US/ CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PROP 8 CASE: The California Supreme Court's decision late yesterday to take up a key question in the fight over Proposition 8 places the court once again at the forefront of the legal battle over same-sex marriage. The court, meeting in closed session at its San Francisco headquarters, decided unanimously to rule on whether sponsors of ballot initiatives have special authority under state law to defend the measures in court when state officials refuse to do so. Last month, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is considering a federal judge's ruling that struck down Proposition 8, had asked California's high court to decide the state legal question. The court's answer probably will determine whether Proposition 8 is overturned on narrow, procedural grounds with limited impact or whether the case reaches the US Supreme Court on constitutional questions that could affect same-sex marriage laws throughout the country. The California Supreme Court's order Wednesday set an expedited briefing schedule for a hearing that may be held "as early as September." That means a decision probably would not come until the end of the year, a timetable that challengers of Proposition 8 immediately asked the court to accelerate.
US/ HAWAII CIVIL UNIONS BILL PASSES: Politicians in the state of Hawaii have passed bill legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples late last night, with the Senate voting 18-5 in favour. The bill has been passed to Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie to sign into law, he has already signaled that he supports the measure. The unions will give same-sex couples the same rights as married couples, but it bypasses the defence of marriage amendment to the constitution enacted in 1998. The Governor is espected to sign the bill within 10 days.
US/ "CAT" BURGLER CAUGHT ON TAPE: A thief has been caught on camera, stealing over 600 items from neighbours' homes in San Mateo, California. The surprise is that the thief is a cat. Dusty the cat burglar was videoed by a night-vision camera carrying everything from a bath sponge and a toy dinosaur to a neighbour's bikini top down the street in San Mateo, south of San Francisco. "Towels, gloves, shoes, socks and children's toys," his owner said in a TV interview, listing the various household goods her pet has brought home. "He took my mom's swimming suit," added a neighbour's 5 year old, after the cat was finally fingered for the theft of some 600 items over the past 3 years. Infrared video of Dusty showed it carrying a string of stolen goods in his mouth, including 1 item of clothing so big and long that the cat's back feet were splayed as it hobbled along the sidewalk, dragging its bounty it home. Dusty apparently does his thieving at night, when the neighbours are asleep. The neighbours take it in stride and said that from now on, when something goes missing, they will look to Dusty, to see if he has struck again.
A group of 25 lions flew from Bolivia to Colorado yesterday on a flight to freedom. The lions were saved from deplorable living conditions that they were living in after Bolivia passed a law last year prohibiting all circus performances by live animals. Many were dehydrated and had infections, with all of them living in small, cramped cages. The 14 males and 11 females landed at Denver International Airport in transport cages and were transferred to the Wildlife Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado. There, they where they will be able to live out their lives cage free. A 15000sq feet biosphere was built to help them adjust to the change in temperature. The sanctuary is home to about 270 other wild animals. Former "The Price is Right" game show host, Bob Barker, helped finance the $200K cost of "Operation Lion Ark," and was on hand to welcome the lions to their new home.
WORLD/ BAHRAIN MOVES AGAINST PROTESTERS: Protests have been banned in Bahrain and the military has been ordered to tighten its grip after the violent removal of anti-government demonstrators overnight. The army would take every measure necessary to preserve security, the interior ministry said on state run TV. 3 people died and more than 231 were injured when police broke up the main protest camp, said Bahrain's health minister. The announcement on state television said the army had taken control of "key parts" of the city.The capital has been effectively shut down, with tanks, army patrols and military checkpoints on key streets and helicopters deployed overhead. Barbed wire has been erected on roads leading to the main protest area, Pearl Square, and the interior ministry has warned people to stay off the streets.
WORLD/ UK TO ALLOW CHURCHES TO PERFORM CIVIL UNIONS: The government in the UK has formally announced its plans to allow churches in England and Wales to host civil partnership ceremonies. Civil partnerships were introduced into law in 2005. Ministers sought greater "equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people", but said no religious group would be forced to host the ceremonies. The Church of England has said it will not do so. Quakers have welcomed the plans, with support also expected from Unitarians and Liberal Jews. Gay rights campaigners have welcomed the move but want full marriage rights. The Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone said there was "a real desire to address the differences between civil marriage and civil partnerships". The government plans, which are being introduced as part of the Equality Act, would also see straight couples allowed to become civil partners. The UK Home Secretary said: "This government is committed to both advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and ensuring freedom of religion for people of all faiths. We will be allowing religious organizations to host civil partnership registrations if they choose to do so".
Protestant ministers in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, are furious over a newly-opened gay sauna in the city. The Cage, on John Street, opened last week, although it does not yet have planning permission. As well as a sauna, it has a steam room, a cinema and private rooms. At least 2 Protestant ministers say they will fight the planning permission application. The Reverend Ian Brown from the Free Presbyterian Church in the Waterside, called the sauna a “sordid little hovel” and said he was “repulsed” by the “nefarious and shameful development”. Mark Bradford, a minister with the Bethnal Baptist Church in Derry, said it was a “sordid, sinful carbuncle on the face of Derry”. He added that visitors were involved in “killer behaviour”. The owner of the The Cage said it made financial business sense to set up in London Derry. “While I wouldn’t exactly welcome protests, I will weather the storm,” he added.
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