International
0
LONDON (AP) — Gay couples are to be allowed civil partnership ceremonies in churches, Britain’s government said Thursday — erasing some of the last remaining distinctions between gay partnerships and traditional marriages.
Although marriage and civil partnership are already similar under British law, civil partnership ceremonies are currently not allowed to have religious references and are banned from churches.
Papal visit cost British taxpayers $11M without security costs
LONDON (AP) — The government says Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain last year cost taxpayers 7 million pounds ($11 million) before security costs.
The figure includes 3 million pounds for media facilities and 34,000 pounds for transporting the Popemobile.
The government was criticized earlier this month when it disclosed that 1.85 million pounds for the trip came from Britain’s foreign aid budget.
The pontiff met British political and religious leaders and addressed large crowds in London, Scotland and central England.
Protest wave grows after Egypt: Bahrain, Yemen and now Libya
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The swelling protests against Bahrain’s rulers gained momentum Wednesday with huge crowds calling for a sweeping political overhaul and the kingdom’s stunned leaders appearing to shift tactics after attempts to crush the uprising stoked rage on the streets and sharp criticism from Western allies.
The widening challenges to the Arab world’s political order also flared in Libya for the first time, with riot police battling protesters.
National
Montana Gov. to allow residents to shoot wolves harassing animals
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer says the state will defy federal protections for gray wolves and kill packs that have been hurting elk herds.
Schweitzer also told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he is encouraging livestock owners north of Interstate 90 to shoot wolves that harass their animals. He says state game wardens would stop investigating wolf shootings in that part of the state.
Hawaiian Legislature approves bill for same-sex civil unions
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday to allow civil unions for same-sex couples, marking an end to what the governor called an “emotional process” for a battleground in the gay rights movement.
Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office said he intends to sign the bill into law within 10 business days. Civil unions would begin Jan. 1, 2012, making the state the seventh in the nation to grant essentially the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage.
State
Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Trey Songz headline Essence Fest
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Fan favorites Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Jill Scott and rapper Kanye West are among the headliners for the 2011 Essence Music Festival, which looks this year to celebrate the roots of rhythm and blues.
Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc., says the lineup also will include Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Boyz II Men, Stephanie Mills, Macy Gray, Dwele, Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle, Mint Condition, Kelly Price, M.C. Lyte and George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Ebanks said Wednesday that the lineup includes musicians whom fans asked to see.
Lawsuit challenges 200-year-old unique Louisiana sex crime law
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana’s 200-year-old law against solicitation of oral and anal sex is archaic, discriminatory and unconstitutional.
So says a coalition of lawyers and social activists who filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Tuesday challenging the state’s “crimes against nature” law, which makes solicitation of such acts illegal.
In Louisiana, prostitutes do not have to register as sex offenders unless they are charged more than once.