BY ALFONSO CHARDY
Rod Kukurudz decided to uproot his family from a comfortable life in France to Surfside when his then 16-year-old daughter, Audrey, came home one night in 2005 -- upset and fearful.
''Dad,'' she told him, ''now even if it's hot I have to wear a scarf to hide my Star of David,'' while riding the Paris Metro.French Jews living in South Florida told The Miami Herald that hostility from Islamic militants in France after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States spurred them to leave. Departures surged after last year's abduction and death of Ilan Halimi in France.The 23-year-old Halimi, a French Jew of Moroccan parents, was kidnapped Jan. 21, 2006, by a gang of youths calling themselves the ``Barbarians.''''The atmosphere created by that episode, plus other incidents and the general hostility of Muslims in France toward Jews, is what's behind my decision to leave,'' said Kukurudz, who now lives with his wife and their three daughters, including Audrey, in Surfside.Vanessa Elmaleh is among a growing number of South Florida immigration attorneys helping French Jews secure U.S. visas -- but not necessarily asylum.''Asking for asylum can be risky,'' said Elmaleh, a French Jew herself. ...   more »

Robyn Shelton
Sentinel Medical WriterMarch 11, 2007Medical clinics that serve the poor in Florida are being overwhelmed by illegal immigrants and other uninsured women needing prenatal services, creating a looming crisis that already has forced at least one health department to close its doors to pregnant patients.Two groups that serve the poor in Orange County say they are booked to capacity for prenatal services, with women waiting up to five weeks to get an initial appointment at the busiest locations.That's the good news.Mark S. Williams worries that local women may not get care in the future because providers do not have the staff, money or ability to meet the rising need. In Orange County, the number of women seeking prenatal services from these groups has climbed 65 percent since 2002."We are at our limit; we have to begin to look at how we can just maintain what we have or reduce the number of patients that we see for prenatal care," said Williams, chief executive officer of Community Health Centers Inc. "If the growth in the region continues -- and we have no reason to believe that it won't -- there will be patients who just aren't going to be ...   more »

Adolf Hitler should be stripped of German citizenship, according to MPs from the state that awarded it to him 75 years ago, aiding his rise to power.The MPs hope such a move will bring redemption for the city of Braunschweig which, they claim, has been wrongly blamed for appointing Hitler as a civil servant on February 26, 1932. The appointment made Hitler, who was born in Austria, a German national, meaning he could run in the presidential election a few weeks later.The city “keeps getting labelled as the place that helped Hitler get his German citizenship”, said Isolde Saalmann, a local MP. “But the city was Social Democrat at the time.” It was the state of Braunschweig, which was a Nazi stronghold and which was replaced by Lower Saxony after the war, that had turned Hitler into a German, she said. “That should be clarified. This is in no way intended as a way to belittle history by saying ‘see, he wasn’t a German’,” said Ms Saalmann. “That would never be my intention as a Social Democrat.”Braunschweig had a “complex” about its past, she said. “If the state of Lower Saxony as legal successor to the state of Braunschweig were ...   more »

The wide-spread availability of low-cost RFID tags is vital to the continued rapid adoption of this truly transformative technology.  
Alien Technology Corp. today officially opened a 48,000-square foot manufacturing center in Fargo, North Dakota, which has the capacity to manufacture 2 billion UHF RFID tags annually. It's expected to be able to produce 10 billion tags per year in the future."The wide-spread availability of low-cost RFID tags is vital to the continued rapid adoption of this truly transformative technology," said Bob Eulau, acting CEO, Alien Technology, which is based in Morgan Hill, Calif. "The result of six years of RFID manufacturing R&D and expertise, the Alien Fargo Manufacturing Center greatly enhances our ability to meet the mounting demand for affordable, high-quality tags and to help drive further RFID market growth worldwide."
Over a typical 10 year RFID project life cycle, RFID tags typically represent 70% of an end user's total project expense, said Alien Technology in a statement. To drive costs lower, Alien and other tag manufacturers have been investing in technologies and processes. Alien's new facility will encompass the use of an advanced Micro Electronic Mechanical System (MEMS) fab for silicon processing, and a proprietary process for removing dies ...   more »

By Bob Unruh-A Superior Court judge in New Jersey says homeschooling is just about the same as deliberate child abuse. In fact, he says, he just might name a school district in his state as a defendant in a current court dispute, citing the district's "shocking" failure to monitor and test all students – including homeschoolers. "In today's threatening world, where we seek to protect children from abuse, not just physical, but also educational abuse, how can we not monitor the educational welfare of all our children? A child in New Jersey, who recently was found unfed and locked in a putrid bedroom was allegedly 'homeschooled' and because no one, such as a teacher or nurse, was able to observe any abuse in a school setting, it went undiscovered," wrote Judge Thomas Zampino in a case that came before him. That's even though New Jersey state law does forbid child abuse, and its regulations regarding homeschooling say parents or guardians are allowed "to educate the child at home." Further, the state law notes they are not required to submit any type of communication of intent to a local school board, nor are parents required to have their plans approved by ...   more »

Human rights watchdog group asks Israel to recalibrate security solutions to avoid discrimination against Palestinians, Arab Israelis
Reuters
Israel should ease roadblocks and other restrictions on Palestinians and put a stop to settler violence and hate speech, a United Nations rights watchdog said on Friday.  
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said Israel's security measures to ward off
suicide bombings and other attacks must be recalibrated to avoid discrimination against Arab Israelis or Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank.  
The committee, which met for four weeks in Geneva, concluded that Israel should cease building the security fence in and around the West Bank and ensure that its various checkpoints and road closures do not reinforce segregation.  
It also voiced concern at an unequal distribution of water resources, a disproportionate targeting of Palestinians in house demolitions and the "denial of the right of many Palestinians" to return to their land.  
The committee, whose recommendations are not legally binding, also said that differing applications of criminal law between Jews and Arabs had caused "harsher punishments for Palestinians for the same offense."
A high number of complaints by Arab Israelis against police officers are ...   more »

By SHEERA CLAIRE FRENKEL
Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu launched fresh attacks against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday, saying the government had failed and calling for new elections.
"We need to have elections," he said during a press conference. "Most of the people have lost confidence in this government. The Knesset may not be ready for elections, but that appears to be what the public wants... The government failed in the war and the people want different leadership."
The Likud chairman likened the government to a sinking ship, "moving in circles in stormy waters."
Netanyahu expressed optimism about his party's standing. He said he had been passed information that "a number" of Kadima MKs were interested in returning to the Likud, which they left together with former prime minister Ariel Sharon, but stressed that he was not actively involved in recruiting them.
Netanyahu refused to name the Kadima MKs who allegedly expressed interest in joining the Likud.
"Netanyahu has failed the public and has been removed from office twice," a Kadima source said in response.
Netanyahu also said he had a "clear and viable" plan for ensuring Israel's safety. He announced that he was tackling Iran's nuclear program with a ...   more »

By The Associated Press  
Despite the storm it ignited, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter held fast on Thursday to his accusation that Israel oppresses the Palestinians on the West Bank and Gaza and seeks to colonize their land.
Speaking at The George Washington University to a polite but mostly critical student audience, Carter offered no second thoughts on his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid that prompted 14 members of the Carter Center's advisory board to resign and drew fire from Jewish groups and some fellow Democrats.
He said he was not accusing Israel of racism nor referring to its treatment of Arabs within the country. "I defined apartheid very carefully as the forced segregation by one people of another on their own land," he said. 
Outside the university auditorium, some two dozen protesters gathered, a few carrying signs. "Carter is a Liar" read one held by a smiling demonstrator while the others chanted the refrain.
"We were trying to tell Carter his lies are not helpful," a local rabbi, Shmuel Herzfeld, said afterward. "It is very clear the lies are malicious, and it raises issues what his motives are," Herzfeld said.
"I believe Jimmy Carter is an anti-Semite and ...   more »

by Ezra HaLevi
(IsraelNN.com) Israel has developed the capabilities to engage in both air and land combat via remote control.
Israel’s Air Force received the Heron (Mahatz in Hebrew) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Thursday. The UAV is called the Shoval by the IAF and expands Israel’s capabilities greatly.
The Heron has a 50-foot wingspan, can fly at an altitude of up to 30,000 feet and carries a 550-pound payload. It can fly up to 30 hours without refueling and can be operated completely remotely. The large UAV can identify the launch sites of missiles as well as deliver air-to-surface missiles itself, eliminating targets as far away as Iran.
It will be phased in at the expense of the older Sarcher model.
The Heron is considered the most advanced UAV in the world and can carry the largest payload as well. Israel leads the UAV market and is currently producing several models on rush order for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Another Israeli defense company, Elbit Systems, has designed a new robot that can enter a combat zone, hurl grenades and shoot an automatic pistol at enemy forces.
Called the VIPeR, the robot is about ...   more »

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday said he was ready to "treat seriously" a dormant Saudi initiative calling for a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from lands captured in the 1967 Mideast War.
The Arab League is expected to discuss the Saudi initiative, first proposed in 2002, at a summit later this month in Riyadh.
Olmert told his Cabinet on Sunday that Israel is following developments in the Arab world "with the utmost attention" and noted "positive developments" among moderate Arab countries.
Abbas to ask PM to give unity a chance
"We have said more than once that the Saudi initiative is a matter which we would be ready to treat seriously and we have not altered our position," he said. "We hope very much that at the meeting of heads of Arab states to take place in Riyadh, the positive elements expressed in the Saudi initiative will be revalidated and will perhaps improve the chances of negotiation between us and the Palestinian Authority."
In a related development, Olmert will rebuff expected appeals by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at their planned meeting Sunday afternoon to extend the Gaza ...   more »

Bunker mentality as Israelis prepare for nuclear fallout
Sonia Verma, Zikhron Yaaqov
As world leaders debate sanctions to curb Iran’s nuclear programme, hundreds of Israeli families are already installing bunkers in their homes to protect against radioactive fallout from a possible attack.
Thousands of private homes have been equipped with nuclear-proof equipment ranging from air filters to water-decontamination systems. But builders and contractors say that the demand in the past few months for fully fledged atomic shelters has surged, fuelled by speculation that Iran is building a nuclear weapon that it would not hesitate to use against Israel.
Atomic shelters range in price from £70,000 to £500,000. They feature 70cm thick blast-proof doors, ballistic windows, water and air-decontamination systems, which promise to sustain life for up to six months.
Shlomo Yakov, an Israeli industrialist, spent £300,000 on a nuclear bunker for his family at his sprawling seaside villa just north of Tel Aviv. The underground shelter features a master bedroom and children’s room, a decontaminated-water shower and an electrical generator that feeds a flat-screen television, surround-sound system and fully stocked stainless steel fridge.
“The cost is nothing compared to the peace of mind it provides my family,” said Mr Yakov, ...   more »

British citizens who refuse to provide personal details for the planned "voluntary" national identification card have been told they will be denied passports and be unable to leave the UK.
James Hall, CEO of the Identity and Passport Service, the agency charged with running the National Identity Scheme to provide ID cards to all residents of the UK, confirmed many privacy advocates' fears this week when he revealed those who opt out of the program will be unable to obtain or renew travel documents.
Hall made the revelation during a national "webchat" where questions were submitted by the public.
In response to a questioner asking what would happen to those who refused to join the nearly $11 billion program, Hall answered, "There is no need to register and have fingerprints taken - but you will forgo the ability to have a passport."
According to a government website:
The National Identity Scheme is an easy-to-use and extremely secure system of personal identification for adults living in the UK. Its cornerstone is the introduction of national ID cards for all UK residents over the age of 16.
Each ID card will be unique and will combine the cardholder's biometric data with their ...   more »

What does God think about disaster preparedness?
People of faith challenged to take lead
By Thomas Horn
Today, a strange paradox exits. What looks like the fulfillment of prophecy is everywhere; unrest in the Middle East, the rise of a European Superstate, the alignment of Gog and Magog, forming of a national ID and gateways through biotechnology that could unleash upon earth pestilence of biblical proportions. People from all three of the world’s great religions see these developments as potential omens of an ‘End Times’ scenario leading to the Apocalypse.
Yet many believers in God, especially in America, are indifferent to the need to prepare for the unexpected.
An article by Mimi Hall in USA TODAY this week said, "Most Americans haven't taken steps to prepare for a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other emergency, according to a new study on preparedness, and only about a third have made plans with family members about how they would communicate with each other during a crisis."
Part of the reason for this may be that we are well off in the United States, and we trust in our bank accounts to sustain us. Unfortunately, money sitting in savings and investments are useless ...   more »

By Gudrun Schultz
PARIS, France, March 9, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – More than 2000 French medical professionals have issued a petition calling for laws to permit active euthanasia, saying they already engage in the practice when a patient’s life becomes “intolerable” due to “physical and psychological suffering.”
"Because disease was certain to defeat medical procedures, because in spite of treatment, physical and psychological suffering had rendered the life of a patient intolerable, we medical staff, have consciously helped patients to die with decency," the petition reads.
The declaration was signed by 2,134 medical professionals and published Thursday in the weekly Nouvel Observateur, Reuters reported yesterday.
Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition in Canada, questioned whether the signers of the petition were actually involved in euthanasia or whether they were simply involved in allowing death to occur by ending aggressive medical treatment.
“Often people become confused by language and definitions,” Schadenberg told LifeSiteNews.com in an email commentary.
He also questioned the comment claiming euthanasia is frequently practiced by French doctors, pointing out that a study last year in the UK proved that the actual number of clandestine euthanasia deaths in their country was much less than the pro-euthanasia people ...   more »

A chaplain who was dismissed from the U.S. Navy when he refused to following orders to make his prayers "nonsectarian" and remove the name of Jesus from them now has been commissioned by the governor of Kentucky as an honorary "Kentucky Colonel."
Just one week after his dismissal from the Navy was completed, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt also prayed "in Jesus' name" on the floor of the Kentucky Legislature, where the state house then passed a unanimous resolution to honor Navy chaplains who pray in Jesus' name.
He prayed:
Our Father in heaven, I come to you through my Lord Jesus Christ, and I ask that you be our only God today.
Test the reins of our hearts, to see if there is any sin, any idol, or anything we'll not give up for you.
Remove from us every false thing we delight in, and everything we rely upon, so we may delight in and rely upon you alone as our only God.
Show us all our hidden faults, so we can immediately forsake them. Fill us with your spirit of holiness instead.
Show us the way of the Cross, and the path of suffering, that we may embrace selfless ...   more »

U.S. Patent Application #20050038718 details the use of RFID readers that American Express calls "consumer trackers" to closely watch people in stores. The idea is that RFID-embedded objects carried by the shopper would emit a "consumer identification signal" when queried by consumer tracker devices in the environment.  Businesses would pick up this signal and use it to identify shoppers, track their movements, and observe their behavior.
Fortunately, in a meeting last week with CASPIAN, American Express senior executives  vowed not to engage in RFID-based consumer tracking without providing notice to consumers. See our press release, American Express Addresses RFID People Tracking Plans for more on this.
Here are a few troubling excerpts from the patent:
"...consumer interface [configured to...provide a consumer identity signal to a radio frequency identification reader via a radio frequency signal] may also collect and transmit time and location information regarding the path traversed by consumer within the merchant's facility. Such information may be acquired by consumer trackers situated at specific locations throughout the merchant's facility..." [Section 0212; Bracketed information from Section 16]
"...different aisles and/or checkpoints throughout the stores may be equipped with RFID readers to facilitate tracking the shopper's performance....By facilitating the shopping experience, the ...   more »

LITTLE ROCK --As state legislators line up against the U.S. government's attempt to standardize driver's licenses nationwide, some believe it is a beastly plot that will draw the world closer to the apocalypse.
Their inspiration: a magazine dedicated to biblical prophecy. Their fear: national ID numbers given to residents are the mark of the beast, the 666 from the Book of Revelation.
"The ramifications are horrendous," said Sen. Ruth Whitaker, whose resolution opposing the Real ID Act of 2005 has passed the Arkansas Senate. "If there is anything akin to Nazi Germany, it is this act."
Congress hopes to reduce identity theft and boost national security by requiring people to use Real IDs to board airplanes, enter federal buildings and open some bank accounts. Those who dabble in biblical prophecy say the new government-issued numbers mark the beginning of the end.
"People are very concerned if the federal government gives you a number, it will be the mark of the beast," said Missouri Rep. Jim Guest, the sponsor of a resolution similar to Whitaker's. "There are everyday people who get the connection to 666."
Legislators in Georgia, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington state and Wyoming have also balked at ...   more »

College Republicans at San Francisco State University desecrated the name of Allah by stepping on makeshift Hezbollah and Hamas flags, charged school officials who brought the students before a hearing yesterday.
The trouble began at an Oct. 17 anti-terrorism rally in which the students stepped on butcher paper painted to resemble the flags of the Middle East terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. The College Republicans say they simply copied the script from an image on the Internet and didn't know it bore the name of Allah in Arabic script.
University spokeswoman Ellen Griffin, however, told San Francisco Chronicle columnist Debra J. Saunders the university "stands behind this process" of investigating the students for possible punishment.
"I don't believe the complaint is about the desecration of the flag," Griffin said. "I believe that the complaint is the desecration of Allah."
The university has 10 days from the time of the hearing to decide whether to sanction the students.
Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, which represents the students, insisted the school has no basis for punishing them.
"The College Republicans engaged in unequivocally protected political expression, and it strains all credibility to think the ...   more »