* Actor Russell Crowe sounded off against circumcision on his Twitter account, calling the practice "barbaric and stupid." Responding to the backlash, the “Gladiator” star later cut the remarks from his account, declaring his "deep and abiding love for people of all nationalities." (JTA)
* Best known as George Costanza of “Seinfeld” fame, the actor Jason Alexander will be performing a comedy show at the launch of Greater Toronto’s United Jewish Appeal 2012. He’ll be appearing Aug. 23, 2011. (UJA Federation)
* French academic Antoine Bueno says Smurfs are anti-Semitic. His reasoning: In the Smurfs books by Thierry Culliford,"The wizard Gargamel is ugly, dirty, with a hooked nose (who) is fascinated by gold," Bueno writes in his "Little Blue Book." Smurfs fans around the Internet are angry that Bueno has been decrying these happy childhood stories, especially because of the upcoming August release of the “Smurfs” movie. (United Press International)
* Sergei Richter, a professional shooter, became the first Israeli this year to reserve a place in the London Olympics after placing second in a World Cup shooting event in Korea. (Haaretz)
* Natalie Portman gave birth to a baby boy, though the exact time and location are unknown. She is engaged to dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, whom she met on the set of the film "Black Swan." (JTA)
