INTERNATIONAL
 
20 killed in drug-gang violence over weekend in Mexican city
 
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — At least 20 people were killed in drug-gang violence over the weekend in this northern Mexican border city, including seven found dead outside one house.
 
The seven men were believed to have been at a family party when they were gunned down Saturday.
 
 
Pope Benedict XVI defends family values for second time in two days
 
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI strongly defended traditional families and the rights of the unborn Sunday, directly attacking Spanish laws that allow gay marriage and easier access to abortions.
 
It was the second time in as many days that the Pope had criticized the policies of Spain’s Socialist government and called for Europe as a whole to rediscover Christian teachings and apply them to everyday life.
 
 
NATIONAL
 
Thousands of 9/11 workers face deadline for health settlement
 
NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of laborers, police officers and firefighters suing New York City over their exposure to toxic World Trade Center dust have until Monday to decide whether to join a legal settlement that could ultimately pay them as much as $815 million.
 
More than 10,000 people have sued the city and a long list of companies that handled the massive cleanup of lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks.
 
 
Chilean miner Edison Pena takes to streets for New York City Marathon
 
 
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Marathon always brings out the stars of the running world. This year, one of them is someone who has never competed in any big-time races.
 
Chilean miner Edison Pena is among the 45,000 people entered in the event Sunday. The 34-year-old is one of 33 miners rescued last month after spending 69 days trapped 2,300 feet underground by a cave-in.
 
An avid runner, he jogged several miles every day through tunnels, wearing steel-toed boots he cut down to the ankle.
 
 
Hawaii positioned to be sixth state to pass same-sex civil unions in U.S.
 
 
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii voters opened the way for same-sex civil unions to become state law next year, with an election that gave victory to a pro-gay rights gubernatorial candidate and rejected many church-backed candidates.
 
The state House and Senate retained the Democratic majorities that approved a civil unions bill this year before it was vetoed, and Democratic Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie has said he will sign a similar law if passed.
 
The move would make Hawaii the sixth state to grant the same rights of marriage to gay couples without authorizing marriage itself.
 
 
STATE/LOCAL
 
Rapper Lil Wayne appears at NO Hornets game after NY release
 
 
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lil Wayne turned up courtside in a red baseball cap and long dreadlocks to watch the unbeaten New Orleans Hornets edge the Miami Heat 96-93 Friday night, a day after his release from a New York City jail.
 
Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter Jr., was freed Thursday after serving eight months in a gun case. Asked how it felt to be back, Wayne told the The Times-Picayune: “Like I never left.”
 
Before his incarceration, the rapper recorded the recently released “I Am Not a Human Being,” a top debut on Billboard album charts.
 
The newspaper said the rapper flew earlier Friday to Yuma County, Ariz., to check in for a three-year stint of unsupervised probation for a drug conviction. The  case will be transferred to Florida, where the New Orleans native now lives.
 
 
Trial opens this week  against five NOPD officers for burned body case
 
 
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A trial opens this week for five current or former New Orleans police officers charged in the death of a man whose burned body turned up in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath.
 
Jury selection is scheduled to start Monday for the trial, the first among several Justice Department probes of alleged misconduct by New Orleans police officers.
 
 
1 teen killed, 4 others injured in West Bank carnival shooting Sunday
 
 
MARRERO (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old was killed and four other teenagers injured in a shooting at a West Bank carnival Sunday.
 
The Times-Picayune reports Dan Walter Kerry, of Marrero, was pronounced dead on the scene of a gunshot wound to the head in an incident that happened around 9:30 p.m. in Marrero.
 
 
 
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