PORTLAND, Ore. (UPI) - U.S. scientists have identified a mechanism that might lead to the first safe clot-dissolving agent for treating heart attacks and strokes.

A team of researchers from the Oregon Health and Science University and Washington University in St. Louis described the mechanism that gives a mutant enzyme molecule that they have engineered -- and patented -- the potential to become a breakthrough drug for treating heart attacks and strokes.

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (UPI) - U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told troops Tuesday at Balad Air Base in Iraq that their work was inspirational, appreciated and never taken for granted.

Cheney noted five years ago this week "we led a coalition to liberate this country from tyranny," promising the United States would stand by the Iraqis as "they built free institutions and took charge of their own destiny once again."

Balad, one of the largest U.S. bases in Iraq, is the main staging area for logistical operations.

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (ANS) -- Founded by Dr. John C. Maxwell in 1996, EQUIP is a non-profit organization specializing in the development of effective international Christian leaders and dedicated to developing servant leaders who shoulder responsibility, meet challenges with courage and creativity, and never relinquish their God-given dreams.

Peter Wooding, Senior News Editor with UCB Radio in Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom, and his father -- international author and journalist Dan Wooding -- recently interviewed Doug Carter, Senior Vice President of EQUIP, about his book Raising More Than Money, at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

NEW YORK (Christian Newswire) - In ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States (Threshold Editions; March 2008), Deal Hudson, former Chairman of Catholic Outreach for the Republican National Committee, explains how conservative Catholics and Evangelicals converged to forge a mighty political alliance and how they may vote this year.

With keen research and interviews with the key players who have fought the battles on the controversial issues of school prayer, abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage, Hudson traces the movement that has achieved enormous victories.

By Jim Elliff

The down-the-street local church is not the only show in town anymore. We are able to enjoy faith-building messages, listen to the latest Christian music, and explore the rich diversity and variety found in the most noted Christian gatherings, all with the click of the mouse or the touch of a button.

Many local church pastors now say, "The world is my parish," just as did the horseback-riding evangelist, John Wesley. But they mean this without ever going out of their own studio or auditorium! Some are communicating to millions.

Open Doors USA, a member of the North Korea Freedom Coalition (NKFC), is participating - along with many other organization members - in North Korea Freedom Week (NKFW) April 26-May 3.

NKFW is devoted to raising awareness of the plight of North Koreans and the massive human rights and religious rights abuses by the government. Through a series of events - including rallies, lobbying lawmakers, press conferences, a prayer vigil - organizers want to alert the public of North Korea's critical needs and draw attention to Kim Jong Il's criminal activities which perpetuate the problems in North Korea.

GENEVA, Switzerland (UPI) - This year World Water Day falls on March 22, the Saturday before Easter (according to the calendar followed by Western churches). It also culminates the "Seven Weeks for Water" campaign by the Ecumenical Water Network, the World Council of Churches' information service reported monday.

The event coincides with the International Year of Sanitation sponsored by the United Nations. According to a statement by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kim-moon on the IYS website, "This year, World Water Day coincides with the International Year of Sanitation, challenging us to spur action on a crisis affecting more than one out of three people on the planet.

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (Christian Newswire) - For two decades, the annual Christianity Today Book Awards have recognized outstanding volumes that shed light on people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission. This year, 49 publishers nominated 359 titles published in 2007. Rather than naming one overall winner, CT editors selected the top books in each category, and then panels of judges--one panel per category--voted. In the end, we chose 10 winners and also recognized 11 awards of merit.

An online link to the awards--including judges' comments and other resources--will be posted at 10 a.m. Central Time on March 18, 2008, at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct.

Christianity Today, in its sixth decade of publication, is the nation's premier evangelical Christian magazine. Its parent company, Christianity Today International, publishes 13 magazines. CTI's vision: "To be a leading journalistic voice of evangelicals, equipping Christians to renew their minds, serve the church, and transform their cultures to the glory of God."

By Woody Wilcox (of Wilcox News Service)

MEDIA ADVISORY (Christian Newswire) - "Talk Like Jesus" could be the title of a sermon or a book by a distinguished minister or theologian. But, in this case, it is both the title of a book and the message by a distinguished communications coach who has helped to train network news personalities.

The author Lynn Wilford Scarborough has worked with Paula Zahn, Catherine Crier, and Isaiah Thomas. She has consulted for over two hundred news operations including ABC, CBS, CNN, and FOX. She has been involved in over 6,000 training sessions. Also, she is the president of her own company.

By Jane Dratz

(Dare2Share) - Treasure hunts hold a special allure for kids. What kid in their right mind can pass up the excitement and adventure involved in searching for a hidden treasure? Which helps explain the appeal of Easter Egg Hunts even though the hidden treasure is simply jelly beans or chocolate eggs, kids love seeking and finding.

Did you know there's symbolic spiritual significance in a number of Easter traditions that have become widely accepted within secular culture? Understanding these traditions can provide you with a natural opening to talk about your faith with your friends. So stop a moment this week and think about the symbolic traditions that surface every year at Easter time and talk about their spiritual significance with others. Here are a few Easter traditions to consider: