Free Republic

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) -- A judge performed a wedding ceremony for an inmate and his fiancee, moments after sentencing the groom to more time in prison for hiding marijuana in his underwear. Chester County Judge Paula Francisco Ott added 6 to 23 months to Marcus Tian Washington's prison term, then asked a deputy sheriff to uncuff his right hand so she could officiate the marriage. Ott asked the bride, 19-year-old Timalin Douglass, several times whether she wanted to go ahead with the wedding. Douglass, who wore a beaded wedding gown, told the judge "yes" and later said she was...

Iraq inspectors find banned missile system From James Bone in New York Western pressure grows on Saddam Hussain to flee Baghdad THE chief United Nations weapons inspector will report tomorrow that Iraq has been developing a ballistic missile that is in clear violation of UN restrictions. The discovery of a banned weapons system on the eve of Hans Blix’s crucial presentation is tantamount to the inspectors finding a “smoking gun” — even though it was declared by Iraq to the UN as a legal programme. Diplomats said the announcement would strengthen London and Washington’s case that Iraq was in...

Smokers Fined for Lighting Up in Tokyo Streets Fri Nov 1,10:29 AM ET TOKYO (Reuters) - Lighting up on Tokyo's streets became hazardous to more than health on Friday as the first luckless Japanese were fined for smoking in some downtown areas. Smoking on the street was banned in busy parts of central Tokyo's Chiyoda ward a month ago, but a system of fines -- up to $163 for multiple offences -- began on November 1. By noon, cigarette patrol officers had issued citations ordering 13 people to pay fines of 2,000 yen for smoking or discarding cigarette butts on...