By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

MONTREAT, NORTH CAROLINA (ANS) -- Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham has issued a statement on the passing of Sen. Jesse Helms July 4 at the age of 86.

In a message released to the media, Dr. Graham said: "Jesse Helms, my friend and long-time senator from my home state of North Carolina, was a man of consistent conviction to conservative ideals and courage to faithfully serve God and country based on principle, not popularity or politics.

NEW YORK (UPI) - The National Park Service is considering reopening the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor to the public, officials said.

The agency posted a request June 24 for bids for studies on what steps would be needed to make the crown safe, the New York Daily News reported.

(Christian Newswire) - Vision America Action President Dr. Rick Scarborough today hailed a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit acknowledging the humanity of the unborn child.

The 7-4 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Rounds upholds a South Dakota law requiring abortionists to notify women seeking an abortion in writing that "abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being."

BOSTON (UPI) - U.S. scientists say they've used nanotechnology to transform an old drug derived from mold into a potential non-toxic therapy for a wide range of cancers.

Children's Hospital Boston researchers said the first oral, broad-spectrum angiogenesis inhibitor they created shows promising anti-cancer results in mice.

ASSAM, INDIA (ANS) -- Harjit Rishi couldn't calm the baby as it screamed at the top of its lungs. And although he tried, he had no way of responding to the voice telling him to pray for the child. "Harjit! Harjit! You must wake up!"

It was all a dream. But he was about to relive it.

Jarred from a deep sleep, Harjit slowly heard a man's voice becoming clearer. "Please come and pray for my precious child," Parag Mannan pleaded. Harjit jumped out of bed. Though his blind eyes could not see the distraught father, he knew the situation was serious from the sound of Parag's quivering voice.

By Bill Ellis
Special to ASSIST News Service

SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- This weekend, the United States of America is celebrating another year of independence and freedom. We do so knowing that the forces of evil are nipping at our heels like vicious dogs barking and thirsting for our nation's blood. That is a terrible way to begin a column that is always positive and full of hope.

I do have good news for America. Facing strong opposition is nothing new for the United States. Just as our birth of freedom was not easy and painless so our continuing liberty and prosperity has not been without sacrifice. The things that have made this nation great have been our respect for others, our reverence for God, our realization of the worth of each human being, our recognition of the enemy and our responsibility to help make life better for our nation and the entire world.