BOSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday allowing Gov. Deval Patrick to name an interim appointment to the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward Kennedy. The House voted 95-58 in favor of the bill. The bill now moves to the state Senate for its consideration. House Speaker Robert DeLeo, a Democrat, said the change is needed to ensure Massachusetts continues to be represented by two senators until voters can choose a replacement during a Jan. 19 special election. Republicans, who number just 16 in the House, oppose the bill.
D.C.: FAA changes terminology
Responding to criticism that his agency has become too cozy with companies it regulates, the new head of the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday the FAA will stop calling airlines “customers,” as he announced steps to ensure air carriers comply with safety orders. During the Bush administration, the FAA adopted a business model for evaluating its performance and began calling airlines, aircraft manufacturers and others that it regulates “customers.” The new term is “stakeholder.” Another initiative is the creation of a new office to handle public safety and whistleblower complaints.
Wyoming: Snowmobile ruling
A judge says he has no authority to block a federal plan to reduce snowmobile traffic in Yellowstone National Park this winter. Wednesday’s ruling by the U.S. District judge may mean no more than 318 snowmobiles will be allowed in the park each day this winter. Last year, the park allowed 720 snowmobiles. Snowmobile proponents, including the state, say the activity is important to the economies of communities around the park during the winter. Environmentalists contend the machines cause noise and air pollution in the park.
Arizona: Baby picture flap
An couple accused of sexual abuse after taking bath-time photos of their children and then trying to have them developed at Wal-Mart are suing the state and the retail giant. Lisa and Anthony Demaree’s three young daughters were taken away by Child Protective Services last fall when a Wal-Mart employee found partially nude pictures of the girls on a camera memory stick taken to the store for processing, according to the suit. The couple is seeking undetermined monetary damages from both Wal-Mart and the state and have requested a jury trial.
Canada: Refuge for resisters
Parliament will consider a bill introduced Thursday that would allow American and other war resisters to stay in Canada. The bill, introduced by the Liberal Party’s Gerard Kennedy, would allow other countries’ military deserters to stay in Canada if their refusal to serve is based on sincere moral, political or religious objections. Parliament has already voted twice to support war resisters, but those were non-binding motions. Kennedy’s bill would be binding because it would amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Italy: Afghanistan pullout
Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday it would be best for international troops to leave Afghanistan soon, after a bomb blast in Kabul killed six Italian soldiers in Italy’s deadliest day yet in the conflict. Berlusconi insisted there was no timetable for withdrawal, and said any decision would be made together with Italy’s allies. The explosion also wounded four Italian soldiers. “We are all convinced it’s best for everybody to get out soon,” Berlusconi said in Brussels.
Vatican: Orthodox relations
Relations with the Russian Orthodox church have vastly improved, possibly paving the way for a papal visit to Moscow or a historic meeting between the pope and the Orthodox patriarch outside of Russia or the Vatican, a senior Vatican cardinal said Thursday. Cardinal Walter Kasper said “we have overcome all the tensions in recent years.” He spoke after meeting with Archbishop Hilarion, head of external relations for the Moscow patriarch’s office. Hilarion is scheduled to meet today with Pope Benedict XVI.
Bulgaria: Freak lottery draw
Investigators said Thursday they found no wrongdoing at Bulgaria’s national lottery after the same winning numbers were picked in two consecutive draws. The sport minister ordered the probe Wednesday after the numbers 4, 15, 23, 24, 35 and 42 were selected by a machine — in a different order — on consecutive draws televised live on Sept. 6 and Sept. 10. Lottery officials called the repeat draws a freak coincidence — the odds are 1 in 4 million, according to mathematicians — and insisted it was impossible to tamper with the lottery machine.
From Herald news services
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