Santiago – Jewish communities bordering the Pacific Ocean emerged largely unscathed after one of the largest earthquakes on record sent buildings and bridges crashing down to their foundations throughout the South American country of Chile. As word spread of the devastation Saturday night – after the close of the holy day of Shabbat – Jewish [...]

Washington – President Obama’s doctors hinted Sunday that he still might be sneaking smokes when Michelle and the kids aren’t around to yell at him. Obama’s routine physical at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center found him in “excellent health” and “fit for duty” but the docs also included a cryptic recommendation that he “continue smoking cessation [...]

Officials: We expected waves to be 50% bigger in Hawaii.

Harriman, NY – The Wal Mart in Harriman is closed until further notice, as officials check the integrity of the roof after the heavy snowfall. State police in Monroe said workers started removing the snow from the roof Friday. It could take until Monday before engineers or municipal officials check the roof’s integrity before the store [...]

Washington – Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) used the Jewish holiday of Purim to make a point about the need for Israel’s security. Ros-Lehtinen, who is one of Israel’s foremost defenders in Congress and serve as the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s ranking Republican, tweeted: Purim 2day: Jews celebrate being saved centuries ago. New dangers confront Israel now [...]

An Arabic newspaper published in Nazareth reports that US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell is threatening to step down due to the dead end in talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). The report adds that Mitchell expressed satisfaction regarding State Department involvement and statements backing Israel; but his resignation was rejected by the [...]

Bankier was head of Yad Vashem's International Institute for Holocaust Research.

Israel – Hours after The Book of Esther was read throughout the country, Rabbi Yosef retold the tale, while adding his own interpretation and humor. He added that the people of Israel were rescued by the Torah, and called on the public to donate to the institutions where the Torah was being taught. The rabbi noted [...]

Ayatollah Khamenei accuses UN nuclear watchdog of lacking independence.

Concepcion – Widespread looting has broken out in Chile’s second-largest city a day after a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake. Television images showed people running from supermarkets in Concepcion, Chile’s second-largest city and an industrial hub, carrying diapers and powdered milk. In other places, young men carried out armloads of cigarette cartons. People were also loading up [...]