Opponents of the Bill led by Tim Loughton MP submitted an amendment to allow opposite sex couples to enter into civil partnerships, which were introduced in 2004 as an alternative to marriage for same sex couples. The government warned that Loughton’s amendment was an attempt to wreck the passage of the Bill. Sir George Young, the Conservative chief whip, asked Labour whips to oppose the amendment despite the Labour Party previously supporting the amendment.

A Labour Party source quoted in The Guardian said they “had an eleventh hour appeal from the government that they did not have the numbers to defeat the Tim Loughton amendment” and that Labour leader Ed Miliband considered it an “overriding priority [...] to ensure that the bill gets on to the statute book. Ed and Yvette Cooper will therefore be voting against the Tim Loughton amendment. We expect a large number of MPs to join Ed and Yvette. Since there was a genuine threat to the bill Ed decided the best thing to do was to act in this way.”

A rival amendment put forward by the Labour Party would bring in a review of whether civil partnerships ought to be extended to opposite sex couples but would not delay the implementation of marriage for same sex couples. This amendment was approved 391 to 57 by the Commons.

Opponents of the Bill including David Burrowes and Peter Bone are hoping the House of Lords will reject the law: Burrowes stated Lords would have the right to reject the bill as “there was no clear manifesto commitment, no coalition agreement, no green paper ‘ just a sham consultation”. The Conservative Party’s 2010 “contract for equalities” reads, “We will also consider the case for changing the law to allow civil partnerships to be called and classified as marriage.”

In an interview with The Big Issue, former cabinet minister and Conservative peer Norman Tebbit expressed concern about the possibility that a law legalising gay marriage would cause confusion regarding royal succession: “When we have a queen who is a lesbian and she marries another lady and then decides she would like to have a child and someone donates sperm and she gives birth to a child, is that child heir to the throne’”

Tebbit also argued the new law “would lift my worries about inheritance tax because maybe I’d be allowed to marry my son. Why not’ Why shouldn’t a mother marry her daughter’ Why shouldn’t two elderly sisters living together marry each other’”

During the debate, Gerald Howarth referred to Conservative MP Margot James as representative of an “aggressive homosexual community”: “I warn you, and MPs on all sides of the house, that I fear that the playing field has not been levelled. I believe that the pendulum is now swinging so far the other way and there are plenty in the aggressive homosexual community who see this as but a stepping stone to something even further”. Howarth’s comments sparked a trending topic on the social networking site Twitter.

David Cameron has been on the political defensive since rumours circulated that Conservative Party co-chairman Lord Feldman referred to Conservative activists as “mad, swivel-eyed loons”. Conservative Grassroots chairman Miles Windsor remarked, “This week has begun a civil war in conservatism, it may rumble on for years ‘ but as things stand, Nigel Farage is winning it at a stride.”

Maria Miller, the government minister responsible for equality, tweeted after the vote on the third reading: “Just won Third Reading vote of Equal Marriage Bill – After all the hard work, its moment to be proud of. It’s the Right Thing”. Labour MP Diane Abbott said: “I did not think I would live to see the day this reached third reading.”

On BBC Radio 4, David Cameron welcomed the passage of the bill: “I think we should think about it like this ‘ that there will be young boys in schools today who are gay, who are worried about being bullied, who are worried about what society thinks of them, who can see that the highest Parliament in the land has said that their love is worth the same as anybody else’s love and that we believe in equality. I think they will stand that bit taller today and I’m proud of the fact that that has happened.”

Related news [edit]

• “Same-sex marriage in the UK passes second reading in Commons” ‘ Wikinews, February 7, 2013
• “UK government formally launches same-sex marriage legislation in Parliament” ‘ Wikinews, January 25, 2013

Sources [edit]

• “David Cameron: Gay teenagers will stand that bit taller following equal marriage vote” ‘ Pink News, May 22, 2013
• Nicholas Watt. “Gay marriage bill may lead to ‘lesbian queen and artificially inseminated heir’” ‘ The Guardian, May 21, 2013
• “Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron’s plan” ‘ BBC News Online, May 21, 2013
• “Same sex marriage bill clears Commons” ‘ BBC News Online, May 21, 2013
• Laura Smith-Spark. “UK’s House of Commons approves same-sex marriage” ‘ CNN, May 21, 2013
• Nicholas Watt. “Rightwing Tory rebels call on peers to reject gay marriage bill” ‘ The Guardian, May 21, 2013
• “Aldershot MP Sir Gerald Howarth trends on twitter over gay marriage comments” ‘ 96.4 Eagle Radio, May 21, 2013
• Maria Miller. “Just won Third Reading vote of Equal Marriage Bill – After all the hard work, its moment to be proud of. It’s the Right Thing” ‘ Twitter, May 21, 2013
• Nicholas Watt. “Gay marriage bill survives after Ed Miliband votes against amendment” ‘ The Guardian, May 20, 2013
• “General Election 2010: Conservatives may reclassify gay civil partnership as marriage” ‘ The Daily Telegraph, May 3, 2010

The Northern Territory also has the highest national prices for 1 gram of amphetamine at AU$400 to 800, and MDMA at AU$30 to 60 for one tablet. Crystal meth goes for 1 gram at a national high of AU$1,000 to 2,000 in the Northern Territory, but Northern Territory ties with Western Australia at AU$100 to 200 for one street deal of 0.1 grams. Northern Territory has a national high price for hydroponic head (non-leaf) cannabis at AU$30 to 100 for one street deal of approximately 1 ounce. Data was not available for the Northern Territory for the powdered form of methamphetamine, with Queensland having the highest price at AU$50 to 150 for one street deal of 0.1 grams, and South Australia having the highest price for 1 gram at AU$700 to 900.

The report ‘ the commission’s tenth annual report of Australian illicit drug data ‘ also notes a ten-year 580% increase in performance and image enhancing drugs detected at the national border by Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officials. Cannabis accounts for a large portion of Australia’s illicit drug related activities, accounting for 65.5% of all drug related arrests in 2011’2012, and total seizures at 68.1%. Drugs other than cannabis, amphetamine, cocaine, and opioids such as heroin had the greatest seizures by weight at 56.8%. The total number of drug related arrests in the 2011’2012 is the highest in the past decade with over 90,000 total arrests. It is also the first time the reported total number of drug seizures topped 70,000.

Sources [edit]

• “Australian Crime Commission” ‘ Australian Crime Commission, May 21, 2013 (date of access)
• “Illicit Drug Data Report 2011-12” ‘ Australian Crime Commission, May 20, 2013
• “2011’12 Illicit Drug Data Report” ‘ Australian Crime Commission, May 20, 2013

Both Teams are coming off home wins ‘ Noosa defeating Caboolture 21 to 14, University defeating Nambour 17 to 7.

In other results, Caboolture defeated Caloundra 19’14 and Maroochydore defeated Fraser Coast 34’10.

Sources [edit]

• “Draw/Points Table” ‘ Sunshine Coast Rugby Union, May 18, 2013 (access date)
• Sunshine Coast Rugby Union. “Palmwoods Hotel Cup Rd 9 Results” ‘ Facebook, May 18, 2013

The emails show conversations between the White House, the US State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) over what the government should say about the attack. They show the CIA director at the time, David Petraeus, disagreed with the choice of information delivered by United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice on 16 September 2012 during appearances on Sunday talk shows because he wanted to see more detail on the attack released, “No mention of the cable to Cairo, either’… Frankly, I’d just as soon not use it then.” he said in an email.

Along with the emails was a handwritten document made by Petraeus’s deputy, Mike Morell, after a meeting at the White House. It appears that Morell eliminated references to al-Qaeda, Libya-based Islamic extremists, and a warning to the Cairo embassy about a potential demonstration by jihadists lead by the brother of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri. While some talking points of the demonstration remained intact on the document, any mentioning of Islamic extremists were deleted at a deputies meeting at the White House the next day.

An email by then-State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland also expressed reservations about the disclosure of information about the attacks because of the opportunity it would give congressional Republicans means to undermine the White House. The email, sent by Nuland on September 14 at 7.39pm to the White House, State Department and CIA, stated “The line of ‘knowing’ there were extremists among the demonstrators will come back to us at podium”.

Republicans had asserted the White House was engaged in a cover-up, ignoring the role of an al-Qaeda inspired group in the attack and suggesting instead the assault was the result of a demonstration by a group against an American-produced anti-Islam film.

Sources [edit]

• AAP. “White House releases Benghazi emails” ‘ The Australian, May 16, 2013
• Ewen MacAskill. “White House releases Benghazi emails in bid to quell Republican uproar” ‘ The Guardian, May 15, 2013
• “White House releases Benghazi ‘talking points’ emails” ‘ BBC News Online, May 15, 2013
• Oren Dorell. “White House releases Benghazi e-mails” ‘ USA Today, May 15, 2013

By Mr Rattenbury’s account, the kangaroo was an eastern grey kangaroo, which is a common species in Australia. Neither the kangaroo nor Mr. Rattenbury saw each other until they were close, when they both were surprised by each other. The kangaroo, which had been behind a hedge, then started hopping around and Rattenbury ducked for cover. The kangaroo bounced on him while he was still on the ground. He was left lying in the street while another pedestrian went to his assistance. He was driven home and visited a hospital, receiving a tetanus shot. He attended parliament later that day, where his colleagues made kangaroo jokes about him.

Rattenbury is a member of the ACT Greens, a sitting member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, and was an expedition leader of a Greenpeace anti-whaling expedition in 2006.

There are many kangaroos living in wildlife reserves around the Australian capital, which often enter suburban areas. The attack follows previous incidents in 2009 when a kangaroo smashed inside a Canberra home, and in 2010 when a kangaroo knocked a jogger unconscious in nearby Mount Ainslie. Kangaroo culls in the Australian capital have been held annually for several years, which have drawn protests. Kangaroo management in Canberra was the subject of a television documentary in 2011 called Kangaroo Mob.

Related news [edit]

• “Kangaroo knocks jogger unconscious in Canberra, Australia” ‘ Wikinews, March 21, 2010
• “Southern Ocean whale slaughter to resume” ‘ Wikinews, January 3, 2006

Sources [edit]

• Jethro Mullen. “Australian politician injured in kangaroo attack” ‘ CNN, May 17, 2013
• AFP. “Australian MP injured in kangaroo attack” ‘ Yahoo! News, May 17, 2013
• “Kangaroo knocks politician to ground as he enjoys morning jog” ‘ Daily Record (Scotland), May 16, 2013
• Virginia Haussegger. “Roo injures ACT Minister (video)” ‘ ABC News (Australia), May 16, 2013
• Peter Jean. “Rattenbury’s run-in with roo” ‘ The Canberra Times, May 16, 2013
• “Kangaroo Mob” ‘ 360 Degree Films, 2011

“This year, we’ve faced the second largest revenue write down since the Great Depression,” he said. There is to be a A$60 billion write down over four years. “Because of our deep commitment to jobs and growth, we have taken the responsible course to delay the return to surplus, and due to a savage hit to tax receipts, there will be a deficit of $18 billion in 2013/14″.

Infrastructure spending includes A$12.9 million to connect more local governments to the national broadband network, A$40 on other local government infrastructure, investment in Brisbane’s cross river rail and Melbourne’s Metro rail system.

People earning the Newstart Allowance can now earn more from paid employment before there payments from the government are cut. Mr Swan announced the so called “Baby Bonus” was to be merged into the Family Tax Benefit Part A.

“Family Payment system reshuffle leaves poorest worse off!” Australian Greens leader Christine Milne tweeted.

Sources [edit]

• Mark Kenny. “Nothing sweet in these numbers” ‘ The Age, May 14, 2013
• Christine Milne. “Tweet” ‘ Twitter, May 14, 2013

The NRL is planning to celebrate the week in a number of ways, including having teams compete in pink uniforms, and having fans vote for the NRL player fans believe “acts as a role model for mothers and families; someone who continues to impress us on the field, however their off-field characteristics embody what it is we love about rugby league”. Additionally, funds are to be raised for the McGrath Foundation, a charity dedicated to breast cancer support and education, and the Women in League Achievement Award will be given out with the winner earning a AU$5,000 gift card to Harvey Norman, An Australian electronics store.

The NRL has been promoting the event on their Women in League Facebook page. In the past month, their Facebook updates have included posts featuring male players discussing support they received from women in their lives, sales of pink coloured NRL merchandise, plugs encouraging people to vote for their favourite son, pictures of men supporting Women in League, NRL club promotions for tickets and other events connected to Women in League, and information on a school visit promoting anti-bullying. The Facebook page has also promoted women’s participation and profiles of women’s players as recently as a month ago, when on April 9, it promoted the Girls ‘Come and Try’ Day in Canberra. Prior to that, women were last promoted as players on February 10 when pictures were shared of the Women’s All Stars team match with the Indigenous All Stars team.

140,000 women in Australia are involved with rugby league as players, sport administrators, coaches, employees, club members, or volunteers. Karen Hardy of The Canberra Times estimates this number could easily be quadrupled if wives, girlfriends, mothers, and other female family members who support male players were included. Participation is also increasing, with almost a thousand new female players taking up the sport between 2011 and 2012 for 5,801 total registered female players in 2012.

Sources [edit]

• Rugby League’s One Community. “About Women in League” ‘ National Rugby League, May 14, 2013 (access date)
• “About Us” ‘ McGrath Foundation, May 14, 2013 (access date)
• Rugby League’s One Community. “Harvey Norman Women in League” ‘ National Rugby League, May 14, 2013 (access date)
• National Rugby League. “Women in League” ‘ Facebook, May 14, 2013 (access date)
• Karen Hardy. “What women really want” ‘ The Canberra Times, May 11, 2013
• Simon McGuinness. “Women in League Function ‘ 100-4-100” ‘ Canberra Raiders, May 8, 2013

The film faced a suspension order by the importer on April 11. China has a strict policy on censoring films, for sex, violence, and political content. Besides nudity and violence, the film has themes of slavery and rebellion.

The 165 minute long film was reportedly cut to 162 minutes, removing scenes containing nudity.

The film’s debut was reportedly estimated in April to produce ticket sales of 60 million yuan (US$9.8 million); however an official at Shanghai United Cinema Lines reported sales of roughly 100,000 yuan (US$15,800) over the weekend.

Low sales have been ascribed to various factors such as lack of publicity, few and poorly timed showings, and illegal internet downloads of the film during the near month-long hiatus.

Django Unchained was released December 25, 2012 in the United States, and stars Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christoph Waltz.

Sources [edit]

• Shanghai Daily. “Tarantino’s ‘Django’ unchained in China” ‘ People’s Daily, May 13, 2013
• “Django Unchained returns to cinemas” ‘ Xinhua News Agency, May 13, 2013
• “Django Unchanged (2012)” ‘ Internet Movie Database, May 13, 2013 (date of access)
• AFP. “Django Unchained unleashed in China” ‘ The Sydney Morning Herald, May 12, 2013
• “Django Unchained back on in China” ‘ The Belfast Telegraph, May 12, 2013

Lawyers claim the UN is breaking international law by failing to apologize or provide remuneration to the victims. They’re seeking a minimum of USD$100,000 each for families of the deceased and $50,000 for each survivor. So far, over 8,000 people have died and thousands more have been infected with the disease.

UN peacekeepers, whom arrived in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, are being blamed for the spread of the disease which started near the troop’s encampment. According to the lawsuit, waste from the UN camp was not properly sanitized, causing bacteria to enter the tributary of the Artibonite River, one of Haiti’s largest. Prior to the arrival of troops, Haiti had not encountered problems related to the disease since the 1800s. The Haitian Institute for Justice and Democracy has referenced independent studies that suggest the Nepalese UN peacekeeping battalion unknowingly brought the disease to Haiti. Danielle Lantagne, a UN expert on the disease, stated the outbreak was likely caused by the peacekeepers.

Scientists from Pacific Bio-sciences of California Inc. analyzed the bacteria in Haiti and concluded its genome is an almost identical match to samples recovered in South Asia, but different to those found in Latin America.

The UN continues to deny any responsibility for the cholera outbreak and claims it is immune from further legal proceedings. Nearly 8,000 people have vowed to join the lawsuit.

Sources [edit]

• “Haiti cholera victims threaten to sue UN” ‘ Aljazeera English, May 8, 2013
• Peter James Speilmann. “Lawyers: Haiti cholera lawsuit threatened at UN” ‘ The Huffington Post, May 8, 2013
• “Haiti cholera victims threaten to sue UN” ‘ BBC News, May 8, 2013

External links [edit]

• Eric E. Schadt. The Coming Revolution: Microbes and Multiscale Biology. Microbe, 2013; 8(2): 70-73.

In its fifth version, the exhibition organizers estimated to receive between 10,000 and 13,000 people to the event, which had nine pavilions representing eight countries around the world. The exhibitors were divided into four categories: typical food of the country they represent, handicrafts, gastronomy (comprised of cooking books and products, and metalwork^((es))), and hotel businesses and tourism.

The event was sponsored by Coca-Cola, La Granja, Oroweat, G2000 Events, CGYM Group, and the Chacao Mayor’s Office. In addition, the food company Cosecha San José participated as one of the exhibitors. According to organizers, the sixth edition of the event is planned for later this year.

The festival first took place on April 2011, with a attendance of around 3,000 people. On that occasion, eight countries participated in the event.

Expo Gastronomía Image: Hahc21.

Sources [edit]

External links [edit]

• ExpoGastronomía Venezuela