News on the Net

Leave our anthem and traditions alone

A small minority of atheists, agnostics, secularists and humanists would like to see the reference to God taken out of our national anthem. They must plead guilty to profound ignorance of our roots and should be intellectually honest enough to study our history and discover just how rich our Judeo-Christian heritage really is.

Chrysler and General Motors announce job losses and need $21bn in aid

Struggling US carmakers, Chrysler and General Motors, have announced major job losses and said they need $21.6 billion (£15.1 billion) between them in order to survive.

Archbishop of Canterbury: Society is coming round to my views on sharia

On the anniversary of the interview in which Dr Rowan Williams said it "seems inevitable" that some parts of sharia would be enshrined in this country's legal code, he claimed "a number of fairly senior people" now take the same view.

News roundup: Global job losses could reach 50 million

Good morning, it's Sunday. Here are some of the top enterprise stories on the nation's websites:

Japan’s GDP slumps nearly 13 percent

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Japan's gross domestic product slumped 12.7 percent for the fourth quarter in 2008, according to government data released Monday.

BMW announces 850 job losses at Mini car plant

The job losses will mean unemployment rates appear certain to top the two million mark within weeks.

Headless body in gutless press

- Mark Steyn Just asking, but are beheadings common in western New York? I used to spend a lot of time in that neck of the woods and I don't remember decapitation as a routine form of murder. Yet the killing of Aasiya Hassan seems to have elicited a very muted response.

Minnesota job losses hit men hardest

Men are bearing the brunt of job losses in this recession -- especially in Minnesota.

Despite trillions for economy, next job might mean less pay

Tania Jackson was earning a comfortable six-figure income at a local real estate development company before the gale-force winds of recession began blowing her way last month.

RBS Plans Up to 20,000 Job Cuts, Sales on 30 Billion-Pound Loss

Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, the biggest U.K. government-controlled bank, plans to cut as many as 20,000 jobs and pull out of several emerging markets as it announces losses of 30 billion pounds ($43.1 billion) next week, the Sunday Times reported, without saying where it got the information.

US army ‘wants more immigrants’

The United States army is to accept immigrants with temporary US visas, for the first time since the Vietnam war, according to the New York Times.

Orchard Park businessman charged in beheading of wife

Friends expressed shock on Friday that the founder of a Muslim TV channel — which he launched in order to counter violent images of Muslims — has been arrested in his wife’s brutal slaying.

German-Afghan gets life for ‘honour killing’

A German-Afghan man was sentenced to life in prison for the “honour killing” of his sister on Friday, creating mayhem in the court room as family members screamed, assaulted journalists and attempted suicide.

Thirsty Koala - A Firefighter Gives Koala A Drink (2009 Australian Bushfires)

This is rare, Koalas rarely drink, as they get enough moisture from the gum leaves. He drank three bottles of water. This little guy is fine, he has burned feet, but is doing well. This was in the height of the worst fires. Please DONATE to the ANIMAL WELFARE

UN surprised at female role in ‘modern slavery’

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Surprisingly, the perpetrators behind human trafficking around the world are often women, the U.N. reported Thursday.

The heart of the matter Northern moon shines

POLAR-COLD IN A BLIZZARD OF ICICLE STARS,

British Bishop Arrested for Photographing Kids on Roof

Neighbors called police after seeing Open Episcopal Church bishop Jonathan Blake's sons on the roof of the house in London.

Boy Offered Plea Deal in Double Murder, Could Avoid Jail

The St. Johns boy is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Feb. 19. Defense attorney Benjamin Brewer said his client still must accept the deal.

China military eyes global role: US intel chief

WASHINGTON (AFP) – China's military remains primarily focused on recapturing Taiwan but the country's naval and missile buildup portends a global role for the Asian giant, the head of US intelligence said.

5 found guilty of forcing women into prostitution in L.A.

A federal court jury on Wednesdayconvicted five people in connection with a plot to lure impoverished young women from Guatemala to the United States with the promise of legitimate jobs, only to then force them into prostitution to repay their supposed debts for being smuggled into the country.