Court makes Conn. 3rd state to allow gay marriage
A sharply divided Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Friday gay couples have the right to get married, saying legislators did not go far enough when they approved same-sex civil unions that were identical to marriages in virtually every respect except the name.
U.S. military deaths in Iraq war at 4,181
As of Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at least 4,181 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The figure includes eight military civilians killed in action. At least 3,385 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military’s numbers.
Europe would guarantee inter-bank loans
A draft declaration by euro-zone leaders says their governments plan to temporarily guarantee future loans among private banks to unlock frozen credit markets.
The declaration says the governments would guarantee new interbank loans between private institutions for the next five years.
North Korea announced nuclear disablement
North Korea says it will resume dismantling its Yongbyon nuclear complex and allow U.S. and International Atomic Enery Agency inspections to verify the process.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday it made the decision after the U.S. said it would remove the communist regime from its list of terrorism-sponsoring countries.
Va. governor to make appearances for Obama
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is heading into McCain country this weekend to stump for Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.
Kaine will make appearances Sunday on behalf of Obama in Colorado and Arizona, the home state of Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.
McCain fires Buchanan County campaign chairman
Republican Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign has ousted a prominent Virginia GOP figure after he wrote a racially offensive newspaper column mocking a potential Obama administration.
A McCain spokesperson said Bobby May was dropped this week from his job as McCain’s Buchanan County campaign chairman.
Palin’s Va. appearance moved to bigger venue
Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin’s appearance in Richmond has been moved to a larger venue.
Officials with John McCain’s presidential campaign said Friday heavy demand for tickets prompted them to move Monday’s rally from the 6,000-seat Arthur Ashe Center to the Richmond International Raceway, which can accommodate more than 100,000 people.
Pick’em Week Seven
It was yet another rough week for our gurus as the bunch combined to pick only 48 percent correctly. Executive Editor Matt Doyon and Alex Dynan still lead after 10-10 efforts while Associate Sports Editor Jerome Foster is still three games back after achieving the same record.
Sports briefs
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Five runners set personal bests at the 35th annual Lehigh University Brooks Paul Short Run this past Friday. The top Ram was junior Piotr Dybas (Jaslo, Poland). He finished with a time of 24:56, almost a minute better than his previous best.
Jonathan Says
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
When putting University of Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen on the CT Fire-O-Meter a couple of weeks ago, I did it knowing that it would take a lot for his alma mater to show him the door. After all, Friedgen has taken the Terrapins to heights they had not reached since Bobby Ross ran the team (the 1980s).