Hawaii's governor signs civil unions into law

HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed same-sex civil unions into law Wednesday, calling it "a triumph for everyone" that gay and lesbian couples will have the same state rights as married partners.

Civil unions in the Rainbow State would start Jan. 1, 2012, making Hawaii the seventh state to permit civil unions or similar legal recognitions for gay couples. Five other states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.

"This bill represents equal rights for everyone in Hawaii, everyone who comes here. This is to me the essence of the aloha spirit," Abercrombie said at a signing ceremony. "With its signing, I want to say 'welcome' to the world, come to paradise."

Picking out Diamond Engagement Rings

While you're Picking out diamond engagement rings, pick out carefully as these ring is something that your future wife wish hopefully wear for the rest of her life. Not whole diamond rings are engagement rings. Diamond engagement rings mormally have one diamond bigger than the rest or consist of a single diamond. These types of diamond engagement rings are called a solitaire.

A long time ago, women wore diamond rings that were nammed cocktail rings. They were applied for fancy dress and not worn all of the time. Contrarily, diamond engagement rings are worn all of the time and numerous women ne'er take out them. Diamond engagement rings oftentimes attach to a wedding band in addition to, as part of a set.

Egyptians Celebrate Mubarak Departure, Look to Futureon

Egyptians are cleaning up after celebrations that followed the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's leader of nearly 30 years. The military, which assumed control of the country, on Saturday said Mr. Mubarak's Cabinet will remain in place for now while Egypt transitions to a democratic system. The military also vowed to "remain committed to all regional and international" accords including peace treaties, confirming Egypt's landmark 1979 peace treaty with Israel would remain intact.

Saturday was a day of cleaning at Tahrir Square and throughout Central Cairo even as celebrations were going on. Groups of people went to the streets and to the square with brooms and dustpans in hand to help clear up the filth and debris that built up during the 18 days of demonstrations.

Dumb Phones Still Dominate Smartphones ... For Now

Androids are awesome, iPhones impressive ... but dumbphones still dominate.

In the last few years, mobile phones have become status symbols. Use a fancy one and people will think you're cool. Use a more traditional one and folks stare as though you just pulled up to the party in a Buick.

That explains Susan Andersen's sheepishness when asked what kind of phone she uses. "I'm still in the dark ages of cell phones," the Los Angeles mother of three admits. "Of all my friends and family -- even my own mother -- I'm the only one that uses a dumbphone."

Conservatives Congregate at CPAC

The Conservative Political Action Conference, the annual confab of 10,000 conservatives held at one of Washington, D.C.'s top mega-hotels, kicked off Thursday for a three-day festival that is already full of surprises.

On the eve of CPAC, the American Conservative Union, the conference organizer, surprised many by announcing longtime chief David Keene had stepped down and would be replaced with Al Cardenas, former Florida Republican Party chairman.

The move is unlikely to stem the internecine conflict behind the scenes resulting from a boycott by social conservative groups protesting the inclusion of a gay Republican organization. Cardenas has said he's going to continue with the "big tent" approach that led to the boycott from groups like the Family Research Council.

Surprise Rulings Cast Doubt Over Kenyan Judiciary Nominations

The future of Kenya's Judiciary remains uncertain after surprise decisions from Kenya's parliament and high court.

Tension has been building in Nairobi since Sunday, when the coalition government was thrown into another crisis over controversial nominations for Kenya's Chief Justice and Attorney General. Appeals Court Judge Alnashir Vikram was nominated for Chief Justice while lawyer Githu Muigai was pegged as Kenya's next Attorney General. Prime Minister Raila Odinga dismissed the appointments made by President Mwai Kibaki as illegal, arguing he was not consulted as required by Kenya's constitution.

Senate Report Warns of Volatile Iraq After U.S. Military Pullout

American diplomats and other mission employees may not be safe in Iraq if the U.S. military leaves the volatile country at the end of the year as planned, according to a new report released Tuesday.

The report by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee puts new pressure on a delicate diplomacy between Washington and Baghdad to decide what future role American troops will have in Iraq -- if one at all -- before they start withdrawing this summer.

At least 159 Iraqi citizens and 100 police and soldiers were killed in insurgent attacks in January -- the deadliest month for Iraq since September, according to data released Tuesday by security and health ministry officials in Baghdad.

Sam Gilliam: An ever-changing force

Artist Sam Gilliam's signature strokes on draped cloths, towering panels and traditional canvases are part of our everyday lives, on display in museums as well as at libraries, banks and Reagan National Airport. For almost 50 years, Gilliam has been an ever-changing force in Washington's arts circles, even as his work and recognition have grown far beyond the city.

In 1967, Gilliam received his first solo show at the Phillips Collection, where he was saluted as an innovator in Washington's Color School, a movement in the '60s and '70s that produced bursts of color in geometric forms and fanciful shapes.