish congressman has officially been added to Republican candidate John McCain's shortlist for sharing the presidential ticket.

Eric Cantor would not comment on the issue, but press reports in Washington quoted officials in the McCain campaign confirming that Mr Cantor was asked to provide documents to the committee advising Mr McCain on choosing a vice-president, indicating that he is being seriously considered.

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Israel asks US not to soften on Iran

Fearing a softening of America's stance towards Iran, Israel has sent its highest ranking defence officials to Washington to stress the need for leaving all options open when dealing with Tehran's nuclear threat.

Israel's defence minister, its chief of staff and two other ministers have held talks in Washington over the past fortnight to persuade the US not to abandon a twin approach toward Iran: increasing economic and diplomatic pressure while making clear that the use of military force will not be ruled out.

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Racist who fled hate trial caught in America

A racist who fled the country after being convicted of five charges of publishing racially inflammatory material has been apprehended in America.

Stephen Whittle, 41, of Preston, Lancs, had written five offensive articles under the pen-name Luke O’Farrell, which were published on the internet.

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