England and Wales legalize gay and lesbian marriages

According to the Telegraph.com, a tremendous step forward for equality has occurred in England and Wales this past weekend.

On Saturday, Mar. 29, England and Wales legalized same-sex marriage, and the response was incredible. According to the report, at least 25 gay couples were married on Sunday. The law allowed for people from various backgrounds and parts of the country to finally join as married couples.

The report goes on to state that Scotland has law that has recently been passed which allow for same-sex marriages to begin in October.

The Telegraph does report that the law was not passed unanimously, and was faced with much opposition from the Conservative party. But despite opposition, the rainbow flag was flown above the Cabinet Office of Scotland the report sates.

The victory isn’t completely won as same-sex marriages are still not allowed to take place in Anglican churches. And many still protest same-sex marriages as defiance to God.

Women get behind the wheel again

Last Oct., we saw a movement across Saudi Arabia in which women got behind the wheel of car and drove in order to protest the ban on female drivers in the nation. The Independent reports that nearly 60 women joined together to protest. The Independent reports that while there are no laws against female drivers, they are not simply issued licenses.

The ban is being protested once again. During President Obama’s visit with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah in Riyadh, women have continued protesting for women’s rights throughout Saudi Arabia. The Independent reports that the surge in the movement for women’s rights on driving was not purposely timed with the President’s arrival.

Deadly attack in Afghanistan deter vote

According to the Australian, militants from the Taliban attacked a commission’s office in Kabul dressed as women.

With the major vote coming up in Afghanistan, this recent attack has been planned in the hopes of scaring off voters. This isn’t the first attack of the week however. This attack comes in a number three this week in hopes of scaring off voters.

In this attack, the men gained entrance to the building in the disguise of women in burqas, and they were able to set fire to two warehouses using rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns.

The Australian reports that all five of the gunmen wear shot and killed after a four-hour standoff. Fortunately, none of the employees in the buildings were injured. However, two security guards did sustain injuries from the standoff.

Israel looks to extend peace talks

 In a report from the Haaretz, Israel has recently offered to free Palestinian prisoners in order to extend peace talks.

If the agreement goes through, this will be the fourth set of prisoners released back to Palestine in the efforts of peace talks, according to Haaretz. The agreements come from Palestinians prior comments that they would be interested in extending the peace talks in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners.

California rocked by quakes

Friday, Mar. 28, California was rocked by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, and 4.1 aftershock on Saturday Mar. 29.

There have been no reports of injury according to the Chicago Tribune. There is, however, a report of structural damage. According to the report, the earthquake on Saturday originated in Rowland Heights and could felt as far Palm Springs, San Diego and Ventura County, in the Tribune’s report. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department there was no significant damage in the 470 mile jurisdiction.