In brief: Brazilian court OKs civil unions

SAO PAULO, Brazil – Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday night that civil unions between same-sex couples must be allowed in this nation with more Roman Catholics than any other.

In a 10-0 vote, with one abstention, the justices said gay couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies, and inheritances, among other issues.

The ruling, however, stopped short of legalizing gay marriage. In Latin America, that is legal only in neighboring Argentina and in Mexico City.

The request for the Supreme Court to recognize civil unions came two years ago from the Brazilian attorney general’s office, largely because legislation that would give same-sex couples the rights enjoyed by married heterosexual couples has been stalled in Congress for more than a decade.

Calderon links past, present wars

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Felipe Calderon says today’s battles against drug cartels are similar to the country’s fight against the French invasion nearly 150 years ago.

Calderon spoke Thursday on the Cinco de Mayo holiday, which is the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over a French army in 1862.

Calderon told people attending this year’s re-enactment of the battle near the central city of Puebla that, just as then, Mexicans today face powerful enemies.

France invaded to install Emperor Maximilian, who was executed by Mexican forces in 1867.