Topic: Referenda

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Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:
Mitt Romney's five biggest assets as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the election into a choice, saying in effect that America's problems will get much worse under the other guy. So what does Mitt Romney bring to the table? Here are five assets.
Egypt's constitution: How 5 stakeholders would shape the document

Here’s what key stakeholders want Egypt’s new constitution to look like.
Four ways to relieve overcrowded prisons

America’s addiction to incarceration as a curb on crime must end. The evidence is staggering. Prison overcrowding is ubiquitous and shows few signs of abating: Between 1970 and 2005, the nation’s inmate population grew by 700 percent.
In California, 54 prisoners may share a single toilet and 200 prisoners may live in a single gymnasium. As a result, the Supreme Court ruled in May 2011 that California prisons were in violation of the Eighth Amendment and its prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Here, attorney Arjun Sethi offers four solutions to improve the overcrowded US prison system.

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Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Keep Calm
Sudan and South Sudan to resume negotiations

After weeks of fighting, in which South Sudan took out one of Sudan's last remaining oil fields, the two countries are returning to the negotiation table, under African Union mediation. 
A decade after independence, East Timor's surprising best friend? Indonesia.

Ten years ago, East Timor was reeling from Indonesia's scorched-earth withdrawal after two-plus decades of occupation. Today it sees its huge neighbor as a crucial partner.
Gay marriage issue: Who does it hurt most, Obama or Romney?

Gay marriage is not a campaign subject either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney really needed, and it could present difficulties for both candidates as the election nears.
Obama calls Romney "backwards" on gay rights

He criticized the GOP candidate, saying that he wants to enshrine discrimination.
Gay marriage now front and center in battleground states (+video)

President Obama's support for the unions has pushed the issue into the spotlight.
Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:
Mitt Romney's five biggest assets as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the election into a choice, saying in effect that America's problems will get much worse under the other guy. So what does Mitt Romney bring to the table? Here are five assets.
Decoder Wire
Romney vs. Obama: a squeaker or a landslide?

In a Mitt Romney matchup with Barack Obama, latest polling data point to either a close race or an Obama blowout, depending on which numbers you look at. It may come down to which matters more: economic performance or personal appeal.
Latin America Monitor
Ecuador: easy base for terrorists and criminals?

The Ecuadorean Constitution calls for 'universal citizenship,' granting free mobility – with or without a passport. But lax regulations are raising fears of easy access for terrorists or organized crime.
The Economist raises Scotland's ire with 'Skintland' joke

The Economist was targeting Scotland's interest in becoming independent, pointing out that 'Skintland' relies heavily on the United Kingdom.
Swiss villages, sitting on a gold mine, refuse to budge

Switzerland's Medel Valley contains gold ore worth an estimated $1.2 billion, but residents soundly rejected a proposal to mine the deposits, despite the community's need for jobs.
Setback for legal marijuana? Pot raid rattles top cannabis crusader.

A federal raid on the marijuana businesses of Richard Lee has convinced the legal-marijuana leader to take a step back. It could mark an important moment for the movement.
Change Agent
Why Boulder, Colo., took charge of its electric company

Running its own electric utility will allow Boulder to use more sun and wind energy instead of coal – at the same or lower cost.
Egypt's liberals walk out, leaving Islamists to write a constitution

Of the 100-member assembly elected this weekend to craft Egypt's new constitution, about a fifth resigned before the group met today to begin writing.
Egypt's constitution: How 5 stakeholders would shape the document

Here’s what key stakeholders want Egypt’s new constitution to look like.
EU leaders sign treaty to enforce fiscal discipline as Spain rebels

Spain told European Union leaders as they gathered to sign a fiscal treaty that it couldn't meet the deficit targets set by the EU for the upcoming year.
EU to Ireland: your referendum won't stop EU financial treaty

Germany is angry that Ireland plans to hold a referendum on a treaty that will impose strict budget controls on EU members. Ireland has twice rejected EU treaties — but this time, it alone cannot scupper the deal.
Support for gay marriage rises among California voters, poll finds

An accelerating shift is under way among California voters on gay marriage, with 59 percent now in favor of allowing it, a new Field Poll suggests. That's up from 49 percent in 2009.
Ireland may get concessions in exchange for 'yes' on EU fiscal treaty

Ireland's approval of the EU fiscal treaty passed in January is dependent on a public referendum, the attorney general said today. Ireland might demand concessions in exchange for approval.
Terrorism & Security
Syria's Assad reportedly launching ground invasion of Homs

While the rebel stronghold has been pummeled by indiscriminate shelling for weeks, an influx of troops could lead to door-to-door searches, arrests, and potential torture of key activists.
Backchannels
Syria approves new Constitution as dozens murdered in Homs

The mounting death toll in Homs and other Syrian cities is far more important than a referendum the Syrian government says showed overwhelmingly public support for a new constitution.
Syria vote called a 'farce' by West

Syria heads to the polls today to vote on a new constitution, a move by embattled President Bashar al-Assad to defuse an uprising.
Syrians in Homs feel abandoned by world

Residents are pessimistic about last week's "Friends of Syria" conference and say they see no real pressure for change.
Gay Marriage: why Prop. 8 appeal is not going to Supreme Court ... yet

The coalition of groups that backs Prop. 8, California's ban on gay marriage, has asked all the judges of the Ninth Circuit to rehear the case decided by a three-judge panel on Feb. 7. An appeal to the US Supreme Court could still follow.