Nation/World briefs

Nation

Obama signs defense bill with hate crimes provision

Washington -- President Barack Obama says a newly expanded hate crimes law will allow the nation's people to "live and love as we see fit." The law extends federal hate crimes to include those perpetrated against people because of sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It also removes restrictions on when the federal government can intervene in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. It was part of a defense bill that kills some costly weapons projects and expands war efforts.

Bay Bridge closed for steel rod repairs

San Francisco-- Repairs are under way at the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge after a steel rod snapped Tuesday evening, hitting three vehicles and causing the bridge to be shut down indefinitely, officials said. The California Department of Transportation would not give a time estimate for when the Bay Bridge -- a key route between San Francisco and Oakland used by nearly 280,000 commuters daily -- will reopen.

Federal officials probe distracted flying

Washington-- The Northwest Airlines pilots who overshot their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles have prompted the Obama administration to broaden its look at distracted driving to include distracted flying, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday.

Cuba says it is ready for talks with U.S.

New York-- Cuba is willing to hold talks with the United States "on any level," Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Wednesday in conciliatory remarks aimed at the Obama administration. Rodriguez said in an interview with the Associated Press the island nation was waiting for a response from Washington to Cuba's offer to broaden discussions

NASA's new rocket makes test flight

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA's newest rocket successfully completed a brief test flight Wednesday, the first step in a back-to-the-moon program that could yet be shelved by the White House. The 327-foot Ares I-X rocket carried no passengers or payload, only throwaway ballast and hundreds of sensors. The flight cost $445 million.

3 arrested in alleged gang rape of girl

Richmond, Calif. -- Three more people have been arrested in connection with the gang rape and beating of a 15-year-old girl outside her high school homecoming dance in an attack that has generated widespread outrage. The arrests bring to five the number of people taken into custody in the attack that occurred Saturday night at Richmond High School, located in the San Francisco Bay area.

Storm dumps snow on the Rockies

Denver-- A storm bringing the first heavy snows of autumn to a large portion of the Rockies and western plains crippled parts of Colorado and Wyoming Wednesday, forcing road closures and sending students home from school as more than 2 feet piled up with much more expected.

Prosecutor looks at balloon boy sheriff

Fort Collins, Colo. -- A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate allegations the Larimer County sheriff violated privacy laws in the case of the runaway balloon that was believed to be carrying a young boy.

World

Kuwait alters female headscarf rule

Kuwait City-- Kuwait's highest court ruled Wednesday that women lawmakers are not obliged by law to wear the headscarf, a blow to Muslim fundamentalists who want to fully impose Islamic Sharia law in this small oil-rich state.

From Detroit News wire services