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Local News

Craig Drops Appeals
Larry Craig’s attempts to void his 2007 conviction are over. Tom Kelly, a Minneapolis lawyer for the former Republican US Senator from Idaho, says he will not ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to nullify Craig’s conviction, after concluding that it would not accept a petition for further review of the case. Craig was arrested in 2007 by an undercover police officer during a sting operation against men cruising for gay sex at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, and paid a fine. He then changed his mind after the arrest became public. He said that he was innocent, and that he was not gay.

National News

Seattle Gay Bars Threatened with Poison Attacks
According to The Seattle Times, 11 Seattle area gay bars recently received letters threatening ricin attacks. Ricin is a naturally occurring poison that can be deadly if purified, and then ingested or inhaled. “I have in my possession approximately 67 grams of ricin with which I will indiscriminately target at least five of your clients….I expect them to die painfully while in hospital,” the letters stated. The Seattle Police Department said it takes the threat seriously, coordinating efforts with FBI and other federal agencies.

World News

Men Sentenced for Homosexual Acts in Senegal
A leading gay-rights activist and eight other men were convicted of committing homosexual acts in Senegal, and sentenced to eight years in prison. They were arrested in December at the apartment of Diadji Diouf, who leads an organization that provides HIV-prevention services to gay men. They were convicted and sentenced for “unnatural acts” and criminal conspiracy. An attorney for the men said his clients would appeal the sentences.