Britain’s David Miliband voices hope for improving ties with Russia

Miliband hopes for better British-Russian ties

Bolivia the standard-bearer as Latin American natives fight to protect lands, culture

Indian political awakening stirs Latin America

New York voters asked to consider Adirondack land swap, inmate volunteer work for nonprofits

NY voters asked to consider land swap, inmate work

Japan eyes shifting Indian Ocean naval refueling for anti-piracy mission off Somali coast

Japan eyes naval refueling for anti-piracy mission

Justice Scalia: Rival doctrine favors ‘coast to coast’ decrees on issues such as abortion

Justice Scalia: Rival doctrine seeks rigidity

Morton: Ala. teachers should pay more for health insurance, retirement to offset budget cuts

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama schools Superintendent Joe Morton unveiled a plan to deal with budget cuts for fiscal year 2011 partly by making teachers pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits.

US considers Afghan coalition a possibility; could replace or follow Nov. 7 runoff election

WASHINGTON — The United States would be receptive to a power-sharing arrangement between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his election challenger if they agreed to it, Obama administration officials said Wednesday.

2 Kentucky Senate Republicans meet with horse industry on proposed constitutional amendments

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two Kentucky Republican lawmakers are planning to offer different constitutional amendments next year, one that would allow for video gambling and another that would limit how gambling could be expanded.

Kuwait’s highest court grants women right to passport without husband’s approval

KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait’s highest court granted women the right to obtain a passport without their husband’s approval, the case’s lawyer said Wednesday, in the latest stride for women’s rights in this small oil-rich emirate.

Nicaragua court says President Ortega can seek re-election; opposition in uproar

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Leftist President Daniel Ortega appears to have won the right to seek re-election in 2011, though opponents call the decision illegal and are vowing to fight it.

Obama welcomes Karzai’s decision on vote, says Afghan constitution made stronger

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said he called Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday to applaud his agreement to a second-round vote and thank him for having the interests of the “Afghan people at heart.”

Federal judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit seeking to overturn Calif same-sex marriage ban

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge challenged the backers of California’s voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriage Wednesday to explain how allowing gay couples to wed threatens conventional unions, a demand that prompted their lawyer to acknowledge he did not know.

California governor signs bill recognizing out-of-state gay marriages sanctioned before Prop 8

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill recognizing gay marriages sanctioned in other states during the nearly five months such unions were legal in California.

Top NY court to hear challenge to development that includes a planned New Jersey Nets arena

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York’s top court will soon decide if the state has the power to seize private property to build the Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, which includes a planned new arena for the New Jersey Nets.

Thousands expected to call on Obama, Congress to fulfill gay rights promises during DC march

WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of gay rights supporters marched from the White House to the Capitol Sunday, demanding that President Barack Obama keep his promises to allow gays to serve openly in the military and work to end discrimination against them.

Bitter rivals emerge from Honduras negotiations reporting progress and date for more talks

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Signs of progress have emerged from two days of talks and Honduras’ rival factions plan to resume after a weekend break trying to resolve the bitter divide over the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya.

Dozens of Dominicans in beach gear demand more access to country’s beaches and rivers

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Dozens of Dominicans wearing flip-flops and swim suits and carrying coolers and surfboards soaked in the sun outside Congress on Friday to protest a proposal they say will limit public access to beaches and rivers.

Honduran negotiators report ‘major’ progress as talks to resolve stalemate break for weekend

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Rival factions in the bitter Honduran political stalemate emerged from negotiations Friday reporting substantial progress, although no agreement on restoring ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Honduran talks convened by OAS delegation set to keep going, but no solution in sight

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Allies of the rival claimants to the Honduran presidency are continuing face-to-face talks on ending the paralyzing political standoff, after visiting diplomats failed to achieve a breakthrough.