WORLD/ HAITI POLICE DETAIN DUVALIER: Police in Haiti today took away Jean-Claude Duvalier, the former dictator who abruptly returned to this country nearly 25 years after being forced from power, leading him out of the high-end hotel where he has been huddled since his arrival. The police did not indicate where Duvalier was being taken, and it remained unclear whether Duvalier would be arrested or simply questioned. One year after the nation was hit by a devastating earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people, the country has been grappling to absorb the potentially destabilizing blow of Duvalier’s surprise return on Sunday, which drew condemnations from around the world and ignited new fears of conflict. Duvalier, known as Baby Doc, returned to Haiti 24 years and 11 months after he was forced to flee the country by a tide of social upheaval driven by severe poverty and his regime’s brutal political repression. He has faced threats of prosecution in the past for the many human rights abuses committed during his rule, and for the hundreds of millions of dollars government officials have said he looted from the country. He is also implicated in the alleged torture and murder of thousands of people. In a brief radio interview, Duvalier said he had returned only to help his country, not to get involved in politics.
WORLD/ LANDMARK GAY RIGHTS COURT VICTORY IN UK: A gay couple have won their case against the owners of a hotel after being refused a double room. Martin Hall and Steven Preddy, who are civil partners, sued devout Christians Peter and Hazelmary Bull for sexual orientation discrimination. Judge Rutherford, at Bristol crown court, ruled that the Bulls had directly discriminated against the gay couple on the ground of their sexual orientation. Hall and Preddy were awarded compensation of £1800 each. They began their case after the Chymorvah Private Hotel in Cornwall, owned by the Bulls, denied them a double room on the basis that they were a gay couple. Mr and Mrs Bull argued that they barred all unmarried couples from sharing rooms but the gay couple claimed that a straight couple could pretend to be married. In the ruling the judge said the right of the defendants to manifest their religion is not absolute and “can be limited to protect the rights and freedoms of the claimants”. It is believed the couple will appeal.
US/ ZENYATTA NAMED HORSE OF THE YEAR: Zenyatta won Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards last night. The award caps a remarkable career for the popular Zenyatta, one of the sport's greatest mares. She was 19-0 before losing her final race to Blame in the Breeders' Cup Classic last November. Zenyatta's 3 year body of work and charismatic personality swayed voters her way. She cost her owners only $60,000 when they purchased her as a yearling in 2005, and she went on to win 13 Grade 1 stakes, including 5 last year. She's now at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky awaiting her first breeding date, with the stallion to be announced soon.
US/ RILEY CELEBRATES HIS BIRTHDAY: Riley, known around the world as the smiling dog, has celebrated his 2nd birthday in San Jose. The Bichon Frise/Poodle mix became known last year when photos from his 1st birthday went viral. Since that time, his owner has captured the dog with many different human like expressions. In the picture, Riley is about to tuck into a cupcake, sprinkled with dog treats.
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