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New York's highest court ruled Thursday that the state constitution does not require the recognition of gay marriage, rejecting arguments by same-sex couples who said state law violates their constitutional rights.

Impeachment proceedings against the president of Taiwan have begun. Chen Shui-bian was the first opposition leader to win the office after the island began holding presidential elections a decade ago. Taiwan was ruled by founder Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party up until Chen took office.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has criticized the rising civilian death toll in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. She talks to John Ydstie about the suggestion that killing on both sides may involve war crimes.

The Syrian government and people have welcomed Lebanese evacuees from the Israel-Hezbollah fighting with open arms, despite a strained relationship between the two countries. For the moment, their differences has been forgotten as Lebanese stream into Damascus.

Alfred W. McCoy's new book, A Question of Torture, chronicles the CIA's development and use of torture since the Cold War. He speaks with Steve Inskeep about the past, present and effectiveness of torture.

Alex Chadwick talks to Rep. John Murtha, (D-PA), about his charge that the Pentagon tried to cover up the killing of unarmed civilians by Marines in Haditha, Iraq. Murtha, a former Marine and longtime supporter of the military as a legislator, has been an outspoken critic of the Bush administration's occupation of Iraq.

Texas Icehouses — part town hall, part tavern, icehouses have been a South Texas tradition since the 1920s. Once a vital part of everyday local culture, a cornerstone of every neighborhood in San Antonio and Houston, they are a rapidly diminishing, endangered species. A journey into this Mexican, German, Tejano, Anglo tradition.

Benjamin Franklin, who has been has been called the most multi-talented figure in American history, spent some 16 years of his life in London. His life and accomplishments there are on display in the newly restored house where he lived.

President Bush has regularly added signing statements to laws passed by the Congress, with some statements noting an unwillingness to enforce the law. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) says the president's actions are a challenge to the Constitution. He wants to be able to sue the president over signings.

A new report from the Government Accountability Office finds serious shortcomings in how the Iraq war is being handled, and estimates the costs at about $3 billion per week. The report adds fuel to a rancorous Capitol Hill debate over Iraq.