Shorts: U.S.

Lawmaker seeks U.S. citizenship for Anne Frank

washington (ap) | Anne Frank, whose teenage memoir has taught generations of Americans about the Holocaust, would be made a United States citizen under a bill being pushed by Rep. Steve Israel.

The New York Democrat said this week he would introduce a bill giving Frank honorary citizenship, a distinction previously conferred on Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa and a handful of other adults.

Israel plans to introduce the bill in two weeks when Congress resumes, calling Frank "a symbol of bravery and hope."




High court hears case on prison minorities

washington (ap) | The Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the rights of religious minorities in prison.

Jewish leaders who listened to the oral arguments were pleased with the lines of questioning, which suggested that justices support provisions in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which is being challenged by the state of Ohio.

Justices appeared to support a broad law that would allow all religious minorities to enjoy accommodations for their religious practices in prison, unless there is a compelling governmental interest. The justices specifically said kosher food in prison was an acceptable religious request.




Are religious habits biologically determined?

new york (jta) | Genes may play a role in determining how religious a person becomes, according to a new survey.

In a study conducted at the University of Minnesota, researchers found that only a third of fraternal twins shared similar religious behavior, such as attending services, praying and discussing religious teachings.

But most identical twins, who share all the same DNA, did exhibit similar religious behavior.




Minnesota shooter had neo-Nazi views

new york (jta) | The teenager who committed multiple murders on a Minnesota Native American reservation this week apparently held neo-Nazi beliefs.

A person who identified himself as Jeff Weise, who killed nine people before shooting himself, had expressed admiration for Hitler in a chat room hosted by a neo-Nazi party, according to media reports.

Weise reportedly posted messages on the site under the names "NativeNazi" and "Todesengel," German for "angel of death."