News in Brief

Zevulun District police yesterday arrested a 12-year-old on charges of stealing mopeds, blackmail and assault. Under interrogation, the boy admitted to forcing dozens of other youths to commit crimes. He also attacked his teacher, torched a moped and stole a cart from an elderly man. The youth was brought to the juvenile crimes unit and admitted to stealing dozens of mopeds in the Haifa suburbs. He told juvenile investigators he had a network of "soldiers" who committed the thefts and other crimes for him. (Fadi Eyadat)

Human skeletal remains were found this week next to an abandoned motorcycle on farmland east of Gedera. Rehovot police launched an investigation and will transfer the skull and bones to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute to be identified. After a farmer reported finding the motorcycle near one of his fields, detectives who arrived to investigate found the bones. The police located the owner of the motorcycle, who said he had sold it years ago. Police plan to search the area more thoroughly to determine whether the remains are related to a crime or a missing person. However, they have not ruled out the possibility that the skull and bones are archaeological remnants. (Yigal Hai)

An aviation crisis between Israel and Bulgaria could ground routine flights between the countries starting Sunday. The Israeli Transportation Ministry did not approve the spring-summer schedule submitted by the Bulgarian national air carrier, and instead extended the existing schedule by one week, which ends Saturday night. The move came in response to Sofia's rejection of a request by El Al to change its flight schedule in the Bulgarian capital. (Zohar Blumenkrantz)

A Rishon Letzion court yesterday again denied bail to Mechubad Kumran, 51, of Holon, who is suspected of performing indecent acts on about 40 girls in Holon synagogues. The suspect admitted the charges, and the police seek to identify the girls to take their statements. The police arrested Kumran after a 12-year-old complained a few weeks ago that an older man approached her while she was playing outside the synagogue where her parents were praying and touched her genitals repeatedly. Kumran admitted to frequenting synagogue courtyards where children often play while their parents pray and committing indecent acts on many girls aged 4-9. (Roni Singer-Heruti)

Bakery owners plan to raise bread prices 4 percent on April 16 in response to the rising global prices of wheat and fuel. The bakeries informed the Industry and Trade Ministry, which has not officially responded. Apparently, bakeries had sought a 5-percent increase, but ministry economists said only 4 percent would be possible. The ministry commented that it is examining raw material prices and would respond before the April 16 deadline. (Ora Coren)

Pope Benedict XVI will visit a New York synagogue during his first papal trip to the United States, the nation's bishops said yesterday. Benedict will make a brief stop April 18 at Park Street Synagogue, which is led by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who lived under Nazi occupation in Budapest and emigrated in 1947 to the United States. "By this personal and informal visit, which is not part of his official program, His Holiness wishes to express his good will toward the local Jewish community as they prepare for Passover," said Monsignor David Malloy, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (AP)