California drops gay marriage ban...Farm Bill passes...Bush in Israel

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) California's Supreme Court has thrown out state laws banning gay marriage. The move means gay couples could legally get married there as soon as next month. Opponents of the ruling are hoping to ban gay marriage through a constitutional amendment.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) Congress is sending President Bush a veto-proof farm bill. Bush has threatened to veto the 290-billion-dollar measure as too expensive. Besides farm subsidies, it provides money for food stamps and nutrition.

JERUSALEM (AP) President Bush is wrapping up his trip to Israel and heads next to Saudi Arabia to talk oil prices with King Abdullah (ab-DUHL'-uh). Bush is hoping to fare better than he did during visit to Saudi Arabia in January, where his request for a production boost was ignored.

LUOSHUI TOWN, China (AP) Officials in China have warned that the death toll from this week's devastating earthquake could hit 50,000. Workers have shifted their priorities in the country from rescuing victims to recovering bodies.

Fargo, N.D. (AP) Court documents blame a an emergency landing in North Dakota May 7th on a flight attendant who was upset at his work route. The 19-year-old airline worker has been arrested and is being held without bail. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

He allegedly set a fire in a restroom.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-16-08 0254CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list