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By Paul Eckert WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush vowed on Saturday that Washington would stand by Baghdad as he joined world leaders in welcoming Iraq's new government. "The United States and freedom-loving nations around the world will stand with Iraq as it takes its place among the world's democracies and as an ally in the war on terror," Bush said in a written statement. Bush was the latest in a string of world leaders to welcome the formation on Saturday of the new Iraq ...

A Finnish "horror rock" group who dress in monster costumes have pulled off a surprise win at the 51st Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. European viewers voted for Lordi's song Hard Rock Hallelujah in a show that is normally associated with catchy pop and big ballads. Russia was second with Dima Bilan's Never Let You Go. But UK rapper Daz Sampson could only manage to come 19th out of 24 countries with his song Teenage Life. Lordi's masks, armour and jets of flame attracted widespread attent ...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Coast Guard sometimes alerts large commercial ships they will be searched as they approach port so as not to burden shipping companies financially, the Coast Guard acknowledged to CNN on Saturday. The New York Times first reported the story earlier in the day, saying that commanders of some ports provided up to 24 hours notice to ships to keep commerce moving. At the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach in California, the Coast Guard gives as much notice as it can, sai ...

LONDON (Reuters) - A British immigration officer was suspended from his job on Saturday after a newspaper alleged he offered to help an 18-year-old Zimbabwean woman with her asylum application in exchange for sex, the Home Office said. "A Home Office official has been suspended pending a full investigation," a spokesman for the ministry said. "The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) ex ...

The approval of a new Iraqi government of national unity marks a "huge step forward", Tony Blair has said. The PM said the administration had a programme for the country's security and reconstruction and the potential to create a "different Iraq". Mr Blair said an exit strategy for UK forces depended on how the cabinet responded to the "critical moment". Earlier, the Ministry of Defence said two UK soldiers received minor injuries after a roadside bomb outside Basra. British-led troops wer ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Protesters from the campaign group Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) stormed the set of the BBC's National Lottery programme while it was being broadcast live on Saturday, to highlight their cause. Six activists ran on to the set carrying placards and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Family Law Lotto. Next Time It Could Be You". They were pulled off the stage by security staff ...

By Paul Eckert WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush vowed on Saturday that Washington would stand by Baghdad as he joined world leaders in welcoming Iraq's new government. "The United States and freedom-loving nations around the world will stand with Iraq as it takes its place among the world's democracies and as an ally in the war on terror," Bush said in a written statement. Bush was the latest in a string of world leaders to welcome the formation on Saturday of the new Iraq ...

A Home Office official has been suspended over a newspaper report that an immigration officer tried to have a relationship with an asylum seeker. An investigation by the Observer said a chief officer at Lunar House in Croydon targeted an 18-year-old Zimbabwean. The paper claims he offered to coach the girl ahead of her asylum interview, saying "he knew how to win her case". The Home Office said in a statement that an official had been suspended "pending a full investigation". It is the lates ...

A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder after the body of a mental health charity worker was found with multiple stab wounds. Northumbria Police named the man charged as Ronald Dixon. Ashleigh Ewing, 22, was found dead in a house in Heaton, Newcastle, on Friday. Ms Ewing of Hebburn, South Tyneside, had been at the house as part of her job with Mental Health Matters. Ms Ewing's parents said their daughter had been "full of compassion". Mr Dixon is due at Newcastle Magistrates' Court o ...

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- -- An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday killed Islamic Jihad's most senior militant in the Gaza coastal area, Israeli and Palestinians sources said. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it conducted an airstrike targeting Mohammed Al Dahdouh. Palestinian sources also identified Al Dahdouh as a fatality and said three others were killed in the strike, a woman, her 4-year-old son, and the boy's grandmother. Earlier Palestinian sources incorrectly said the victim was  ...