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First Posted: 11/18/11 03:15 PM ET   Updated: 11/21/11 03:36 PM ET   TORONTO - Stephen Hawking says the colonization of outer space is key to the survival of humankind, predicting it will be difficult for the world's inhabitants "to avoid disaster in the next hundred years." The renowned astrophysicist explores some of the most remarkable advancements in technology and health with the new U.K.-Canadian series " Brave New World With Stephen Hawking ," debuting Saturday on Discovery World HD. Before its premiere, he discussed the earth's most pressing concerns in an email interview with The Canadian Press from Cambridge, England, declaring space exploration to be humankind's most urgent mission. "We are entering an increasingly dangerous period of our history," said Hawking, who has Lou Gehrig's disease, leaving him almost completely paralyzed and unable to speak. "Our population and our use of the finite resources of planet Earth are gr

Sarkozy called Israeli PM Netanyahu 'liar' The comments - embarrassing for President Sarkozy - have only just emerged Continue reading the main story   French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "liar" in remarks to US President Barack Obama overheard by journalists. "I can't stand him any more, he's a liar," Mr Sarkozy said in French. "You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day," Mr Obama replied. The exchange at the G20 summit was quoted by a French website, Arret sur Images, and confirmed by other media. The remarks - during a private conversation - were overheard by a few journalists last week but were not initially reported, the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris says. Journalists at the bilateral press conference had been handed translation boxes but had been told not to plug in their headphones until the backroom conversation had finished. But those who did heard the r

Protesters ask Berlusconi to quit Tens of thousands of demonstrators gather in Rome for rally organised by the main left-wing party. L  Silvio Berlusconi faces scepticism about whether his struggling government can deliver vital reforms [REUTERS] Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Rome for a rally organised by the main left-wing party to demand Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's resignation. "Silvio out" was the rallying cry for the large crowd that took part in a rally on Saturday organised by the Democratic Party, the country's main opposition movement. "The sooner we send them to the junkyard the better,"  read one large placard that was plastered with pictures of ministers in Berlusconi's government. The placard also included pictures of his lawyer Niccolo Ghedini and Nicole Minetti, the former showgirl who was promoted to regional councillor in Milan after serving as Berlusconi's dental hygienist. Both are symbo

  “We have faith in our citizens, we believe in their judgment and therefore in their decision. All the country’s political forces should support the [bail-out] agreement. The citizens will do the same once they are fully informed,"      German chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet on Wednesday in a desperate bid to keep the eurozone from collapsing. The emergency conference was called following the surprise announcement by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou that his government will hold a referendum on proposed austerity measures. Following Papandreou's unexpected move, six senior party officials from the ruling Greek Pasok party called on the prime minister to resign. Papandreou  threw European markets into turmoil  by announcing that the last minute deal signed by eurozone leaders last week would go to a public referendum, giving the electorate the final say on an agreement that would cut the country's debt by 50% but bind it to dif