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Gay couples begin registering for unions in Britain

By wire services
Published December 6, 2005

LONDON - Gay couples began registering for civil partnerships across Britain on Monday as a law took effect giving them many of the same legal rights as married heterosexuals.

Although the law stops short of allowing same-sex couples to marry, many said they were still eager to claim the benefits and official recognition of their relationships. The Times of London marked the day by publishing notices of "gay marriages" for the first time.

The law, passed last year despite some opposition from Parliament's unelected House of Lords, permits civil ceremonies that will give same-sex couples the same social security, tax, pension and inheritance rights as married couples. Prime Minister Tony Blair's government dropped the word "marriage" from its legislation rather than run afoul of lawmakers who feel the word has religious connotations.

Among the first to register Monday were pop star Elton John and his filmmaker partner, David Furnish. Pop star George Michael has also announced that he will tie the knot with his long-term partner, Kenny Goss, next year.

Up to 1,000 couples were expected to register their partnerships Monday.

The first partnership ceremonies will be held Dec. 19 in Northern Ireland, Dec. 20 in Scotland and Dec. 21 in England and Wales.

The Netherlands, Canada, Belgium and Spain have legalized same-sex marriage; Germany, France and Switzerland have laws similar to Britain's. In the United States, only Massachusetts allows gay marriage, while Vermont and Connecticut permit civil unions.

Enemy fire forced copters to land in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - Two U.S. helicopters that made emergency landings Sunday in Afghanistan were hit by enemy fire, a U.S. military official said Monday.

Five U.S. soldiers and an Afghan army soldier were injured when the helicopters, both involved in the same combat operation, made hard landings - one in Kandahar province and one in neighboring Uruzgan province.

Lt. Col. Laurent Fox, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said it was apparently enemy fire that forced the helicopters down. He said the pilots saved lives by landing the helicopters.

All six soldiers were treated and have returned to duty, he said.

Russian official confirms missile sale to Iran

MOSCOW - Russia has struck a deal to sell short-range, surface-to-air missiles to Iran, the defense minister said Monday, confirming reports that have raised concern in the United States and Israel.

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov didn't give details.

Referring to Russia as a friend and partner, the Bush administration on Monday criticized the deal.

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said, "We certainly do not feel that this is a sale that would serve the interests of us or the region."

Ereli said Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns made the point in talks with Russian officials last week in Moscow.

"It's important to remember and underscore that Iran is a state sponsor of terror," Ereli said. "They have engaged in actions that we think are hostile and unhelpful."

Meanwhile, Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Monday that the country plans to build at least one more nuclear power plant despite international concern over its atomic program.

Ali Larijani said he did not expect the plan to affect upcoming nuclear talks with Europe.

Earthquake kills two people in eastern Congo

KINSHASA, Congo - A powerful earthquake Monday killed at least two people in eastern Congo, a region already beset by chronic violence and grinding poverty.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, struck at 2:20 p.m. (7:20 a.m. EST) and was centered beneath Lake Tanganyika on the Congo-Tanzania border, about 600 miles southwest of Nairobi, Kenya, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site.

"Dozens of houses have collapsed, several children were buried by the roofs of their houses," said Dr. Jean-Donne Owali, a humanitarian worker in Kalemie, Congo, about 35 miles from the epicenter.

Epsilon stays strong, still no threat to land

MIAMI - A tenacious Hurricane Epsilon lingered Monday in the open Atlantic, posing no threat to land.

The 26th named storm of a record-breaking hurricane season had top sustained winds of about 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

At 10 p.m. EST, Epsilon was centered about 500 miles southwest of the Azores and moving southeast at about 3 mph.

[Last modified December 6, 2005, 02:15:34]