"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Supreme Court petitioned to reimpose Calif. gay marriage ban

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 05:07 PM PDT

Opponents of gay marriage petitioned the Supreme Court on Saturday to immediately reinstate a 5-year-old ban on same-sex matrimony in California, saying a federal appeals court had acted prematurely in removing the prohibition on gay nuptials.

Stones play long-awaited Glastonbury gig

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 04:18 PM PDT

Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones performs at Glastonbury, England on Saturday, June 29, 2013. Thousands are to enjoy the three day festival that started on Friday, June 28, 2013 with headliners Arctic Monkeys, the Rolling Stones and Mumford and Sons. (Photo by Jim Ross/Invision/AP)PILTON, England (AP) — There's a first time for everything, even if you're the Rolling Stones.

Tension rises ahead of Egypt protest

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 02:12 PM PDT

An Egyptian protester holds anti-President Mohammed Morsi poster and a red card with Arabic word "Leave" during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Thousands of supporters and opponents of the embattled Islamist president held rival sit-ins in separate parts of Cairo Saturday on the eve of opposition-led mass protests aimed at forcing Mohammed Morsi from power. (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil)CAIRO (AP) — Organizers of a mass protest against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi claimed Saturday that more than 22 million people have signed their petition demanding the Islamist leader step down, asserting that the tally was a reflection of how much the public has turned against his rule.

Gay marriage opponents ask court to intervene

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 05:28 PM PDT

Cynthia Wides, right, and Elizabeth Carey file for a marriage certificate at City Hall in San Francisco, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Dozens of gay couples have lined up outside City Hall in San Francisco as clerks have resumed issuing same-sex marriage licenses one day after a federal appeals court cleared the way for the state of California to immediately lift a 4-year freeze. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Less than 24 hours after California started issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples, lawyers for the sponsors of the state's gay marriage ban filed an emergency motion Saturday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the weddings being performed in San Francisco.

Mayhem marks start of 100th Tour de France

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 03:18 PM PDT

Marcel Kittel of Germany celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 213 kilometers (133 miles) with start in Porto Vecchio and finish in Bastia, Corsica island, France, Saturday June 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)BASTIA, Corsica (AP) — Riders at the Tour de France know to expect the unexpected. But nothing could have prepared them for the mayhem that turned Saturday's first stage of the 100th Tour into a demolition derby on two wheels.

U.S. asked Ecuador to deny Snowden asylum, leader says

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 04:07 PM PDT

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa addresses the National Assembly during his inauguration ceremony in QuitoEcuadorean President Rafael Correa said on Saturday the United States had asked him not to grant asylum for former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden in a "cordial" telephone conversation he held with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Correa said he vowed to respect Washington's opinion in evaluating the request. The Andean nation says it cannot begin processing Snowden's request unless he reaches Ecuador or one of its embassies. Snowden, who is wanted by the United States for leaking details about U.S. ...

Same-sex couples line up to marry in California

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 01:35 PM PDT

Cynthia Wides, right, and Elizabeth Carey file for a marriage certificate at City Hall in San Francisco, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Dozens of gay couples have lined up outside City Hall in San Francisco as clerks have resumed issuing same-sex marriage licenses one day after a federal appeals court cleared the way for the state of California to immediately lift a 4-year freeze. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dozens of couples in jeans, shorts, white dresses and the occasional military uniform filled San Francisco City Hall on Saturday as clerks resumed issuing marriage licenses one day after a federal appeals court removed the last obstacle to making same-sex matrimony legal again in California.

AP photographer describes 128-degree heat

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 12:13 PM PDT

Eric Varone, right, takes a picture as Floriane Golay, of Switzerland watches, in Death Vally National Park Friday, June 28, 2013 in Badwater, Calif. Excessive heat warnings will continue for much of the Desert Southwest as building high pressure triggers major warming in eastern California, Nevada, and Arizona. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)FURNACE CREEK, Calif. (AP) — Associated Press photographer Chris Carlson is no stranger to heat. He grew up just outside Palm Springs, Calif. On Friday, he returned to his desert roots, leaving his home near Los Angeles and driving to the hottest place on earth on one of the hottest days of the year. Below, he describes what it is like to be in triple digit heat in Death Valley:

5 key moments from first week of Zimmerman trial

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 01:23 PM PDT

FILE - This June 24, 2013 file photo, Assistant State Attorney John Guy gestures during his opening statement in George Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Joe Burbank, Pool)SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — The first week of George Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial closed Friday. At the start of the week, prosecutors and defense attorneys outlined their cases for the jury of six women. Then prosecutors began putting on their case.

Funeral held for man in ex-Patriot's murder case

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 01:10 PM PDT

Pallbearers carry the casket of Odin LLoyd following a funeral ceremony at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Boston in Boston, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Hundreds of relatives, friends and well-wishers wept together and hugged at the funeral for LLoyd, a semi-pro football player whose killing led to murder and weapons charges against former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)BOSTON (AP) — Hundreds of relatives, friends and teammates wept together and hugged Saturday at the funeral of a semi-pro football player whose killing led to murder and weapons charges against former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez.

Family: American killed in Egypt was a teacher

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 03:50 PM PDT

This undated photo provided by the Pochter family shows Andrew Driscoll Pochter. The U.S. State Department confirmed Saturday, June 29, 2013, that Kenyan College student, Andrew Pochter, 21, of Chevy Chase, Md. died Friday, June 28, while photographing clashes between opponents and supporters of President Mohamed Morsi in Alexandria, Egypt. The Pochter family said Pochter went to Alexandria for the summer to teach English to 7 and 8 year old Egyptian children and to improve his Arabic. (AP Photo/Pochter Family)The family of an American college student killed in Egypt during violent protests says their son was passionate about the Middle East and was in the country teaching English.

Millions worldwide share difficult Mandela vigil

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 01:51 PM PDT

FILE - In this Friday, June 28, 2013, file photo, a group of well wishers sing and pray for the health of former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where Mandela is being treated in Pretoria, South Africa. As Mandela's hospitalization continues, the anticipation has left many caught in an awkward limbo, dealing on a global scale with a sensitive scenario more typically confronted privately by families. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)As Nelson Mandela lingers in a hospital, yet another remarkable moment is helping to seal his legacy: Millions of people around the world, united by respect and gratitude, are preparing for this beloved man to die.

Bail set for man accused of carrying guns to Hawks parade

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 11:07 AM PDT

Bail was set at $75,000 today for a south suburban man accused of carrying two guns while walking with the crowds in the Loop toward the Hawks rally.

In South Africa, Obama pays tribute to ill Mandela

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 11:54 AM PDT

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during a town hall meeting with young African leaders at the University of Johannesburg Soweto on Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The president is in South Africa, embarking on the second leg of his three-country African journey. The visit comes at a poignant time, with former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela ailing in a Johannesburg hospital. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Paying tribute to his personal hero, President Barack Obama met privately Saturday with Nelson Mandela's family as the world anxiously awaited news on the condition of the ailing 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader.

Obama says climate change is make-or-break issue

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 09:10 AM PDT

President Barack Obama wipes sweat from his head during a speech on climate change, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at Georgetown University in Washington. Obama is proposing sweeping steps to limit heat-trapping pollution from coal-fired power plants and to boost renewable energy production on federal property. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is trying to frame climate change as a make-or-break political issue, urging Americans to vote only for those who will protect the country from environmental harm.

First week of testimony in Martin case wraps up

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 09:04 AM PDT

George Zimmerman, left, smiles while standing next to defense counsel Lorna Truettwhile, waiting for the jury to leave the courtroom during the 15th day of his trial in Seminole circuit court, in Sanford, Fla., Friday, June 28, 2013. Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Joe Burbank, Pool)SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — The first week of George Zimmerman's second-degree murder trial wrapped up with testimony from two neighbors and a police officer that seemed to bolster the defense's argument that he was pinned on his back by Trayvon Martin before shooting the teen.

Jackson son's testimony dominates trial's 9th week

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 08:37 AM PDT

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2011 file photo, Prince Michael Jackson appears on stage at the Michael Forever the Tribute Concert, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Michael Jackson's eldest son on June 26, 2013, recounted publicly for the first time what he saw in his father's bedroom on the day of the pop superstar's death. Prince Jackson was the first Jackson family member to testify in a Los Angeles courtroom in the negligent hiring case against concert promoter AEG Live LLC. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File) *Editorial Use Only*LOS ANGELES (AP) — A look at key moments this past week in the wrongful death trial in Los Angeles between Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and concert giant AEG Live LLC, and what is expected at court in the week ahead:

Obama meets privately with Mandela family

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 06:53 AM PDT

U.S. President Barack Obama gestures during a news conference with South African President Jacob Zuma, not pictured, at the Union Building on Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Pretoria, South Africa. The president is in South Africa, embarking on the second leg of his three-country African journey. The visit comes at a poignant time, with former South African president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela ailing in a Johannesburg hospital. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)JOHANNESBURG (AP) — President Barack Obama met privately Saturday with the family of Nelson Mandela.

Egypt group: 22 million signatures against Morsi

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 10:20 AM PDT

Supporters of Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi armed by sticks and shields to protect from stone attack guard their protesting site at a public square outside the Rabia el-Adawiya mosque near the presidential palace in Cairo, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Thousands of supporters and opponents of Egypt's embattled Islamist president held rival sit-ins in separate parts of Cairo Saturday on the eve of opposition-led mass protests aimed at forcing Mohammed Morsi from power. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)CAIRO (AP) — More than 22 million Egyptians have signed a petition calling for the country's Islamist president to step down, the youth group leading the signature campaign said Saturday on the eve of mass protests aimed at forcing Mohammed Morsi from office.

Suspect in killing of mom and son, 5, found shot on West Side

Posted: 29 Jun 2013 02:40 PM PDT

The 18-year-old suspect in a double homicide that left a 5-year-old boy and his 31-year-old mom dead was found bleeding from at least four gunshot wounds Friday night.