Geragos wants donations for investigation
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Legal experts say nothing restricts Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos from using a Web site to raise funds for more investigations into Laci Peterson's death.
Geragos, insisting his client, Scott Peterson, has been unjustly convicted of murder, is asking for donations to continue the investigation into the murders of Laci Peterson and her unborn son.
Legal ethics expert Carol Langford, a professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, told the San Francisco Chronicle such fund raising doesn't appear to violate California's rules of professional conduct for lawyers.
Pamela Phillips of Rogers Joseph O'Donnell & Phillips in San Francisco, called it unusual. but also said there doesn't seem to be any prohibition.
"In a way, it is very strange to try to raise money publicly, but I'm not aware of any rule that would prohibit it, as long as his client gives consent," she told the Chronicle.
China warns of Taiwan relations
BEIJING, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Tuesday urged the United States to stop developing its military relations with Taiwan.
Liu made the statement during a news conference, referring to the U.S. appointment of a military liaison official to Taiwan, Xinhua, China's main government-run news agency, reported.
The move by the United States to develop military ties with Taiwan infringes the principles set forth in three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, Liu said.
Liu also demanded Japan reverse its issuance of a visa to former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui. He said refusing the request would hurt bilateral relations, the Kyodo news agency reported.
"The Japanese government is acting in disregard of solemn representations and opposition by the Chinese government," he said. "We express our strong dissatisfaction and call on the Japanese government to rectify the move."
Onetime Aussie rivals make nice
SYDNEY, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Australia's John Howard had kind words for a onetime political enemy as Howard became the nation's second-longest-serving prime minister.
Howard's tenure of nearly nine years is second only to party founder Robert Menzies, who was prime minister for more than 20 years, the BBC reported.
Howard said he planned to celebrate the milestone quietly with family, and even had kind words for Labor Party archrival Bob Hawke. It was Hawke's tenure as prime minister that Howard surpassed.
"I hope it can be said of our relationship that, despite our obvious and strongly expressed differences on a lot of issues, we each respect the contribution that the other has made to public life," Howard said of Hawke during a radio interview.
Hawke started the niceness by congratulating Howard on his achievement.
Newfoundland court allows same-sex marriage
ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Two lesbian couples may legally marry, the Newfoundland Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
The court's ruling makes Newfoundland and Labrador the seventh Canadian province to sanction same-sex marriage, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
Jacqueline Pottle and Noelle French, as well as Lisa Zigler and Theresa Walsh, asked for the right to marry legally.
Justice Minister Tom Marshall said earlier this month the provincial government would not oppose a same-sex court ruling, the CBC reported.
Newfoundland and Labrador now join Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, as well as the Yukon Territory, in allowing such marriages.
