UN Security Council approves Libya no-fly zone to protect civilians
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize “all necessary measures” to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi’s forces.
The decision came hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi.
—
Italy’s 150th birthday celebration sees flag-waving, some boos
ROME (AP) — Italy marked the 150th anniversary of its national unity with a public holiday on Thursday, joyful celebrations in cities such as Rome and Turin and not a few reminders of how fractured the country still is in some ways.
Premier Silvio Berlusconi was booed at one solemn ceremony, and there were shouts of “resign, resign,” as he arrived at a Rome church for a religious service marking the anniversary.
Politicians in the wealthy north questioned whether workers and students should have been given the day off. Some people in Italy’s poor and crime-ridden south said they were tired of being regarded as second-class citizens.
—
France, Czech Republic send planes for departures from Japan
PARIS (AP) — The French government and Czech military have evacuated some of their citizens from Japan on special flights, and Britain is planning the same, as international worries grow about health risks from Japan’s leaking nuclear plants.
The United States has authorized the first evacuations of Americans out of Japan, warning U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to any part of Japan as unpredictable weather and wind conditions risked spreading radioactive contamination.
—
New Bible draws conservative critics of gender-neutral language
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In the old translation of the world’s most popular Bible, John the Evangelist declares: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” Make that “brother or sister” in a new translation that includes more gender-neutral language and is drawing criticism from some conservatives who argue the changes can alter the theological message.
The 2011 translation of the New International Version Bible, or NIV, does not change pronouns referring to God, who remains “He” and “the Father.” But it does aim to avoid using “he” or “him” as the default reference to an unspecified person.
—
Hawaii braces for downturn in travelers from Japan
HONOLULU (AP) — A tsunami spawned by the deadly earthquake in Japan caused tens of millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses and boats in Hawaii after the waves roared ashore last week. Now the islands are bracing for another hit — a loss in travelers from Japan.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie predicted the economic consequences will be severe for the state that is already dealing with a projected shortfall of nearly $1 billion over the next two years.
—
Federal report shows pattern of misconduct by New Orleans police
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans police officers have often used deadly force without justification, repeatedly made unconstitutional arrests and engaged in racial profiling, the Justice Department said Thursday in a scathing report.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu called the report sobering but not surprising, given the highly publicized problems laid bare after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The mayor had requested the review shortly after taking office in May 2010 and said many of the problems outlined in the report were exposed after Katrina but existed long before the storm devastated the low-lying city.
—
Louisiana’s per capita debt grows, still below constitutional limit
(AP) — Louisiana’s debt load under the Jindal administration has grown over the last year, reaching $1,307 for every person in the state while approaching a state record set three years earlier for per capita debt, according to a report released Thursday.
Despite the increase, the State Bond Commission was told the state remains below its debt ceiling, though it could edge closer to the limit with expected future borrowing for state-backed construction projects.
 
—-
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]