WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated the general counsel for the Manhattan district attorney’s office to a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

NEW YORK — An unusually large contingent of female Republican candidates with strong anti-abortion views is heating up debate on the issue and could change the political equation in the next Congress.

Denver judge affirms gubernatorial candidate Tancredo on Colorado ballot

DENVER — A judge has ruled that third-party gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo can stay on Colorado’s ballot in November.

UN expert urges investigation of recent attacks on civilians in northern Darfur

Arizona judge hears from alleged “sham candidates” running as Green Party nominees

Key issues in Turkey’s referendum on a package of proposed constitutional amendments

Burris turns to Supreme Court in battle for a spot in special Illinois Senate election

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Judge won’t kick disputed Arizona Green Party ’sham candidates’ off November ballot

Judge: AZ Green Party candidates to stay on ballot

Ariz. Green Party sues ’sham candidates’ allegedly recruited by GOP to syphon votes from Dems

Ariz. Green Party sues to block ’sham candidates’

Obama, at first slow to name judges, now finds his choices stalled by Republican resistance

President Barack Obama speaks briefly on Afghanistan

Judge rules against breakaway faction of SCLC civil rights group co-founded by King

Judge rules against breakaway SCLC faction

APNewsBreak: Judge rules against breakaway faction of civil rights group co-founded by King

APNewsBreak: Judge rules in split of SCLC group

Texas judge orders Republican Governors Assoc. to pay $2 million to 2006’s Democratic nominee

GOP governors group ordered to pay $2M in Texas

Texas Supreme Court lets stand reprimand for top judge’s handling of execution-day appeal

Judge’s reprimand in death penalty case stands

Judge keeps gay marriages on hold in Calif. on hold until at least Aug. 18

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Ginsburg hopes Senate can return to more collegial confirmation process for court nominees

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Disorder engulfing Maldives heats up after attorney-general resigns, Supreme Court in limbo

Maldives high court in limbo amid political spats

3 women on Supreme Court may have more impact on court’s daily routine than outcome of rulings

3 women on high court: Historic but impact unclear

3 women on Supreme Court may have more impact on how court does business than on decisions

3 women on Supreme Court: How big a difference?

California attorney general calls for resumption of same-sex weddings in the state

Calif attorney general calls for same-sex weddings

Obama celebrates Kagan’s confirmation as 112th Supreme Court justice; swearing in Saturday

Obama celebrates Kagan’s confirmation to top court

In wake of gay marriage decision, debate rages over judge’s personal life, ability to rule

Judge’s personal life debated after gay ruling

Speculation about judge’s sexual orientation increases in wake of gay marriage ban decision

Judge in gay marriage case subject to speculation

Kagan to be sworn in as 112th Supreme Court justice Saturday after White House celebration

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Gay marriage ruling now faces uncertain future before unpredictable appeals court

Gay marriage before nation’s largest appeals court

Obama hails Kagan after Senate confirms her as 112th justice on US Supreme Court

US President Barack Obama welcomes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Senate confirms Elena Kagan as 112th justice, fourth-ever woman on US Supreme Court

Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Mass. sides with GOP against Kagan for Supreme Court

Supreme Court nominee Kagan to win Senate confirmation, become fourth woman to be a justice

Judge overturns California gay marriage ban in case likely to reach Supreme Court

Judge overturns Calif. gay marriage ban

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge overturned California’s gay-marriage ban Wednesday in a landmark case that could eventually force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront the question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to wed.