WASHINGTON, D.C.

Cathedral to hold same-sex weddings The Washington National Cathedral, the nation's traditional host of prayer services for presidents and memorial services to mark national tragedies, will now hold weddings for same-sex couples. The cathedral, a neo-gothic landmark in northwest Washington, is the seat of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and the Washington diocese. Episcopalians voted at their convention last summer to authorize an official liturgy for blessing same-sex unions.

MARYLAND

New points coming in WikiLeaks case Military prosecutors at Fort Meade preparing to try Pfc. Bradley Manning said they would introduce evidence that Osama bin Laden requested and received from an Al-Qaida member some of the State Department cables and military reports that Manning is accused of passing to WikiLeaks.

AUSTRALIA

Record heat fuels widespread fires Bush fires raging across some of the most populous parts of Australia -- feeding off widespread drought conditions and high winds -- pushed firefighters to their limits and residents to their wits' end as meteorologists tracked the country's hottest spring and summer on record into uncharted territory. Four months of record-breaking temperatures have produced what the government says are "catastrophic" fire conditions along the eastern and southeastern coasts of the country.

PAKISTAN

Truckers of NATO goods go on strike Truckers who carry supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan have gone on strike in northwest Pakistan to protest lower pay, inadequate security and corrupt officials. The strike began in response to the government's decision to require truckers to go through authorized companies instead of making individual deals with the government-run National Logistics Cell. The companies pay the truckers less. The truckers also claimed that the government was not providing adequate protection from Taliban attacks and that each truck had to pay security officials $165 in bribes to pass through the Khyber tribal area.

NEWS SERVICES