Hawaii governor signs gay marriage law
HONOLULU – Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a bill legalizing gay marriage in a state that kicked off a national discussion on the issue more than two decades ago.
Abercrombie signed the bill Wednesday at a ceremony at the Hawaii Convention Center, near the tourist hub of Waikiki.
Now, Hawaii is positioning itself for a bump in tourism. An estimate from a University of Hawaii researcher says gay marriage will boost tourism by $217 million over the next three years, as Hawaii becomes a destination for ceremonies and honeymoons for couples in other states.
The measure will allow gay couples to marry starting Dec. 2.
Air Force to expand candidate screening
WASHINGTON – The Air Force has decided it must “add more vigor” to its screening of candidates for senior nuclear command, adding closer looks at health records and Internet searches for potentially damaging personal information about candidates who also have long military careers, the Air Force's top general said Wednesday.
Gen. Mark Welsh, the Air Force chief of staff, told reporters that the change was initiated as the Air Force searched for a successor to Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, who was fired in October as commander of 20th Air Force, which is responsible for all 450 of the Air Force's Minuteman 3 nuclear missiles. Carey was fired for behavior that officials have said is linked to alcohol abuse.
Until now the selection process had focused on a candidate's professional background, including job skills and prior assignments. Using that approach “someone would quickly (emerge as) the obvious choice,” Welsh said.
Toronto mayor admits buying illegal drugs
TORONTO – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted during a heated City Council debate Wednesday that he had bought illegal drugs in the past two years, but he firmly refused to step down even after nearly every councilor stood up to ask him to take a leave of absence.
The mayor made the confession under direct questioning by a former ally, Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong. Ford publicly admitted last week that he smoked crack cocaine last year in a “drunken stupor,” but his comments Wednesday marked the first time he acknowledged having bought illegal drugs.
Ford paused for a long time after Minnan-Wong asked him if he had bought illicit narcotics in the past two years.
Then Ford replied, “Yes I have.”
But he then turned defiant, saying he was not an addict of any sort and rebuffing suggestions from council members that he should seek help.
Associated Press
