Portuguese news site 'kills' Ariel Sharon
An erroneous report in a popular news site from Portugal this week started a false rumor that former prime minister Ariel Sharon was dead. Though comatose for the fourth year straight, Sharon is indeed still alive. The error appeared in IOL Portugal Diario for more than 24 hours, prompting reporters from all over the world - and especially Brazil - to try to corroborate the report. The article, which has since been taken offline, did not say how Sharon died, reviewing instead highlights from his political and military career. (Cnaan Liphshiz)
Intel officer indicted for child molestation
An officer in an elite Military Intelligence unit was indicted yesterday for allegedly molesting children between ages 2 and 12. According to the indictment, the officer, 25, assaulted eight children and may have assaulted several others. The man was placed under house arrest. When the case first broke a month ago, the man's attorney said he had falsely admitted to the acts in order to be released from military service. However, the prosecution told the Ramle Magistrate's Court that it had evidence negating this claim, as well as a confession by the suspect and the testimony of an alleged victim. (Ofra Edelman)
Editor of Yedioth Books stepping down
Yedioth Books has announced that its editor-in-chief, Tzvika Meir, will be leaving this year. Meir, who has been in the post since 2008, is departing for personal reasons, the publishing house said. Meir had previously been editor-in-chief at Keter Publishing House. Prior to Meir, Dov Elboim held the position for a few months, after which the director general of Yedioth Books took over the position. Prior to that, Aliza Tzigler had been the long-standing editor-in-chief at the publishing house. (Maya Sela)
Docaviv launching new category for documentary series
The Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival, Docaviv, is launching a new category for its 2010 competition: documentary series. The festival management said that at the next festival, which begins May 6, "at this time in particular, when reality series are taking over Israeli prime-time, Docaviv has made a goal of highlighting documentary series as an elite genre." Only series that premiere at Docaviv will be considered for the prize, the festival's management said. (Nirit Anderman)
Postal worker could lose job after 'Big Brother' criticism
The Israel Postal Company has informed the producers of the reality TV show "Big Brother" that it is considering firing an employee who spoke poorly of her workplace. The company asked producer Elad Cooperman to remove references that Hila Ifergan made to her job. Ifergan frequently has commented on the poor service she gives customers. For example, she said she once lied and said the bill-counting machine was broken because she did not want to count money, said she once closed her post office early in order to audition for the show, and called customers unflattering names. (Gili Izikovich)
Arab writers to fight Israel's cultural clout
The Arab Writers Union formed a Damascus bureau meant to prevent the infiltration of Hebrew terms into Arab culture, Israel Radio reported yesterday, adding that the new group said it would prevent the "normalization" of cultural ties with Israel. Hussein Jumaa, the head of the AWU, said that the formation of the new bureau was meant to curb the influence of Israeli culture on the Arab world. The fact that Arab media outlets interview "Zionist politicians and researchers," Hussein said, "could lead to the coming generations in the Arab world to know more about Zionist intellectuals and writers than they do about Arab men of letters." (Haaretz Staff)