Gay Rights Victory
The U.S. Supreme Court made two historic rulings this week on same-sex marriage. In a 5 to 4 vote, the justices declared the Defense of Marriage Act, passed during the second Clinton administration, was unconstitutional.
The court also let stand a lower-court ruling that overturned California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. Taken together, the rulings were seen as a victory for the LGBT community and supporters who view same-sex marriage as a matter of civil rights.
San Diego Hospice Bankruptcy
In February, San Diego Hospice filed for bankruptcy. That was in the wake of a two-year investigation examining the allegations that the organization had long accepted and billed Medicare for patients who were not eligible for it. The federal government claims that San Diego Hospice owes $112 million.
Climate Change Challenge
A new report issued jointly by military analysts and planners from the U.S. and Great Britain states that national security depends on putting a halt to the burning of fossil fuels. The report buttresses President Barack Obama's initiative this week to cut emissions from coal-fired power plants and other measures to fight global warming.
