Sanctions requested for Boko Haram

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP):

A leading Nigerian rights group is urging the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on the Islamic extremists that abducted some 300 schoolgirls, saying concern and condemnation are not enough.

A statement yesterday from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project says it is time for the council to "act decisively" and that the cost of inaction is "too high to contemplate".

It comes as more experts are expected in Nigeria to help in the search, including United States hostage negotiators. Nigeria's government belatedly accepted offers of help last week from the United States, Britain, France, China and Spain amid mounting national and international outrage at its failure to rescue 276 girls abducted from a north-eastern school on April 15. Fifty-three escaped. The militants are threatening to sell the girls into slavery.

Arkansas to appeal ruling allowing same-sex marriage

EUREKA SPRINGS, Arkansas (AP):

Lawyers for the state followed through with their promise to appeal a judge's decision overturning the constitutional amendment overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2004 banning gay marriage.

But not before 15 licences were issued for same-sex couples in north-west Arkansas' Carroll County. Gay marriage arrived in the Bible Belt on Saturday, beginning with two women who had travelled overnight to ensure they'd be first in line.

"Thank God," Jennifer Rambo said after Carroll County Deputy Clerk Jane Osborn issued a marriage licence to her and Kristin Seaton, a former volleyball player at the University of Arkansas. The Fort Smith couple wed moments later on a sidewalk near the courthouse; the officiant wore a rainbow-coloured dress.

In total, 15 licences were issued for same-sex couples in northwest Arkansas' Carroll County, Osborn said.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza paved the way Friday with a ruling that removed a 10-year-old barrier, saying a constitutional amendment overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2004 banning gay marriage was "an unconstitutional attempt to narrow the definition of equality." Piazza's ruling also overturned a 1997 state law banning gay marriage.

Insurgent attack on military barracks kills 20

BAGHDAD (AP):

Militants in Iraq launched an audacious attack on a military barracks in a remote area in the country's north and killed 20 troops overnight, including some who had been bound and shot at close range, authorities said yesterday.

The killings at the barracks in the village of Ayn al-Jahish outside the northern city of Mosul represent the latest blow to the government's efforts to achieve stability in restive Sunni-dominated areas.

Gunmen staged the assault late Saturday night, two police officers said, shooting some at short range, while others died when insurgents stormed the barracks.

A medical official, who confirmed the causality number, said 11 troops had their hands tied behind their backs and suffered close-range gunshots to the head.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to release the information to journalists.