At A Glance

Men may have babiesLONDON: The successful birth of a child grown outside the mother's womb here has raised the possibility of men carryin...

Men may have babies

LONDON: The successful birth of a child grown outside the mother8217;s womb here has raised the possibility of men carrying and delivering babies, a leading expert has said.

Prof Jurgis Grudzinskas of the Royal London Hospital said, 8220;this case has proved that babies do not need a uterus to survive and pregnancy is not dependent on gender. So it brings up the possibility that men could carry a pregnancy and give birth.8221;

8220;We are still some way away from that situation but this case moves the prospect a step closer and will be very useful in research terms,8221; he said.

Outlaw to monk

MOSCOW: A pimp and extortioner, Sergei, a small-time operator used to smuggle Russian women into Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic to work as prostitutes and extort protection money from Soviet emigre businessmen there. Sergei says at the height of their activity he earned tens of thousands of dollars a month.

However, a year-and-a-half ago he traded all this for a Bible and a bronzecrucifix that now hangs from a leather cord around his neck.

8220;My friends and family seemed to think there was something wrong with me,8221; Sergei said. 8220;Well, maybe there was, that8217;s why I made this choice8230;I wanted to make things right,8221; he explains.

Eligible no more

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SYDNEY: James Packer, the chairman of Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd and heir to billionaire father Kerry Packer8217;s Australian television and magazine empire, has announced he will marry swimwear model Jodie Meares next month.

The couple disclosed their engagement and an October 8 wedding date to about 100 guests on Friday at James Packer8217;s 32nd birthday party, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported. It was Packer8217;s second engagement after breaking off with model Kate Fischer just under 12 months ago.

Taxman returns teddies, Barbie

WINNIPEG: A sheepish Canadian taxman has returned teddy bears and Barbie dolls to the children of a man whose possessions were seized in a recent raid on the family8217;shome.

Revenue Canada is demanding about Canadian 800,000 in unpaid taxes from Richard Rosenberg, a Winnipeg Chiropractor who has been fighting the case since 1994. Tax authorities seized toys belonging to Rosenberg8217;s three children last week as well as a bravery medal awarded to the oldest son, now 12, several years ago for saving his sister from a bear attack.

8220;We did get some things back,8221; Rosenberg said.