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Pope prays for peace in the Middle East

VATICAN CITY, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Thousands of people gathered in Vatican City to hear Pope Benedict XVI deliver his first Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's Basilica.

His message of Middle East peace was broadcast live to 46 nations.

"We wish to pray for peace in the Holy Land," the BBC quoted him as saying.

"On this night, when we look towards Bethlehem, let us pray in a special way for the birthplace of our redeemer and for the men and women who live and suffer there," he continued. "We wish to pray for peace in the Holy Land. Look O Lord, upon this corner of the earth, your homeland, which is so very dear to you. Let your light shine upon it! Let it know peace!"

Prior to delivering his homily, the Pope appeared at the study window of his Vatican apartment overlooking the square and the thousands gathered there and lit a candle for world peace.

Poll says U.S. majority believes in God

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- An overwhelming majority of U.S. residents believes in God, miracles and life after death, results of a poll reported Sunday indicate.

The Harris poll of 889 adults found 82 percent believe in God, 73 percent believe in miracles and 70 percent believe there is life after death, the Washington Times reported.

In addition, 70 percent said heaven exists and 70 percent also cited Jesus as the son of God.

Six out of 10 said there is a devil and hell exists as well, the poll revealed.

"What may be more surprising is that significant minorities believe in ghosts, UFOs, witches, astrology and in reincarnation," Harris reported.

Only 21 percent said they "were once another person," 25 percent believed in astrology, 28 percent said witches exist and 34 percent said UFOs were real.

The poll taken Nov. 15-22 has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

2 dead in Japanese train derailment

TOKYO, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- An express train derailed as it headed to Niigata, Japan, Sunday, killing two women and leaving 30 other people injured.

Police and officials of the East Japan Railway Co. said the front five cars of the six-car train jumped the tracks and toppled on their sides about 7:15 p.m. between Sagoshi and Kita-Amarume stations.

Strong winds were reported and a severe snow warning was in effect at the time the train was crossing a bridge over the Mogami River, the Kyodo news agency reported.

A witness told Kyodo the train, which was an hour behind schedule, plowed into a hut.

U.S. military retains Iraqi prison control

BAGHDAD, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. military will retain control of Iraqi prisons until officials are convinced the Iraqis can take adequate care of the detainees.

"Bottom line, we will not pass on facilities or detainees until they meet the standards we define and that we are using today," Army Maj. Gen. John Gardner told Sunday's New York Times via phone from Iraq.

Scores of abused prisoners were recently discovered in detention centers run by Iraqi militias, the newspaper said.

U.S. troops are currently training Iraqis on how to handle their detainees -- 14,000 of which are considered dangerous, the Times said.

Gardner said U.S. military personnel as well as Iraqi government officials are currently inspecting the country's prisons and detention centers.

Officials had previously targeted 2006 for turning over the prison system back to Iraq, but sources told the Times it could be 2007 before that happens.

Republicans target their own in Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Texas Republicans have reportedly targeted 14 of their own for defeat in the March primaries, it was reported Sunday.

The targeted state lawmakers have been dubbed Republicans in Name Only, or RHINOS, for backing a Democratic school finance proposal, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

The move appears to be following a nationwide trend among the GOP to weed out less conservative lawmakers, the newspaper said.

One University of Texas-Austin professor speculated the self-cleansing could be an attempt to unify Republicans, who have have a stronghold in the Lone Star state.

"The longer a party holds power, it's harder to make sure everyone marches to the same tune," government professor Bruce Buchanan told the newspaper.

The 14 RHINOS, also called "the Hochberg 14," supported Democratic state Rep. Scott Hochberg's amendment to the GOP's school-finance plan.

Parker Bowles joins royal holiday jaunt

SANDRINGHAM, England, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Prince Charles' new wife Sunday joined Britain's royal family for the traditional Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.

About 1,000 well-wishers greeted the family during the traditional walk from the royal residence at Sandringham to St. Mary Magdalene church, the Telegraph reported.

In addition to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the royal parade included Princes William and Harry, and their cousins, Zara and Peter Phillips and Princess Eugenie, The Princess Royal, her husband, Rear Adm. Timothy Laurence, the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Queen Elizabeth arrived separately for the service by car accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and the Duke of York's daughter, Princess Beatrice, 17.