Anti-U.S. demonstrations mark the April 28 birthday of Saddam HusseinDAMASCUS (AP) — Supporters of Iraq’s late dictator Saddam Hussein gathered in Damascus Thursday to denounce the U.S. “occupation” of Iraq.About 500 Saddam loyalists, including members of his outlawed Baath Party, vowed their support.Ghazwan al-Qubaisi, a senior official, hailed Saddam as a “martyr” amid cheers of “Saddam is a hero.”Legislation banning Islamic dress passes half of Belgian parliamentBRUSSELS (AP) — The lower house of Belgium’s parliament on Thursday banned burqa-type Islamic dress in public.The phrasing holds no one can appear in public “with the face fully or partly covered so as to render them no longer recognizable.”Both houses of parliament must approve the bill. Approval in the lower house was almost unanimous.Gulf Coast oil spill could affect U.S. offshore drilling expansion plansWASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration said Thursday the oil spill along the Gulf Coast will become part of the debate on climate change.White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the cause of the oil rig explosion, still not determined, could affect what areas the government would open for future drilling.But Gibbs and other officials said President Barack Obama remains committed to plans to expand offshore drilling to areas that now are off limits.U.S. Navy to allow women to serve aboard submarines amid protestsKINGS BAY NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE, Ga. (AP) — U.S. women will be allowed to serve aboard submarines by 2012, the Navy said Thursday.The cramped quarters aboard submarines, combined with long tours of up to 90 days at sea, kept them off-limits to female sailors for 16 years after the Navy began allowing women to serve on all its surface ships in 1994.There were some protests, particularly from wives of sub sailors, after the military began formulating a plan last fall.Arizona immigration legislation faces lawsuits and harsh criticismPHOENIX (AP) — Anger mounted Thursday over an Arizona law cracking down on illegal immigration. A police officer filed one of the first suits challenging the law.The law, signed by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, sparked fears of racial profiling. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the federal government may challenge the law.Those opposed to the law argue there’s no way for officers to confirm people’s immigration status without impeding investigations, and that the new law violates numerous constitutional rights.Miles on tour, says LSU close to contention and steadily improvingALEXANDRIA (AP) — Les Miles agrees LSU’s performances haven’t been good enough but adds that the Tigers are “not far off.”On Wednesday night, Miles told a crowd that LSU is an offensive improvement away from another title.Miles assures that junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson will improve and sophomore Russell Shepard will play a more prominent offensive role.Obesity researcher appointed as the head of Pennington Center(AP) — The Louisiana State University System has selected a top Merck & Co. obesity researcher to head the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.LSU President John Lombardi announced the appointment of Steven Heymsfield on Thursday. Lombardi will ask the board of supervisors to approve Heymsfield’s appointment at its June 4 meeting.LSU also announced that the state is committing a $10 million grant intended to spur up to 250 jobs for scientists and support staff concentrating on obesity and diabetes-related clinical trials and laboratory research.LSU said in a written statement that the initial jobs are slated for New Orleans.Bill attempting to label driver’s licenses of drug offenders rejected(AP) — An attempt to label driver’s licenses with “drug offender” has died in a House committee.The bill by Lafayette Rep. Rickey Hardy, a Democrat, would require anyone twice convicted of drug production or distribution to receive a driver’s license with the stamp.Hardy says it would deter crime and help police identify threats. Opponents questioned whether it would stop criminal activity.