Malaysia Weighs Buying Russia Spacecraft

Malaysia is thinking of buying the Russian craft that carried the first Malaysian into space and putting it on exhibit to stimulate scientific interest among the country's youths, an official said Monday.

Science Minister Jamaludin Jarjis said Russia's space agency offered to sell the Soyuz TMA-11 craft to Malaysia and that negotiations were under way. There was no mention of any possible price.

Malaysia's Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor lifted off on Oct. 10 in the Soyuz craft as part of a mission to the international space station, where the astronaut spent 11 days conducting scientific experiments with cancer cells, proteins and microbes that cause tropical …

I have faith that Obama has faith

Who is a Christian?

It seems like a simple question, but when I typed my inquiry into Google earlier this week, the answer came back in 20 million hits, each of them a little different from the other.

I've always understood a Christian to be someone who believes Jesus was who he said he was and tries to live the way Jesus said to live. Period.

But there are many people who find that answer lacking, apparently.

What got me thinking about this question was a recent commentary by the syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, based in part on an interview I did with Barack Obama about his spiritual life back in the spring of 2004.

Analyzing what Obama had to say …

A crash course in grace

Every one of us deals with mental health challenges. Whether we're losing sleep about the math exam tomorrow or are hospitalized for schizophrenia, whether we're on medication for depression or battling obsessive regrets over how we've raised our children - we each have been dealt a unique set of cards.

For almost 20 years my hand has included mild depression, which I've dealt with through counselling, and at one point, medication. Last July it also included a surprise episode of extreme anxiety that sent me to hospital for a night. Both of these interrelated challenges are rooted in a cocktail of genetics, chemical imbalances in my brain, personality, circumstances and lifestyle …

Japan court rejects US nuclear carrier suit

A Japanese court Monday rejected a lawsuit demanding a halt to harbor work to accommodate a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that is to be based south of Tokyo starting in August, a court spokeswoman said.

The suit by 635 plaintiffs aimed to stop the deepening of the harbor in Yokosuka, site of the U.S. naval base where the nuclear-powered USS George Washington is to be deployed, replacing the aging diesel-powered USS Kitty Hawk.

The carrier has sparked protests among Yokosuka residents who fear it poses a health danger. Many in Japan, the only country to be attacked by nuclear weapons, are also sensitive about any military use of nuclear …

Fla. woman says barking dog saved her from blaze

A Florida woman's barking dog saved her from a fire at her home. Lillian Miller, 58, thought her Chihuahua mix Spaz just needed to go outside when he started barking around 3 a.m. Saturday. She took him out, but when she returned to her mobile home in Groveland she saw flames coming from her living room …

MORNINGLINE

Results Do you think "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" is a sexist event? Yes: 66% No: 34% …

Ducks trade Sutton to Oilers

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks have acquired defenseman Kurtis Foster from the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Andy Sutton.

Foster had eight goals, 14 assists and 45 penalty minutes in 74 games with the Oilers last season. The 29-year-old defenseman has played eight seasons in the NHL, including stints …