Gay Oregonians gain protection from discrimination, access to domestic partnerships SALEM—In a historic vote, the Oregon House of Representatives gave bipartisan approval to two bills that will extend greater equality to gay and lesbian Oregonians. “Freedom from discrimination enables people to learn, work, contribute, and achieve,” said State Representative David Edwards (D-Hillsboro) during the floor debate. “To be deprived of it is a kind of excommunication from society and its rewards. When it comes to ... [full story]

Six of seven licensed businesses tested in Bend sold alcohol to a minor during a recent compliance operation conducted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), the second time in a row local licensees fared poorly during testing. Statewide, about 76 percent of businesses refuse to sell to the minor, in essence, passing the compliance test. But in Bend, the refusal rate has been much lower, only 14 percent during the most recent test, and ... [full story]

PRINEVILLE – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the transfer of approximately 945 acres of land to the State of Oregon as part of a commitment by the Federal Government to help support K-12 schools in Oregon. The 945 acres selected by the State of Oregon have been identified as lands available for disposal and community expansion within the Prineville BLM’s Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan. Specifically, these lands are south of the ... [full story]

CAIRO - Egyptian prosecutors in Cairo announced Tuesday they had arrested one of the country's nuclear engineers on charges he was spying for Israel. Egyptian Chief Prosecutor Hisham Badawi told a news conference Mohammed Sayed Sabar Ali, 35, had been paid $17,000 for information obtained from computer systems on Egypt's newly restarted nuclear energy program, Arutz Sheva said in a broadcast report. Prosecutors allege Ali passed the information on to two men working for Israel, ... [full story]

BRAMPTON, Ontario - A Brampton, Canada, apartment cleaner survived a fall of four floors and impalement on a spiked fence. The cleaner, identified only as Andre, fell out of a window while cleaning it Sunday onto the fence, the Toronto Star reported Tuesday. Esron Duncan, a security supervisor, was attracted to the scene by witnesses. "I just did what I had to do. I held him up until help arrived," Duncan said. "He was conscious ... [full story]

ROME - Italy began a murder trial in Rome Tuesday of an absent U.S. soldier who allegedly killed an Italian secret agent in Iraq two years ago. Mario Lozano, 35, is accused of killing the agent by shooting into a car that failed to slow for a U.S. roadblock. Military Intelligence Service officer Nicola Calipari died in the incident. Calipari was escorting a newly released Italian journalist who had been released by insurgents. Their driver ... [full story]

Just when it appeared the gasoline price surge was coming to an end, it reversed itself.  In the past week, the national average price for a gallon of regular jumped by more than seven cents to $2.87.  Oregon's average price followed suit, going up more than six cents per gallon to $3.07. "A week ago, it appeared prices were leveling.  Now, we're facing the potential to set new highs in average prices," said AAA Public ... [full story]

--Flag will be flown at half-staff through sundown on Sunday, April 22, 2007-- Salem – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff today, Tuesday, April 17, 2007 through sundown on Sunday, April 22, 2007, in memory of the lives lost at Virginia Tech yesterday. “Yesterday’s events at Virginia Tech were not just a tragedy for Virginia, but for our entire nation,” said Governor Kulongoski. “On behalf of Oregonians throughout the ... [full story]

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in March compared with 5.3 percent in February. The March unemployment rate was the same as in January; prior to that time the rate had not been this low since January 2001, when the rate was also 5.2 percent.  The US seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in March and 4.5 percent in February. In March, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2,000, following a ... [full story]

SEOUL - North Korea will get a few more days to close its nuclear facilities required under the six-party agreement, the deadline for which expired last Saturday. South Korea announced Tuesday it had agreed along with the United States to give the extension to the Pyongyang government, the Korea Times reported. The agreement on granting the extension was reached between South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice following their ... [full story]